Seemingly at random whenever the truck goes over a bump at about 25MPH to 65MPH the whole truck will start to shake violently and uncontrollably like an earthquake is happening and the steering wheel will shake back and fourth and not stop until the truck comes to a complete stop. I've had it happen at least fifty to a hundred times since I bought it on 3-6-2026 and it only has 155,000 miles on it. The "Death Wobble has been a known problem on Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks built form 1994 through 2012 according to the internet. Yet nothing seems to have been done to fix it.
2011 Dodge RAM 3500 steering problems
164 complaints (73% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 42,000. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 164
- of this car's complaints
- 73%
- typical mileage
- 42,000
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Linkages: tie rod assembly8
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
Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Dodge RAM 3500 steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4. 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 on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about February 27, 2014, Chrysler ceased its recall remedy program due to parts quality concerns, and then re-initiated it on or about April 14, 2014. In July 2015, and under a consent order with the federal safety agency, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N49.
Recall number 13V529000 · 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
What 2011 Dodge RAM 3500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
At random any time the truck goes over a bump in the road at about 25MPH to 65MPH the whole truck will start to shake violently and uncontrollably like an earthquake is happening and the steering wheel will shake back and fourth and not stop until the truck comes to a complete stop. I've had it happen at least fifty to a hundred times since I bought it on 3/6/2026 and the truck only has 155,000 Miles on it. From what I've read on the internet the "death wobble" is pretty common in Ram trucks from 1994 all the way through 2012 yet Ram hasn't done anything to fix the problem.
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 3500. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to make a right turn, the steering wheel seized. No warning light was illuminated. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed but the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.
The passenger side tire rod in the steering linkage that connects from one tire to the other fell out of the adjusting tube it was screwed into. This caused both wheels to canter out for a total loss of steering. I had just refueled and was going 2mph turning out of the gas station. Had I been back on the single lane hwy at 50mph the loss of steering would have resulted in a head on collision or dumping me into the forest trees. Having worked on similar front end parts in the past I find this absurd that those parts would simply pull apart, even if it were involved in striking a curb (which was not the case here). I have asked to repair facility to save the parts.
Steering wheel locked while vehicle was being driven at approximately 60mph. All other systems functioned normally. With about 2' of play in locked steering wheel vehicle made it to road shoulder. Restarted vehicle 3 times but steering wheel remained locked. Put car in "D" and "R" successfully and vehicle would move normally but steering wheel remained locked. All other electrical and mechanical systems function normally. No warning lights on dash were displayed. Called LIthia Dodge in Bryan/College Station(where vehicle was eventually towed). They suggested disconnect battery for 15" and system might reset. It did not. I disconnected Battery a 2nd time for about a minute. Steering still locked. Vehicle towed to Lithia where they willmlook at it Tuesday September 7, 2021. This had never happened before.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ram 3500. While attempting to steer the vehicle, the power steering would fail or the steering wheel would jerk in one direction and seize in that position. The contact took the vehicle to chrysler dodge jeep ram north savannah (located at 1100 chatham pkwy, savannah, ga 31405, 912‑712‑7900) where it was diagnosed that the power steering pump and the power steering cooler failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure continued. The contact reached out to the manufacturer, but did not get a response. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was unknown.
I have a 2011 ram 3500 dually cummins truck. If I hit a bump in the road at highway speed it will start a very violent shake that caused me to veer into the next lane. This has happened many times towing my rv or not towing. This truck has 61,000 miles on it. It has the tie rod recall done, the steering gear box replaced, several alignments and the problem continues. This truck is very dangerous to drive at highway speed ( 65 MPH ). It passed alignment at brandon dodge and big o tire company. I am now afraid to pull my rv and even drive this truck on any highway. I have done much research on this issue and chrysler claims this issue has been fixed. These trucks are built and claim to be able to tow very heavy loads. They are extremely dangerous to drive and the only way to get the shaking to stop is to slow to 25 to 30 miles per hour while being on an interstate highway. This a very dangerous problem that fiat chrysler has claimed to be fixed, but its not fixed through the current recall. Please help my self as well as many heavy duty chrysler owners to get this problem repaired. Thankyou!
N49 / the federal safety agency 13v‑529; #2 of the recall states they will repurchase your vehicle. We took that option. It was inspected by michael (xxxx) around 09/14/18. 09/18/18 we were offered $13,558 by jasmine (xxxxx). Rick (xxxx) signed the offer 09/25/18. Copy of the title front and back was faxed to 844‑840‑3737 per their request. A 10 day payoff was faxed by usaa. As of today 11/09/18, 2:30pm dodge agent has not contacted me to turn this vehicle in. November 1st I spoke with someone at 800‑583‑1403, ref# 57174908 (case number) and they assured me that linda (xxx) received the paperwork 10/19/18 and that it would settle soon. I was advised by someone at dodge and also jasmine that the check had already been cut. Jasmine also called and assured me that we would settle by friday 11/09/18. I called dodge today and now they say the check is in process. I reminded them that all their calls are recorded and that I was requesting to speak with a supervisor. They inform me none are available. I advised I want a return phone call by 3pm today. That I continue to get the run around and then lied to about whether the check is or has not been processed yet. I sent jasmine an email and reminded her she said this would only take 10 days and now as of today it is 45 days since the process has started. I have a copy of our signed agreement. You can request a copy of all my phones call from dodge and jasmine (xxxxxx). I have had 2 strokes, my husband died october 6th this year. This whole episode is a tremendous about of stress on me. I started crying one of my phone calls to dodge. They should never agreed to the buy back if their intention was to drag their feet. Here it is 3pm as I requested a call back even if they did not have an answer for me. No call back. (xxxx) rick (xxxx) is my husband. He died 10/06/18. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
There is excessive play in the steering. The truck constantly wanders when driven down the road. Constant steering correction is required. The excessive play is approximately 3 inches of steering wheel input before the wheels start to turn (this applies whether stationary or being driven).
Lost my brakes and steering while driving down the hwy doing 65. Lost all brake power and power steering.the motor runs but have no brakes and power steering. Looking at it I'm not the only one who has had this problem. I have 2 young kids and they could have been badly hurt if I wasn't able to man handle the truck. Definitely a safety issue that needs to be looked into. Not sure what is causing it. Is there anything you can do to look into this cause now I'm scared to drive my truck. Especially with my kids in it. I'm not sure what can be done about this but I would really hate to see something bad happen to a family for a issue like this. I thank you for your time and I hope to hear a response back from you about this issue.
Questions about the 2011 Dodge RAM 3500 steering
Does the 2011 Dodge RAM 3500 have steering problems?
Owners have filed 164 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Dodge RAM 3500, 73% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2011 Dodge RAM 3500 steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 42,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Dodge RAM 3500 steering?
Yes, 2 recalls: 13V529000, 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 2011 Dodge RAM 3500 problems
Suspension 28Engine 25Electrical 17Fuel system 16Brakes 11Transmission 9Wheels 3Airbags 2Body 2Tires 2Visibility 2Acceleration 1Driver assistance 1Lights 1Seats 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2011 Dodge RAM 3500?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history