10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 5 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 49,739 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
I'm worried that the air bag on passenger side is defective as the strangest noise is coming from behind the dash like a rubber band is tightening and then clicking on and off. Doesn't happen all the time. I've also had my truck in for the steering before and it has never been right. Now the hood will not shut right. It's always been a lemon. I fight to keep it on the road. It doesn't even have 36,000 miles on it. I'm wondering what recalls I've missed so I'm checking. Thank you.
- Tucson, AZ, USA
The fabricated attachment points that hold the control arms, track bar, damper and springs to the front axle rust to the point of being unsafe. I have replaced my front axle once, and will have to do so again shortly. Fortunately this problem was detected before the axle fell out of the truck, and that is what would have happened! the manufacturer simply did not protect these critical parts from corrosion.
- Waterford, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 30 mph, the power steering failed. The vehicle had a past failure with the brakes, corrosion of the frame, a cracked dashboard, and warning indicators illuminating since 26,000 miles. The vehicle was repaired for these failures, but not for the steering failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.....updated 01/04/2016
- Hopewell Junction, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at approximately 60 mph, the front of the vehicle shook. The contact stated that it was difficult to steer and control the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the upper and lower control locks and pull joints were rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000...updated 10-06-15
- Hopewell Junction, NY, USA
My father bought this truck new in 2001, and I bought it from him in 2008. About 20000 miles on the unit when I bought it. In 2008, the dash started cracking and became very brittle, pieces began to break out and has continued to crack and break. It is now 2014, about 32000 miles on this unit, and I am going to have to replace the dashboard with an aftermarket product. Based on the number of complaints from other owners, I would believe that the materials used in the original dash were below acceptable quality. No front end zerk fittings for steering components- cheap design and construction. I had to have new front end assemblies with zerk fittings, at a cost of about $1400. (because Chrysler/Dodge went cheap in construction.) my last Dodge vehicle, I think I can do better.
- Stoneville, NC, USA
I have the same issue as thousands of others with the dash falling apart, this incident happened when the bezel just fell off of the dash onto the steering wheel while traveling down a busy highway. I had to try and steer with one hand while using the other to dislodge the bezel and hold it away from the steering wheel until I could safely pull over to the shoulder of the road. Since then my glove box has fallen off along with the drink holder. I am also concerned that if I am involved in an accident where the air bags may be deployed that the passenger side airbag will cause the dash to explode and send plastic schrapnel inside the cab. This could cause serious damage or death for the passenger and\or driver.
- Humble, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 55-60 mph, the vehicle would wobble and jerk violently out of control. The contact was unable to control the steering wheel or reach the brake pedal when the failure occurred. The vehicle quickly turned side ways, traveled up on the front wheels and crashed into a ditch. The contact, who was not injured, was able to maneuver the vehicle out of the ditch and proceed to his residence. The contact later inspected the vehicle and was unable to locate any failures that would have caused the vehicle to wobble uncontrollably. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 130,000.
- Howell , MI, USA
Just purchase my 2001 Dodge Ram the day before, took it for a drive to neighboring town. Was going 45 mph and the road was somewhat bumpy, the vehicle began to shake violently and very bouncy. The town was 10 miles away. Arrived, turned vehicle off and went into market for approximately 20 minutes. Drove back home with the same thing happening(violent shaking and very, very bouncy) all the way back. Very scary and definitely not right. Steering was difficult due to the bounce and shake. Interestingly my father drove this vehicle 300 miles to bring it to me the previous day with no incident of the shaking or bouncing. A friend told me about the "death wobble" and after looking it up on the internet, I cannot believe this issue has not been resolved, either by a recall or Dodge! not even a concrete fix for the problem? I am a single mother without a large sum of money to purchase a vehicle, let alone fix major repairs. I need a safe vehicle for myself and my children. I feel like I have been scammed by the dealer, Dodge, the previous owner, and the NHTSA. This is not an isolated problem in my vehicle!
- St. Peter, MN, USA
When vehicle passes over dips or bumps in road with height or depth in excess of 1/2 inch at speeds above 20 miles per hour tires traverse violently side to side inhibiting driver control until speed is reduced to 5-10 miles per hour. Most front end components associated with steering and shock absorption have been replace by professional mechanics with no resolution to issue. Complete loss of control or collision due to "death wobble" or braking is highly possible especially at speeds above 30 miles per hour. Thousands of youtube videos have been posted portraying this exact issue.
- San Marcos, TX, USA
On my way to work, as usual, on a "slightly" bumpy part of the highway my steering wheel and front end started vibrating so violently that I almost lost control. I could barely hold the steering wheel; and could not steer at all; all I could do was start braking and come to a stop. I got out and checked my tires and front end and everything appeared normal. I continued to work at about 40 mph (I had gone to work early so no traffic). At 8:00 I called my local mechanic and took it to him to check out what happened. He check everything and nothing showed. The next day it happened again; then again 2 days later. About 2 weeks later I took pickup in for regular oil/fuel/air filter change service. He test drove with me along and I explained further what happened. He said he has seen it before with Dodge 2500 & 3500 and it has been labeled the "Dodge death wobble". I thank god I was not in a busy traffic area.
- Gage, OK, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram. The contact stated while driving at any speeds the vehicle drifted from side to side. The contact stated the vehicle became difficult to control. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who replaced the steering box but the steering box did not remedy the failure. The steering box was replaced five times. The dealer stated that the steering box was defective. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint but they have not provided any assistance. The contact stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The failure mileage was 270,676.
