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 6 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #41

Jun 212006

Ram 2500

  • 20,000 miles

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

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 #40

Jan 152011

Ram 2500

  • 66,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving approximately 75 mph the vehicle lost control and began to vibrate back and forth. The contact applied the brakes and the vehicle stopped shaking when the speed decreased to approximately 50 mph. The vehicle was previously taken to an authorized dealer and they were unable to diagnose the failure. The failure and current mileages were 66,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #39

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 #38

Dec 132010

Ram 2500 6-cyl

  • 144,500 miles

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

My 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 P\U truck has a severe shake in the front end, not just a vibration the wheels are shaking side to side violently. I was driving on the interstate, I went over a bridge and where the road meets the end of it, and all of sudden my front end just went of control, I let my truck slow on its own until it was maybe 45-50mph then it went away. I never had this happen to me and I have owned Dodge trucks my entire life. This problem has occurred about 6 times. I am now aware that this is a problem with Dodge trucks going back to the 1990 models. I have read so many stories of people attempting to fix these problems on their own and spending up to $3000 but it's not my responsibility! Dodge needs to recall and fix this problem, before someone is killed or injured.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #37

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 #36

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 #35

Aug 292010

Ram 2500

  • 65,100 miles

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

I have a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 I have had two different incidents of the steering wheel violent shaking while on the highway. I was very scared and pulled over immediately. When I reluctantly returned to the interstate the truck drove normal. This is a huge hazard to me and other drivers on the road. This needs to be address immediately.

- Grantham, NH, USA

problem #34

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

problem #33

Dec 242009

Ram 2500 4WD 8-cyl Diesel

  • 103,000 miles
I have a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel 4X4. Has a death wobble when I encounter a bump on highway. This wobble almost made me go off the freeway. I have taken it to many mechanics and have spent alot money with no avail. The dealer will give me no answer of how to fix the problem. I do not know whether to contact the B.a.R. or an attorney. I have researched these issues and have found many people with similar issues.

- El Cajon , CA, USA

problem #32

May 122010

Ram 2500

  • miles
2003 Dodge truck, got recall H46, tried dealer they said would do nothing with recall.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #31

Apr 292010

Ram 2500

  • 190,000 miles

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

Death wobble. Violent shakes after hitting a small bump in a road. The vehicle is nearly impossible to control. Happens at speeds from 30 and up.

- Kent, OH, USA

problem #30

Mar 222010

Ram 2500

  • 50,000 miles
My 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 (4 wheel drive) shakes violently when I encounter a bump on the highway. It occurs everytime when driving around 65 mph and I hit a bump. The truck shakes so much I totaly loose control of the steering. The only thing I can do to stop the shaking is to brake to a speed of aproxamatly 35 to 40 mph. This has happen six times already in the last year. I only have fifty thousnad miles on the truck. This failure has caused my truck to veer into other lanes and has also caused other cars to jack on thier brakes when they are behind me on the highway. I brought the truck to a Dodge dealer. They replaced one of the steering components. This did nothing to alleviate the problem. All Dodge dealers were sent a service bulletin aproxamately 3 to 4 years ago about this potentially deadly saftey issue but when I went to the dealership and explained the problem the manager acted like he knew nothing about it. I fear for my life in this truck. I will not let anyone else drive it until I get it fixed or if it can be fixed at all.

- Westport, MA, USA

problem #29

Feb 152008

Ram 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
When traveling at highway speeds and I hit a bump in the road with my truck the front end shakes violently. This violent shaking has caused me to almost lose control of the vehicle several times. When the vehicle is slowed down to 40mph or slower the shaking goes away. I have researched this and it is a common problem with this vehicle. It is commonly referred to as "death wobble".

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #28

Jan 182010

Ram 2500

  • 80,000 miles
Death wobble! this has happened to me to many times to count. I have had the front end of my 2003 Dodge Ram cummins repaired twice. Both times I have had ball joints and tie rods replaced along with axle U joints and followed by alignment. I have also added a dual steering stabilizer system. That has helped a little bit, but it still happens often. The wobble has taken me off the road once at 60 miles per hour. Luckily, nobody was hurt. Please help if you can. Thank you justin hulse.

