This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The track bar mounts have all the welds cracked and it causes the truck to shake uncontrollably and is very dangerous. I have almost crashed twice due to this problem. I see that fca currently has a recall for this exact problem R46, my truck falls within the model and years but for some reason is not covered under the recall. I noticed the problem driving on the highway at 60 mph the truck began to shake in a violent and uncontrollable manner all the cars around me slammed their brakes to stay away. I was able to brake down to 20 mph when the shaking stopped. I pulled over to the emergency lane to examine my truck and noticed the cracked welds on the track bar mount. I need to have this fixed under the recall as this is a huge safety problem for my self and my fellow drivers I share the road with.
On three separate occasions recently, the steering on my 2013 Dodge 2500 exhibited a violent shaking when I hit a small linear ridge on the interstate while traveling at the posted speed limit such as going over a bridge or the line from asphalt installed over old concrete sections.. this violent shaking almost sent the truck off the road and only stopped when I slowed down below 30 mph. I have taken the truck to the Dodge dealer and also a local garage and the drag link is bent and the tie-rod ends have to be replaced. The vehicle has never been in an accident. I was told the bent drag link was a result of the violent shaking called the "death wobble". the cost to repair the steering system is over $2200 and this truck only has 126,000 miles on it.
Steering became extremely loose. It became so loose that if I hit a bump I would end up in the next lane of traffic. The upper and lower ball joints, tie rod ends, and the entire steering linkage were replaced and the problem didnt get better. I had nearly 6 inches of play in the steering wheel. I'd appreciate if something was done for this so no more people have to go through this headache or safety issue.
While driving on interstate 84 in hartford, ct I hit a slight bump after they were resurfacing the road at about 50 miles per hour. The entire truck shook violently from the suspension into the steering wheel. Felt like all 4 tires were about to come out from under the truck. Luckily I was able to veer to the nearest exit and come to a complete stop. I took the truck onto a side road and visually inspected the undercarriage. Nothing seemed loose or seemed to have any play. The truck only has 58000 miles and I have never experienced this prior. Extremely nervous to bring this 3/4 ton up to highway speeds again.
- Bristol, CT, USA
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The contact owns a 2013 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a "death wobble" while driving 55 mph. Also, the steering wheel shook so violently that the contact lost control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle would shake even when it struck a small bump in the road, which caused it to drive into a ditch on two occasions. The vehicle was taken to autonation Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram spring (21027 I-45, spring, tx 77388, (281) 715-6927). The dealer stated that they were aware of the failure, but there was no remedy. The contact called the manufacturer, but was unable to speak with anyone. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 3,500.
I was traveling along I-25 about 75-80 mph when the steering got extremely tight so I started to slow down and when I did so I found out there was little to no brakes. Once I coasted to the edge of the interstate the truck started to overheat really fast so I shut it off. I opened the hood and examined the motor and found that the water pump shaft had snapped off because the water pump failed. When it happened my truck lost everything that is turned off of the serpintine belt which includes power steering pump all hydraulic system for my master cylinder and cooling system. There was no warning that the pump was going to fail and at 75 mph it was amazing that nothing catastrophic happened with no steering or brakes. I have researched and found there is a recall for the water pump on my truck but it doesnt mention anything about it failing like mine did with 40,000 miles on it.
Had a death wobble in may of 2017. I was knocked off the road during a school camping trip at 60 miles an hour on a mountain pass. Luckily I managed to stop the vehicle before rolling over. Dealer fixed upper and lower ball joint and trac bar. The wobble is now back and I am deathly afraid to drive it. I live in the mountains of Colorado and I use the truck to pull a large boat. If it happens on a mountain pass...I am dead!
Steering damper on my 2013 Ram 2500 (50K miles) is in need of replacing. This damper clunks while driving. I have researched other Ram trucks of this model and most are having the same issue and is apparent the steering damper - connects from steering wheel shaft to steering box is faulty. The two lugs on the damper have struck the ends of the slots and have pronounced metal to metal contact. My concern if not replaced by Ram, this could fault causing loss of steering resulting to personal injury up to including death of the driver and passengers. I have taken this issue into Jeep/chry/Ram service on several occasions and they decided to replace my ball joints at approx. 25K miles "?" recommend NHTSA to look into this matter as a manufacture defect and will not be replaced free of charge unless pushed as a recall item.
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 2500. While driving between 25-30 mph, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. Sunset motors incorp (located at 2218 sunset blvd, steubenville, oh 43952, (740) 264-1696) was notified, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 15,997.
Have experienced 'death wobble' (extreme vibration and loss of control) after hitting chuckhole at highway speed on three occasions. The third time nearly caused an accident. In all three cases, was driving in a straight line at about 65 mph. Mileage is 26400. The dealer is replacing the ball joints and other front end parts. A search of the internet shows this is a common problem on this truck.
