10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
86,437 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #37

May 102012

Ram 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 62,180 miles

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

We were driving to the store and the vehicle started shaking violently and caused us to go into the other lane. I slowed down to stop, got out looked for some broken part.... did not see anything out of the ordinary. We then proceeded slowly back home and the vehicle just had a continuous vibration, but did not shake violently. I then looked it up on the computer and found others having the same problem. I would really like to know what needs to be done to avoid excess cost but be safe.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #36

May 262012

Ram 2500

  • 97,000 miles
While coming home from work, I hit a bump or pothole with one front wheel, & the front wheels started shaking violently back & forth. The only way I could get it to stop was to slow down. I stopped & looked under the vehicle to see if anything was visibly broken & did not see anything. I slowly sped up again. After hitting another bump, the shaking started all over again & would not stop until I slowed down. This is a very dangerous condition that will get someone killed. I am afraid to let my wife drive the truck with our children, because I don't know what is gonna happen.

- Mooresville, IN, USA

problem #35

May 122011

Ram 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
Front axle shaking violently. Shakes consistently going over bridges. Shook so hard one time it broke the adjusting sleeve on the drag link leaving me with no steering and vehicle crossed into the oncoming lane and into the grass coming to a stop just before hitting the guardrail. Since this incident the ball joints and tie rods have been replaced along with the steering stabilizer. The front axle has been aligned and everything is to oem specifications and this vehicle will still shake going over bridges if your running 70mph. From the research I've done it appears there is a problem on these Dodge trucks if they are 4X4 with a straight front axle and short wheel base. I have seen kits on the internet that claim to fix the "death wobble" and the geometry of the "fix" is different than oem. I hope that you will investigate this issue and I would be more than happy to take you for a ride in my vehicle or let anyone inspect it.

- Moore, SC, USA

problem #34

Mar 012012

Ram 2500

  • 125,000 miles

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

We bought a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 in November of 2011. Since we have bought it we have spent $3500 in repairs in regards to the "death wobble" and it still isn't fixed. I drive it down a road and as soon as you get it up to 50-55 mph and hit a small bump it violently wobbles uncontrollably. The wobble has caused several parts to break or crack including our most recent purchase, the radiator. This isn't the first truck to report this and isn't going to be the last until Dodge man's up and admits they made a mistake. This is an apparent mistake of more than just broke down parts and worn parts. There is something extremely wrong with the manufacturing of these vehicles and is it going to take a death for someone to do something about it? Chrysler is quoted "the safety of our customers comes first" and I would love for the man who made that statement take this truck for a drive and experience the "death wobble' for himself and let me know how safe he feels after that. We have owned many vehicles in the past, none of which has remotely caused this many problems so to say there's no issue or problem with this is extremely bold. We are looking into furthering our investigation in this matter and also looking into what a attorney would do if they were us.

- Knightstown, IN, USA

problem #33

Feb 012003

Ram 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 250 miles
The vehicle without warning shakes violently and the only way to stop it is to slow down. I hit the brakes a couple of times and that only made it worse and controlling the vehicle in a safe manner was impossible. The only way to stop the shaking is to take foot off of accelerator pedal and ride it out, this creates another major problem. The vehicles behind you do not know what is happening and someone almost rear ended me because my brake lights did not go on. He passed me and honked his horn at me and gave me the "finger" self explanatory. This is a major problem and Dodge will not admit it to anyone.

- Redwood City, CA, USA

problem #32

Dec 232011

Ram 2500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 112,000 miles
While driving my 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 down the highway and I will hit small bump, and the truck will violently shake and I am unable to steer the truck. The "death wobble" makes it impossible for me to steer during the shaking and the only way to regain control of the truck is to try to brake and not crash. This first started on 12-23-11 and has happened about 6 times since then. The death wobble occurs at speeds as slow as 40 mph. It is extremely dangerous due to my inability to steer when the truck shakes so violently. I have researched this and there are more people with this same problem and there appears to be no fix. The tires shake side to side and the inside of the cab of the pickup is vibrating violently.

