When driving the truck around 65 MPH & I hit a bump I get a severe death wobble. This has happened several more times & it's very dangerous
2003 Dodge RAM 3500 steering problems
37 complaints (13% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 80,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 37
- of this car's complaints
- 13%
- typical mileage
- 80,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Linkages: tie rod assembly2
- Gear box (other than rack and pinion)2
- Linkages1
- Hydraulic power assist system1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Dodge RAM 3500 steering problems in other years
Related recalls
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.
- Risk
- A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.
Recall number 13V528000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 2500/3500 4x4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 3500 cab chassis 4x2, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; and model year 2008 dodge ram 1500 mega cab 4x4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through august 15, 2008, because the left tie rod ball stud may fracture. This condition tends to occur during low speed parking lot type maneuvers when the customer is making a tight turn. Additionally, model year 2003-2008 dodge ram 2500/3500 vehicles may have received the affected tie rod assembly as a replacement part during normal service.
- Risk
- This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the tie rod ends for relative orientation and replace the left outer tie rod as required and perform a front end toe alignment as needed. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 3, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 11V350000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Chrysler's execution of 13V‑528 & 529
RMD opened this audit query (AQ) investigation in order to better understand and evaluate Chrysler's process(es) for timely and efficient execution of its safety recall campaigns, including its oversight and management of its parts division Mopar.Prior to opening this investigation, RMD had raised concerns with the company related to its execution of two safety recalls, 13V‑528 and 13V‑529, both of which involved safety defects that could cause the involved vehicles, FCA?s heavier Dodge Ram trucks, to lose steering control suddenly and without warning.Specifically, RMD inquired about the availability of parts for recall repairs, by email and phone on January 15, 2014 and February 19, 2014, due to the volume of complaints it was receiving from owners alleging parts scarcity and parts restrictions. FCA steadfastly denied it had placed parts restrictions on its dealers to manage issues of parts scarcity.FCA shared material showing it had uncommitted stock of parts available for its dealers. Nevertheless, consumer complaints of lack of parts continued.RMD made independent inquiries tosome dealers tobetter understand the conflicting claims between owners alleging lack of ability to repair their defective vehicles due to lack of parts, and FCA?s information showing availability of parts.Dealers informed and provided documentation to RMD on February 21, 2014 and February 25, 2014 showing FCA had, in fact, put into place parts restrictions and, further, had in some instances canceled dealerships? back orders for parts.In addition, during the course of its dialogue with dealers, RMD discovered that FCA had notified their dealerships on February 27, 2014 to return the recall remedy parts over quality concerns, and had therefore effectively canceled its safety recall program without notification to the federal safety agency. RMD issued a request for information (IR) on October 21, 2014.The company failed to respond to a number of the questions RMD asked that required it to produce specifics surrounding the repairs and parts ordering process with the recalls, including a question about whether a dealer order for recall parts could be canceled and under what circumstances.
AQ14003
What 2003 Dodge RAM 3500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 3500. While driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel was loose and became inoperable without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 210,000.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 3500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 05v462000 (power train), 09e001000 (steering), 13v528000 (steering), and 15v312000 (air bags). The parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact called the same dealer every time since 2006. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 01/05/2017*ct updated 7/3/18
Purchased vehicle at 100,000 in 11/2011. Miles seemed in good condition. Quickly started death wobble. Thought it was weak tires. Purchased new (better) tires, no change. Took into oak ridge, tn chrysler dealership for death wobble repairs at 122,351 miles (ticket chcs182246). Fine until last month 12/2016 at approx 137,051 miles. Death wobble is back (and worse). Easily occurs at interstate speeds when one hits bridge expansion joints (especially on a curve). But must also watch (be careful) on secondary roads at slower speeds. Does not need to be on a curve if the bump is big. In my opinion engineering wise, think the engine / front end is too high/heavy for the default steering/suspension components to handle the forces. It seems the repairs I am offered are merely fixing symptoms and not root cause. Also seems there is a wealth of after market knowledge / parts that recognizes the issues that chrysler refuses to recognize.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 3500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 13v528000 (steering), 14v770000 (air bags), and 15v312000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repairs were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide the parts to do the repairs. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 3500. The contact stated that the steering wheel was not operating properly and became loose. The contact mentioned that the driver side tie rod ball stud fractured without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the driver side tie rod ball stud associated with the steering linkage assembly. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was later notified of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 13v528000 (steering) and 15v312000 (air bags), but was unable to determine when the parts would become available to receive the recall repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 325,500.
As with many of the other complaints about 2003 dodge ram 3500's this ram 3500 has had all suggested steering component upgrades and recall upgrades (change steering to 2008 steering) and the tie rod recall for the 2008 steering. The 2008 steering upgrade seemed to exacerbate the tire wear issue. Additionally, ball joints and shocks have been replaced. The ram death wobble and excessive tie wear is still present. The last set of tires lasted 8,000 miles (I am putting a new set on today). The tire wear on my last trip of only 360 miles was very noticeable - so much so a trip of 1,000 miles or more would have caused dangerous tire wear and potential catastrophic failure. Dodge has tried to fix the problem by only skimming over the issue with minor fixes. As a retired law enforcement officer with hundreds of thousands of miles of driving experience - the steering and excessive tire wear is unsafe. Since I am getting new tires and an alignment today - I will be more than happy to track mileage, driving conditions, note steering issues, and photograph tire wear - if you wish.
I just wanted to add to the recent recall information you are investigating with the ram trucks. Our 2003 ram 3500 4x4 has had what is know by dodge truck owners as the "death wobble" for many years. We have sunk countless amounts of money and time in it trying to fix it. It is very serious and scary as the truck vibrates uncontrollably after hitting a pothole/tracks or similar road obstacles.there is nothing you can do except slow down and ride it out. We were so happy when we received a recall/part fix notice a few years back to have it worked on but upon taking it to the dealer we were told that nothing was wrong. I can tell you with complete certainty that was not the case, it has still done it since then. We think we have it fixed now but only time will tell but it was very upsetting that all the year trucks with this problem were not considered especially when this is a very well documented issue with additional year models.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 3500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v528000 (steering) however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
I got a letter last year 2014 about the recall and went back a month later, and they verbally said that there's a recall on the recall. The recent one, I took it to turlock dodge and they put me on the list and I'm at the bottom and it has been a year, but I want it fixed asap. The recall says: "the problem is the left tie rod ball stud on your truck may fracture under certain driving conditions. This could cause a loss of directional control and/or crash without warning. The dealer will repair your vehicle free of charge. To do this, your dealer will inspect the steering linkage on your truck and replace steering linkage component/s if required. The inspection will take less than 1/2 hour. If linkage replacement is required, the work will take an additional 1 hour to complete..etc" this was copied from the recall notice. So when are you going to fix it?! Fix this asap, I'm frustrated since it has been a year and no one has gotten back to me except the letter!
Questions about the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500 steering
Does the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500 have steering problems?
Owners have filed 37 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500, 13% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge RAM 3500 steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 80,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Dodge RAM 3500 steering?
Yes, 2 recalls: 13V528000, 11V350000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Dodge RAM 3500 have bad steering?
The Dodge RAM 3500 model years with the most steering complaints are 2012 (222 complaints), 2011 (164 complaints) and 2008 (94 complaints).
Other 2003 Dodge RAM 3500 problems
Airbags 80Body 53Suspension 32Transmission 26Tires 16Fuel system 12Electrical 9Acceleration 8Visibility 8Lights 6Brakes 5Engine 5Wheels 4Seats 3
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