2004 Dodge RAM 2500: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Jul 21, 2022 · Steering, Suspension · MI

When driving over some overpasses on highways the "bump" causes the whole front end to shake and makes steering very hard to maintain. I have heard this called "the Dodge death wobble" and has been reported by many other Dodge Ram owners. I have had all of the ball joints and tie rod replaced. This is a highly disturbing occurrence when traveling at a speed of 65-70 mpr on a highway. This has happened to me more than once and is a very scary feeling, thinking my front tires are coming off. Is there a recall to correct this?

Filed Feb 22, 2022 · Steering, Suspension · ID

dodge death wobble. this death wobble started prior to my 100000mile warranty expired, but by the time i drove the truck home, it was over the milage. After a lot of bs and a fee, Dodge "fixed" my problem. ( for a while) They have refused to re-repair their bad design since. .I've spent many hours and money temporarily repairing their front end design. If i hit a bump in the road while exceeding 55 mph the truck violently shakes and i cannot control the direction. I went off the freeway in Salt Lake this last weekend after putting new tie rods (again) on the front end. You know what this is ! Dodge has never remedied this situation. !

Filed Aug 17, 2019 · Steering · MA

The ball joints were replaced when I purchased the truck, the complete front tie rods as a kit were replaced this week now to get a wheel alignment I have to replace the lower intermediate shaft on the steering column? I went to dodge and was told the steering shaft is available but would not work as I needed to replace the upper as well as it is no longer available that dodge upgraded the item? The total cost would be $600+ for both? If the steering components for driving have been upgraded and the original is no longer made available why is this not a recall? If the u-joint fails the truck is going to be unsteer able? Why was an upgrade done and no one informed? Why does the cost go to me when I should be able to buy the oem section that was made in 2004? It is discontinued every where on line for purchase. There fore there is a defect or issue that has been identified and not shared with the public!

Filed Jul 30, 2016 · Suspension · 62,400 miles · MD

The right lower control arm has broken, as if it had been cut, down the middle. Even though I purchased this vehicle from a friend, I have never abused this vehicle in any fashion. The person from whom I purchased it did use it to pull a 5th wheel rv. I was jsut amazed by the way the control arm broke.

Filed Apr 19, 2016 · Steering · 103,000 miles · AZ

The tie rod busted multiple times on the truck while turning the steering linkage wobbled to be replaced multiple times I repaired twice and went through all the protocol for reimbursement documents visits to dealership confirmed parts with reimbursement dept spent my lunch breaks day after day being put on hold told I would get call back over and over what is next step right is right and I am very right to be disappointed in the safety of my truck

Filed Jun 12, 2015 · Steering · 60,000 miles · WY

Deathwobble, traveling down interstate and hit a bump, the truck started shaking so violently and getting progressively worse. The only way to get it to stop was to hit the brakes and slow down very fast. With 18 wheelers all over the road when it happened I was almost rear ended on the interstate. I have never been so terrified of driving a vehicle in my life! My family was with me. Dodge has come out with an "upgrade kit and new heavier duty steering box" hmmmm...wonder why? Because they are completely aware of the issue and there is no quick fix. I am told I need to replace ball joints, tie rods, steering box, steering stabilizer and get stiffer shocks and or springs. Meanwhile, $5000.00 later, it may work? Maybe?

Filed Apr 23, 2015 · Engine, Steering · 150,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 2500. While reversing into the garage, the throttle body detached. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 8/19/15*cn the consumer also stated the tie rod broke, the u-joints and upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. Updated 08/25/15

Filed Apr 6, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 98,000 miles · TX

In july 2014, traveling along a 2 lane highway, we hit a bump in the road and the truck started to violently shake to the point where we had to come to a complete stop on the road. Scared the entire family as we got out to see if we had a tire failure. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Continued on the vacation and had it occur 3-5 more times while in the truck. While on vacation, had the steering damper(stabilizer) and rotated the tires but that did not fix the problem. Upon return home, took it to a non-chrysler service center as the local dodge dealer was 3 weeks out on getting the truck in. They replaced both upper and lower tie rods joints, wheel bearings and aligned the vehicle. $2000 approximate cost plus the steering stabilizer and no fix. Took the truck on another extended trip on 4/3 and had it occur again. When I called chrysler dealer today (4/6), the service advisor was unaware of any problems with this truck and advised me to bring it in which I will do next week. It still has the passenger air bag recall out on it. All previous recalls have been inspected by chrysler service centers. This is a very dangerous situation and I fear that allowing the truck on the highway dangers not only me and my family but other motorists traveling near us.

Filed Dec 13, 2014 · Steering · 76,000 miles · VT

Approximately 110 miles into a 200 mile trip. I drove over an interstate bridge exp. Joint, when my truck started to shake uncontrollably , I hit the brakes and came to a stop at the far end. After gathering my sanity, got out to inspect what might have failed, but visually could find nothing. I returned to the vehicle and carefully proceeded up the road,to find that the "problem" had ceased. 40 mins later I encountered a similar experience. In both cases, I was thankful there was no other cars behind me. After returning home , I went to the dodge dealership, where they told me that it was likely a steering stabilizer at fault. I had them do the repair, all the while talking to service about the danger of the situations I had been faced with, and in awe that there were no recalls addressing this issue, seemingly the issue was fixed. Three months later a received a recall for the tie rods in this vehicle, that could fail and result in the situation I had previously. After 10 and a half months of being told there were no parts available to do complete the recall repair, they finally came in and the repair was made. Three weeks after the repair was made , I was traveling the interstate (approx. 11-29-14) I was faced with the exact same uncontrollable violent wobble, that brought me to a stop in the middle of an interstate bridge, where I was narrowly missed by an 18 wheeler in my rear view mirror. These pants wetting, skin of my teeth, near death experiences have forced me to file this complaint. Unfortunately my current finances won't allow me to part with this death trap. I've been to the dealership once again and have been told that the drag link and pitman arm are now the cause of the problem. I'm finding it hard to believe that anyone really knows how to remedy this defect, and they are drawing straws to pick the cure of the week.

Filed Nov 6, 2014 · Steering · 172,000 miles · TX

I was driving home one evening and my truck started swaying on the highway and I exited immediately and almost ran into the wall. It somehow straightened out and I limped it to a parking lot which luckily was right there. I saw that my left tie rod had broke off. I called a tow truck and had it taken to a shop. I sent the proper documentation to chrysler customer assistance and after 3+/- weeks I called and talked to them and they said that I will not get reimbursed! They tried to say that it wasn't a dodge part that was put on. I explained that it was a moog part that was put on after mine broke. And I tried several times to explain to them that it was a dodge part that broke. I kept the original tie rod end that broke and have pics of the incident. No matter what I said it didn't matter and I tried to speak to a supervisor and that didn't happen and I still have yet to receive a call back or anything whatsoever. I'm very upset about this especially since they basically told me to bad. Not sure if the conversations are recorded but I hope they are. Needing some assistance on this matter asap please. My recall was n62/the federal safety agency 13v‑528.

Filed Oct 22, 2014 · Steering · 90,000 miles · NJ

It has been over 10 months since I tried to get my vehicle fixed for an extremely dangerous recall where the left tie rod ball stud on my truck may fracture under certain driving conditions. This could cause loss of directional control and/or crash without warning. I do not know who to contact anymore however someone needs to be held accountable for the lack of responsibility that chrysler is taking. As said before I tried to get this fixed since january of 2014.

Filed Jun 26, 2014 · Steering · 123,000 miles · MT

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the front driver's side tie rod fractured without warning. The vehicle veered to the left and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician stated that the front left tie rod needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileage was 123,000.