- Laurel, MT, USA

problem #31

Dec 022011

Ram 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 82,000 miles

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

Traveling at highway speeds, upon hitting a bump or groove in highway the truck began a violent shake in the front end. The shaking would not stop until the truck slowed down. This has happened multiple times and the shaking is violent enough to possibly cause a crash. Through internet research I have seen this issue commonly called the "death wobble".

- Matamoras, PA, USA

problem #30

Feb 012005

Ram 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 15,000 miles
Violent wobble at various speeds. Also widely known as the "Dodge Ram death wobble" featured on you tube!

- Redwood City, CA, USA

problem #29

Nov 032009

Ram 2500

  • miles
Dodge death wobble as its called by most, violent shakes in the front end put me in a ditch. I put up with it for about a year but kept getting worse called Dodge and took it to a dealer which in turn charged me $150 to tell me nothing was wrong. Took corrective safety actions myself ordered new front end parts $750 from Dodge fixed problem with local mechanic. They are aware of it but really do not want to address the issue if at all possible.

- Pearland, TX, USA

problem #28

Jan 042012

Ram 2500 8-cyl

  • 37,450 miles
When I installed my winter tires, when I hit a pot hole the truck shook very bad. I took tires and had them balanced, no help, then replaced steering damper, no help. Then replaced track bar bushings. No help. Replaced one tierod still no help. Changed back to summer tires, problem just keeps getting worse. Next im going to have the alignment checked and see what they suggest to fix the problem.

- Roulette, PA, USA

problem #27

Jan 152010

Ram 2500

  • miles

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

While driving at 65 +speeds and hitting a bump in the road lost steering wheel control. I called Dodge recall hotline and was told my vehicle was not part of the recall. I am fearful driving this truck due to this problem. This happens every time as I have to do freeway driving in order to go shopping..I contacted the dealer where I purchased it and they never answered my inquiry..

- Golden Valley, AZ, USA

problem #26

Jan 032012

Ram 2500

  • 100,806 miles
Well have you heard of the "death wobble!!!"???"" google this and it will tell you exactly! my husbands truck hops at 70 mph on the freeway almost causing a huge accident! why the hell after all the complaints nothing has been done with this issue! thousands of people are talking about this online!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Hall, MT, USA

problem #25

Oct 152011

Ram 2500

  • 29,370 miles
Truck gets a severe wobble when it goes over rough spot in road and the wobble is so severe that it is all a person can do to hang on without wrecking to get the truck slowed and stopped.

- Glasgow, KY, USA

problem #24

Nov 012011

Ram 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • miles
I have a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500, as of this evening I had all the major steering components replaced, at a cost of nearly $2500 to solve what is commonly known as the Dodge death wobble, the first expansion joint in the road, after I pick my truck up, caused my truck to shake violently, and nearly out of control again. This is not the first time this has happened, Dodge wont admit that there is a problem and keeps selling me replacement parts without any resolve. The violent shaking continues. I can not even contemplate selling this vehicle because my conscience wont allow me to put another persons safety in jeopardy please help us!!! Dodge won't!!!!!!!

- Coraopolis, PA, USA

problem #23

Jun 212006

Ram 2500

  • 20,000 miles
The first occurrence was at 20000 miles, (death wobble), it did not happen for another year. Since then it has gotten more frequent, virtually every time I get on the highway. I have upgraded steering linkage to 09'.,new track bar, steering dampner, ball joints and also the gearbox frame brace w/pitnam arm bearing kit. I still have the death wobble. I now have around 58000 mi. I love my truck, just not the wobble, I would not feel right by selling it like this.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #22

Jun 152011

Ram 2500 4WD

  • 115,000 miles
My 2003 2500 Dodge Ram 4X4 shakes violently bad when I hit bumps on the freeway at about 60 mph. I have to almost come to a complete stop to make it go away. It feels like I am going to loose control of the truck and crash. I have spent about $2000 trying to fix the problem, but no success. Help please!

