The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.
2003 Dodge RAM 2500 steering problems
159 complaints (24% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 84,000. 7 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 159
- of this car's complaints
- 24%
- typical mileage
- 84,000
- crashes
- 7
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Linkages: tie rod assembly9
- Rack and pinion3
- Hydraulic power assist system3
- Linkages2
- Gear box (other than rack and pinion)2
- Column2
- Linkages: rod: relay: connecting1
- Linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Dodge RAM 2500 steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Dodge RAM 2500 steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.
- Risk
- A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.
Recall number 13V528000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 2500/3500 4x4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 3500 cab chassis 4x2, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; and model year 2008 dodge ram 1500 mega cab 4x4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through august 15, 2008, because the left tie rod ball stud may fracture. This condition tends to occur during low speed parking lot type maneuvers when the customer is making a tight turn. Additionally, model year 2003-2008 dodge ram 2500/3500 vehicles may have received the affected tie rod assembly as a replacement part during normal service.
- Risk
- This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the tie rod ends for relative orientation and replace the left outer tie rod as required and perform a front end toe alignment as needed. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 3, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 11V350000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Chrysler's execution of 13V‑528 & 529
RMD opened this audit query (AQ) investigation in order to better understand and evaluate Chrysler's process(es) for timely and efficient execution of its safety recall campaigns, including its oversight and management of its parts division Mopar.Prior to opening this investigation, RMD had raised concerns with the company related to its execution of two safety recalls, 13V‑528 and 13V‑529, both of which involved safety defects that could cause the involved vehicles, FCA?s heavier Dodge Ram trucks, to lose steering control suddenly and without warning.Specifically, RMD inquired about the availability of parts for recall repairs, by email and phone on January 15, 2014 and February 19, 2014, due to the volume of complaints it was receiving from owners alleging parts scarcity and parts restrictions. FCA steadfastly denied it had placed parts restrictions on its dealers to manage issues of parts scarcity.FCA shared material showing it had uncommitted stock of parts available for its dealers. Nevertheless, consumer complaints of lack of parts continued.RMD made independent inquiries tosome dealers tobetter understand the conflicting claims between owners alleging lack of ability to repair their defective vehicles due to lack of parts, and FCA?s information showing availability of parts.Dealers informed and provided documentation to RMD on February 21, 2014 and February 25, 2014 showing FCA had, in fact, put into place parts restrictions and, further, had in some instances canceled dealerships? back orders for parts.In addition, during the course of its dialogue with dealers, RMD discovered that FCA had notified their dealerships on February 27, 2014 to return the recall remedy parts over quality concerns, and had therefore effectively canceled its safety recall program without notification to the federal safety agency. RMD issued a request for information (IR) on October 21, 2014.The company failed to respond to a number of the questions RMD asked that required it to produce specifics surrounding the repairs and parts ordering process with the recalls, including a question about whether a dealer order for recall parts could be canceled and under what circumstances.
AQ14003
What 2003 Dodge RAM 2500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 problem, but, from your website, there are no recalls listed for this vehicle. As a side note, the Jeep SUVs have also been reported to have a Death Wobble, but I have no information on whether the wobble with them is caused by the same defect with the steering or suspension systems.
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.
3d7ku26633g8[xxx] redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
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
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.
Took vehicle into jacksons of enid, 4405 w owen garriott rd, enid, ok 73703 on 4/27/17 for safety recall related work on passenger air bag inflator and outer tie rod assembly. Air bag light was coming on sporadically and increasingly often. Work performed, if any, by jacksons of enid did not solve the problem. Air bag light came on within a mile of the business and continues at various speeds and for longer periods of time. Outer tie rod assembly??? Can't tell. . What am I supposed to do? Wait until the airbag inflates while I am driving, possibly injuring myself or others? Or maybe lose a front wheel? This is not the only disturbing encounter that I have experienced at this business. Call me ((580) 984-1200). I do not trust jacksons of enid and they are the only game in town. Tried to contact bbb, but they are not bbb affiliated. Go figure.
I contacted my local dodge dealership on the recall you guys sent last year on this matter. I was told they did not have the new airbags to install and that I would receive another notice stating when they had them. Then, I could then call back to set up a time to have the faulty one replaced. I never received that notice and have received my second safety recall notice on the same issue. I would very much like to have this fixed since my family often use this vehicle. But the local dealer only seems interested in making money, not the safety of what they sale.
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.
Questions about the 2003 Dodge RAM 2500 steering
Does the 2003 Dodge RAM 2500 have steering problems?
Owners have filed 159 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Dodge RAM 2500, 24% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge RAM 2500 steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 84,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Dodge RAM 2500 steering?
Yes, 2 recalls: 13V528000, 11V350000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Dodge RAM 2500 have bad steering?
The Dodge RAM 2500 model years with the most steering complaints are 2006 (231 complaints), 2011 (210 complaints) and 2007 (200 complaints).
Other 2003 Dodge RAM 2500 problems
Body 146Airbags 138Suspension 122Transmission 55Visibility 45Electrical 26Brakes 20Engine 20Lights 13Tires 11Acceleration 10Wheels 9Fuel system 8Driver assistance 5Seats 3Seat belts 2Locks 1
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