I was driving down the hwy at 70 mph when I hit a bump and the whole front end ofthe truck started to shake so bad is could not control the truck. Death wobble.
While driving the vehicle if you hit a bump in the road or a low spot the vehicle will shake violently (death wobble) and you must bring the vehicle to an immediate stop. I feel this is a very serious issue as you can loose control of the truck at highway speeds putting not only myself and family in danger but also other unsuspecting drivers in danger.
All four ball joints and tie rod need replacement after only 44,400 miles on my 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 slt crew cab. Dealer told me the warrantee expired at 35,000 miles. Repairs total slightly over $1300. This is outrageous. I have had many vehicles with well over 175,000 and never had issues with ball joints or tie rods. This should be a recall item. Purchased at Dodge dealer in bakersfield, ca.
My truck has the death wobble.... a violent shaking of the front end at highway speeds...... very dangerous!! I went off of the road last week and ended up in a cotton field. Once the death wobble started I had no control of the brakes or steering wheel. Please help before me or someone dies!!!!! I have put all new ball joints, track bar, right and left upper tie rods, damper,3 alignments, my front right shock, and the right hub assembly all valued at $2751.60 so far and ive done most of the work....please help.
While traveling on the interstate North of New York city, the truck began to shake violently after hitting a bump in the road. The road was dry, sunny conditions and moderate traffic traveling about 65mph. This was the second time it happened and the first after performing work about 2 thousand miles earlier. The work included, replace front brake pads, calipers and rotors after dealer discovered possible sticky not frozen left front caliper. Replacing left and right side upper and lower ball joints all found to be in tolerance but dealer convinced warranty company that they should be replaced. 4 wheel computer alignment. Front end appeared to be in near new condition as the original mileage was just over 30K. The truck had no signs or symptoms for out of balance wheels or tires, shocks, springs or steering stabilizer. There was never excessive play in the steering. The warranty covered approximately $1100 of the total that was over $2300. The condition reoccurred less than 2000 miles after the work was completed. This is indicative of a design flaw with the size of components used in the control arms. The control arms fail to stabilize the front end after hitting a bump on one side. The arms actually act as springs counteracting forces which cause the front axle to shake violently until vehicle speed drops to below 20 miles an hour as the energy dissipates. Chrysler, specifically the local dealers have suggested uneven tire pressures and everything else that was replaced earlier. This problem is inherent to this vehicle's design and the use of less than required size of components.
Driving on the MA route 128 S highway around 65-70 mph, I hit a pothole on the left side of the travel lane. The truck started to shake violently as described with a death wobble. The violent shaking did not stop after applying the brakes to slow through about 35-40 mph. It felt as if all 4 tires blew simultaneously. No obvious damage was observed once stopped. This truck has less than 33900 miles at the time of the incident. The steering feels otherwise tight and responsive, the tires and wheels are stock and are wearing evenly. This is a very dangerous condition that affects the safety of operator, occupants and other drivers near an uncontrollable vehicle. The internet sources are widely aware of the condition with no clear solution to the problem. Many people identify equipment including shocks, ball joints, steering boxes, tie rods and ends and steering dampers and unbalanced tires. Some consumers indicate that even with entire front ends being replaced the problem continued. This indicates a design problem to me.
I am having what they call the "death wobble" when I drive over 65 mph and hit a pot hole, the front end starts to shimmy up and down violently. I have to slow down quickly not to lose control of the vehicle. Also tends to vibrate badly on turns.
2013 Ram 4X4 cummins with severe steering issues. The steering was noticeably unstable at around 38,000 miles. The drag links were both replaced, with moog greasables (non warranty parts) and so were all the tires (to try and eliminate possibilities). I am currently at 44,000 miles and just got the truck from the dealership after an alignment. The steering is still "unstable" and I have to compensate to keep it straight on the road. It resembles a drunk driver is driving the truck. I don't drive the truck as a daily driver only for trips and pulling. I seems to be more unstable when accelerating and when the road is uneven or bumpy as if something is loose in the front end. I am also a mechanical person and have been under the truck several times and cannot see or feel anything loose (neither did the dealer). I have even replaced the brake pads while checking the calipers thinking one or more were "sticking". everything was ok with the brakes but pads got replaced with new ceramics anyway. At around 35,000 miles I noticed a "slipping" or rough noise when taking off from a stop especially while turning left or right. I took it to the dealership and they said they noticed the noise but was a normal noise coming from the limited slip differential. The noise resembles tires slightly loosing traction on loose stones and is still happening to this day. The steering has gotten worse even with the new parts installed and I'm getting very concerned with the safety of the vehicle. Can anyone please shed some light on the steering issue or if the noise I hear has any bearing on the steering issue?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Miami, FL, USA