2003 DODGE RAM 2500 Suspension Problems

We have a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel crew cab pickup that occasionally after hitting a bump or on rough roads the steering mechanism or suspension develops an uncontrollable harmonic vibration with one or the other front wheels bouncing. The only way to stop the vibration is to come to a complete stop. In heavy traffic it could be a serious safety issue. The condition is well known to Chrysler and is commonly called a "Death Wobble". The first incidence on our vehicle was around ten years ago, but newer pickups are reported to have the condition. By replacing just the shock absorbers then it seemed to have helped, but that fix may have been fortuitous. The Dodge service center at that time did know of or maybe did not admit to the issue. Recently we have had the return of a couple episodes of the Death Wobble. The internet...

I was driving on I55 this morning and all of a sudden my truck started vibrating really bad, the steering wheel was veering, I had to constantly fight to keep in my lane. And when I touched my brakes it veered. Riding really rough, and has power loss. I took it to the nearest shop and they said my driveshaft was very loose, and that it is affecting everything that I described. The center driveshaft support bearing is also failing.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH OVER A POTHOLE, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND VIBRATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. JANSSEN DODGE (3101 S. JEFFERS DR, NORTH PLATTE, NE) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. *TT *TR

VIOLENT FRONT WHEEL SIDE TO SIDE SHAKING WHEN HITTING A SMALL BUMP ON THE FREEWAY, GOING STRAIT. BRAKING HARD TO A SLOWER SPEED, BELOW 50 MPH STOPS THE SHAKE. RAM DEALER INSTALLED A STEERING ARM FACTORY UPDATE. THIS DID NOT CURE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER COULD NOT TELL ME HOW THEY COULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN AS THE DEATH WOBBLE.

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRUCK WILL INTERMITTENTLY JERK VIOLENTLY UNTIL SPEED IS REDUCED. THIS IS SO COMMON THE INTERNET IS REFERRED TO IT AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE". IT CAN DO IT MULTIPLE TIMES IN ONE TRIP AND THEN NOT AGAIN FOR SERVERAL OTHERS. THANKFULLY I WAS DRIVING AND NOT MY WIFE. THE VIBRATION IS SO VIOLENT NOT MANY COULD CONTROL IT SAFELY.

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 55 MPH, I HIT A MINOR BUMP IN THE FREEWAY AND THE TRUCK STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY,STEERING WHEEL SHAKING SIDE TO SIDE. THE ONLY WAY IT STOPPED WAS I HAD TO REDUCE MY SPEED TO COMPLETE STOP , THE PROBLEM WAS I WAS TOWING A 16' TRAILER WITH A 4000 LB LOAD ON IT, I WAS IN FRONT OF A SEMI TRUCK WITH A FULL LOAD, IT WAS A VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. . IT HAPPEN AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH ON FREEWAY NEXT DAY WITHOUT THE TRAILER I HIT A MINOR BUMP IN THE ROADWAY AND THE TRUCK STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE ONLY WAY IT STOPPED WAS I HAD TO REDUCE MY SPEED AND STOP. I THINK THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS SOME ONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED BY THIS HAPPENING TO THEM

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS RAM 2500.. I HAVE CONTACTED LOCAL DEALER ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AND FOLLOWED UP.. BUT THEY ARE FULL OF EXCUSES. THEY KEEP TELLING ME "WHEN WE GET THE WORD FROM DODGE WE WILL CALL YOU.. THEY AIR BAD ISSUE REALLY SCARES ME SINCE I CANNOT TURN THE [XXX] THING OFF WHEN I DRIVE IT AND SOME ELSE'S CARELESSNESS IS WHAT WILL BLIND...ME. ALSO, I SEE THE TRACK BAR MADE NEED TO BE REPLACED... SORT OF IMPORTANT SINCE IT AFFECT STEERING. HOW DO YOU LIGHT A FIRE UNDER THESE PEOPLE.. CAR SALES ARE BOOMING.THEY GO THE MONEY... THEY HOPE I GO WAY... HONDA FRIENDS OF MINE HAVE HAD THEIR BAGS REPLACED A LONG TIME AGO.... WHOM DO I CONTACT TO GET THIS DONE??? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

APPARENT "DEATH WOBBLE" AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, HIT A SMALL BUMP, AND TRUCK STARTS SHAKING VIOLENTLY. DISSIPATES UPON SLOWING DOWN.

