NHTSA Complaint #10475869 — 2003 DODGE RAM 2500

TRAVELING ON US 58 IN SUFFOLK, VA. I WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD WHILE TRYING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND HIT A VERY LARGE WATER FILLED POT HOLE. THE RESULTS WAS MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE CAME OFF THE VEHICLE AFTER BREAKING TWO LUG NUTS. THE TRUCK SLID 300 FEET DOWN THE ROAD UNTIL COMING TO REST IN THE MEDIAN. A USAA REPAIR FACILITY REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE HUB ASSEMBLY. I MOVED TO KINGS BAY GA. AND STARTED TO NOTICE A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAS 35" OFF ROAD TIRE ON IT SO I ASSUMED THE TIRES NEED TO BALANCED. AFTER ABOUT THREE WEEKS OF DRIVING THE REAL PROBLEMS AROSE. I DEVELOPED THE "DODGE DEATH WOBBLE". IT IS A VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE STEERING SYSTEM THAT FORCES YOU TO SLOW TO BELOW 45 MILES PER HOUR. IT IS SO VIOLENT THAT A 36 YEAR OLD NAVY DIVER CHIEF, WHO HAS BEEN TO TACTICAL DRIVING SCHOOLS FOR THE MILITARY, HAS A DIFFICULT TIME HOLDING IT ON THE ROAD. NOW, I HAVE HAD THE DODGE DEALERSHIP DISREGARD THE PROBLEM, BALANCE THE TIRES, REPLACE THE STEERING DAMPENER, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR