359 of the
4,040 complaints filed about the Dodge RAM 3500
are about the suspension —
9% 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.
upper control arm cracked which is a safety violation and should be a recall. TRW 52106776 Control arm is the cracked part in the picture My son replace both control arm and send it for alignment total cost was as below; Parts $280 + Alignment $192.59= $472.59 I like Dodge to refund me for $460
NHTSA complaint #11686102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving uphill at 55 MPH, the contact became aware that the vehicle was not exceeding 55 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to the destination. The vehicle was parked; however, upon inspection, the contact became aware that there were damages on top of the front driver’s side ball joint, the rear driver’s side axle leaf spring shackle, and the driver’s side overload spring. Additionally, there were metal fragments found in the engine oil, and a diagnostic scan retrieved DTC: P0087, P0471, U029D. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was inspected; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 215,000.
NHTSA complaint #11642736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a clunking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact who is a certified mechanic, inspected the vehicle. Upon expecting the vehicle, the contact determined that both upper control arms had completely rusted and needed to be replaced. The upper and lower ball joints and suspension had been replaced by the contact. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 225,000. The VIN was unavailable.
NHTSA complaint #11604425 — 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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND MADE TWO QUICK TURNS, THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DRAG LINK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS A TRUCK MECHANIC AND BELIEVED THAT THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IF THE TOE LINK HAD DETACHED ON THE HIGHWAY, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND LOSS OF LIFE. THE TOE LINK WAS REPLACED IN A RECALL REPAIR 5 YEARS AGO. THE REPAIRS WERE DONE AT THE DEALER FISHER CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (349 E 32ND ST, YUMA, AZ 85365 (928) 344-2650). THE MANUFACTURER DECLINED THE CONTACT'S REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT AND PLACEMENT INTO A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,126. *LN
NHTSA complaint #11312026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS ON HIGHWAY AND INTERSTATE, WHEN HITTING A BUMP, HOLE, OR UNEVEN SURFACE (USUALLY EXITING A BRIFGE), THE FRONT END STARTS VIBRATING VIOLENTLY BECOMING DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND DOES NOT STOP UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS, THE BATTERY TERMINALS COME OFF. THIS HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES SINCE AUGUST OF 2019, NOTE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN IN SEPT, OCT, OR NOV.
NHTSA complaint #11289567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2011 MEGA CAB 3500 WAS PURCHASED IN NOV OF 2018 WITH ONLY APPROX. 110K MILES ON ODOMETER. AFTER A SHORT WHILE OF DRIVING, A VIBRATION STARTED GETTING WORSE UP UNTIL I TOOK TO A DEALER AT APPROX. 114K FOR A CHECK ON TOE & ALIGNMENT. IT ENDED UP BEING A TOTAL REPAIR OF UPPER & LOWER U-JOINTS & BALL JOINTS. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE DRIVER'S MIRROR-HAD SHORT, WIRING HARNESS ON PASSENGER HEADLIGHT-HAD SHORT, TRANSMISSION SHIFTER SEAL LEAKED, NEW PINION GEAR & SEAL, & FEW OTHER ITEMS ALSO. IT SEEMS LIKE A DIESEL THAT HAS JUST STARTED BREAKING IN WAS FALLING APART ON ME BEFORE IT'S TIME. NEEDLESS TO SAY, ABOUT 4 MONTHS OR SO AFTER I MADE THE PURCHASE, I HAD TO FORK OUT A !!HEAP!! OF $$$$$ FOR REPAIRS THAT I COULDN'T RECOVER. FUNNY THING IS, BEFORE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK, ANOTHER GENTLEMAN TOLD ME THESE YEARS OF DODGE TRUCKS HE HAD HEARD THEY WERE HAVING A LOT OF FRONT END TROUBLE. I'M SHOCKED THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. IT SURE WOULD BE NICE TO BE REIMBURSED.
NHTSA complaint #11221447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE TIE ROD FRACTURED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO THE EMBANKMENT THAT STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK THE CONTACT'S HOME. THERE WERE NO DEALER WITHIN A 100 MILES SO THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE PARTS AND HAD REPAIRS DONE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THAT THE STEERING SYSTEM HAD BEEN UPGRADED THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE CONTACT REIMBURSEMENT SINCE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE NOT MANUFACTURER APPROVED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE THAT THERE WERE FOUR RECALLS ON VEHICLE SINCE HE HAD JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED NINE MONTHS EARLIER. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGNS NUMBERS: 09E001000 (STEERING), 13V528000 (STEERING) AND TWO MORE THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE STEERING WERE OPEN RELATED TO THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 290,000.
NHTSA complaint #11219564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A POSSIBLE MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION IN THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT/FRONT SUSPENSION POSSIBLY CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND CAUSE A FATALITY CRASH. *DT*JB*DT*JB
NHTSA complaint #11195784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A DEATH WOBBLE WHILE DRIVING AND THE FRONT END SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TRACK BAR HIMSELF AND ORDERED A DODGE RAM BOLT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #11187468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
N49 / NHTSA 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).