AT 138916 MILE TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR WARRANTY RECALL N62 LEFT OUTER TIE ROD ASSEMBLE , SINCE THAT TIME HAVE HAD SIX INSTANCES OF UNCONTROLLED SEVER AND DANGEROUS VIBRATIONS ALMOST TO THE POINT OF LOSING CONTROL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 60-70MPH. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS YESTERDAY WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND CURVE AT 60MPH; VEHICLE NOT HAS APPROXIMATELY 141,000 MILES

WHILE TRAVELING OVER 55 MPH AND HIT A BUMP THE FRONT END SHIMMIES VIOLENTLY. THE DODGE DEATH WOBBLE.

ON VACATION TOWING A 5000 POUND BOAT THE FRONT AND STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY THE SO-CALLED DODGE DEATH WOBBLE.HAD TO TURN AROUND AND GO HOMEAT A MUCH LOWER SPEED.BROUGHT IT TO WARWICK DODGE IN NEW YORK FOR RECALL ON TIE ROD ASSEMBLY.THEY HAD IT FOR 2 DAYS THEY SAID THEY LOOKED AT IT AND DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.NO WONDER DODGE HAD TO PAY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THIS IS HOW YOU REMEDY PROBLEMS.I'VE SPENT THOUSANDS ON FRONT END PARTS EVERY MECHANIC TELLS ME SOMETHING DIFFERENTI'VE REPLACED BALL JOINTS STABILIZER LINKS U-JOINTS CALIPERSAND STILL HAVE SAME PROBLEM MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE WITH ME.

I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 55 MPH WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE WHOLE TRUCK STARTED SHAKING SO VIOLENTLY THAT I COULDN'T STEER. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER AND BEGAN EXAMINING THE TIRES AND SUSPENSION. I NOTICED SOME SLIGHTLY WORN COMPONENTS AND REPLACED THEM ONCE I GOT THE TRUCK HOME. STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS LATER. I DON'T WANT TO SELL THE TRUCK TO ANYONE AND AFRAID TO DRIVE IT MY SELF!

THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT, STARTING ON THE DAY I BOUGHT IT (USED) IN 2008. MADE IT GO AWAY FOR SOME YEARS, DON'T KNOW HOW. COMBINATION OF TIRE PRESSURE ADJUSTMENT, ALIGNMENT, TOE ANGLE? LIMITED MYSELF TO DRIVING LESS THAN 55 MPH. PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP JUST RIGHT AND IT SENDS ONE WHEEL UP, AND THE OTHER DOWN. THAT WHEEL THEN GETS BOUNCED UP, AND SENDS THE OTHER DOWN. IT'S LIKE DRIBBLING TWO BASKETBALLS, AND THE WHOLE FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY. SINCE THIS HAPPENS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IT HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY, AND THE TRUCK IS COMPLETELY UNCONTROLLABLE DURING THIS TIME. THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE IT STOP IS TO SLOW DOWN (REMEMBER, YOU'RE ON THE HIGHWAY) TO 40-30 MPH. LAST TIME I CAME BACK FROM QUEENS, IT HAPPENED SEVEN TIMES. IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY, 8/14/15. IT IS DANGEROUS, VIOLENT, AND A KNOWN...

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE STEERING EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT RESONANT OSCILLATION UPON HITTING A POTHOLE IN THE ROAD. THE ONLY WAY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WAS TO SLOW DOWN BELOW 35 MPH, ONCE THE RESONANT OSCILLATION OCCURS. I'VE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP LOCALLY, AND THEY HAVE REPLACED ALMOST EVERY FRONT END COMPONENT AND STILL THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR SEVEN MONTHS DURING THE LAST TWO YEARS, AND IT STILL HAS THE ISSUE. I CANNOT LET MY CHILDREN DRIVE IT, I CANNOT, IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, SELL IT. I'M AT A LOSS AS TO A PATH FORWARD.

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY IN CHICAGO IN HEAVY, HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE DROVE THROUGH A SMALL POTHOLE, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE \ WOBBLE VIOLENTLY FROM THE FRONT END AND CAUSE IMPOSSIBLE STEERING. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS SHAKING \ WOBBLE WAS TO IMMEDIATELY SLOW DOWN TO BELOW 20 MPH CROSSING 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC INTO THE SOFT SHOULDER. IT HAS BEEN REPLICATED MULTIPLE TIMES FROM SPEEDS OF 40 MPH AND UP. AFTER TAKING THIS VEHICLE, A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500 QUAD CAB, 5.7 ENGINE, STOCK WITH ALL CURRENT RECALLS UP TO DATE (EXCEPT THE AIR BAG RECALL WHICH NO ONE HAS PARTS FOR), TO MULTIPLE REPAIR SHOPS AND DODGE DEALERSHIPS, NO EXACT CAUSED HAS BEEN LOCATED INCLUDING FCA (DODGE) STATING THERE IS NO ISSUE. THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS HAVE BEEN SPENT ON THIS IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM AS IT CANNOT BE...

