Problems with 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 SUSPENSION

I currently have a 2003 dodge ram 2500. at 50,000 miles the dealer notified me that the upper and lower ball joints are showing wear. at 55,000 the front end started to make noise. as soon as i heard the noise i drove the vehicle over to don miller dodge. when the dealer contacted me, informing me that all ball joints need to be replaced. this is not cover under the 7/70 dodge warranty. the price tag for the work came out to $1200. after hanging up the phone, i contacted dodge directly and told them of the problem. they acknowledged that i had great maintenance reports, but since i had placed new tires on the vehicle at 45,000 and increased the tire from 275 to 285 (.5" difference). there is nothing they can due for me. i contacted several dodge dealers in the area and spoke with the service departments. this is a know problem with the 02-03 dodge durangos and 02-03 dodge ram pickup's. dodge ref#13452182 i find this performance from a so called heavy duty vehicle highly disappointing. this is my second dodge ram. i upgraded from my 1999 1500 gas to the 2500 diesel heavy duty just to avoid these types of problems. if i would not have gone to the deal right away. this could have resulted in losing the front tire. causing injury or worse. similar to what happens with the 03 durango. i lucky enough to recognize the change in steering. if my wife was driving she would not have been able to recognize the problem until it was to late. i will obtain the old part from the dealer. *nm

With 25000 miles on truck had noise coming from front end. i inspected to find ball joint almost ready to fail. *ak

When driving over a pot hole at 60 mph vehicle vibrated severely. vehicle stopped vibrating when speed decreased to 30 mph. the cause had not been determined. driver will contact the dealer in the near future. *ak

Violent wobble at various speeds. also widely known as the "dodge ram death wobble" featured on you tube! *kb

This is a common problem with this year truck relating to faulty front suspension components. i have experienced the so called, "death wobble" at least 30 or more time on freeways all over the state. problem occurs when traveling 65 mph +/- 2 and driving over uneven surfaces. causes truck to shake violently and veer to the right or the left. only way to stop is to let off the accelerator and let coast to 25 to 30 mph which is real safe on the freeway. this may have been caused or caused failure of track bar, which is also listed in your complaint section multiple times. the manufacturer blew off my claim and told me the vehicle was road worthy. they referred me to this site so i could read the hundreds of complaints i guess? this problem started around 45,000 miles and continuously gets worse. since they really don't care i've ordered an after market track bar made by a superior designer. *jb

Dt: the contact stated there was excessive play within the steering and a shimmy in the front right tire at speeds of 65 mph. the truck could strike a bump in the road and there would be complete loss of control. the vehicle has been to a dealer for inspection of this problem. the dealer discovered the right front tire was about to fall off. also, he noted that the pitman arm, tie rod, and stabilizer bar needed to be replaced. no repairs were performed due to the expense. she contacted the manufacturer, but they did not offer any cost assistance. *ak

When hitting moderate bumps in the road at speeds over 45mph, the front wheens start bouncing uncontrollably. nothing stops the shaking except deceleration to <40 mph. contol of the vehicle is compromised while the wheels are bouncing. *ak

The consumer experienced a problem with the upper and lower ball joints. when driving over a bump in the road, the consumer could feel the movement of the ball joints in it's socket which caused the vehicle to pull to the left. owner took the vehicle in to have it aligned when it was discovered that the ball joints were cracked. the consumer contacted the manufacturer and was told there was nothing they could do. provide further details. *jb

From day one of owning my 2500 ram it seemed out of alignment. i took it to the dealer in las vegas where i purchased the vehicle and i was told it was fine. then upon moving to colorado i again took it to a dealer and was told the same thing. a year later i noticed severe wear on the front tires, indicating the vehicle was out of alignment. i took it to a different dealer and was told at 38,000 miles i needed both the upper and lower ball joints replaced to the tune of 1,400! i declined and took it to a local repair shop. also the dealer told me to consider an eliptical shaped ball joint in lieu of the standard ball shaped. anyway, the local repair shop replaced them. still i hear this is a common problem and there should be a recall.*ak

After vehicle was warmed up a clanking sound started. also, when towing a fifth wheel trailer, after and after traveling 100 miles vehicle shook like the rear end was going to fall out. dealer duplicated the problem , and stated it was either the rear end or the differential. manufacturer offered no help.*ak the consumer stated that the wrong lube in the rear end differential. manufacturer advised a different lube. consumer waiting for results when 5th wheel rv is being towed. *tc

I had sears align tires on my dodge. they described problems with ball joint, tie rod and bearing on my 2003 dodge. chrysler will not replace parts that are showing excessive wear on this 1.5 year old truck as they did not diagnose problem before warranty expiration. *ak

Problems with 2003 dodge ram truck.*mr while driving over bumps the vehicle literally changes lanes. the consumer contacted the dealer and the manufacturer but didn't get a favorably reply from either. *nm

My automobile is unsafe, i almost wrecked thursday with my children with me. it very scary and i am afraid to drive it any more. we have been through arbitration twice and been denied. we have two dealerships that have driven it and says it is unsafe and needs to be removed from the highways. i have contacted daimler chrysler and they have refused to cooperate with us. please call me at [xxx]. *la information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

While driving 45 mph consumer applied the brakes, tryint to avoid hiting a deer. right lower control arm bended. dealer stated no way consumer was driving at 45 mph. it was his problem and should call insurance company. *ak *mr

Uncontrolled wobble of front wheels on 2003 dodge ram heavy duty truck due to worn ball joints and steering components, i'm told these are the same ball joints used on the durango. *ak

Someone is going to get killed in this thing. i've taken it to two dealers and two front end shops. the problem is when you hit a bump where the tires don't hit it at the same time. then the left tire usually starts bouncing until it almost shakes the truck apart and you run off the road trying to get it stopped. i've changed the shocks, tie rods and misc other parts trying to find a solution. everyone says it all looks fine. but something isn't right here. i like the cummins but i'm afraid i'm going to have to get a chevy before i hurt myself or someone else. it's pretty bad when you get paranoid of the road ahead when you go faster than 65 mph. i even went to a real stiff tire to eliminate this. now it not only shakes to pieces, but it rides like a buckboard because of the tires. there should be some kind of a recall for this thing. *nm

Rear end has been replaced on my truck two times in less than 10,000 miles due to failure. *la

my 2003 dodge ram 2500 steering shakes uncontrollably when you hit a bump at highway speeds or a bridge expansion joint. directional control is difficult while this is happening. this happened while traveling at 75 mph, and sent the truck into the other lane, nearly causing an accident. could not get the shaking to stop until truck dropped to 45 mph. the dealership says that one other customer is having the same problem. they checked all the steering components and said everything was good. this is very dangerous, and should be checked out further. ball joints in these trucks:2003 ram 2500 -3500 are proven to be defective. i am a member of the turbo diesel register which is comprise of 40,000+ members and this problem is not uncommon at all. approximately 50% of all 2003 + trucks have ball joint slop in the first 10,000 miles. *jb

The vehicle without warning shakes violently and the only way to stop it is to slow down. i hit the brakes a couple of times and that only made it worse and controlling the vehicle in a safe manner was impossible. the only way to stop the shaking is to take foot off of accelerator pedal and ride it out, this creates another major problem. the vehicles behind you do not know what is happening and someone almost rear ended me because my brake lights did not go on. he passed me and honked his horn at me and gave me the "finger" self explanatory. this is a major problem and dodge will not admit it to anyone. *tr