2003 dodge ram 2500 shakes violently when hitting a bump 40-70 MPH the "death wobble".
2003 Dodge RAM 2500 suspension complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 122, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
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.
2003 dodge 2500 4x4 wobbles after hitting a bump at 70mph. This happens only at this speed and when you drive over a bridge.
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 $149.00 + 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.
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?
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge 2500. The contact stated that the wiring harness failed and was repaired under warranty. On a separate occasion, the defroster and windshield wipers failed. While utilizing the driver's side turn signal, the passenger side turn signal would illuminate instead. This failure was also repaired under warranty. In addition, the contact was experiencing very hard vibrations form the front end of the vehicle. He struck a squirrel in the road and nearly lost control of the vehicle due to the vibrations. A local service dealer replaced the steering linkages in the vehicle at the contact's expense. He later received a recall notice for the suspension and excessive vibrations (steering linkages). The federal safety agency campaign id number was unknown. The current and failure mileages were less than 120,000.
Death wobble due to pitman arm; occurs at speeds over 65mph or when vehicle hits a bump at any speed. Vehicle becomes hard to maintain control over. Began occurring when vehicle reached approximately 100,000 miles.
Ball joints and tie rod ends wore out and rusted parts on a 2003 ram that almost resulted in the loss of a wheel.
Truck shakes after hitting bump at 70 miles per hr.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge truck 2500 4x4. The contact stated that the vehicle shakes violently while driving 70 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three times and they changed the cable stabilizer and replaced the ball joints. The failure mileage was 100,000 and current mileage was 117,000. Updated 03-27-09 *bf updated 04/01/09.
We were driving when you hit about 60 and hit a bump the truck shakes so violently and the only way to stop it is to slow down to 20 or slower. Happens when you are going 50 or more and hit a bump or where the roads connect.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 2500. The contact heard a squeaking noise when the vehicle was started. After shifting into drive, the vehicle began vibrating. The vehicle was driven to the dealer for a routine oil change and the contact notified them of the failures. The mechanic stated that the upper and lower ball joints were defective. The vehicle was not repaired. Immediately after leaving the dealer, the driveshaft fell out of the vehicle and was replaced by a local mechanic. The upper and lower ball joints have not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The current mileage was 55,000 and failure mileage was 49,000.
Front unit bearing wear/failure.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 2500. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle drove over a pothole and began to shake violently. The dealer named the failure the "death wobble" and stated that there were no recalls for this failure. The manufacturer and dealer would not repair it for free. The current and failure mileages were 77,200. Updated 6/9/08 *cn the consumer believed there was a problem with the ball joints,stabilizer, trac bar and alignment. Updated 06/09/08
Traveling down freeway at speed of 70 MPH passed over overpass hit bump and truck begin shimmying uncontrollably, had to bring truck to complete stop to get shimmying to stop. This has happened many times at speeds about 55 MPH hit bumps and truck begins shimmying uncontrollably, have to completely stop vehicle each time. Have replaced everything in front end along w/ adjusted air pressure in tires according to service bulletin, nothing seems to work. Took to dealer they stated nothing else could be done. Truck still has same shimmy and cannot get anything done about it. This needs to be recalled before someone gets seriously injured.
While driving my 2003 dodge ram 2500 quad cab 4x4 cummins diesel at approximately 35 MPH, my right front tire came off causing me to lose control of my vehicle. Exact cost of repair is yet to be decided, but damage was more than moderate. The lug nuts did not fall off. The hub bolts sheered off without warning. Damage is in that tire, the rotor, brake system, front right quarter panel, right side front passenger's door, and suspension system. The police officer said we were lucky to be going so slow around a curve with a 40 foot embankment drop-off. I have read nhsta bulletins and dodge forum websites and found that this problem is more than common. My truck did have a slight vibration on bumps which I was told was normal. However, after this incident and reading hundreds of other complaints, this issue needs to be handled now...with sole responsibility lying on dodge corporation. This is unsafe. People have been hurt. All readers say the same things and agree that dodge will not do anything about this problem. We need someone to confront the automakers and demand safety recalls immediately.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 2500. While driving 75 MPH, the front of the vehicle vibrated after driving over a bump in the road. The dealer stated that the front tie rod end was loose and worn. They replaced the front tie rod end; however, the failure continued. As of october 16, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle a second time. The failure mileage was 35,127 and current mileage was 37,170. Updated 11/05/07.