THE 'BUMP' ASSOCIATED WITH AN OVERPASS EXPANSION JOINT ON HIGHWAY I-515 INDUCED 'DEATH WOBBLE' INTO THE TRUCK CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL. THE LOSS OF CONTROL ALMOST CAUSED AN IMPACT WITH OTHER VEHICLES THAT WERE CLOSE. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURE WILL ASSIST IN CORRECTING THE ISSUE. THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THAT INSTALL THE 'UPGRADED' LINKAGE PACKAGE CURES THIS MOST OF THE TIME (FOR $1,600.00). THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOW SAFETY ISSUE THAT NHTSA AND DODGE ARE DUCKING. DODGE UPGRADED THE LINKAGE IN 2009 AND TOTALLY REDESIGNED THE SYSTEM IN 2014. THE VEHICLE IS ALL ORIGINAL AND IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. HELP. *TR

DRIVING TRUCK DOWN FREEWAY. HIT A BUMP AND WHOLE TRUCK STARTED TO SHAKE SLOWED DOWN AND SHAKE WENT AWAY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE MAKING A TURN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM AND SWAY BAR LINKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,323. UPDATED 09/03/15*LJ UPDATED 9/8/2017*CN

I'M CONSTANTLY HAVING ELECTRICAL & INTAKE/EXHAUST PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I'VE REPLACE THE BATTERY 2 TIMES WITHIN 2 YEARS AND IT STILL CUTS OFF ALL THE TIME. ALL INSPECTIONS AND MAINTENANCE IS CURRENT. MY MECHANIC HAS ALSO CONSTANTLY WORKED ON U-JOINTS. PLEASE GIVE ME A LIST OF ALL RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE AND JERK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

FIRST EPISODE OF THE DODGE RAM "DEATH WOBBLE" IN JULY 2013 APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS AFTER REPLACING TIE RODS. OCCURRED ONE MORE TIME IN EARLY AUGUST 2013. DIDN'T EXPERIENCE AGAIN UNTIL AUGUST 2014 WHILE ON A TRIP IN UPSTATE NEW YORK, FOUR OCCURRENCES IN 3 DAYS. THE LATEST OCCURRENCE WAS THIS PAST SATURDAY, TWICE IN THE SAME DAY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOBBLED AND BOUNCED RAPIDLY EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER ANY DIP OR BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STABILIZING BAR WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 10/02/14*LJ UPDATED 5/12/2015 *JS

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NORMAL SPEEDS AND YOU HIT A MINOR BUMP, WHEELS WILL SHAKE VIOLENTLY WITH NO ABILITY FOR DRIVER TO RECOVER STEERING. THE ONLY RECOURSE IS TO LET THE VEHICLE SLOW DOWN AND THEN PULL OVER. THIS IS KNOW AS THE DEATH WOBBLE AND CAN BE VIEWED ON YOUTUBE. DODGE HAS DENIED THE PROBLEM BUT YET YOU CAN BUY AN ENTIRE NEW STEERING ASSEMBLY FROM DODGE FOR $300. I HAVE SPENT OVER $4000 TRYING TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME OVER 10 TIMES AND NO LONGER PUT MY FAMILY IN THE PICKUP AND WILL NO LONGER USE IT ON THE HIGHWAY..A SIMPLE TIEROD RECALL WILL NOT FIX THIS AND THERE IS ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM THAT THE NHTSA SHOULD FORCE DODGE TO FINALLY CORRECT THIS DESIGN FLAW, BEFORE WE GET KILLED. *TR

LET ME START BY STATING THAT I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 33 YEARS AND HAVE AN IMPECCABLE DRIVING RECORD. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROX. 65 MPH. I WAS CHANGING LANES WHEN I HIT A FEW SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. MY TRUCK IMMEDIATELY STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY. I PULLED TO BREAKDOWN LANE WHILE SLOWING THE VEHICLE. THE TRUCK DIDN'T STOP SHAKING UNTIL APPROX. 30 MPH, THOUGH IT WAS STILL SHAKING, I HAD NEVER ENCOUNTERED SUCH A LOSS OF CONTROL BEFORE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I DECIDED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON THE WEB. I WAS AMAZED AT WHAT I FOUND. THIS PHENOMENON IS DUBBED 'DEATH WOBBLE'. THOUGH IT SEEMS THIS IN NOT AN UNCOMMON EVENT, NO-ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE VIOLENT SHAKING. THERE ARE LOTS OF DIFFERING OPINIONS. MY MECHANIC...

