2003 Dodge Ram 3500 Suspension Problems

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a clunking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact who is a certified mechanic, inspected the vehicle. Upon expecting the vehicle, the contact determined that both upper control arms had completely rusted and needed to be replaced. The upper and lower ball joints and suspension had been replaced by the contact. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 225,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID

11604425

Incident

Jul 11, 2024

Mileage

225,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD BALL JOINT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND WAS REPAIRED BY THE OWNER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10821709

Incident

Nov 19, 2014

Mileage

100,000 mi

PURCHASED VEHICLE AT 100,000 IN 11/2011. MILES SEEMED IN GOOD CONDITION. QUICKLY STARTED DEATH WOBBLE. THOUGHT IT WAS WEAK TIRES. PURCHASED NEW (BETTER) TIRES, NO CHANGE. TOOK INTO OAK RIDGE, TN CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP FOR DEATH WOBBLE REPAIRS AT 122,351 MILES (TICKET CHCS182246). FINE UNTIL LAST MONTH 12/2016 AT APPROX 137,051 MILES. DEATH WOBBLE IS BACK (AND WORSE). EASILY OCCURS AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS WHEN ONE HITS BRIDGE EXPANSION JOINTS (ESPECIALLY ON A CURVE). BUT MUST ALSO WATCH (BE CAREFUL) ON SECONDARY ROADS AT SLOWER SPEEDS. DOES NOT NEED TO BE ON A CURVE IF THE BUMP IS BIG. IN MY OPINION ENGINEERING WISE, THINK THE ENGINE / FRONT END IS TOO HIGH/HEAVY FOR THE DEFAULT STEERING/SUSPENSION COMPONENTS TO HANDLE THE FORCES. IT SEEMS THE REPAIRS I AM OFFERED ARE MERELY FIXING SYMPTOMS AND NOT ROOT CAUSE. ALSO SEEMS THERE IS A WEALTH OF AFTER MARKET KNOWLEDGE / PARTS THAT RECOGNIZES THE ISSUES THAT CHRYSLER REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE.

NHTSA ID

10821147

Incident

Jan 18, 2016

Mileage

105,000 mi

AS WITH MANY OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT 2003 DODGE RAM 3500'S THIS RAM 3500 HAS HAD ALL SUGGESTED STEERING COMPONENT UPGRADES AND RECALL UPGRADES (CHANGE STEERING TO 2008 STEERING) AND THE TIE ROD RECALL FOR THE 2008 STEERING. THE 2008 STEERING UPGRADE SEEMED TO EXACERBATE THE TIRE WEAR ISSUE. ADDITIONALLY, BALL JOINTS AND SHOCKS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE RAM DEATH WOBBLE AND EXCESSIVE TIE WEAR IS STILL PRESENT. THE LAST SET OF TIRES LASTED 8,000 MILES (I AM PUTTING A NEW SET ON TODAY). THE TIRE WEAR ON MY LAST TRIP OF ONLY 360 MILES WAS VERY NOTICEABLE - SO MUCH SO A TRIP OF 1,000 MILES OR MORE WOULD HAVE CAUSED DANGEROUS TIRE WEAR AND POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. DODGE HAS TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY ONLY SKIMMING OVER THE ISSUE WITH MINOR FIXES. AS A RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MILES OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE - THE STEERING AND EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR IS UNSAFE. SINCE I AM GETTING NEW TIRES AND AN ALIGNMENT TODAY - I WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO TRACK MILEAGE, DRIVING CONDITIONS, NOTE STEERING ISSUES, AND PHOTOGRAPH TIRE WEAR - IF YOU WISH.

