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 3500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
As with many of the other complaints about 2003 Dodge Ram 3500's this Ram 3500 has had all suggested steering component upgrades and recall upgrades (change steering to 2008 steering) and the tie rod recall for the 2008 steering. The 2008 steering upgrade seemed to exacerbate the tire wear issue. Additionally, ball joints and shocks have been replaced. The Ram death wobble and excessive tie wear is still present. The last set of tires lasted 8,000 miles (I am putting a new set on today). The tire wear on my last trip of only 360 miles was very noticeable - so much so a trip of 1,000 miles or more would have caused dangerous tire wear and potential catastrophic failure. Dodge has tried to fix the problem by only skimming over the issue with minor fixes. …
Purchased vehicle at 100,000 in 11/2011. Miles seemed in good condition. Quickly started death wobble. Thought it was weak tires. Purchased new (better) tires, no change. Took into oak ridge, tn Chrysler dealership for death wobble repairs at 122,351 miles (ticket chcs182246). Fine until last month 12/2016 at approx 137,051 miles. Death wobble is back (and worse). Easily occurs at interstate speeds when one hits bridge expansion joints (especially on a curve). But must also watch (be careful) on secondary roads at slower speeds. Does not need to be on a curve if the bump is big. In my opinion engineering wise, think the engine / front end is too high/heavy for the default steering/suspension components to handle the forces. It seems the repairs I am offered are merely fixing symptoms and not root cause. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that the steering wheel was not operating properly and became loose. The contact mentioned that the driver side tie rod ball stud fractured without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the driver side tie rod ball stud associated with the steering linkage assembly. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was later notified of NHTSA campaign numbers: 13V528000 (steering) and 15V312000 (air bags), but was unable to determine when the parts would become available to receive the recall repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 325,500.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup. While driving 40 MPH the steering wheel failed and the front end began to vibrate violently which over corrected itself and crashed into a ditch. The contact was trying to stop the vehicle by pulling the steering wheel to the left and it failed to work. The dealer advised the contact that there was a safety recall; however, he would have to pay to have the vehicle repaired. The dealer also stated that they would sell him the parts needed to repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was 143,000. Updated 11/16/10.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel was loose and became inoperable without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 210,000.
For over a year our 2003 Dodge 3500 4x4 pick up has been shaking when the right tire on the truck goes up before the left. We have taken it to many places and told to replace several parts that was suppose to be causing the problem. We have had to put several sets of tires on the truck and are in need of new tires now. The last three times that our truck has done, what I am now being told and believe it to be, the death wobble... The front end of the truck has snapped and slung me off the road. This happened twice in one day. The first two times it happened the adjustment sleeve snapped. The third time the tire rod snapped. All three times were near death for me and I do not feel safe driving it anymore. I need the truck fixed because we are a one vehicle family and we both work. There has been several recalls on the parts on my truck that I was not notified of. …
I got a letter last year 2014 about the recall and went back a month later, and they verbally said that there's a recall on the recall. The recent one, I took it to turlock Dodge and they put me on the list and I'm at the bottom and it has been a year, but I want it fixed asap. The recall says: "the problem is the left tie rod ball stud on your truck May fracture under certain driving conditions. This could cause a loss of directional control and/or crash without warning. The dealer will repair your vehicle free of charge. To do this, your dealer will inspect the steering linkage on your truck and replace steering linkage component/s if required. The inspection will take less than 1/2 hour. If linkage replacement is required, the work will take an additional 1 hour to complete..etc" this was copied from the recall notice. So when are you going to fix it?! …
I just wanted to add to the recent recall information you are investigating with the Ram trucks. Our 2003 Ram 3500 4x4 has had what is know by Dodge truck owners as the "death wobble" for many years. We have sunk countless amounts of money and time in it trying to fix it. It is very serious and scary as the truck vibrates uncontrollably after hitting a pothole/tracks or similar road obstacles.there is nothing you can do except slow down and ride it out. We were so happy when we received a recall/part fix notice a few years back to have it worked on but upon taking it to the dealer we were told that nothing was wrong. I can tell you with complete certainty that was not the case, it has still done it since then. …
I went to Chrysler with I thought shock problems .the mechanic told me there was a recall on the steering linkage he tim/ also said Chrysler would only replace one small part but that the other rods and bushings would have to be replaced also because they were part of the problem and if I did not replace rods and bushings they would eventually brake and I would have no steering control right now the bushing are rattling real bad and the steering is loose and walks on the road tim the mechanic said this is one whole problem and all linked together also I have cost guard insurance and since part is on recall they would not pay for the other parts which will cost over 700.00 I feel Chrysler is responsible and need to pay Chrysler already had one repair on same breakdown last week please check into this for us.
From 55mph and above if a bump in the road is hit, small or large the vehicle will suddenly shack uncontrollably. I am the original owner of this truck. I installed an after market high performance front stabilizer that prevented the death rumble from occurring. This worked for 50-60 thousand miles. The death rumble has returned. I bought another after market stabilizer however it was not effective this time. This vehicle is unsafe to drive. My question is how many people have to die before Dodge does something about it. I paid 50,000 for a truck that has not operated properly for 40 of the 90thousand miles. Dodge is aware of this issue. I have sent my truck to Dodge to no prevail. Help!
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 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2003 Dodge Ram 3500?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Dodge Ram 3500, 13% of the model year's 286 complaints. The component named most often is gear box (other than rack and pinion) (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 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 3500 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 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.