Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
We have a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel crew cab pickup that occasionally after hitting a bump or on rough roads the steering mechanism or suspension develops an uncontrollable harmonic vibration with one or the other front wheels bouncing. The only way to stop the vibration is to come to a complete stop. In heavy traffic it could be a serious safety issue. The condition is well known to Chrysler and is commonly called a "Death Wobble". The first incidence on our vehicle was around ten years ago, but newer pickups are reported to have the condition. By replacing just the shock absorbers then it seemed to have helped, but that fix may have been fortuitous. The Dodge service center at that time did know of or maybe did not admit to the issue. Recently we have had the return of a couple episodes of the Death Wobble. …
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09E001000 (Steering), 13V528000 (Steering) and 15V312000 (Air Bags) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
I was driving on I55 this morning and all of a sudden my truck started vibrating really bad, the steering wheel was veering, I had to constantly fight to keep in my lane. And when I touched my brakes it veered. Riding really rough, and has power loss. I took it to the nearest shop and they said my driveshaft was very loose, and that it is affecting everything that I described. The center driveshaft support bearing is also failing.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving in snow at approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel seized and required excessive force. The contact crashed into guard rails. The vehicle sustained front end, passenger, and rear end damage. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was not repaired. On another occasion, when the vehicle was shifted into park with the engine running, the gear independently shifted into reverse. The contact placed the vehicle into park and shut off the vehicle engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be determined. An alarm system was applied to the vehicle to alert the driver of independent gear changes, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle was unsafe to operate. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at 3 MPH, the tie rod detached from the vehicle and the steering wheel was loose. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the curb. The air bags did not deploy. There were no reported injuries and no police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to planet Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of flagstaff (5190 n test dr, flagstaff, az 86004 [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the tie rod kit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned that a tie rod kit was installed prior to the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and stated the alignment and installation would be at the owners expense. The failure mileage was 199,600.
While driving down the expressway in chicago in heavy, high speed traffic, the vehicle drove through a small pothole, which caused the vehicle to shake \ wobble violently from the front end and cause impossible steering. The only way to stop this shaking \ wobble was to immediately slow down to below 20 MPH crossing 2 lanes of traffic into the soft shoulder. It has been replicated multiple times from speeds of 40 MPH and up. After taking this vehicle, a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 quad cab, 5.7 engine, stock with all current recalls up to date (except the air bag recall which no one has parts for), to multiple repair shops and Dodge dealerships, no exact caused has been located including FCA (Dodge) stating there is no issue. Thousands of dollars have been spent on this in the last 3 weeks to solve the problem as it cannot be resolved yet. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact was driving 35 MPH and attempting a right turn when the driver side tie rod fractured, causing minimal control of the steering function. The contact was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and proceeded to crash into a ditch. The contact was uninjured and the vehicle was towed from the ditch and to the contact's residence. The contact stated that he replaced the driver side outer tie rod end. The dealer was contacted and advised that the vehicle be brought to their facility for adequate inspection. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the repair performed by the contact was ruled as substantial. The dealer informed the contact of NHTSA campaign id number: 11V350000 (steering: linkages: tie rod assembly) and advised the contact that he would receive a reimbursement for the repair costs. …
I lost control of steering , the steering wheel just spun with no control and I was driving through a school zone with grade school letting out and I went in other lane of traffic in between cars and headed to a gas pump at gas station and I hit brakes as soon as I was out of opposite lane with head on traffic and gas pump was rite off side of road I could have been killed or killed others when this happened, I had to fix my truck because I never knew of recall and also transmission went out at 55,000 miles and transfer case also another 20,000 miles later , I have a truck I can't drive because I can't afford to put a transmission and transfer case in it and I almost lost my life from all the trouble it's gave me and I could have killed others at the school zone. …
This has happened multiple times since I bought it, starting on the day I bought it (used) in 2008. Made it go away for some years, don't know how. Combination of tire pressure adjustment, alignment, toe angle? Limited myself to driving less than 55 MPH. Problem happens when you hit a bump just right and it sends one wheel up, and the other down. That wheel then gets bounced up, and sends the other down. It's like dribbling two basketballs, and the whole front end shakes violently. Since this happens at highway speeds, it happens on the highway, and the truck is completely uncontrollable during this time. The only way to make it stop is to slow down (remember, you're on the highway) to 40-30 MPH. Last time I came back from queens, it happened seven times. It just happened again today, 8/14/15. …
At approx. 55-60 MPH, the truck began to shake very violently. Applied brake, to attempt to get truck under control; we ended up in the ditch. Myself and my daughter were injured. Luckily, neither of us were injured bad, just bumps and bruises. I had a mechanic look at the truck; he stated there is a problem with all Dodge trucks from 2002-2008. The steering gear box and front suspension are at fault. I contacted a local Dodge dealer. They informed me, "Dodge is not at fault and there are no need for any recalls". They did say they could fix the problem, at almost $2700. They would put a new front suspension and steering box. I feel if they will fix the problem, then they know about the problem. I have searched on the internet about the problem and there are hundreds of complaints. I am asking the ntsb to fully investigate this matter.
Related recalls
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Remedy: Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 4x4, manufactured from February 14, 2008, through March 28, 2011; model year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 3500 cab chassis 4x2, manufactured from February 14, 2008, through March 28, 2011; and model year 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 mega cab 4x4, manufactured from February…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tie rod ends for relative orientation and replace the left outer tie rod as required and perform a front end toe alignment as needed. This service will be performed free of charge.
NHTSA investigations
Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529
RMD opened this audit query (AQ) investigation in order to better understand and evaluate Chrysler's process(es) for timely and efficient execution of its safety recall campaigns, including its oversight and management of its parts division Mopar.Prior to opening this investigation, RMD had raised concerns with the company related to its execution of two safety recalls, 13V-528 and 13V-529, both of which involved…
Steering complaints in other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2003 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 159 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Dodge Ram 2500, 24% of the model year's 661 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-528 (tie rod assembly, Nov 6, 2013); NHTSA recall 11V-350 (tie rod assembly, Jul 6, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.