10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 1
Average Mileage:
94,963 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #15

Oct 052020

Ram 3500

  • 180,000 miles
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.

- Fillmore, CA, USA

problem #14

Nov 012018

Ram 3500

  • 290,000 miles
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.

- Groveland, CA, USA

problem #13

Mar 012019

Ram 3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 135,000 miles
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.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #12

Oct 012015

Ram 3500

  • miles
Takata recall - I am unable to get this recall completed. I have been on a waiting list for over 6 months, and am still being told that the dealer is not being provided with an appropriate number of units to complete the recall. I have called Dodge and was told that this is just how it is. I am understandably worried that in the event of an accident this will cause injury to me. I have now received at least 6 recall letters, but still cannot get the recall completed.

- Herriman, UT, USA

problem #11

Apr 232009

Ram 3500

  • 125,000 miles
Over the past years, with first occurrence of the terrifying death wobble in approximately April 2009, such wobble occurs several times per year. I am able to avoid if I stay below 40mph, or at higher speeds avoid all bumps. Had not been aware others experiencing same problem. Will approach dealer as to fix, if that does not solve the problem, I intend to take what additional steps are deemed necessary.

- Charlotte, TN, USA

problem #10

Mar 012015

Ram 3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • 176,500 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving approximately 65 mph, pulling a fifth wheel camper, the vehicle began to sway left and right without warning. The failure recurred on several occasions while pulling the fifth wheel and without pulling anything. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that all four ball joints, the universal joints on the front axle, and the steering gear box assembly were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear box assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The steering gear box assembly was replaced a total of four times, but the failure persisted each time. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 176,500....updated 03-10-16

- West Alexandria, OH, USA

problem #9

Mar 082006

Ram 3500

  • 6,000 miles
Every time I took it to the dealer, they said there was nothing they could do about the problem. The whole front end felt like it was loose. I could hardly keep it on the road. The dealer test drove it the several times I took it there, but they never fixed anything. I tried to fix it myself because it was a hazard. Finally we got a recall on this exact problem, after I called Chrysler for some help, which they told me they would get in touch with the dealer, but the dealer told me they never got any notice. I have a lot of receipts of all the parts I bought trying to fix the problem. But it still isn't right. I have had this truck for 10 years and love it, but am really getting tired of fixing it. Also the computer has never shifted the transmission correctly, but again the dealer could not find any problem. I sure hope you can buy this vehicle back, or fix everything I have tried to get fixed for years on end.

- Howe, TX, USA

problem #8

Nov 062014

Ram 3500

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 mph, the tie rod detached from the socket and lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the bolts to the sockets of the tie rod were loose and some missing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Buckley , WA, USA

problem #7

Apr 042014

Ram 3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 116,000 miles
2006 Ram 3500. Premature shoulder wear on driver front tire. Took to local mechanic and he states worn tie rod assembly to blame. Truck pulls to left and now tie rods, ball joints, U-joints, and front tires need to be replaced. Contacted Dodge January 3rd 2014 and was told recalled left tie rod assembly had been placed on order for me. Had the truck inspected by local dealer and was told they were only getting 1 tie rod a month and that I was on the waiting list. It is now April and replacement piece is still not available. I need the tie rods replaced before I can by new tires because the truck will not align with the worn out pieces that are on the vehicle now. Dodge refuses to reimburse for aftermarket parts and the customer is left holding the bag. It is going to cost me over $1600 for repair work to be performed and at least another $600 new front tires at the very least. Was hung up on by Dodge recall customer service line. No one can even tell me where I am on the waiting list. Horrid customer service. I guess Dodge will wait until they kill someone before they truly get concerned with this issue.

