1,051 of the
4,040 complaints filed about the Dodge RAM 3500
are about the steering —
26% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2012.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11757085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11757090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Steering yes it is available for inspection upon request The steering becomes so out the vibration becomes so violent that you can NOT HOLD THE WHEEL you have to pull over anyone driving could be in danger including vehicles around you with how violent the steering wheel vibrates When taken for alignment was told there definitely was a problem said could be a brake caliper hanging up so we put new calipers changed ball joints shocks control arm steering geer box shocks steering dampers trac bar front end alignment & tires balanced Vehicle has not been inspected by anyone but the mechanic that aligned it No warning lights the problem started with a shimmy so we would get it aligned and check tires went on line and found and found a letter that there was a serious problem with 1994 to 2008 Dodge Rams Steering Linkage and the system on our vehicle a Y design is not capable of handling the weight of this vehicle from a article and a letter i read from Chrysler incident has been going on for some time but date below was very serious
NHTSA complaint #11750160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the steering wheel was loose. The contact pulled over and discovered that the steering shaft had detached. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who repaired the steering shaft. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.
NHTSA complaint #11730792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 13V528000 (Steering), 16V352000 (Air Bags), 15V313000 (Air Bags), and 05V462000 (Power Train); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available while the vehicle was in for service. The local dealer was made aware of the issue, and an appointment was scheduled to repair the vehicle. The vehicle remained with the dealer for a week before the contact was informed that parts for the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that on several occasions, while the vehicle was in park(P), the vehicle unexpectedly rolled without warning. The brake pedal was depressed with extra force while shifting to park(P). The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11726711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11615609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
.The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse in the driveway, the steering wheel made an abnormal cracking sound and became significantly loosened. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the tie rod had fractured. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V529000 (Steering). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 162,020. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11596367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving, the vehicle will, if going over a bump, begin shaking uncontrollably, and render the driver helpless to remain in control of steering other than to slam on the brakes and hope another vehicle does not hit them. Vehicle ceases shaking when brought down to a slow rate of speed and then drives as normal. I have replaced multiple parts and cannot locate the problem. Happens frequently.
NHTSA complaint #11519872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fobik key ignition vibrates causing switching from (RUN) position to (ACC) position, shutting off the engine and making it almost impossible to steer a 3000kg machine without power steering increasing the risk for accidents.
NHTSA complaint #11468887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
May 13,2020. 11:32am Driving north, my drive side tire violently shook & suddenly gave way pulling me hard left. I struggling to keep truck in my lane but lost control of steering , the airbags also deployed. Blocking my view. The rode was a blind spot . I thought it was a tire failure. Be of the drop & hard pull to left. While the rode was curving right . I could not get truck to fallow curve. Causing truck to cross into oncoming lane. I never saw the other car . With air bags deployed. I thought I lost a tire and hit ditch was lifted up and hit ground hard. I was told I truck hit another car after crash . Hitting a car coming the other way. Causing a young women’s death. The tie rod had a clean break swing freely after break. In March 2020 had pulling or with extra movement off & on . Took to shop, they put a new sway bar on it. Seemed to help, no problems until this sudden catastrophic Paul and drop hard enough to deploy airbags. Truck is totaled but is here & available for inspection. Steve Erwin @ Scientific Analysis Inc. in Dallas TX 214 320-8686 has many pictures & Analysis. He mainly does accident recreations. He mentioned we need to find metals specialist to examine part failures.Due to failure being close to impact.
NHTSA complaint #11463292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This recall N62 13V-528 was never done by Duwanne Lanes Everett WA even though I was told by the dealership service team that they had done this recall as requested while they had my truck for over 3mo ths time. On April 3 ,2022 my vehicle had a cautostraphic failure of my steerwheell column & caused my front left tire to break totally off the front steering stabilizer front ball joint tie rod end pitman arm the wheel was free spinning .I had no steering control at all while driving 65 mph on I5 in the center lane. It is sheer luck that I was able to get truck off the freeway without being injured. I think Duanne Lanes of Everett, Wa (RECALL REMEDY INCIDENT) TS
NHTSA complaint #11460822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11450294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11431815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL WOBBLED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SIMI VALLEY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (2350 FIRST ST, SIMI VALLEY, CA 93065) WHERE THE DEALER DECLINED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE PART NOT BEING UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NEXT TAKEN TO CROWN DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (6300 KING DR, VENTURA, CA 93003) AND THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED THE SAME INFORMATION AS THE FIRST DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT-END NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V528000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL PART WAS DISCONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.
NHTSA complaint #11364556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH AND AS SEMI TRUCKS PASS ME THIS ROADTREK 190 VERILITE DODGE RAM 3500 UNCONTROLABLY MOVE A FOOT TO 2 FEET TOWARD THE CENTER LINE OF THE ROAD WHICH I FEAR COULD CAUSE A HEAD ON COLLISION. I HAVE TRIED VARIOUS TIRE PRESSURES TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM WITHOUT SUCCESS. I BASICALLY LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 30,000 MILES AND EXCELLENT TREAD ON TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #11337416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING BECAME LOOSE AND HAD 1-2INCHES OF SLACK BEFORE GUIDING THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. REPLACED WITH NEW STEERING UNIT. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO LOW GEAR AT BUSY INTERSECTION ENTERING FREEWAY. *TR STARTED IN SECOND OR THIRD REQUIRED COSTLY REBUILD. FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY REQUIRED NEW UNIT IN FUEL TANK.
NHTSA complaint #11329101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY/ROADS EVERY SO OFTEN THE TRUCK WOULD SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. BEEN DOING THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES. LUCKILY I NEVER GOT INTO A WRECK BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. NOW THE TRUCK WON?T START AND IT HAPPENED AT HOME. AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING THE PROBLEM I HAVE FOUND THE WIRELESS IGNITION NODE TO BE BAD. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THIS I CAME UP ON A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE SAME IGNITION SYSTEM ON OTHER DODGE?S AND WAS WONDERING WHY THE DODGE RAM WAS LEFT OUT. RECALL NUMBER R03/NHTSA 14V-373.
NHTSA complaint #11323833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.