Suspension complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 36 | 10% | 22,000 miles |
| 2011 | 28 | 12% | 35,000 miles |
| 2010 | 23 | 15% | 50,000 miles |
| 2009 | 12 | 11% | 60,000 miles |
| 2008 | 22 | 13% | 72,000 miles |
| 2007 | 31 | 15% | 75,000 miles |
| 2006 | 20 | 8% | 81,000 miles |
| 2005 | 17 | 9% | 80,000 miles |
| 2004 | 25 | 12% | 86,000 miles |
| 2003 | 32 | 11% | 66,000 miles |
| 2002 | 5 | 11% | 45,000 miles |
| 2001 | 14 | 11% | 75,000 miles |
| 2000 | 11 | 19% | 105,000 miles |
| 1999 | 7 | 7% | 168,000 miles |
| 1998 | 4 | 4% | 173,000 miles |
| 1997 | 8 | 6% | 97,000 miles |
| 1996 | 16 | 13% | 98,000 miles |
| 1995 | 20 | 19% | 174,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving uphill at 55 MPH, the contact became aware that the vehicle was not exceeding 55 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to the destination. The vehicle was parked; however, upon inspection, the contact became aware that there were damages on top of the front driver's side ball joint, the rear driver's side axle leaf spring shackle, and the driver's side overload spring. Additionally, there were metal fragments found in the engine oil, and a diagnostic scan retrieved DTC: P0087, P0471, U029D. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was inspected; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 215,000.
Part 01: noticed premature inboard front tire wear and cupping on both lh and rh front tires at around 28000 miles. Part 02: experienced "death wobble" (uncontrollable shaking of vehicle, severe shaking of steering wheel, inability to steer vehicle) at approx 34500 miles. This happened when crossing railroad tracks at approximately 40 MPH. Shaking stopped when I brought the truck to a complete stop in the roadway, which nearly caused an accident with a semi truck following behind. Part 03: took vehicle to tire shop to purchase 2 new front tires, and also asked for steering alignment. Was told and shown by tire shop that alignment could not be performed due to defective/worn/loose front ball joints (both sides, upper and lower). Vehicle has 35200 miles when new tires purchased. Tire shop suggested that root cause of "death wobble" might be defective ball joints. …
At random any time the truck goes over a bump in the road at about 25MPH to 65MPH the whole truck will start to shake violently and uncontrollably like an earthquake is happening and the steering wheel will shake back and fourth and not stop until the truck comes to a complete stop. I've had it happen at least fifty to a hundred times since I bought it on 3/6/2026 and the truck only has 155,000 Miles on it. From what I've read on the internet the "death wobble" is pretty common in Ram trucks from 1994 all the way through 2012 yet Ram hasn't done anything to fix the problem.
Seemingly at random whenever the truck goes over a bump at about 25MPH to 65MPH the whole truck will start to shake violently and uncontrollably like an earthquake is happening and the steering wheel will shake back and fourth and not stop until the truck comes to a complete stop. I've had it happen at least fifty to a hundred times since I bought it on 3-6-2026 and it only has 155,000 miles on it. The "Death Wobble has been a known problem on Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks built form 1994 through 2012 according to the internet. Yet nothing seems to have been done to fix it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Ram 3500. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle veered from left to right without warning and shook continuously. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 13V529000 (steering); however, the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The failure recurred numerous times. The dealer also replaced the driver side ball joint under the manufacturer warranty. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ball joints failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,500. Updated 05/26/16
While driving home from work one evening my truck started making the most awful grinding sound coming from the front passenger tire. Then my ABS light and serv 4wd light came on the dash. A few seconds later the tucked bobbled and weaved and I could no longer steer it. When I got out to look at the problem the wheel itself was resting on the hub assembly. Previous to this I've had to replace front end parts like crazy. New ball joints and I joints annually. Brakes twice a year, and it will eat up tires on the front. Also the truck will not stay aligned. I've contacted Chrysler and first they were very helpful, but then they started to give me the run around. I've had to have their tie rod end recall fixed several times as well.
My 2011 mega cab 3500 was purchased in nov of 2018 with only approx. 110K miles on odometer. After a short while of driving, a vibration started getting worse up until I took to a dealer at approx. 114K for a check on toe & alignment. It ended up being a total repair of upper & lower u-joints & ball joints. Also had to replace driver's mirror-had short, wiring harness on passenger headlight-had short, transmission shifter seal leaked, new pinion gear & seal, & few other items also. It seems like a diesel that has just started breaking in was falling apart on me before it's time. Needless to say, about 4 months or so after I made the purchase, I had to fork out a !!heap!! Of $$$$$ for repairs that I couldn't recover. Funny thing is, before I bought the truck, another gentleman told me these years of Dodge trucks he had heard they were having a lot of front end trouble. …
Death wobble while driving down the interstate going around 50/60 miles I hit a bump in the road and the truck shakes out of control. The truck doesn't stop shaking until you slow down til about 30. It's very dangerous, just today I hit a bump going across a bridge on the interstate and the truck started shaking dangerously and another truck was behind me and on the side of me. The vehile on the right side of me had to hit the shoulder because while my truck was shaking the truck was going in that persons lane. I was scared out of my mind, it seemed that the truck just wouldn't slow down while I was on my breaks. This is very dangerous and an accident waiting to happen. These trucks need to be recalled and fixed correctly before a life is lost or someone hurt badly because of a faulty vehicle by Chrysler/Dodge
NHTSA investigations
Front suspension spring/shock absorber
Allege failure of the coil spring/shock absorber bracket at its attachment to the vehicle frame May allow collapse of the front suspension, and potentially affect steering or braking system performance
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Ram 3500 years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (36), 2003 (32), 2007 (31), 2011 (28) and 2004 (25) model years. Suspension complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 2012.
Is there a recall for Dodge Ram 3500 suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for any Dodge Ram 3500 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Dodge Ram 3500 suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles; 40% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front (63 mentions), followed by the front › control arm › upper ball joint (14).
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.