- Greenville, SC, USA

problem #6

Jul 012011

Ram 3500

  • 64,000 miles
I have been experiencing severe front end shaking/wobble when traveling at various speeds and after the most significant event occurs when traveling at highway speed and hitting a bump when steering left or right. This causes the front-end to shake violently and the steering wheel to rapidly jerk to the left/right. The only way for this to stop is to pull over and come to a complete stop and then resume driving. I have taken my truck to my personal mechanic who inspected everything and told me there was nothing noticeable that would cause the truck to do this. After some more occurrences, I took it to the Dodge dealer to get their opinion. I was told that I needed to replace the steering damper and that would solve my problem. I thought this to be rather odd due to the fact that I just had it replace within the past year due to it leaking. I was assured this would take care of the front end wobble. Well, $144 later, it was still happening. I was told next that it could be an alignment issue, so they did an alignment on the truck. That too did not resolve the problem. I spoke directly to the service manager who, after a lengthy conversation, informed me that he has seen a large number of these trucks that have the same problem and the only way to fix it is to replace a number of front end parts that end up totaling $2,370.16. I was informed that these parts are new and not oem which I couldn't even obtain anymore. I have done some research and have determined that I am not the only one who has experienced the front-end shimmy/wobble. There is vast information regarding this problem on the internet.

- Reading, PA, USA

problem #5

Apr 272012

Ram 3500

  • 104,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500 megacab. While driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle began to jerk violently and then the front driver's side collapsed to the ground. The contact maneuvered to the side of the road and noticed the front driver's side wheel detached completely. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who advised the contact that the lower control arm was fractured. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.

- Perris, CA, USA

problem #4

Dec 152010

Ram 3500

  • 81,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500 megacab. While the contact was driving approximately 45 mph over a bump, the steering wheel began to shake violently, causing the vehicle to swerve uncontrollably off the road. The vehicle came to a stop when the brakes were engaged. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer there times for the failure. The repairs consisted of replacing the front tie rods, steering stabilizer, and the front upper and lower ball joints. The track bar and bolts, front outer wheel bearing and steering gear were also included in the repairs. The repairs were performed at different times. The failure continued to occur. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.

- Greenville, AL, USA

problem #3

Jan 012009

Ram 3500

  • 40,000 miles
My 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 shakes violently when driving over a bump, road seam, manhole or other road irregularity at speeds over 40 mph and does not stop shaking until I slow down significantly. The problem appears to occur regularly when driving over bumps on only one side of the truck, e.g. driving over manhole covers that are on the right side of the lane in the road, etc. Upon research this issue appears to have been named the "death wobble" and has happened to other Dodge Ram pickups. This incident happens frequently, almost once each time the vehicle is driven. It is a very dangerous issue, especially when driving on the highway in traffic; there is often no safe place to pull aside and slow down immediately and slowing down in highway speed traffic, especially in front of large semi trucks is not an option. Although there was a recall on this vehicle for the steering linkage, I was told my vehicle did not have the steering linkage issue therefore did not have to be repaired. I have been told the possible causes for this "death wobble" issue is not a recall item, and I have yet to get the vehicle repaired as the dealerships cannot identify a specific solution and as the vehicle is out of warranty repairs for this issue are not covered by the manufacturer.

- Delray Beach, FL, USA

problem #2

Nov 202008

Ram 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,944 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram. While driving less than 30 mph, the vehicle began to vibrate hard and the front driver's side wheel detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer stated that the wheel bearings were more than likely the cause of the failure; however, they could not assist because the vehicle was 2,000 miles out of warranty. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 36,944. Updated 04-14-09 updated 04/16/09.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #1

Jan 072006

Ram 3500

  • miles
Dododge denied responding to several campaigns on my vehicle, a 2006 3500 Ram truck 1.ABS brake sys. Campaign id number: 06V038000 2.suspension pitman arms, NHTSA campaign id number: 07E009000 3.exterior lighting, campaign id number: 06V073000 4.visibility:rearview mirrors/devices, NHTSA campaign id number: 06V380000 there answer was there is no such recall or campaign, and would just bounce the problem between NHTSA and Dodge reppersintive (mary emp. #mdb80 andemp. #3kt.

- El Paso, TX, USA