- Oak Hill, OH, USA
When driving down the road at over 45 to 50 mph, if I hit a bump or dip in the road, the front end/steering wheel shakes violently. I have to slow down and sometimes almost stop to get it to quit. My wife was driving behind me one day when it happened and she reported the tire/wheel looked like it was going O lay on its side. She was concerned the tie rod would break and cause an accident.
- Murfreesboro, TN, USA
I own a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab 4X4. When you hit a bump or pot hole at 50mph or faster the whole truck shakes violently so bad that you barely have control of the vehicle. It does not stop until you can slow the truck down..which is almost impossible. It happened to me 3 or 4 times on a major highway had to slam on the brakes to slow it down causing people around me to almost get in to accidents trying not to slam into me because in had no control of the truck. I have put in upper and lower ball joints, trac bar.steering column..nothing has fixed the problem and Dodge wants to know nothing.someone is going to get hurt or killed if this nproblem isn't fixed by Dodge. There are all kinds of complaints on the internet and also from mechanics and people I have talked to. Everyone who owns a Dodge truck can tell you about the "death wobble". I have done a lot of research and have found out it could have something to do with front end alignment. Thats next for me to try.
- North Haven, CT, USA
From Aug 08 to present at speeds of 40 mph and up my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 when hitting a bump the front end develops the "death wobble" have had to two different Dodge dealers and have paid to have all ball joints, tie rod ends, steering box etc replaced and problem is still there now I start looking online and I see I am one of many out there with this problem. Something needs to be done to have Dodge come up with an actual fix for this it is very dangerous and I have personally had this happen on the pa turnpike and numerous other roads and been very close to some deadly accidents with it. I have actually bought another vehicle and truck is sitting in my yard. The answer I get from Dodge is trade it in if it is such a problem but I refuse to put another family in that position. So I sit here listening to my money in the yard waste away.
- Altoona, PA, USA
Inspected vehicle, found deep groove worn into cord level of sidewalls of both left-side tires. Found left front shock absorber support bright, shiny, polished. There is no, or misadjusted, stop so left front tire and shock support attempt to occupy same space during sharp left turns, gouging tire. Interference here existed for at least 10,000 miles given time of last tire rotation that put damaged tire on rear. Severe potential for blowout exists. Have seen other reports of similar problems through Dodge Ram 1500S. This is 6 cylinder model. Problem will immediately recur if tires replaced and turn sharp left parts are available for inspection as not yet replaced.
- Penrose, CO, USA
Front end death wobble on Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 2009 trucks. When hit a rough patch of freeway road at 70 mph the front end shakes out of control until truck is slowed down to 45 mph. Several repairs have been done including replacing the track bar, steering arms, ball joints, front end alignments, with no fix. The web has several problems listed but no fix. This must be fixed by Dodge with a recall. Can you help!
- Woodland, CA, USA
2001 Dodge quad cab pickup has failing wiring in steering column which makes truck die while driving. Which in turn there is no power brakes or steering and no electrical functions that makes the truck run. Dead on the road literally. Who knows at what speeds this problem may occur. Luckily, it happened to me while going slow and I was able to stop the truck. No known human deaths yet that I have heard of from this. If the problem is not fixed with wiring harness there will be deaths, I'm pretty sure due to this problem. I would like to do my best to keep my family and other families safe. This needs to be dealt with before someone does die unnecessarily in an accident that can be avoided by replacing the problem part of the pickup. The bearing clutch, rear carrier bearing, axle seals, rotors, power steering pump, pinion carrier bearings were all replaced. Also, the right turn signal and headlights failed. The center seat console bolting system fell out of the truck, the plastic dashboard panel and housing around the instrument panel was cracked in four places. The gasket on the water pump was leaking. The gasket, water and timing chain were replaced. The clutch failed, due to the wrong year transmission being installed in the vehicle. A 2000 transmission was installed in the vehicle, instead of a 2001. Updated 10/15/14
- Redmond, OR, USA
Air bags did not deploy in two separate crashes one being head on at 35mph over $6000. In damage to truck 2 nd time same truck after being rolled because steering box gave out again 2nd time for that too. No air bags company claims crash was not enough to deploy truck was totaled and my husband in the hospital for a evening with head trauma.
- Palmer, MA, USA
: the contact stated that the vehicle presented on going problems with the steering. Prior to steering failures, the warning was uncontrollable steering and pulling on normal road conditions. The vehicle was taken to dealers twice for alignment readjustments. The problem persisted causing an accident when the vehicle hit a pedestrian. The vehicle was checked by independent mechanic who observed a grove near the tire. The nature of the failure gradually became worse. The insurance company inspected the vehicle and determined that the problem was caused by a manufacturer defect. The bolt in the front shock absorbers extend over without safety stop and cuts into the bead of the tire right above the rim on the inside of the tire. The manufacturer was contacted and refused to replace tires and repair the vehicle, which was still under warranty. The manufacturers would not acknowledge that the problems was caused by a defect. The contact expressed that other complaints were made about the suspension as well online. The insurance company bear the cost of repairs to the vehicle and had the vehicle repaired at an independent mechanics. The insurance company also paid for another manufacturer defect concerning the steering, which the manufacturer also refused to acknowledge or repair. The problem with the bolt cutting into the bead of the tire above the rim still persists.
- Mohave Valley, AZ, USA
- Norfolk, VA, USA