05/26/05 noise in front end clunking while driving, took to dealer not where we bought the truck from because they were not helping us with any of the other problems we were having. Ball joints were loose hub frozen replaced the right hub bearing and both side ball joints. Replaced the front axle u joints replaced the brake pads now it is march 13 2006 and the ball joints need to be replaced again , and u joints are bad. Seems to be one problem after another.
2003 Dodge RAM 2500 suspension complaints
Page 5 of 5: complaints 101 to 122 of 122, newest first, as owners wrote them.
2003 dodge 2500 4x4 pu reported rattling noise front end at low speed. Under warranty 3/36 vehicle taken in dealer manager reports upper lower ball joints gone. Upon checking on vehicle status next day dealer reports misdiagnosis and sway arm control needs only replacement. Dealer never intended to inform owner (me) of change. Interestingly they changed position and are now trying to sell me into extended warranty with only 1500 mile left on 3/36.
Upper and lower ball joints fail with very low mileage. I know of three owner 3 truck that the ball joints failed, causing the truck to handle wrong, shake and bounce out of control. Dodge will not fix, the cost is over 1,000. Mine failed at 35,000 mile all the trucks failed below 40,000,this on a 35,000 dollar truck.
The federal safety agency opened an investigation on july 22, 2003 concerning 1998 - 2003 dodge durango vehicles to address complaints regarding front suspension ball joints. What is the status of the investigation, and what are you doing about this problem experienced by so many. My suspension ball joint went bad and broke while fixing something else. It was not covered by the warranty. Obviously it was a defective part and or design of the vehicle, and that was unacceptable to make the customer pay for the mistakes by dodge.
Dt: the contact states there is problem with the front suspension. At highway speeds the steering wheel shakes and there is a heavy vibration in the front end. This problem ultimately resulted in a minor one vehicle accident. The contact lost control of the vehicle and ran into a ditch. No one was injured, but some damage was evident on front of the vehicle. The vehicle had to be towed to a dealer. The dealer noticed the stabilizer bar broke. No repairs were done at this time due to the excessive expense.
Dt: the contact stated there was excessive play within the steering and a shimmy in the front right tire at speeds of 65 MPH. The truck could strike a bump in the road and there would be complete loss of control. The vehicle has been to a dealer for inspection of this problem. The dealer discovered the right front tire was about to fall off. Also, he noted that the pitman arm, tie rod, and stabilizer bar needed to be replaced. No repairs were performed due to the expense. She contacted the manufacturer, but they did not offer any cost assistance.
I was driving at freeway speed 75 MPH when I hit a small washboard type bump, my 2003 dodge 4x4 2500 diesel (with 39,000 miles) began swerving so violently I could hardly hang on to the wheel. We nearly ran off the road and just missed the semi next to us. It was so bad, my wife's head was hitting against the passenger window. We had to slam on the brakes & come to a speed of 30 MPH to get it to stop. It seemed to drive fine until we could get it to the dealership in grand junction, who diagnosed it as a bad tie rod end. Replaced that,, and sent us on our way. We again began driving down the freeway, pulling a small cargo trailer when it happened again. This time it was so much worse while I tried to hang on to the wheel that I could hardly focus my eyes and again my wife's head smashing against the passenger window with this violent shaking. We took the truck to the dodge dealership in st. George, ut where they reported there were several things they could do, but couldn't guaranty that it would fix the problem. Did comment that they were well aware of this problem with these trucks and the service team in slc, ut had named it "the death wobble". I questioned why there is not a recall if it is so common, but he had no answer. He stated most of the people who had this problem 'just got rid of the truck' in other words some other fool has it. This is going to kill someone if not remedied. As a matter of fact, my small wife would have never had the strength to hang on to that wheel & we would be dealing with a crash or death instead of this letter.
I currently have a 2003 dodge ram 2500. At 50,000 miles the dealer notified me that the upper and lower ball joints are showing wear. At 55,000 the front end started to make noise. As soon as I heard the noise I drove the vehicle over to don miller dodge. When the dealer contacted me, informing me that all ball joints need to be replaced. This is not cover under the 7/70 dodge warranty. The price tag for the work came out to $1200. After hanging up the phone, I contacted dodge directly and told them of the problem. They acknowledged that I had great maintenance reports, but since I had placed new tires on the vehicle at 45,000 and increased the tire from 275 to 285 (.5" difference). There is nothing they can due for me. I contacted several dodge dealers in the area and spoke with the service departments. This is a know problem with the 02-03 dodge durangos and 02-03 dodge ram pickup's. Dodge ref#13452182 I find this performance from a so called heavy duty vehicle highly disappointing. This is my second dodge ram. I upgraded from my 1999 1500 gas to the 2500 diesel heavy duty just to avoid these types of problems. If I would not have gone to the deal right away. This could have resulted in losing the front tire. Causing injury or worse. Similar to what happens with the 03 durango. I lucky enough to recognize the change in steering. If my wife was driving she would not have been able to recognize the problem until it was to late. I will obtain the old part from the dealer.