NHTSA ID

10744223

Incident

Feb 28, 2014

Mileage

79,168 mi

WAS CHANGING OIL ON MY 03 DODGE RAM 3500 AND NOTICED THE FRAME RAIL NEAR CAB MOUNT ON DRIVERS SIDE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU WITH A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES LONG AND 1/4" WIDE. I'M AFRAID TO HAUL MY GOOSE NECK TRAILER UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. I'M AFRAID THAT ADDITIONAL WEIGHT COULD CAUSE THE FRAME TO COLLAPSE. I DON'T REMEMBER SEEING A RECALL FOR THIS CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10672046

Incident

Jan 2, 2015

Mileage

230,000 mi

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER (STEERING). CAUSED THE FRONT TIRES TO WARE PREMATURELY THE FRONT END WAS ALIGNED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION UNTIL THE RECALLED PART WAS AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 154,000. LI

NHTSA ID

10578283

Incident

Mar 28, 2014

Mileage

150,000 mi

FROM 55MPH AND ABOVE IF A BUMP IN THE ROAD IS HIT, SMALL OR LARGE THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY SHACK UNCONTROLLABLY. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS TRUCK. I INSTALLED AN AFTER MARKET HIGH PERFORMANCE FRONT STABILIZER THAT PREVENTED THE DEATH RUMBLE FROM OCCURRING. THIS WORKED FOR 50-60 THOUSAND MILES. THE DEATH RUMBLE HAS RETURNED. I BOUGHT ANOTHER AFTER MARKET STABILIZER HOWEVER IT WAS NOT EFFECTIVE THIS TIME. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MY QUESTION IS HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE DODGE DOES SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I PAID 50,000 FOR A TRUCK THAT HAS NOT OPERATED PROPERLY FOR 40 OF THE 90THOUSAND MILES. DODGE IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. I HAVE SENT MY TRUCK TO DODGE TO NO PREVAIL. HELP! *TR

NHTSA ID

10459796

Incident

Feb 17, 2004

Mileage

15,000 mi

DRIVING AT HWY. SPEEDS WHEN YOU HIT A SEAM OR BUMP ON HWY. FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY. THIS HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN.IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. ALSO KNOWN AS (DEATH WOBBLE) THERE ARE MANY OTHER DODGE RAM TRUCKS WITH THIS PROBLEM. NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIX IT. I HAVE ALL THE UPGRADES FROM CHRYSLER & STILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10456060

Incident

Mar 10, 2011

Mileage

92,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A ROAD BUMP AND THE FRONT END BEGIN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE SHAKING WAS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE ANY REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. UPDATED 03/21/12 *BF UPDATED 03/29/12

NHTSA ID

10450312

Incident

May 11, 2011

Mileage

137,000 mi

MY 2003 DODGE 3500 4X4 STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, SHAKING VERY VIOLENTLY WHEN YOU DRIVE OVER A BUMP OR UNEVEN PLACE IN THE HIGHWAY AND YOU'RE DRIVING OVER 50 MPH. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE STABILIZER SHOCK AND TRACK BAR BUSHINGS ALONG WITH TWO ROTORS AND HUB SEALS. STILL IT CONTINUED TO SHAKE. I NOW HAVE TAKEN IT AND AGAIN HAD THAT REPLACED ALONG WITH HAVING A KIT OF FIXES THE DODGE DEALERSHIP SELLS THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM AND A LOT OF OTHER THINGS, STILL IT DID NOT FIX IT. MY MECHANIC WAS AT HIS WITS END AND SEARCHED THE INTERNET WHERE HE FOUND OVER TWO MILLION SITES FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NO APPARENT FIX. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1500 AND IT STILL SHAKES VIOLENTLY. I USE MY TRUCK TO PULL LOADS AND NOW I'M AFRAID TO PULL ANYTHING WITH IT. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK BRAND NEW AND HAD NOT HAD ANY TROUBLE, EXCEPT OF COURSE WITH THE INJECTORS WHICH IS ANOTHER STORY, UNTIL NOW. IF YOU DO A SEARCH OF DODGE DEATH SHAKE, YOU WILL FIND THERE ARE MILLIONS OF US OUT THERE. THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE HOW IT CAN LITERALLY SHAKE THE STEERING WHEEL LOOSE FROM YOUR HAND AND TAKE THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY. THIS VERY DANGEROUS AND I'M AFRAID DODGE IS TRYING TO SKIRT THE ISSUE OF A POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW IN THE FRAME AND SUSPENSION. ALL THESE TRUCKS ARE BOUGHT TO CARRY A LOAD AND I AT TIMES WAS PULLING OVER 25,000 LBS. OF CATTLE AND THE THOUGHT OF HAVING THIS HAPPEN THEN, WOULD BE A RECIPE FOR DISASTER. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED TO MAKE DODGE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS? WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY OF US, I THINK IT IS A DEFINITE DESIGN FLAW AND A VERY DANGEROUS ONE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10362977