- California, CA, USA

problem #21

Dec 012010

Ram 2500 8-cyl

  • 113,000 miles
I drive a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 with 113,00 miles. While driving at approximately 65mph I hit a slightly rough patch of road. The truck began shaking violently to the point of completely loosing control of the vehicle. This violent shaking could be reproduced any time I drove over a bump in the highway at normal highway speeds. I took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who replaced the shocks, steering dampener and steering box that was leaking. He stated that none of these parts were worn to the point that he felt they should cause the problem that he experienced and termed "an unacceptable safety hazard". the shaking has been reduced with these repairs but not eliminated. The mechanic now feels the ball joints may be the next approach to a fix although these again are not that worn.

- Chinook, MT, USA

problem #20

Sep 172010

Ram 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
I have a 2003 Ram 2500 4X4 with 65000 miles on it. I just started to get the death wobble, my father-inlaw has a 1998 cummins and he has already experienced the death wobble he has tried to replace several parts on the front suspension with no fix, I have been reading alot of forums on the internet with people having the same problems what can be done to get this issue fixed?

- Elko, NV, USA

problem #19

Sep 112010

Ram 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
Our 2003 Dodge 2500 is experiencing something referred to on many websites and blogs as "the death wobble!!" this very scary shake occurs when you go over 50 mph or drive on cracked or uneven roads, including paved highways!! Chrysler has not stepped up and accepted the blame and refuses to acknowledge this problem as a recall. Dodge dealerships and a local mechanic have done repairs but nothing fixes it. This vehicle is too dangerous to drive!! we are still making monthly payments on our truck, and can not afford to put anymore money into it!! there are many other Dodge truck owners out there experience this problem! someone needs to make Chrysler take responsibility. I hope your organization has the strength to make them accountable. It is only a matter of time before someone dies... if it hasn't happened already!! here is a link to a blog of other disappointed Dodge truck owners https://www.blogger.com/comment.G?blogid=29790327&postid=1828630666049356082&page=1&token=1284427578344_aie9_bfismzar6xjkp4fe6syt4diq9yfihzyhohz7hmj5_V3gume4Q-oe-uap1fln-ed4qipq0cib884eefvdbmuak4scezcjlbdawgy2T39mb3bju5zpkugcfcya4H0tqbtnodcet91B_alfxrkzvizjsvobaewpiir4pn01Z2lnhyaivcumzq9bjsvyknnxir761wezlnsojlxmvdwfjlcbe8kwy2ochbqegbur7A0oyfvoewdfjkkcvvkgaymu07ym8thcgl1gzjhektbl2V9hlc28K_G1aagdxvv5ufynu2P5ytfb_ft0baauprfkpdfvvciqiztbr9kvbubukd3H4B-sy_ck7ykwlzziilltp6iqi-xotuzsyzfoxtkpqsajy_V7tottukos4nr6yn3atxpexkxxpagdqm-7dwdf70bggwm0atgyslsohrt6-qoidy2igoyyzya5zlowqas2egca3ssxtxjybi15G0wl6ipprlkgs--3fwsl4trz7jmimt3A_Y9gn5mjqnxh8st9uf6kjkso05zbdm42Z04O32oeetmuorfoyloc9N-B_6ikcjwigtk01naqwkw_J_lq3nbywzusljyj3qw-C30M5H8cthq8mztn7B7O2payvy402rhcbovbhzipilgtkwr6odz9jycaulqfeqdtboly3pgiy3G0ql_pahgfabyde4aaxgpjqahqz1jug46wjnblhd88G13dfbaqcqivatq33qvoqgelvtlxs39kkerup0mf5ds47Y9mn8bacwedffqyglnlooiojzjtrvv6sihm2gp6ftvk4jiwkbphopm91yi1Q8K4rlp.

- Germantown, NY, USA

problem #18

May 282010

Ram 2500

  • 50,000 miles
I have a Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 hd that has a severe case of death wobble at only 50,000 miles. All equipment on truck is bone stock.

- Brooklyn Hts., OH, USA

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