3.3

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,138 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.

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problem #16

Jan 252019

3500

  • miles
I have been having problems with a recall issued by NHTSA. 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 NHTSA 19V-021 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Casper, WY, USA

problem #15

Mar 302023

3500

  • miles
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)

- Houston , TX, USA

problem #14

Jul 082019

3500

  • miles
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?

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #13

Jan 052015

3500

  • 8,000 miles
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.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #12

Jul 212020

3500

  • 162,000 miles
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.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #11

May 012019

3500

  • 104,000 miles
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.

- Carpenter, WY, USA

problem #10

Jul 142017

3500

  • 87,000 miles
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.

- Bowling Green, KY, USA

problem #9

May 082017

3500

  • 35,000 miles
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.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #8

Jun 012014

3500

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving between 40 and 65 mph, the vehicle would vibrate rapidly. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and the vehicle had not been diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.

- Sprague River, OR, USA

problem #7

Dec 252016

3500

  • 63,000 miles
On highway at 60mph hit bump staring to shake violently slowdown to 30 mpg to stop it from shakeing this is about the six time dealer says nothing wronge some call it the dealth wobble.

- Munhall, PA, USA

problem #6

Nov 092015

3500

  • 53,000 miles
I received in late October 2015 a letter from fca (Fiat Chrysler automobiles) regarding safety recall R46/NHTSA 15V-541, which states 2013 Ram 3500 trucks may have an improperly welded front suspension track bar frame bracket, which could separate while driving, causing a hazardous situation including loss of steering control. Before I went to the dealer to have this remedied, I experienced an incident while driving on the interstate, where the front end suddenly started shaking violently and I lost almost all steering control, narrowly avoiding hitting a freeway sign and eventually stopping in a ditch on the side of the shoulder. This was all recorded by a dashcam video. Upon immediate inspection under the truck, the track bar mounts were separated from the frame, welds were broken, leaving the track bar dangling (see attached). The truck was towed to the closest dealer, and upon initial inspection the dealer also stated this appeared to be the issue that was under recall, but they had no remedy from fca corporate on how to fix it as of yet. For nearly a month the truck sat untouched at the dealer, unsafe to drive, until I was notified on 12/3/2015 that fca will not honor handling this recall problem because I had modified the truck with a lift kit. I say: The lift kit may or may not have accelerated the failure of the part, but the ultimate reason of this situation is fca's poorly manufactured product in which a recall was required, but ultimately not honored. This problem is not an issue in 2015 or newer heavy duty Ram, as the welding process is completely different. Therefore, fca clearly acknowledges this issue but when it is time act upon this acknowledgement, they would rather blame others. Now I have an undriveable truck that I don't know how or when will be fixed.

- Apple Valley, CA, USA

problem #5

Sep 112015

3500

  • 80,000 miles
While driving on the highway the truck starting shaking violently, the speed was reduced the shake ceased but the front driver side tire came off. When taken in a Dodge dealership to inquire about repair, was told they could not repair it. This vehicle has lost power when driving on the interstate highway due to faulty fuel system.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #4

Sep 052014

3500

  • 3,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that the steering wheel started to shake and became loose. The vehicle was taken to the authorized dealer numerous times and they were not able to replicate or diagnose the failure. While traveling, the steering linkage fractured and the vehicle was slowly driven and parked at the contact's residence. The dealer sent a technician to further diagnose the vehicle in which the technician verified the failure, but no remedy was provided. The dealer also repaired the rear differential three times and the failure recurred. The contact noticed that there was abnormal swaying in the rear and the steering wheel failed to safely operate. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was less than 3,000.

- Lena, LA, USA

problem #3

Jul 182014

3500 4WD 6-cyl

  • 10,000 miles
Starting in July 2014 my 2013 Ram 3500 has had death wobble at least 6-7 times. Going down interstate around 65-75 mph if the right tire hits a pot hole the front end starts to shake uncontrollably. In order to get the truck to stop I have to come down on the brakes very hard almost to a complete stop. This is very dangerous not know when it can happen and a semi truck is right behind you.

- Martinsburg, WV, USA

problem #2

Jan 202014

3500 4WD 6-cyl

  • 2,903 miles
Had been noticing a shimmy in the front suspension area. The steering wheel would have a very slight vibration after hitting bumps in the road when driving 35mph or greater. This issue has continued for months with several visit to dealership who has been unable to properly identify the problem. The problem has now become a "death wobble" that will shake steering wheel violently and almost shake the entire truck off the road, there have been several more attempt to address the issue with no resolve. Truck is unable to keep alignment, camber and caster is continually off/out of line, and has worn tires unevenly. Have also been experiencing intermittent electrical issues with dash lights flickering, radio lights turning off, electric windows not rolling up or down properly and reverse lights not turning on when engaged.

- Christiansburg, VA, USA

problem #1

Jun 082014

3500 4WD 6-cyl

  • 20,300 miles
Truck began to violently shake, reducing ability to steer. Shaking did not subside until vehicle speed reduced to 25mph. Dealership stated could not find anything wrong as there were no trouble codes showing. This has recurred three additional times, each time the shaking increasingly violent, and even less control of steering and breaking. Dealership states unless anomaly of can be re-inacted, no repairs will be made. Dealership service manager accuses us of faking issue of shaking or "death wobble". Chrysler representative states unless a re-creation of this anomaly no repairs will be made. We have expressed to Chrysler representative fear of having accident.

- League City, TX, USA