2013 Ram 2500: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Dec 29, 2019 · Steering · 85,000 miles · IL

Steering became extremely loose. It became so loose that if I hit a bump I would end up in the next lane of traffic. The upper and lower ball joints, tie rod ends, and the entire steering linkage were replaced and the problem didnt get better. I had nearly 6 inches of play in the steering wheel. I'd appreciate if something was done for this so no more people have to go through this headache or safety issue.

Filed Mar 28, 2018 · Suspension · 46,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ram 2500. While driving various highway speeds, the vehicle experienced a condition called the "death wobble" and shook violently upon hitting a bump in the road. Heritage chrysler in baltimore, maryland 21234 was made aware of the failure and replaced two of the upper ball joints, but the failure recurred. The dealer could not duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,000.

Filed Mar 15, 2018 · Steering, Suspension · 31,000 miles · CO

Had a death wobble in may of 2017. I was knocked off the road during a school camping trip at 60 miles an hour on a mountain pass. Luckily I managed to stop the vehicle before rolling over. Dealer fixed upper and lower ball joint and trac bar. The wobble is now back and I am deathly afraid to drive it. I live in the mountains of colorado and I use the truck to pull a large boat. If it happens on a mountain pass...I am dead!

Filed Aug 27, 2017 · Steering · 15,000 miles · MO

Steering damper on my 2013 ram 2500 (50k miles) is in need of replacing. This damper clunks while driving. I have researched other ram trucks of this model and most are having the same issue and is apparent the steering damper - connects from steering wheel shaft to steering box is faulty. The two lugs on the damper have struck the ends of the slots and have pronounced metal to metal contact. My concern if not replaced by ram, this could fault causing loss of steering resulting to personal injury up to including death of the driver and passengers. I have taken this issue into jeep/chry/ram service on several occasions and they decided to replace my ball joints at approx. 25k miles ??? Recommend the federal safety agency to look into this matter as a manufacture defect and will not be replaced free of charge unless pushed as a recall item.

Filed May 18, 2017 · Steering · 26,400 miles · CO

Have experienced 'death wobble' (extreme vibration and loss of control) after hitting chuckhole at highway speed on three occasions. The third time nearly caused an accident. In all three cases, was driving in a straight line at about 65 MPH. Mileage is 26400. The dealer is replacing the ball joints and other front end parts. A search of the internet shows this is a common problem on this truck.

Filed Mar 14, 2017 · Steering · 44,400 miles · CA

All four ball joints and tie rod need replacement after only 44,400 miles on my 2013 dodge ram 2500 4x4 slt crew cab. Dealer told me the warrantee expired at 35,000 miles. Repairs total slightly over $1300. This is outrageous. I have had many vehicles with well over 175,000 and never had issues with ball joints or tie rods. This should be a recall item. Purchased at dodge dealer in bakersfield, ca.

Filed Feb 21, 2017 · Steering, Suspension · 77,000 miles · TX · crash

My truck has the death wobble.... A violent shaking of the front end at highway speeds ...... Very dangerous!! I went off of the road last week and ended up in a cotton field. Once the death wobble started I had no control of the brakes or steering wheel. Please help before me or someone dies!!!!! I have put all new ball joints , track bar, right and left upper tie rods, damper,3 alignments, my front right shock, and the right hub assembly all valued at $2751.60 so far and ive done most of the work....please help.

Filed Feb 6, 2017 · Steering, Suspension · 37,000 miles · MA

While traveling on the interstate north of new york city, the truck began to shake violently after hitting a bump in the road. The road was dry, sunny conditions and moderate traffic traveling about 65mph. This was the second time it happened and the first after performing work about 2 thousand miles earlier. The work included, replace front brake pads, calipers and rotors after dealer discovered possible sticky not frozen left front caliper. Replacing left and right side upper and lower ball joints all found to be in tolerance but dealer convinced warranty company that they should be replaced. 4 wheel computer alignment. Front end appeared to be in near new condition as the original mileage was just over 30k. The truck had no signs or symptoms for out of balance wheels or tires, shocks, springs or steering stabilizer. There was never excessive play in the steering. The warranty covered approximately $1100 of the total that was over $2300. The condition reoccurred less than 2000 miles after the work was completed. This is indicative of a design flaw with the size of components used in the control arms. The control arms fail to stabilize the front end after hitting a bump on one side. The arms actually act as springs counteracting forces which cause the front axle to shake violently until vehicle speed drops to below 20 miles an hour as the energy dissipates. Chrysler, specifically the local dealers have suggested uneven tire pressures and everything else that was replaced earlier. This problem is inherent to this vehicle's design and the use of less than required size of components.

Filed Nov 9, 2016 · Steering, Suspension · 33,875 miles · MA

Driving on the ma route 128 s highway around 65-70 MPH, I hit a pothole on the left side of the travel lane. The truck started to shake violently as described with a death wobble. The violent shaking did not stop after applying the brakes to slow through about 35-40 MPH. It felt as if all 4 tires blew simultaneously. No obvious damage was observed once stopped. This truck has less than 33900 miles at the time of the incident. The steering feels otherwise tight and responsive, the tires and wheels are stock and are wearing evenly. This is a very dangerous condition that affects the safety of operator, occupants and other drivers near an uncontrollable vehicle. The internet sources are widely aware of the condition with no clear solution to the problem. Many people identify equipment including shocks, ball joints, steering boxes, tie rods and ends and steering dampers and unbalanced tires. Some consumers indicate that even with entire front ends being replaced the problem continued. This indicates a design problem to me.

Filed Nov 23, 2015 · Suspension · 35,375 miles · MD

At highway speed, about 60-65 MPH I went into an uncontrollable wobble. It would only calm down after decreasing speed to less then 35 MPH. The truck only has less then 35,000 miles. Took it to the dealer that claimed it had bad ball joints. Again the truck only has less then 35,000 miles on it. Dodge ram junk.

Filed Oct 3, 2015 · Suspension · 48,000 miles · PA

I took my ram in for a state inspection. They stated that the upper and lower ball joints need to be replaced before next inspection. This truck only has 48000 miles on it.