2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Steering Problems

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09E001000 (Steering), 13V528000 (Steering) and 15V312000 (Air Bags) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11532783

Incident

Jul 14, 2023

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 has many aftermarket brackets available for the Death Wobble, so, I assume, the condition is well known. Chrysler now has replacement that I was told are stronger (and maybe of a better design), but any pickup of this model without the upgrade is potentially a very dangerous safety hazard. I assume there should have been a recall for this problem, but, from your website, there are no recalls listed for this vehicle. As a side note, the Jeep SUVs have also been reported to have a Death Wobble, but I have no information on whether the wobble with them is caused by the same defect with the steering or suspension systems.

NHTSA ID

11465151

Incident

May 12, 2012

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.

NHTSA ID

11419423

Incident

Jun 2, 2021

3D7KU26633G8[XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC

NHTSA ID

11338908

Incident

Jul 12, 2020

Mileage

220,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 3 MPH, THE TIE ROD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CURB. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PLANET CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT OF FLAGSTAFF (5190 N TEST DR, FLAGSTAFF, AZ 86004 (928) 433-6787) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIE ROD KIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A TIE ROD KIT WAS INSTALLED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE ALIGNMENT AND INSTALLATION WOULD BE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,600.

NHTSA ID

11242626

Incident

Aug 7, 2019

Mileage

199,600 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11189686

Incident

Mar 17, 2019

Mileage

88,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11030837

Incident

Sep 16, 2017

Mileage

141,000 mi

TOOK VEHICLE INTO JACKSONS OF ENID, 4405 W OWEN GARRIOTT RD, ENID, OK 73703 ON 4/27/17 FOR SAFETY RECALL RELATED WORK ON PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATOR AND OUTER TIE ROD ASSEMBLY. AIR BAG LIGHT WAS COMING ON SPORADICALLY AND INCREASINGLY OFTEN. WORK PERFORMED, IF ANY, BY JACKSONS OF ENID DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WITHIN A MILE OF THE BUSINESS AND CONTINUES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND FOR LONGER PERIODS OF TIME. OUTER TIE ROD ASSEMBLY??? CAN'T TELL. . WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? WAIT UNTIL THE AIRBAG INFLATES WHILE I AM DRIVING, POSSIBLY INJURING MYSELF OR OTHERS? OR MAYBE LOSE A FRONT WHEEL? THIS IS NOT THE ONLY DISTURBING ENCOUNTER THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED AT THIS BUSINESS. CALL ME ((580) 984-1200). I DO NOT TRUST JACKSONS OF ENID AND THEY ARE THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN. TRIED TO CONTACT BBB, BUT THEY ARE NOT BBB AFFILIATED. GO FIGURE.

NHTSA ID

11003502

Incident

May 5, 2017

I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP ON THE RECALL YOU GUYS SENT LAST YEAR ON THIS MATTER. I WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT HAVE THE NEW AIRBAGS TO INSTALL AND THAT I WOULD RECEIVE ANOTHER NOTICE STATING WHEN THEY HAD THEM. THEN, I COULD THEN CALL BACK TO SET UP A TIME TO HAVE THE FAULTY ONE REPLACED. I NEVER RECEIVED THAT NOTICE AND HAVE RECEIVED MY SECOND SAFETY RECALL NOTICE ON THE SAME ISSUE. I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO HAVE THIS FIXED SINCE MY FAMILY OFTEN USE THIS VEHICLE. BUT THE LOCAL DEALER ONLY SEEMS INTERESTED IN MAKING MONEY, NOT THE SAFETY OF WHAT THEY SALE.

NHTSA ID

10971010

Incident

Mar 30, 2016

Mileage

240,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10954548

Incident

Jan 4, 2017

Mileage

146,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10888952

Incident

Jul 17, 2016

Mileage

100 mi

PULLED LEFT ACROSS MIDDLE LANE. VEHICLE HAD NO STEERING AND THERE WAS VIBRATION COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

10874076

Incident

Feb 28, 2016

Mileage

97,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10862387

Incident

May 1, 2014

DEATH WOBBLE CREATED BY VARIOUS COMPONENTS THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED PRIOR AND THEN CHARGED TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN IT OCCURRED. THERE WAS A LOSS OF CONTROL WHICH WAS REGAINED. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH WHEN IT OCCURRED AND CONTROL WAS REGAINED AT 40 MPH.