Incident

Jan 7, 2009

I HAVE THE DEATH WOBBLE IN MY FRONT END. HIT A BUMP AT 55 MPH + AND THE FRONT END SHAKES SO BAD YOUR FORCED TO ALMOST COME TO A STOP. THE DEALER STATED MY DRAG LINK /TIE ROD ASSEMBLY,STEERING GEARS AND PITTMAN ARM ARE BAD. I HAVE NEVER PULLED CARRIED AN RV,NEVER DRIVEN OFF ROAD AND KEEP MY VEHICLES MAINTAINED PER THE MANUFACTURE. SPECS. WHY ARE THESE PARTS DEFECTIVE AT 99K MILES. CHECK THE DODGE FORUMS AND YOU'LL FIND A GREAT MANY OTHER OWNERS IN MY POSITION WITH WAY LESS MILES. THIS IS A DEFECT,PLAIN AND SIMPLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10290005

Incident

Oct 26, 2009

Mileage

99,000 mi

DEATH WOBBLE,FRONT END SHAKE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10289988

Incident

Oct 17, 2009

Mileage

98,900 mi

THE DEATH WOBBLE HAS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES- THE LAST TIME WAS AUG 2ND, 2009 ON THE FREEWAY GOING 75MPH PASSING A SEMI TRAILER, WE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, MY HUSBAND WAS TRYING TO CONTROL THIS SHAKE WHILE GOING 75MPH- IT WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL WE SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BUT THANKS TO MY HUSBAND EXCELLENT DRIVING SKILLS HE WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. WE HAVE REPLACE TIERODS, BALL JOINTS, STEERING BOX, TIRES, SHOCKS, AND MORE. I AM AFRAID TO GET BACK INTO THIS TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10284222

Incident

Aug 2, 2009

Mileage

80,000 mi

UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 6 TIMES. DURING THE MOST RECENT REPLACEMENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THE PROBLEM TO BE AN IRREGULARITY IN THE MACHINING PROCESS WHICH PREVENTS THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FROM TIGHTENING PROPERLY, THUS CAUSING THE FAILURE OF THE NEW BALL JOINTS AND UNIVERSAL WHICH AS ALSO BEEN REPLACED TWICE. I CONSIDER THIS AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN WHICH COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR DEATH IF IT WERE TO OCCUR ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10277961

Incident

May 17, 2009

Mileage

45,000 mi

I WENT TO CHRYSLER WITH I THOUGHT SHOCK PROBLEMS .THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE STEERING LINKAGE HE TIM/ ALSO SAID CHRYSLER WOULD ONLY REPLACE ONE SMALL PART BUT THAT THE OTHER RODS AND BUSHINGS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED ALSO BECAUSE THEY WERE PART OF THE PROBLEM AND IF I DID NOT REPLACE RODS AND BUSHINGS THEY WOULD EVENTUALLY BRAKE AND I WOULD HAVE NO STEERING CONTROL RIGHT NOW THE BUSHING ARE RATTLING REAL BAD AND THE STEERING IS LOOSE AND WALKS ON THE ROAD TIM THE MECHANIC SAID THIS IS ONE WHOLE PROBLEM AND ALL LINKED TOGETHER ALSO I HAVE COST GUARD INSURANCE AND SINCE PART IS ON RECALL THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE OTHER PARTS WHICH WILL COST OVER 700.00 I FEEL CHRYSLER IS RESPONSIBLE AND NEED TO PAY CHRYSLER ALREADY HAD ONE REPAIR ON SAME BREAKDOWN LAST WEEK PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS FOR US. *TR

NHTSA ID

10270264

Incident

May 26, 2009

Mileage

56,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE STEERING LINKAGES ON HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER WILL ONLY PERFORM HALF OF THE REPAIR FOR FREE AND THE CONTACT MUST PAY $700 FOR THE OTHER HALF. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER WAITING TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WILL CALL THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS 07E009000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 07/14/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PITMAN ARM WAS ON AN ANGLE WHICH CAUSED THE OTHER ARM TO TWIST AT AN ODD ANGLE AND CAUSED DAMAGE THE RUBBER GASKET. UPDATED 07/15/09.*JB

