I have had several problems with the front end of my 2004 dodge ram 2500 3/4 ton four wheel drive ranging from poor ride (shaking and shimmying), tire wear, and several gearboxes being replaced. I originally took it in with 35,000 miles on it to the dealership and they told me the problem was due to the tires being out of balance and that the tire were wore wrong causing the shimmy feeling. Now, two years later the tires on the right side are destroyed, so I took it back to the dealer and they told me it needed an alignment. I took it to local tire company to have new tires and an alignment done and they informed me that the upper and lower ball joints the need to be replaced along with one tie rod at 52,000 miles, costing $1,500 for the work on the front end and $900 for tires. For a vechicle that has never been abused or seriously taken off-road this is ridiculous.
2004 Dodge RAM 2500 steering complaints
Page 6 of 6: complaints 131 to 140 of 140, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While making a right or left turn the steering makes a loud hissing sound.this steering system is also connected to my brake system. Called hydro-boost. It seems like the steering oil is bypassing through the valve on the steering box. Now will it also bypass when I slam on the brakes some day? Went to the dealer 3 times and they say they can't do any more. They changed the steering gear box,steering pump and hoses and still the same.
When truck is at highway speeds - 65mph and above, and hits a bump, pot-hole, or other in the road, it develops a severe shimmy/shake (aka death wobble) in which the truck becomes out of control and has to be brought to almost a complete stop in order for the driver to regain control.
I too have recently experienced the violent shaking/shimmy or death wobble"with the 2004 ram 2500, the first time at 75-80 MPH and could do nothing to stop the problem,. I figured I was going too fast and hit a bump at a weird angle. Then, it happened again at 60-65 MPH with the same results. You have to just hang on and slow the truck down and hope people get out of the way. The third time it was the final one. I took the truck to the dealership, and they replace the steering damper, that was accomplished with no help. The problem actually got worse and occurred again at much lower speed. I will be replacing the inner and outer right tie rods, and will try again once they arrived. Until then I would be confined to city driving. Dodge needed to wake up and see that this was an extreme safety problem that must be looked into before someone gets killed.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 2500. While driving approximately 75 MPH under normal driving conditions the vehicle began to vibrate violently. The contact was able to reach his destination, but had to drive approximately 55 MPH to prevent the vibration. The vehicle was currently being inspected by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 60,000.*ak the consumer stated the vehicle is company property and assigned to him. The dealer to the consumer the steering stabilizer had worn out. Updated 07/06/07.
Tl*- the contact stated that the 2004 dodge ram 2500 had a recall listed in the local newspaper for front wheel hub and bearing unit replacement. The contact stated the recall in the newspaper was for year 2006 dodge ram. He had repairs done for lower ball joints, tie rod ends replaced, wheel bearings replaced for the right front wheel, and a wheel alignment. The contact felt that this vehicle should be part of the recall due to the repairs he had done for the front end of his vehicle. The current mileage was 96318.*ak updated 03/30/07.
I will be driving along in my truck when it completely shuts off. The steering wheel locks up and I am unable to brake. The truck has already landed in a ditch and posted a major traffic hazard when these episodes occur. In addition, many times my five year old son is with me.
Vehicle is in for a third time for same violent shaking at 65mph as reported to this site before. This vehicle is bound for a fatal head-on! I have found numerous complaints of the same problem nationwide on the internet. Dodge bought back 32 vehicles from the state of maine for the same reason. Is anyone at the federal safety agency looking into this? I have video of the problem showing a violent high speed wobble and bounce of the front-end. The video was taken from a second vehicle as I traveled at about 70 MPH.
At less than 4000 miles on my '04 dodge ram 2500 I experienced violent shaking in the front-end at about 70-75 MPH. I had to slow to about 35 to recover. This occured on a poor stretch of interstate therefor I avoided this stretch for sometime. At about 13000 miles I experienced the same problem and had to come to a complete stop to recover. This occured three more times on that trip and each time the onset occured at a slower speed. The shake is so violent that there is no steering control and slowing to abruptly enhanced the problem. I have seen several similar complaints on the internet yet only five reported to the federal safety agency. There are currently three other pickups with the same problems being serviced at the same dealership I took mine to. I was told by the mechanic that they haven't tracked the problem and dodge has been of no help. I currently have 600 miles on it since the repair and the problem is back. This problem without a doubt will cause a fatal crash. I am currently restricted to town driving until this problem is solved. Note: the date noted below for the date and mileage of occurence is only an estimate.
Violent shaking in front end at highway speeds when hitting a hole or expansion joint. Also the ride is terribly hard on this vehicle.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2004 Dodge RAM 2500?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history