I WAS DRIVING MY DODGE RAM 2500 AND HIT A SERIES OF SMALL BUMPS AND MY FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND A PROBLEM WITH MY SUSPENSION AT ALL. I HAVE TRIED DIFFERENT TIRES AND THAT DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM EITHER. *TR

I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND THE VEHICLE WAS VIOLENTLY SHAKING, I SLOWED DOWN TO A STOP, COMPOSED MYSELF AND DROVE ON, THE STEERING WAS VERY HARD TO CONTROL BUT THE SHAKING ONLY STARTED ABOUT 40 MPH, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO SHOPS, HAD BALL JOINTS, U JOINTS, TIE RODS, STEERING, SHOCKS, UPGRADED MOPAR STEERING ASSEMBLY, PITMAN ARM , ALL REPLACED, SHORTLY THEREAFTER I RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE N62/ NHTSA 13V-528, THE INSTRUCTIONS STATED TO MAIL ALL ORIGINAL REPAIR DOCUMENTS RELATED TO TIE ROD FAILURE AND I WOULD BE REIMBURSED, I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL JUST SIMPLY DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY WITH NO PARTICULAR REASON OTHER THAN MY MILEAGE, I ASKED FOR AN EMAIL OUTLINING THE REASON IN DETAIL WHICH HAD ABSOLUTELY NO CONTENT OF ANY EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE CLAIM WAS DENIED. I DID NOT RECEIVE MY ORIGINAL RECEIPTS BACK EITHER. *JS

A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING OUR DODGE RAM 2500, WE EXPERIENCED OUR FIRST "DEATH WOBBLE" INCIDENT ON INTERSTATE 70 AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, AND OCCURRED 2 MORE TIMES THAT SAME TRIP. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED AND BROUGHT TO AN AUTOMOTIVE SHOP. THE AUTOMOTIVE SHOP SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE TRUCK BUT SUGGESTED REPLACING THE STEERING STABILIZER. I HAD THE STABILIZER REPLACED AND IT SEEMED OKAY FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT THE "DEATH WOBBLE" OCCURRED ON A REGULAR BASIS, ANY SMALL BUMP OR TRANSITION IN THE ROADWAY WOULD CAUSE THE FRONT AXLE, TIRES AND STEERING TO SHAKE SO VIOLENTLY IT FELT LIKE A LARGE EARTHQUAKE IN THE TRUCK. THE DEATH WOBBLE WILL NOT STOP TILL THE TRUCK WAS SLOWED DOWN TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS SEEMED TO OCCUR MOSTLY AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 45-70 MPH. WE STOPPED TAKING THE TRUCK ON MAJOR ROADWAYS AS...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500 TDI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE SHOCK ABSORBERS AND STEERING DAMPER. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 3/12/14*CN UPDATED 03/21/14

THIS PICKUP HAS THE TERRIBLE "DEATH WOBBLE" IN THE STEERING WHEN YOU DRIVE OVER A BUMP PR RIB IN ROAD,STARTING UNEXPECTED AND JERKING THE WHEEL SO HARD THAT YOU CAN NOT HOLD THE WHEEL! I PLAN TO BUY THIS PU FROM MY EMPLOYER AND I WANTED IT FIXED BY DODGE BECAUSE IT HAS ALWAYS HAD THIS TERRIBLE SAFETY PROBLEM FROM THE FACTORY! TO VERIFY THIS,[XXX] OWNS IT AND HIS # IS [XXX]. THANKS,[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

AFTER PURCHASING THIS TRUCK FROM THE FIRST TIME OWNER, I BEGIN TO NOTICE AT CERTAIN TIMES I WOULD EXPERIENCE A VIOLENT SHAKING WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE AND READING ABOUT THE "DEATH WOBBLE" I BECOME WORRIED AND CONTACTED THE DEALER. OF COURSE THEY ACTED LIKE THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. BUT WHEN YOU TALK TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. IN SHORT, I HAVE SPENT OVER $2700 GETTING THE FRONT END REDONE, WITH NO HELP FROM CHRYSLER. I FIND IT COMPLETELY IRRESPONSIBLE ON THEIR PART TO NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. NOW.. JUST LAST WEEK I GET THIS RECALL NOTICE ON THE LEFT TIE ROD END. I AM MOST CERTAIN WHEN I TAKE IT IN, THEY WILL SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT.. AND SEND ME ON MY WAY. THIS ISSUE AND THE...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOTH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR. THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN HOWEVER, THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

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...

