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.”

“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…”

“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. 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.”

“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.”