NHTSA ID

10836273

Incident

Jan 14, 2016

Mileage

99,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED OUT AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE BRAKE PEDAL STIFFENED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP SEVEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 303,549. UPDATED 04/13/16*LJ *JS

NHTSA ID

10823161

Incident

Jan 29, 2016

Mileage

303,549 mi

I CONTACTED DODGE DEALER IN APRIL OF 2015 TO INSPECT TIE ROD END STEERING LINKAGE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY CAN NOT GET THE PARTS, IT'S GOING ON A YEAR NOW. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER ABOUT THIS AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAS THE PARTS. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO GET THIS RECALL ADDRESSED?

NHTSA ID

10822438

Incident

Apr 1, 2015

Mileage

150,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10789144

Incident

Nov 8, 2015

Mileage

141,000 mi

I LOST CONTROL OF STEERING , THE STEERING WHEEL JUST SPUN WITH NO CONTROL AND I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A SCHOOL ZONE WITH GRADE SCHOOL LETTING OUT AND I WENT IN OTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC IN BETWEEN CARS AND HEADED TO A GAS PUMP AT GAS STATION AND I HIT BRAKES AS SOON AS I WAS OUT OF OPPOSITE LANE WITH HEAD ON TRAFFIC AND GAS PUMP WAS RITE OFF SIDE OF ROAD I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR KILLED OTHERS WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I HAD TO FIX MY TRUCK BECAUSE I NEVER KNEW OF RECALL AND ALSO TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 55,000 MILES AND TRANSFER CASE ALSO ANOTHER 20,000 MILES LATER , I HAVE A TRUCK I CAN'T DRIVE BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO PUT A TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE IN IT AND I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE FROM ALL THE TROUBLE IT'S GAVE ME AND I COULD HAVE KILLED OTHERS AT THE SCHOOL ZONE. I'D LIKE FOR DODGE TO FIX MY TRUCK FOR ALL THE TROUBLE IV HAD AND THIS HAPPEN ON CITY STREET AND I WAS IN MOTION WEN THIS HAPPENED, IF I'D HIT GAS PUMP IT WOULD HAVE BLOWN UP AND KILLED A LOT PEOPLE AND CHILDREN

NHTSA ID

10782613

Incident

May 13, 2015

Mileage

182,000 mi

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!

NHTSA ID

10761151

Incident

Aug 5, 2015

Mileage

160,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE I HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AND EXPERIENCED WHAT HAS BEEN CALLED THE "DEATH WOBBLE". MY STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY FOLLOWED BY THE ENTIRE FRONT END. I LATERALLY SHOOK MY BODY SIDE TO SIDE AIBHARD THAT I HIT MY HEAD ON THE SIDE WINDOW. I HIT THE BRAKES HARD AND ATTEMPTED TO EASE TO THE SHOULDER BUT HAD NO CONTROL UNTIL THE TRUCK SLOWED TO ABOUT 35 MPH. I WAS ONLY FORTUNATE THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES IN DIRECT VICINITY. I CONTINUED MY TRIP 95 MILES AT 55 MPH IN THE RIGHT LANE WITHOUT INCIDENT. I HAVE TRIED NEW SHOCKS AND TIRES WITH A FRONT END ALIGNMENT, BUT I STILL GET THE SHAKE.

NHTSA ID

10750200

Incident

May 8, 2015

Mileage

148,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT DUE TO THE REDESIGN OF THE PART, THE ENTIRE FRONT END HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. MA 10/5 *CN

NHTSA ID

10749853

Incident

Mar 1, 2013

Mileage

100,000 mi

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 PROBLEM FOR WHICH DODGE HAS NOT OFFERED A SOLUTION OR RECALL. IT IS COLLOQUIALLY KNOWN AS THE "DODGE DEATH WOBBLE."

NHTSA ID

10748737

Incident

Jun 18, 2008

Mileage

70,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10749424

Incident

May 31, 2011

Mileage

88,000 mi

THIS VEHICLE'S STEERING BEGAN RESONANT OSCILLATION AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE IN THE PAVEMENT. IN ORDER TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, I HAD TO SLOW TO AROUND 30 MPH BEFORE THE OSCILLATION SUBSIDED. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE DODGE DEALERSHIP'S SHOP FOR SEVEN MONTHS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. MOST OF THE FRONT END PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, AND THE ISSUE PERSISTS.

NHTSA ID

10747757

Incident

May 31, 2011

Mileage

88,000 mi

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 RESOLVED YET. THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN ABOUT ISSUE IN THESE VEHICLES, COMMONLY REFEREED TO AS THE "DODGE DEATH WOBBLE" AS I HAVE FOUND OUT. FCA AND NHTSA NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO RESOLVE THIS MAJOR ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

10746517

Incident

Jul 13, 2015

Mileage

184,500 mi