AT APPROX. 55-60 MPH, THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE VERY VIOLENTLY. APPLIED BRAKE, TO ATTEMPT TO GET TRUCK UNDER CONTROL; WE ENDED UP IN THE DITCH. MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER WERE INJURED. LUCKILY, NEITHER OF US WERE INJURED BAD, JUST BUMPS AND BRUISES. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE TRUCK; HE STATED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL DODGE TRUCKS FROM 2002-2008. THE STEERING GEAR BOX AND FRONT SUSPENSION ARE AT FAULT. I CONTACTED A LOCAL DODGE DEALER. THEY INFORMED ME, "DODGE IS NOT AT FAULT AND THERE ARE NO NEED FOR ANY RECALLS". THEY DID SAY THEY COULD FIX THE PROBLEM, AT ALMOST $2700. THEY WOULD PUT A NEW FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING BOX. I FEEL IF THEY WILL FIX THE PROBLEM, THEN THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. I AM ASKING THE NTSB...

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN HAVING "DEATH WOBBLE" AT 55 MPH AND OVER AND BEEN HAVING THE ISSUE FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF AND HAVE HAD THE ENTIRE FRONT END STEERING REPLACED AND IM STILL HAVING THE ISSUE. PLEASE FIND A CAUSE I'VE ALMOST LOST CONTROL EVERY TIME IT OCCURS! I WOULD LIKE TO BE CONTACTED BY A RAM FIELD ENGINEER! *TR

FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY AFTER HITTING A BUMP OR SEAM IN THE ROAD TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED FROM 40 MPH AND UP. MUST SLOW IMMEDIATELY AND ALMOST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN ORDER TO REGAIN CONTROL OF STEERING.THIS IS KNOWN AS THE DEATH WOBBLE. *TR

DURING NORMAL DRIVING THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY STARTED TO SHAKE, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP SHAKING UNTIL SPEED WAS REDUCED DRASTICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP REPRESENTATIVE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR

AFTER GOING OVER AN OVERPASS (60 MPH)AND HITTING THE SMALL BUMP AT THE END OF IT THE FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE VIOLENTLY AND IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AND HARD TO SLOW DOWN QUICKLY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SLOWED TO ABOUT 20 MPH BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL. IT WAS SHAKING SO VIOLENTLY THAT PAPERS ON THE PASSENGER SEAT FLEW ON TO THE FLOOR. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER CROSSING A BRIDGE WITH THE SAME RESULT. *TR

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...

ON A ROAD TRIP I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND I HIT A SMALL LIGHT DECAL THAT DELINEATES THE LINES ON THE ROAD AND MY TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND SO SEVERELY THAT I NEARLY LOST CONTROL. BRAKING DID NOT STOP THE SHAKING, NOT ACCELERATING UNTIL IT SLOWED TO ABOUT 35 MPH DID STOP THE SHAKING. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE I WAS TERRIFIED THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. SINCE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE I DECIDED THAT I WOULD DRIVE AGAIN BUT AT A SLOWER PACE. THIS TIME I DROVE AT 55 MPH AND WHEN IT HIT A TINY BUMP AGAIN IT BEGAN TO SHAKE HORRIBLY AGAIN. AND ONCE AGAIN I WAS STRESSED BEYOND BELIEF THAT I WAS BARELY ABLE TO CONTROL THIS TRUCK. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN AT HIGH SPEEDS AND IF THERE IS ANY RUFFNESS ON THE ROAD. PLEASE RECALL...

