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 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

I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 20 MPH, SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN WHEN I HEARD A LOUD CRACKING SOUND. I PULLED OVER BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE SOUND. I DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE HOUSE TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER. ON MY WAY HOME, I STOPPED AT A COFFEE SHOP AND WHEN TRIED TO BACK UP INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL BROKE OFF. IT COMPLETELY FELL OFF!! I AM VERY HAPPY WE WERE MOVING AT ABOUT 1-2 MPH INSTEAD OF THE 40MPH ON THE ROAD. TRUCK WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE BOTTOM BALL JOINT HAD BROKEN OFF. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. PEOPLES LIVES ARE AT STAKE HERE. I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE ALL THE REPAIR/ MAINTENANCE RECORDS. THE REPAIR FOR THIS IS OVER $3000.00. WHY HASN'T THE MANUFACTURER RECOGNIZED THIS AS A PROBLEM? *DT *DT CONSUMER PICKED UP THE TRUCK AFTER GETTING IT FIXED ABOUT 7 MILES DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE TRUCK BROKE DOWN AGAIN. IT WAS TOWED AND REPAIRED SECOND TIME AROUND.*JB

NHTSA ID

11205100

Incident

Apr 19, 2019

Mileage

162,000 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

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

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

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

NHTSA ID

10817416

Incident

Sep 1, 2015

Mileage

200,000 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

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

NHTSA ID

10782920

Incident

Oct 16, 2015

Mileage

165,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10777898

Incident

Aug 29, 2015

Mileage

95,000 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

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

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FALLING APART. WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED, THERE WERE PARTICLES FLYING OUT OF THE VENTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH OVER A BUMP, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND SOMETHING ON THE FRONT END FELT LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINT AND STABILIZER BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE DASHBOARD WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID

10724264

Incident

Jan 23, 2015

Mileage

60,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10703956

Incident

Apr 2, 2015

Mileage

180,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10682827

Incident

Feb 11, 2015

Mileage

173,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10663687

Incident

Jun 16, 2010

Mileage

42,323 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10658745

Incident

Nov 14, 2014

Mileage

169,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10653933

Incident

May 7, 2013

Mileage

50,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10629859

Incident

Jul 17, 2013

Mileage

129,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10627391

Incident

Jul 11, 2011

Mileage

180,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10617797

Incident

Jul 3, 2013

Mileage

110,000 mi