With 25000 miles on truck had noise coming from front end. I inspected to find ball joint almost ready to fail.
When driving over a pot hole at 60 MPH vehicle vibrated severely. Vehicle stopped vibrating when speed decreased to 30 MPH. The cause had not been determined. Driver will contact the dealer in the near future.
Uncontrolled wobble of front wheels on 2003 dodge ram heavy duty truck due to worn ball joints and steering components, I'm told these are the same ball joints used on the durango.
When hitting moderate bumps in the road at speeds over 45mph, the front wheens start bouncing uncontrollably. Nothing stops the shaking except deceleration to <40 MPH. Contol of the vehicle is compromised while the wheels are bouncing.
From day one of owning my 2500 ram it seemed out of alignment. I took it to the dealer in las vegas where I purchased the vehicle and I was told it was fine. Then upon moving to colorado I again took it to a dealer and was told the same thing. A year later I noticed severe wear on the front tires, indicating the vehicle was out of alignment. I took it to a different dealer and was told at 38,000 miles I needed both the upper and lower ball joints replaced to the tune of 1,400! I declined and took it to a local repair shop. Also the dealer told me to consider an eliptical shaped ball joint in lieu of the standard ball shaped. Anyway, the local repair shop replaced them. Still I hear this is a common problem and there should be a recall.
After vehicle was warmed up a clanking sound started. Also, when towing a fifth wheel trailer, after and after traveling 100 miles vehicle shook like the rear end was going to fall out. Dealer duplicated the problem , and stated it was either the rear end or the differential. Manufacturer offered no help.*ak the consumer stated that the wrong lube in the rear end differential. Manufacturer advised a different lube. Consumer waiting for results when 5th wheel rv is being towed.
The consumer experienced a problem with the upper and lower ball joints. When driving over a bump in the road, the consumer could feel the movement of the ball joints in it's socket which caused the vehicle to pull to the left. Owner took the vehicle in to have it aligned when it was discovered that the ball joints were cracked. The consumer contacted the manufacturer and was told there was nothing they could do. Provide further details.
My 2003 dodge ram 2500 steering shakes uncontrollably when you hit a bump at highway speeds or a bridge expansion joint. Directional control is difficult while this is happening. This happened while traveling at 75 MPH, and sent the truck into the other lane, nearly causing an accident. Could not get the shaking to stop until truck dropped to 45 MPH. The dealership says that one other customer is having the same problem. They checked all the steering components and said everything was good. This is very dangerous, and should be checked out further. Ball joints in these trucks:2003 ram 2500 -3500 are proven to be defective. I am a member of the turbo diesel register which is comprise of 40,000+ members and this problem is not uncommon at all. Approximately 50% of all 2003 + trucks have ball joint slop in the first 10,000 miles.
I had sears align tires on my dodge. They described problems with ball joint, tie rod and bearing on my 2003 dodge. Chrysler will not replace parts that are showing excessive wear on this 1.5 year old truck as they did not diagnose problem before warranty expiration.
Problems with 2003 dodge ram truck.*mr while driving over bumps the vehicle literally changes lanes. The consumer contacted the dealer and the manufacturer but didn't get a favorably reply from either.
My automobile is unsafe, I almost wrecked thursday with my children with me. It very scary and I am afraid to drive it any more. We have been through arbitration twice and been denied. We have two dealerships that have driven it and says it is unsafe and needs to be removed from the highways. I have contacted daimler chrysler and they have refused to cooperate with us. Please call me at [xxx]. *la information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
While driving 45 MPH consumer applied the brakes, tryint to avoid hiting a deer. Right lower control arm bended. Dealer stated no way consumer was driving at 45 MPH. It was his problem and should call insurance company. *ak
Rear end has been replaced on my truck two times in less than 10,000 miles due to failure.
While driving over 50 MPH the is severe shaking in the front end. This shaking is so severe that vehicle changes lanes on its own. Driver has slow down below 50 MPH to gain control. Dealer cannot duplicate the problem.
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