TRAVELING AT 65MPH ON INTERSTATE, HIT SLIGHT BUMP WHEN CROSSING BRIDGE AND THE FRONT END STARTED VIBRATING SO MUCH COULDN'T HARDLY HOLD IT IN THE ROAD. THE SAME HAS OCCURRED 5-6 MORE TIMES SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, MY WIFE HAS TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP TO GET IT TO STOP SHAKING.... *TR

WE WERE DRIVING TO THE STORE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND CAUSED US TO GO INTO THE OTHER LANE. I SLOWED DOWN TO STOP, GOT OUT LOOKED FOR SOME BROKEN PART.... DID NOT SEE ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. WE THEN PROCEEDED SLOWLY BACK HOME AND THE VEHICLE JUST HAD A CONTINUOUS VIBRATION, BUT DID NOT SHAKE VIOLENTLY. I THEN LOOKED IT UP ON THE COMPUTER AND FOUND OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO AVOID EXCESS COST BUT BE SAFE. *TR

WHILE COMING HOME FROM WORK, I HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE WITH ONE FRONT WHEEL, & THE FRONT WHEELS STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY BACK & FORTH. THE ONLY WAY I COULD GET IT TO STOP WAS TO SLOW DOWN. I STOPPED & LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF ANYTHING WAS VISIBLY BROKEN & DID NOT SEE ANYTHING. I SLOWLY SPED UP AGAIN. AFTER HITTING ANOTHER BUMP, THE SHAKING STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN & WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I SLOWED DOWN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT WILL GET SOMEONE KILLED. I AM AFRAID TO LET MY WIFE DRIVE THE TRUCK WITH OUR CHILDREN, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GONNA HAPPEN. *TR

FRONT AXLE SHAKING VIOLENTLY. SHAKES CONSISTENTLY GOING OVER BRIDGES. SHOOK SO HARD ONE TIME IT BROKE THE ADJUSTING SLEEVE ON THE DRAG LINK LEAVING ME WITH NO STEERING AND VEHICLE CROSSED INTO THE ONCOMING LANE AND INTO THE GRASS COMING TO A STOP JUST BEFORE HITTING THE GUARDRAIL. SINCE THIS INCIDENT THE BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH THE STEERING STABILIZER. THE FRONT AXLE HAS BEEN ALIGNED AND EVERYTHING IS TO OEM SPECIFICATIONS AND THIS VEHICLE WILL STILL SHAKE GOING OVER BRIDGES IF YOUR RUNNING 70MPH. FROM THE RESEARCH I'VE DONE IT APPEARS THERE IS A PROBLEM ON THESE DODGE TRUCKS IF THEY ARE 4X4 WITH A STRAIGHT FRONT AXLE AND SHORT WHEEL BASE. I HAVE SEEN KITS ON THE INTERNET THAT CLAIM TO FIX THE "DEATH WOBBLE" AND THE GEOMETRY OF THE "FIX" IS DIFFERENT THAN OEM. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE...

WE BOUGHT A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500 IN NOVEMBER OF 2011. SINCE WE HAVE BOUGHT IT WE HAVE SPENT $3500 IN REPAIRS IN REGARDS TO THE "DEATH WOBBLE" AND IT STILL ISN'T FIXED. I DRIVE IT DOWN A ROAD AND AS SOON AS YOU GET IT UP TO 50-55 MPH AND HIT A SMALL BUMP IT VIOLENTLY WOBBLES UNCONTROLLABLY. THE WOBBLE HAS CAUSED SEVERAL PARTS TO BREAK OR CRACK INCLUDING OUR MOST RECENT PURCHASE, THE RADIATOR. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TRUCK TO REPORT THIS AND ISN'T GOING TO BE THE LAST UNTIL DODGE MAN'S UP AND ADMITS THEY MADE A MISTAKE. THIS IS AN APPARENT MISTAKE OF MORE THAN JUST BROKE DOWN PARTS AND WORN PARTS. THERE IS SOMETHING EXTREMELY WRONG WITH THE MANUFACTURING OF THESE VEHICLES AND IS IT GOING TO TAKE A DEATH FOR SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? CHRYSLER IS QUOTED "THE SAFETY OF OUR CUSTOMERS...

THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO SLOW DOWN. I HIT THE BRAKES A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THAT ONLY MADE IT WORSE AND CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE IN A SAFE MANNER WAS IMPOSSIBLE. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE SHAKING IS TO TAKE FOOT OFF OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND RIDE IT OUT, THIS CREATES ANOTHER MAJOR PROBLEM. THE VEHICLES BEHIND YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING AND SOMEONE ALMOST REAR ENDED ME BECAUSE MY BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT GO ON. HE PASSED ME AND HONKED HIS HORN AT ME AND GAVE ME THE "FINGER" SELF EXPLANATORY. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND DODGE WILL NOT ADMIT IT TO ANYONE. *TR