Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
When driving at highway speed, if I hit the seam between the road and a bridge and it is not smooth my truck goes into a, "Death wobble." The steering wheel and the whole truck shakes uncontrollably. I can barely keep it in the road. It will only stop when the vehicle slows below 30mph. This problem started about 48,000 miles, I only have a little over 56,000 now. I have changed the stabilizer, got new tires and an alignment. I will be taking it to a mechanic on the 17th but I really believe the manufacture should have a recall on this vehicle. It is very dangerous. I am not the only person to own one of these trucks and this happens to.
I noticed for 6-8 mos steering issue to the left, called dealer said nothing wrong. At various times a strange clunking clicking left front wheel area as decelerating and turning left weight to the front. Now choppy tire left front as there are no ball joints it appears tie rod is bad or something. While pulling into a turn the other day August 17,2015 the veh pulled heard the clank again and the steering pull caused us to strike fixed object. Dealer says not affected by recall, but we have all the same issues, and noted for awhile steering at intermittent times problems... What can I do very afraid to drive as we drive interstate often with loads, we need the vehicle but it seems to have the same issue as recall even though our VIN shows different plant, but what do we do just be killed first? Help please.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the front end of the vehicle began to shake uncontrollably without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the upper and lower ball joints had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. On another occasion, the vehicle shook uncontrollably which caused the contact to crash into a ditch. The vehicle was able to be driven after the crash. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000. Updated 02/10/16 the consumer was informed the torsion bar needed to be replaced. Updated 02/18/16.
3 different instances, while traveling from different road surfaces,cement to gravel, gravel to tar. Seems small difference in road height causes truck to shake violent,and lose control of steering ability.2 of 3 times ended up coming to a stop in ditch. Only after crossing both lanes.thank god there was nobody else on the road at the time. After the second time it happened I went on line to see if anybody else had this happen to them. What I found was that they did and they have a term for it [ the Dodge death shake ]. The after market even makes parts to correct the problem. From new steering links ,steering boxes.and frame stiffeners. Makes a person wonder,if they have a term for it,and make products to stop it.what the hell you are doing about it?. And why do consumers have to pay thousands out of pocket, to repair an poorly designed product them selves? …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that while at a dealer for a routine service, the technician diagnosed that the ball joints and track bar needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the contact stated that one month later, while driving at 60 MPH, there was a noise coming from the front of the vehicle. In addition, the contact was unable to control the vehicle as the steering wheel required excessive force in order to turn the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that a bolt needed to be screwed onto the track bar. The vehicle was repaired. The failure persisted and the vehicle was taken to a different dealer who stated that the front end needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 19,000. Updated 7/29/15 updated 10/2/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving 65 MPH, a cracking noise emitted from the drive line under the vehicle. The contact merged over to the side of the road and the cracking noise became louder. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician inspected the vehicle but was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, where it was diagnosed that the drive shaft was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back a third time to the dealer, who diagnosed that the differential failed and needed to be rebuild. The repairs were performed but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
I have a 2012 Ram 2500 with 20,000 miles. Whenever you go over a bump or railroad track the truck starts to wobble uncontrollably that you need to come to a complete stop. On one occasion I was on the new york thruway traveling at 70 and hit a bump and couldn't even see straight it was wobbling so bad. Have brought to dealer when it first happened last year and was told it was a bad steering dampener was replaced and problem still exists. My wife will not use the truck because is terrified of the issue. I have owned many Ram trucks and have never had this problem. An inexperienced driver could result into a serious accident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the rear axles seized and the rear tires slid while operating the vehicle. The vehicle slid off the road due to the failure. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The contact was a mechanic and diagnosed that the vehicle needed a fill plug and new gear oil. The vehicle was not repaired because the contact did not have the proper fill cover for the fill plug. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 2500. When the vehicle made a left turn, a popping noise was present near the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V529000 (suspension). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 10,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed the track bar bushing fell apart and caused excessive shaking without warning. The contact had to pull the vehicle to the side of the road for several minutes. The contact drove the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnostic test or repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 135,000.
Suspension complaints in other Ram 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2012 Dodge Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the suspension of the 2012 Dodge Ram 2500, 8% of the model year's 283 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2012 Dodge Ram 2500, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to suspension 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.