NHTSA ID

10269979

Incident

May 26, 2009

Mileage

66,000 mi

DRIVING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT, WITHOUT WARNING, THE TRUCK MADE AN ABRUPT LANE CHANGE THEN I MANAGED TO GAIN CONTROL. WHAT HAPPEN IS THAT ON THIS VEHICLE, THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY IS ONE PIECE AND CAN'T BE GREASED OR MAINTAINED IN ANY WAY. IT HEATED UP AND LOCKED THE FRONT WHEEL CAUSING A SERIOUS AND VIOLENT TURN AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10251703

Incident

Oct 19, 2008

Mileage

107,000 mi

2003 DODGE RAM 3500 4X4. DEATH WOBBLE POSSIBLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS. DEALER WOULD NOT ADDRESS DURING WARRANTY. PROGRESSIVELY WORSENING. HAZARD ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO DEATH WOBBLE. HAPPENS AT SPEEDS OVER 55MPH WHEN HITTING ANY BUMP WITH BOTH FRONT TIRES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10212276

Incident

Dec 8, 2007

Mileage

11,000 mi

I HAVE A 2003 DODGE QUAD CAB 3500 5.7 HEMI WITH 21,432 MILES. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH LOWER BALL JOINT AFTER FAILURES. THE BALL JOINT SEPARATED ON EACH OCCASION AND DAMAGED THE RIMS ON THE INSIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10198299

Incident

Jun 26, 2007

Mileage

21,406 mi

2003 3500 DRW 4X4 DIESEL WHILE TRAVELING ON IMPROVED ROADS/HIWAYS ABOVE 40 MPH VEHICLE HITS POTHOLE, EXPANSION JOINT OR UNEVEN ROADWAY, FRONT END STARTS TO JUMP VIOLENTLY, WHOLE VEHICLE RATTLES AND SHAKES UNTIL BRAKES ARE APPLIED, SERVICE TECH. FROM DODGE DEALER WAS PRESENT DURING DUPLICATION OF EVENT, HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR OVER 1 WEEK AND THEY HAVE REPLACED TIE ROD ENDS AND BALL JOINTS AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, CONTACTED DAMILER/CHRYSLER AND THEY STATE THAT CUSTOMER REPLACED SHOCKS WITH AFTERMARKET PRODUCT. VEHICLE UNUSABLE IN THIS CONDITION, VERY GOOD POSSIBILITY OF INJURY OR DEATH AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM

NHTSA ID

10172515

Incident

Oct 21, 2006

Mileage

65,000 mi

UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINTS AND BEARINGS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION ON A DODGE RAM 3500 4X4 TRUCK. MUCH LIKE THE DODGE DAKOTA TRUCKS AND THE DODGE DURANGO. *NM

NHTSA ID

10156312

Incident

Apr 19, 2006

Mileage

48,300 mi

LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD. FRONT LEFT WHEEL FELL OFF, LEADING ME INTO A ROCK. VEHICLE IS TOTAL LOSS AND I HAVE HAD PHYSICAL DAMAGE ON MY FACE FROM IT GOING THROUGH THE DRIVER DOOR WINDOW ON IMPACT. DODGE HAS DENIED MY CLAIM EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL ON DAKOTA'S FOR SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

10124800

Incident

Nov 11, 2004

Mileage

28,000 mi

FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE AT 13,000 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ID

10117899

Incident

Sep 4, 2004

Mileage

13,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S HUB. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID

10115306

Incident

Jan 9, 2005

Mileage

54,000 mi

I HAVE A 2003 DODGE 3500 4X4 TRUCK. AT 25,000 MILES I NOTICED THE FRONT TIRES STARTING TO WEAR IMPROPERLY. AFTER CHECKING OUT THE FRONT END I FOUND ALL 4 BALL JOINTS IN THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK VERY LOOSE. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DODGE DEALER 4 TIMES TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AND ONE TIME TO CORRECT A PROBLEM THEY CAUSED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WHEN THEY REPAIRED THE BALL JOINTS.*AK

NHTSA ID

10110076

Incident

Nov 25, 2004

Mileage

32,000 mi