2009 RAM 2500 Owner Complaints

We have experienced the "death wobble" twice now in our 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. It is a documented issue with Dodge trucks and associated with multiple prior recalls. At highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly begins shaking violently and uncontrollably, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. It feels like the front axle just broke in half, but the problem is difficult to diagnose. The first time it happened, the truck was almost due for inspection, so we took it for an inspection hoping that the cause would be discovered/repaired. The shop replaced a ball joint (left upper); we were hoping that was the cause. After it passed the state safety inspection, I took it out on the same stretch of road where I had trouble earlier and it seemed fine. Then, a few weeks later, the death wobble struck back - this time with my wife driving and our six-month-old daughter in the back seat. It was my worst nightmare that it happened with my daughter in the truck. Young children are so fragile and their brains are still developing. It's a miracle she survived; hopefully she didn't suffer any brain damage that will manifest itself in the future. I found NHTSA Recall ID 11V350000, which pertains to 2003-11 Dodge Ram 2500 trucks. I called Dodge multiple times and spoke with our local dealer. They won't do anything, because "Your VIN doesn't show in our system." To me, this is a documented safety problem that nearly killed my daughter, and Dodge needs to make it right (our truck fit the recall description). I do not feel safe driving this vehicle. Please investigate and use your authorities to persuade Dodge to do the right thing.

NHTSA ID

11566838

Incident

Jan 12, 2024

My steering shakes violently and my front end feels like he's going in a different direction than the back end. I've owned this 2009 since 2010. I've paid for at least 3 front end rebuilds. Surely there is an aftermarket or fix for this? Its the Cummins 6.7L, 2500. I want to fix this only ONE more time. We have only 30 mi of road here but speeds of up to 55 are allowed. I rarely drive over 50. If I were to take this on a ferry to the mainland, I would be afraid to drive the freeways. It happens here in Ketchikan, pot hole capital of the world. I only need to hit a bump and the front end goes wonkers. Help me fix this.

NHTSA ID

11465576

Incident

May 10, 2022

Dodge death wobble. Hit a bridge gap almost lost control. Definitely in the front end suspension or linkage? Recall other vins not mine in the same year? Not confirmed yet. Needs to have same recalls as the others 2009 dodge ram 2500 5.7 Hemi big horn.

NHTSA ID

11441404

Incident

Nov 19, 2021

My truck was running fine then started to skip and lost power. It was dangerous because i was on the interstate and the truck would not go. People were honking and flying ar0und me was very disturbing. Seems this has been a problem for awhile talking to other Dodge owners a valve spring or lifter breaks and destroys the can shaft in the Hemi engines certain years.

NHTSA ID

11426203

Incident

Jul 1, 2021

I HAVE A 2009 RAM 2500 4WHEEL DRIVE. I CAN NOT USE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FOLLOWING; AT SPEEDS OVER 35 MPH THE FRONT SUSPENSION TENDS TO EXPERIENCE A SEVERE SHAKING THAT IS CAUSED BY A RAPID LATERAL OSCILLATION OF THE ENTIRE AXLE AND SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION OCCURS WHEN CROSSING AN UNEVEN, ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD, OR WHEN CROSSING A BRIDGE WITH A GRADE BREAK THAT IS NOT "SQUARE" WITH THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL, (DIAGONAL). I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE EXPERIENCING THIS PHENOMENA. THERE IS A TERM THAT HAS EMERGED OUT HERE IN THE REAL WORLD THAT BEST DESCRIBES THIS CONDITION, WHICH IS "THE DEATH WOBBLE". ( SEE YOU TUBE FOR SOME GOOD EXAMPLES). THERE IS ALSO ONE REMEDY FOR THIS THAT SEEMS TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM,(YOU TUBE/ BIG'OL BUSHING) THAT BEING SAID IT SHOULD NOT BE THE JOB OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO RE-ENGINEER THEIR VEHICLES IN ORDER TO USE THEM ON THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY. THIS RAM AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN RE-CALLED FOR FAILURE OF STEERING COMPONENTS,MAINLY TIE-ROD ENDS, NO DOUBT. TAKE NOTICE OF THIS FACT! THE PROBLEM NEVER WAS THE TIE-ROD ENDS, BUT THIS INCREDIBLE OSCILLATION THAT OCCURS WHEN THE TRACK BAR MOUNTING BOLTS WEAR OUT THE MOUNTING HOLES IN THE BRACKETS TO AN OBLONG,NON CONCENTRIC STATE. THIS WILL BE AN ON-GOING PROBLEM FOR AS LONG AS THIS THIS DESIGN IS IN SERVICE. THESE BOLTS ARE WEARING OUT THE BRACKETS WHICH ARE WELDED TO THE FRAME, MAKING A REMEDY IMPOSSIBLE. I MUST POINT OUT THAT EVEN AFTER A CRASH INVOLVING ONE OF THESE UNITS, THIS CAN EASILY BE OVERLOOKED ,OR COMPLETELY MISSED AS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR OR DIRECT CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT! THESE VEHICLES ARE A DANGER TO THE TRAVELING PUBLIC AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND RETROFITTED BY THE MANUFACTURER OR BE CONDEMNED AND PLACED OUT OF SERVICE IMMEDIATELY!

NHTSA ID

11231697

Incident

Jul 5, 2019

Mileage

161,000 mi