- Wellsville , UT, USA

problem #27

Feb 032010

Ram 2500

  • 55,000 miles
My 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 will shake violently and possibly go out of control if I hit a bump above 40 mph. This condition is called "death wobble" and has been shown to be on may trucks. It has happened more than 20 times and must slow to 25 mph to make the steering wheel stop shaking. This is a very dangerous situation and could cause the truck to go out of control if I don't slow down at an emergency rate.

- Castle Rock, CO, USA

problem #26

Jan 082010

Ram 2500

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated the front end shakes excessively when he drove approximately 45 mph over a bump in the road. The contact is not sure of what the problem is since he has not taken it the vehicle to the dealer. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Reo Rancho, NM, USA

problem #25

Nov 132009

Ram 2500

  • 73,000 miles
2003 Dodge 2500 4X4 wobbles after hitting a bump at 70mph. This happens only at this speed and when you drive over a bridge.

- Chelsea, MH, USA

problem #24

Nov 242009

Ram 2500

  • 136,839 miles
I experienced what Dodge owners are calling the "death wobble" today 24 Nov 2009 after I had the front U-joints replaced on both front wheels and the U-joints replaced on the rear drive shaft. I contacted davis moore in wichita ks and they seem unconcerned about the problem. I was doing 60 mph on somewhat smooth road. I ran over a seam that where the concrete meets and that's when I got the wobble that nearly drove me into the guard rail. I had experienced it back in July 09 in a turn going over a bridge. I drove over a slight bump in the road and that's what started it. My wife informed me that she experienced it back in April 09 same thing drove over a bump and the wobble started. The wobble today has caused the steering dampener to start leaking. At a cost of $149 + tax I will replace it tonight. On all 3 of these occasions we have been lucky enough to be in a 1-lane road either exiting or entering a curve and driving over normal bumps in the road. My incident this morning is first time driving straight no turns or curves.

- Wichita , KS, USA

problem #23

Nov 032009

Ram 2500

  • 90,000 miles
Death wobble, on many, many occasions exceeding over a dozen. I have replaced numerous front end parts to no avail, including tires and rims. It always occurred at hi-way speeds of 65 mph and above, the best way to describe it is a crash happening with out the bent metal. I am sure this is going to get someone killed if they are an inexperienced driver if it hasn't already, the dead don't talk so to speak, you cant see death wobble after the truck has crashed, you may want to look into the single vehicle fatalities of this make and model of truck I am sure it is high ratio for the amount of vehicles sold, one is unacceptable in my opinion. I could be next. It can happen at any time crossing a bridge, pavement patches, especially dangerous passing slower vehicles like semi-trailers and rv's where you have no where to go but the said vehicles and or bridge wall. This is a terrible issue with these trucks, check internet search engines on death wobble, and this is the truck that comes up, what else do you need before something is done?

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #22

Sep 032009

Ram 2500

  • 56,500 miles
There have been numerous forums and blogs reporting this same problem among various owners with different equipment specs. The one thing we all seem to have in common is this problem called death wobble. While driving my truck at highway speeds, if I hit a bump at an angle, the front end would start to shake violently. So violently that I have to let my foot of the gas and coast to a speed that puts my life in danger because I can not safely or reliably steer the truck off the road. It takes everything I've got to keep the truck in the lane I am traveling in. This has happened several times and, each time, I try to get it fixed or have a mechanic look into what is causing the violent shaking. Most of the time, the mechanic (about 5 different service stations) can't duplicate the problem. I asked a senior customer service agent with Chrysler what they could do. She said that goodwill assistance was declined. I asked her what she meant by that, she said that I don't have a warranty, my truck is 6 years old, I have 80K mileage, and Chrysler will not help. I wasn't the one who has declined this proverbial goodwill assistance nor was it in my power. I don't even know why she would bring it up. Certainly, if it was offered, I would at least have the option. Now I have a truck I'm afraid to drive and no recourse.

- Sykesville, MD, USA

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