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…”

“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.”

“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”

“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.”

“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.”