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Dodge RAM 2500 jerking problems

48 of the 6,440 owner complaints about the Dodge RAM 2500 describe jerking or lurching, most of them for the 2003 model year.

owner complaints
48
worst model year
2003
typical mileage
52,949
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2012
    2
  • 2011
    1
  • 2010
    3
  • 2009
    1
  • 2008
    3
  • 2007
    2
  • 2006
    2
  • 2005
    6
  • 2004
    4
  • 2003
    6
  • 2001
    3
  • 1999
    5
  • 1998
    3
  • 1997
    2
  • 1996
    2
  • 1995
    2
  • 1992
    1

What owners say

Filed Sep 19, 2019 · Electrical · 325,725 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 ram 2500. When the contact turned the key in the ignition, the vehicle failed to start. The contact also stated that the key fell out of the ignition while driving. In addition, while driving 45 MPH over a bump in the road, the vehicle shut off. The contact parked the vehicle and jerked the key in the ignition to restart the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to charlie's dodge chrysler jeep ram (located at 725 illinois ave, maumee, oh 43537, (419) 893-0241) where it was diagnosed that the wire ignition node needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the previous vehicle owner had the vehicle repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v200000 (electrical system) in october of 2010. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 325,725.

Filed May 27, 2018 · Transmission · 58,500 miles · TX

Vehicles transmission will default into 4th gear. At 75 MPH on the freeway, my truck began lurching and the RPM fluctuated then the transmission downshifted on its own and would not shift from 4th gear. I limped the truck to my destination, and contacted ram customer care who put me in touch with my local dealer. Still waiting on the appointment to have my transmission checked. Note that I could not manually shift the transmission up or down either. I was stuck in 4th gear, at 75mph.

Filed Feb 14, 2017 · Steering, Suspension · 146,000 miles · SD

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.

Filed Aug 30, 2016 · Acceleration · 74,225 miles · CA

When first taking off you put your foot on the gas pedal and it goes all the way to the floor and doesn't go. It's like it's stuck, no power. Finally will go and then keeps repeating, jerking. Once driving for awhile it won't do it again.

Filed Oct 27, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 85,000 miles · UT

I was driving down I-15 at approximately 70mph and hit a small bump in the road. The front end started bouncing uncontrollably. Had to completely stop in traffic, which almost resulted in a big accident. This is not the first time this has happened. I was in traffic on monday this week as well and the same thing happened twice at slower speeds and on both of these occasions was almost hit by an 18 wheeler. I am a female and trying to hold on to the steering wheel while it jerked violently back and forth was almost not doable. When is dodge going to be held responsible for making a safe truck for us to drive? My mechanic told me that just about all of these trucks have this same issue and they won't fix it unless it cracks. This is not safe for drivers anywhere. Is it going to take a serious accident or death to get something done about this problem?

Filed Sep 22, 2015 · Steering · 180,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 2500. While driving approximately 65 MPH over a speed bump, the steering wheel vibrated severely. The vibrating stopped when the contact jerked the steering wheel to the left or right. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

Filed Aug 12, 2015 · Steering · 59,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was a loss of steering control and the vehicle was unable to be maneuvered. In addition, the front driver side began to jerk violently when driving over a bump. The failure recurred six times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.

Filed Aug 6, 2015 · Engine · 49,503 miles · NM

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the service engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle started to jerk violently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the exhaust gas pressure sensor was damaged and needed replacement. The contact also stated that this was the second time the failure occurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,503.

Filed Jul 27, 2015 · Steering · 105,445 miles · CA · 1 injury

While traveling on the freeway at normal speed of 65 MPH in the number 2 lane, my vehicle started to develop a dangerous steering wobble sensation. The wobble was so violent and uncontrollable that I feared for my safety. I let off the gas pedal and applied the brakes as my hands were being almost pulled off of the steering wheel from the force of the wheel being jerked back and forth against my will. I was able to get the truck back under control only after getting the speed down below 40 MPH and pulling over. The incident caused an aggravation to an existing injury to my left shoulder which caused me great pain for up to 1 week. I inspected the vehicle thinking I had run something over or something had broken from my steering system. But I found nothing out of place. I have an appointment set to take it to the dealer on friday july 31st 2015 at cerritos dodge. This is the fourth time this has happened to my truck and scared me and my family while driving. My truck has always made a "click" noise while turning as well with no one able to diagnose the noise. I am getting nervous and scared to drive my truck at freeway speeds at this point.

Filed Feb 13, 2015 · Transmission · 17,800 miles · ID

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge ram 2500. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle jerked violently. The vehicle was attempting to drive in park and reverse at the same time. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 17,800.....updated 07/22/15 *bf the consumer suspected that the failure may have been caused by the remote starting system. Updated 09/21/2015

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shiftReported December 20, 2017 · 1,482,874 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
Risk
Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.

Recall number 17V821000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shiftReported October 6, 2005 · 250,433 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines and automatic transmissions, in an attempt to exit the vehicle quickly without shutting off the engine and removing the key, the driver may inadvertently leave the automatic transmission shift control in indicated reverse.
Risk
This error is an unintended action that may result in a lack of transmission park pawl engagement and possibly delayed rearward movement of the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will perform a software modification to equip these vehicles with an out-of-park alarm. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 05V462000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported December 4, 2003 · 514 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain pickup trucks, the transfer case to transmission attaching fasteners may not be tightened correctly. This could cause the transmission adapter or transfer case housing to crack and leak fluid.
Risk
Continued operation can result in propeller shaft separation and damage to fuel system components, which could lead to a fuel leak. Fluid and/or fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can cause an underbody fire.
Remedy
Dealers will retighten the transfer case to transmission fasteners. Owner notification began on december 22, 2003. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑992‑1997.

Recall number 03V503000 · Recall details

Questions about the Dodge RAM 2500 jerking

Which Dodge RAM 2500 years have jerking or lurching problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2003 (6 complaints), 2005 (6 complaints) and 1999 (5 complaints).

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