NHTSA complaint #11150380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 70 MILES PER HOUR. WENT OVER A BRIDGE AND FRONT END STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. STOPPED AND LOOKED FOR A PROBLEM. COULD NOT SEE ANY ISSUES. THOUGHT IT MAY BE MUD COMING OUT OF WHEELS CAUSING A BALANCE PROBLEM. CONTINUED TRIP. DROVE ABOUT 130 MILES. WENT OVER SMALL BUMPS AND FRONT END STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING.HAD TO STOP ON SIDE OF ROAD. CAME HOME AND RESEARCHED PROBLEM. FOUND OTHERS HAVE SAME PROBLEM REFERRED TO AS "DEATH WOBBLE" THIS COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS IF IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR IF PULLING A TRAILER. THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 53235 MILES AND IS USED MAINLY FOR ON HIGHWAY USE.
NHTSA complaint #11141640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SERVICING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED CRACKS AND CORROSION IN THE COIL SPRING TOWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.
NHTSA complaint #11133574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 DODGE 3500 RAM 6.7L DUAL, 6SPD MANUAL, PULLING MY CAMPER (WELL WITHIN TOWING LIMITS,) I WENT OVER A BUMP ON AN OVERPASS. THE VEHICLE BEGAN JUMPING AROUND VIOLENTLY AND I LEFT THE ROADWAY DUE TO LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE FUNCTION. THE EVEN WAS SO VIOLENT, MY RADIATOR BROKE, AND I LOST ALL OF MY COOLANT. MY "FRONT END" WAS DESTROYED, AS WELL AS MANY SYSTEMS DAMAGED. THE INTERIOR OF THE TRUCK SUFFERED DAMAGE AS WELL. THERE ARE MANY NOISES, VIBRATIONS, AND SMELLS THAT HAVE NOT GONE AWAY. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM SO COMMON, THAT IT HAS A NICKNAME, "THE DEATH WOBBLE." I FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL BEGINNING THE YEAR AFTER MY MODEL. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, MY MODEL YEAR HAS THE SAME PARTS DESCRIBED IN THE AFFECTED MODEL YEARS. THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE, SEEMINGLY WELL KNOWN TO DODGE. I WAS TOLD BY A CERTIFIED SHOP THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THEY SHOWED ME SEVERAL AFTERMARKET PARTS DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE THIS PROBLEM. THE STEERING SYSTEM ALONE WAS QUOTED AT $3,000 TO REPAIR. THE RADIATOR WAS DISTURBINGLY EXPENSIVE. MY EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS DAMAGED AND PARTS OF IT FELL OFF. THERE IS AN EXHAUST LEAK. NOT TO MENTION, THAT I ALMOST FLEW OFF OF AN OVERPASS. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN BABIED ITS ENTIRE LIFE, AND LOOKS NEW. WHEN I CONTACTED DODGE, THEY WERE UNWILLING TO HELP. I TOLD THEM THAT THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM COVERED BY THE RECALL IN VEHICLES CONTAINING ALL OF THE AFFECTED PART NUMBERS AS MINE. I TOLD THEM THAT I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THIS EVENT, AND THAT THE PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE REPAIRS FOR THE DIRECTLY AFFECT DAMAGES COULD BE NEARING $10,000 ACCORDING TO THE CERTIFIED SHOP IT WAS BROUGHT TO. THIS DOESN'T ACCOUNT FOR COMPONENTS THAT HAD A REDUCTION IN LIFESPAN FROM THIS EVENT. I JUST WANT MY FRONT END REPAIRED SO THAT I CAN DRIVE OR SELL IT. HAVEN'T USED MY CAMPER SINCE.
NHTSA complaint #11099072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AT 34500 MILES. THE FRONT SUSPENSION "TRACK BAR" WAS COMPLETELY WORN OUT. AS A RESULT AT 40 MPH (HWY 2 IN MT DRIVING STRAIGHT IN THE EAST BOUND LANE) I EXPERIENCED SUCH A VIBRATION THAT THE TRUCK WAS UNCONTROLLABLE AND MY ONLY OPTION WAS TO SLOW DOWN WITHOUT BRAKING. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC SO NO ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK OCCURRED, THANK GOD. I REPLACED THE TRACK BAR AND THE STEERING DAMPER AS WELL AND THE TRUCK IS NOW FINE. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT CHRYSLER HAS KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER A DECADE, YET THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. WHEN TALKING TO A DEALER IN IDAHO, I WAS TOLD THAT THE DODGE DEATH WOBBLE IS COMMON. THIS IS DANGEROUS. THE TRUCK SHOOK SO BAD THAT EVERYTHING WAS BLURRY UNTIL THE WOBBLE STOPPED.
NHTSA complaint #11053465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.