NHTSA Complaint #10549261 — 2003 DODGE RAM 2500

WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY FILED A COMPLAINT FOR THE "DEATH WOBBLE" OR VIOLENT, UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKING THAT OCCURS AFTER GOING OVER UNEVEN ROADS. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKES AND THERE IS MINIMAL CONTROL OF STEERING WHEN THIS HAPPENS UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS SLOWED DOWN TO ALMOST A STOP. THE SHAKING OF THE FRONT TIRES IS VISIBLE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. TODAY WHEN I WAS ENTERING THE EXPRESSWAY, WHICH HAS FRESH PATCHES OF CONCRETE, NO POTHOLE OR ROUGH SURFACE, MY TRUCK STARTING SHAKING THE FRONT TIRES AND STEERING WHEEL VIOLENTLY (DEATH WOBBLE). I HIT THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE VEHICLE STARTED DRIFTING AND I REALIZED I HAD NO STEERING WHEN I TRIED TO BRING THE VEHICLE INTO MY LANE. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP (REMEMBER I AM ON A 4 LANE X-WAY) I FOUND THAT THE STEERING BAR THAT GOES FROM THE PITMAN ARM TO THE RIGHT TIRE HAD BROKEN IN HALF. THIS IS A SOLID 1INCH BAR AND I HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING TO CAUSE THIS TO BREAK. . THIS COULD HAVE VERY EASILY BEEN A COMPLAINT LODGED WITH A DEATH OCCURRING.THE SHAKING IS A KNOW ISSUE WITH RAM 2500 TRUCKS WITH THIS SAME FRONT END DESIGN (INCL 2013), AND THE JEEPS WITH THE SAME DESIGN FRONT END ARE NOW COMPLAINING OF THE SAME SHAKING. I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK FOR 7YRS NOW, SO I KNOW IT HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS, OVER CURBS, 4 WHEELED OR ANY OTHER DRIVING CONDITION THAT COULD HAVE STRESSED OR CAUSED THE BAR TO BROKE. *TR