10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,841 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Dodge Ram 2500 steering problems

steering problem

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2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #121

Jun 182008

Ram 2500

  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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."

- Trumansburg, NY, USA

problem #120

May 312011

Ram 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 88,000 miles
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.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #119

May 312011

Ram 2500

  • 88,000 miles
This vehicle's steering began resonant oscillation after hitting a pothole in the pavement. In order to regain control of the vehicle, I had to slow to around 30 mph before the oscillation subsided. This vehicle has been in the Dodge dealership's shop for seven months in the last two years and they have been unable to fix the issue. Most of the front end parts have been replaced, and the issue persists.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #118

Jul 132015

Ram 2500

  • 184,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Round Lake, IL, USA

problem #117

Nov 192014

Ram 2500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,164 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the front end of the vehicle started violently shaking without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the front ball joints, the steering linkage, and the front tie rod ends needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred after the vehicle was inspected under NHTSA campaign numbers: 13V528000 (steering) and 09E001000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,164. Updated 11/12/15

- Ellendale, DE, USA

problem #116

Dec 302003

Ram 2500

  • 20 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving in snow at approximately 30 mph, the steering wheel seized and required excessive force. The contact crashed into guard rails. The vehicle sustained front end, passenger, and rear end damage. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was not repaired. On another occasion, when the vehicle was shifted into park with the engine running, the gear independently shifted into reverse. The contact placed the vehicle into park and shut off the vehicle engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be determined. An alarm system was applied to the vehicle to alert the driver of independent gear changes, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle was unsafe to operate. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20.

- Coraopolis, PA, USA

problem #115

Jul 142012

Ram 2500

  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When driving if you hit a dip in road or bump, the truck violently shakes also know as the death wobble. You have no control until you slow down under 40 miles per hour. Sometimes it continues to do it after that, so you have to drive under 40. I have about hit a bridge and other cars. Other drives get very scared as they can see my truck shaking. It happens all the time. The dealership claims my truck is not in the recall. Doesn't have a particular part they look for underneath. But know one can explain why my truck shakes like this. So far since we bought it, we can only drive in town. To dangerous to drive at higher speeds. Someone is going to get seriously hurt

- Boone, IA, USA

problem #114

Jan 092013

Ram 2500

  • miles
I know have two recalls on this truck. First one is about 1.5 year ago and still not fixed steering. The second one is the air bag and Chrysler dose not have part for that what is the max time for the recalls? I think over a year is way to long for a safety recall.

- Elbert, CO, USA

problem #113

Aug 172005

Ram 2500

  • 10,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving at 65 mph, the contact drove over a pothole and the steering wheel began to vibrate. The vehicle was taken to multiple dealers and independent mechanics who were unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V528000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,000.

- Diamond Bar, CA, USA

problem #112

Jul 212014

Ram 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • miles
2003 Dodge Ram 2500. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle shakes uncontrollably while driving and steering leakage recall notice. The dealer informed the consumer the steering box and transmission pan were leaking. The consumer experienced the vehicle shaking for a second time.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #111

Apr 022015

Ram 2500 4WD 6-cyl

  • 180,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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). 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.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #110

Jan 012014

Ram 2500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact received a notice for NHTSA campaign number 13V528000 (steering) in January 2014. After contacting the dealer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the vehicle were still not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could be provided. The VIN was not available.

- Pine Vally, CA, USA

problem #109

Feb 112015

Ram 2500

  • 173,000 miles
Driving truck down freeway. Hit a bump and whole truck started to shake slowed down and shake went away.

- North Branch, MN, USA

problem #108

Dec 162014

Ram 2500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign numbers: 13V528000 (steering) and 14V354000 (air bags). The contact stated that the part needed was unavailable to repair the vehicle. The dealer was unable to inform when the part would become available. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #107

Sep 172014

Ram 2500 4WD 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
Dodge is refusing to cover recall notice N62/NHTSA 13V-528. I presented original receipts and documentation as requested since I already had to pay to repair the "tie rod ball stud". I received a phone call informing me that they would not cover the recall since I had the truck repaired with "after market parts". I do not agree with this. I should be compensated due to the recall. The parts failed and I replaced them last December. I then get notice that the parts were bad. Why would I put the same parts back on if they failed in the first place? I put "better" after market parts on. No where on the recall does it say that I am supposed to have used "mopar" parts. Please look in to this. I feel they are avoiding responsibility.

- Spring Lake, MI, USA

problem #106

Feb 012014

Ram 2500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 13V528000 (steering) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Po Box 129, KY, USA

problem #105

Jul 172013

Ram 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 129,000 miles
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.

- Learwater, FL, USA

problem #104

May 292013

Ram 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • miles
2003 Dodge Ram 2500. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle tie rod recall notice and seeks reimbursement for repairs. The consumer reimbursement request denied, because he did not use mopar parts. The consumer stated when the tie rods failed, he was in his driveway. The tie rod assembly was replaced twice.

- Calais, ME, USA

problem #103

Aug 012014

Ram 2500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • miles
2003 Dodge Ram 2500. Consumer writes in regards to left tie rod recall notice. The consumer stated after waiting several months and receiving several recall notices, the dealer was not able to obtain the parts to fix the problem. Recall # 13V528000.

- Grand Junction, CO, USA

problem #102

Aug 082014

Ram 2500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13V528000 (steering) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Drenerton, WA, USA

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