2013 Ram 3500 suspension problems

Filed Jan 13, 2025 · Steering, Suspension · 100,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2013 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 65-68 MPH over a bumpy road surface, the steering wheel and the front end of the vehicle shuddered significantly. The contact decelerated, exited the freeway, and pulled over to the shoulder of the road. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle had experienced the death wobble. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the upper ball joints and control arms needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the upper control arms. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where the upper ball joints were replaced. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. The contact stated that the upper and lower ball joints, the control arms, the bushings, and other unknown parts were replaced several times; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Nov 20, 2023 · Steering, Suspension · WY

I have been having problems with a recall issued by the federal safety agency. The recall was v06 drag link. When the recall wa preformed, the alignment nuts on the drag link were welded so the couldn't come loose. I've had to have my truck realigned 2 times since the drag link nuts were welded. As of right now the nuts are not welded and the integrity of the drag link is compromised. I've had it into 3 different independent repair shops and each say that welding the nuts should only be a temporary fix not a permanent fix. Since the welding, I've had steering issues with my truck which is why I've had it in the reapir shops. I feel that the drag link needs a total replacement and not a bandaid fix. I've contacted fca 2 times and have a case number, #[xxx]. The calls made were on oct. 10 & oct 24. I've also contacted the the ram dealership in my area where I get service done and have "0" response from them. I would like to know what I can do to get this issue resolved. The welding of a steering component (drag link) is not a fix. I have had steering issues and death wobble occur since this recall was completed. I've had it in for 2 alignments. I'm worried for the safety of my family not having this issue taken care of. Please advise on my next steps thanks for your attention. Recall - v06 the federal safety agency 19v‑021 information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Apr 17, 2023 · Acceleration, Steering · TX

Truck was repaired June 2019. They welded the jam nut which made it impossible to get an alaignment.Been having a open claim with Chrysler Jeep and Dodge going on 2 years per claim #78469040 Front Suspension Track Bar Frame Bracket ( vehicle recently started to do the death wobble again)

Filed Jan 27, 2023 · Acceleration, Steering · TX

Took truck to Mac Haik here in Houston to perform the recall.The jam nut on drag link was welded,which was not a fix.Went back after being told truck can't be aligned with the drag link being welded.Was told I'd have to pay out of pocket for the weld to be cut,which sense have led to other issues with the front suspension. Attached is docs concerning this matter .....I been having a open claim with Dodge Chrysler and Jeep for over 2 years.Is there any remedy for such a problem?

Filed Aug 18, 2020 · Suspension · 8,000 miles · NV

My vehicle experiences a phenomenon commonly known as 'death wobble'. (google '2013 dodge ram 3500 death wobble' to view videos of this issue). When driving at highway speed and encountering a certain curve radius combined with a bump or defect in the roadway surface, the front suspension begins violently vibrating. The steering wheel shakes violently and this vibration cannot be stopped by holding the wheel. Applying the brakes transmits the vibration to the brake pedal. The only remedy is to allow the vehicle to slow down by removing any input to the accelerator pedal. When the vehicle speed drops to below approximately 30 MPH, the vibration ceases. This has happened to me numerous times and makes me feel as if I could lose control of the vehicle. If this were to occur on a wet or snow covered roadway, I think that the vehicle would most likely spin out of control. I have brought my vehicle in to two different dodge dealers to complain about this issue. They said that they were 'unable to duplicate the issue'. This is not surprising since it requires a very specific combination of vehicle speed, steering angle, and bump or other input to the suspension system. My vehicle was under warranty coverage when I complained of this issue to the dealers. My vehicle is no longer under warranty coverage but the vehicle still has this issue. The dealers tell me I have to take it up with dodge to try and get them to cover this. Not surprisingly, dodge tells me I have to take it up with the dealers.

Filed Aug 7, 2020 · Suspension · 162,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, without warning a violent shaking occurred within the steering wheel. The contact managed to regain control of the steering wheel, veered to the shoulder of the road, turned the vehicle off and back on which then resumed back to normal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the front end was inspected and determined that the front lower control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer, planet ford-dodge located at 19000 eastex fwy, humble, tx 77338 was contacted and informed the contact that no warranty was available on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.

Filed Oct 7, 2019 · Suspension · 104,000 miles · WY

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ram 3500. While driving 74 MPH, the vehicle drove over a bump in the road and the front end vibrated violently. When the vehicle was stopped, the failure also stopped. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000.

Filed Jul 12, 2018 · Suspension · 91,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ram 3500. While driving 35 MPH over a speed bump, the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over and noticed that the front track bar was fractured. The dealer (don elliott chrysler dodge, 1225 n richmond rd, wharton, tx) diagnosed that the track bar was fractured and needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that the VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v541000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

Filed Aug 14, 2017 · Suspension · 87,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ram 3500. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began to violently wobble without warning. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while driving over a bump in the road. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the drag link bushings failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that no recalls were available for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

Filed May 20, 2017 · Steering, Suspension · 35,000 miles · OR

Dodge death wobble. While driving our 2013 dodge ram 3500 6.7 turbo diesel pickup truck at about 40 MPH the front end started violently shacking. I could not steer or control the vehicle at that point. This has happened now twice. First time I was on a freeway and almost caused a serious accident and the second time I was on a two lane hwy and almost drove off a cliff. Both occurrences I was only able to slow down but had zero control over steering. Once I got slowed down to about 10 MPH I was able to let off the brake and the violent shaking stopped. I have taken the vehicle into the dodge dealership who said there was nothing wrong with our vehicle. Similar reports of this issue are all the internet. In both occurrences it felt like the shacking started in the front right side of my vehicle.