Failure of ball joints on my 2003 dodge ram pickup truck after less than 30,000 miles. Truck has been well maintained and babied, never in an accident or off road for that matter. Way too early for this type of failure. Dodge dealer is going to replace at a cost to me of about $1400, no offer to replace under warranty or due to failure.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 2500. While driving 55 MPH the vehicle drove over a bump in the road which caused the front end of the vehicle to vibrate. The road conditions were clear. The contact stated that the failure occurred approximately 10 times. The mechanic inspected the vehicle, but was unable to diagnose the failure. The current mileage is 62,000, and the failure mileage was unknown.
I owned my dodge ram 2500 pick up truck for 4 years. I have a state vehicle inspection every year and I had no problem in april of 2006. In april of 2007 I was informed by the dealership that both the upper and lower ball joints on the passenger side needed replacement. I have a total of 28,300 miles on the vehicle, only 5,000 of which were accumulated between april of 2006 and april 2007. I am retired.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 2500. While driving at 30 MPH,the contact heard a loud winding noise. The contact was able to bring the vehicle to the dealer before the wheel bearings failed. The dealer replaced the wheel bearings, and stated that the failure was one of the most common repairs. The current mileage was 73,000, and failure mileage was 70,000.*ak update 05/21/07
The front sealed inner wheel bearing failure on dodge trucks and cars. South point dodge service department, in austin,tx informs me that they have a lot of failures with this on the newer vehicles. Mine is a 2003 dodge ram 2500 truck, diesel, failed at 70,000 miles, I have spoke with 2 other dodge owners in the past 4 days and they also have had the same thing on their dodge trucks,1 was at 50,000 miles and the other was at 63,000 miles, inner wheel bearing failure on a sealed bearing on the front hubs. These type of failures can cause the front wheel to leave the vehicle cause accident or death. I have been driving dodge trucks for 18 years and have owned 5 of them. I really believe that this is a major safety issue/defect that really needs to be looked into. Especially when the service department tells me that they see it all the time with these new seal bearings in the hubs on the front wheels.
This is a common problem with this year truck relating to faulty front suspension components. I have experienced the so called, "death wobble" at least 30 or more time on freeways all over the state. Problem occurs when traveling 65 MPH +/- 2 and driving over uneven surfaces. Causes truck to shake violently and veer to the right or the left. Only way to stop is to let off the accelerator and let coast to 25 to 30 MPH which is real safe on the freeway. This may have been caused or caused failure of track bar, which is also listed in your complaint section multiple times. The manufacturer blew off my claim and told me the vehicle was road worthy. They referred me to this site so I could read the hundreds of complaints I guess? This problem started around 45,000 miles and continuously gets worse. Since they really don't care I've ordered an after market track bar made by a superior designer.
At highway speeds, between 70 an 80 MPH, the vehicle will vibrate uncontrollably if you hit any type of pothole, expansion joint, bridge, etc..... While driving recently (9/5/2006), I encounter a bridge crossing while traveling at approx 76 MPH, at which point the vehicle began to shutter violently causing my vehicle to cross traffic and enter the median on I-20 outside of birmingham, al. This is an extremely dangerous situation.
2003 dodge ram 2500 quadcab 4x4 p/u goes into an uncontrollable front end wobble after hitting a bump in the road but only while traveling in excess of 60 MPH, I have had new tires put on, front end checked, aligned, new front steering damper, new rt front ball joint and hub assembly.
My 2003 ram 2500 has been nothing but trouble. In first two years the bearings/hubs, u-joints, upper/lower ball joints have all been replaced, I have spent over $2000.0 in front end parts alone. My friend has a 2003 dually, he has replaced all the same parts. Also, an injector line rupture on christmas eve, while I was in rural maine, needless to say it got very expensive, once they found a part in michigan. All I can say is no more dodges for me or my family, buying a toyota or nissan next time. The dodge is a $40,000 piece of crap....tf.
Excessive movement in poor quality oem ball joints, along with road feed back through a multi piece, and movable steering shaft and steering column. Make this series of truck unsafe, a hazard, and a liability on the road.
Someone is going to get killed in this thing. I've taken it to two dealers and two front end shops. The problem is when you hit a bump where the tires don't hit it at the same time. Then the left tire usually starts bouncing until it almost shakes the truck apart and you run off the road trying to get it stopped. I've changed the shocks, tie rods and misc other parts trying to find a solution. Everyone says it all looks fine. But something isn't right here. I like the cummins but I'm afraid I'm going to have to get a chevy before I hurt myself or someone else. It's pretty bad when you get paranoid of the road ahead when you go faster than 65 MPH. I even went to a real stiff tire to eliminate this. Now it not only shakes to pieces, but it rides like a buckboard because of the tires. There should be some kind of a recall for this thing.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 Dodge RAM 2500?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history