Suspension complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 4% | 100,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 11% | 48,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 4% | 186,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2006 | 3 | 12% | 37,000 miles |
| 2005 | 3 | 8% | 60,000 miles |
| 2004 | 3 | 5% | — |
| 2003 | 16 | 8% | 33,000 miles |
| 2002 | 35 | 10% | 53,000 miles |
| 2001 | 54 | 12% | 40,000 miles |
| 2000 | 22 | 14% | 69,000 miles |
| 1999 | 41 | 10% | 61,000 miles |
| 1998 | 32 | 6% | 99,000 miles |
| 1997 | 26 | 6% | 59,000 miles |
| 1996 | 50 | 8% | — |
| 1995 | 59 | 10% | 300,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram. While driving less than 30 MPH, the vehicle began to vibrate hard and the front driver's side wheel detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer stated that the wheel bearings were more than likely the cause of the failure; however, they could not assist because the vehicle was 2,000 miles out of warranty. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 36,944. Updated 04-14-09 updated 04/16/09.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received recall notice # 07V038000 (suspension:front:wheel bearing). The recall part is on back order and the contact has been waiting for approximately three months. The vehicle has not experienced any failures at this time. The current and failure mileages were 20,000.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Dodge Ram. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the contact realized that the vehicle was leaning and the rear passenger side was dragging on the ground. She immediately attempted to straighten the vehicle, but it continued to drag and lean. The vehicle immediately stopped after striking the barrier on the front passenger side. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the axle failed and the wheel and drum were four lanes across the highway. The police arrived and filed a report. The contact sustained minor injuries. The vehicle was towed to the nearest dealer and was repaired. The current and failure mileages were 60,000.
I have a 05 Dodge Ram and I snapped my axle for the second time! The first time I did it I slid into a curb and snapped the end of my axle clean off with the whole brake system still attached to rim and tire which was completely intact. All hit had damaged on it was a scratch on the rim. I thought it was a freak accident so I took care of it myself and purchased the same exact axle. A couple weeks ago I was driving on a flat dirt road at about thirty miles per hour when a coyote ran out in front of me. To Dodge it I swirved into a dry up mud rut which is usually no big deal to drive into but when I went into it my truck quickly turned sideways then whipped me back around in the direction I was heading in. I got out of my truck and saw that my driver side wheel ripped completely off! …
2004 Dodge Ram. Consumer states problem with front end of truck. Consumer describes a shimmy and shaky motion the consumer stated when she drove over a rough spot in the road or a bump going off a bridge in cruise control mode, the entire truck would shimmy and shake. Once the consumer tapped the brake to disengage the cruise to slow the vehicle down, the shake and shimmy would cease. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer where they performed maintenance to the front end, but the fix only lasted for a few months. The consumer was informed the vehicle needed u-joints, a damper and the fittings needed to be lubricated. Also, the drag linkage which was recalled needed to be replaced as well.
Problems with 2004 Dodge 1500 Ram. The truck would bounce and shake into oncoming traffic while driving 65 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer who replaced one shock but the vehicle continued to bounce and shake. The dealer told the consumer that the manufacturer put a different frame on the vehicle in 2002 and that nothing could be done.
I got wind of the recall around dec 2013 & figured it didn't apply to my truck since I had spent close to $2000 rebuilding the front suspension with OEM & after market parts. I finally received recall notice n62 at the end of jan 2014. I took my truck to my dealership & they confirmed my truck was indeed included in the recall since the parts I used were defective & being recalled. The service writer told me it would be at least another year or longer before the parts needed to repair my truck would arrive at the dealership. I asked what would happen if the tie rod ball stud failed at hwy speeds(I already knew the answer) & was told it wouldn't be pretty. If the part did fail I would lose all steering ability & more then likely end up in a vehicle accident. …
I have a 2003 Dodge quad cab 1500 4x2 that I bought new and has only 71,000 original miles. I have noticed some noise and vibration coming from the steering and suspension coming from the front end. I've researched and found that Chrysler/Dodge has issued a recall (n49, n62 and NHTSA 13-v528) that does not include my vehicle but should be included after further inspections. The part in question is the left tie rod and steering linkage. New parts (cbuen491aa. Cbuen492aa) apparently are readily available prior to January 2014 but my truck has not been included in the recall and repair. Do I have to wait for the part to snap off causing injury and death to anyone especially members of my family before a recall is issued for this model year? …
Related recalls (4)
Suspension › Rear
Vehicle description: quad cab pickup trucks equipped with a camper package and overload springs. The rear axle spacer plate could lead to deformation of the upper spring plate during assembly of the axle to the vehicle resulting a soft joint.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the spacer plates and the spring plates will be replaced. Owner notification began February 5, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper arm
Vehicle description: quad cab pickup trucks. The upper control arms attached with cadmium coated nuts can cause the bolts to stretch due to the application of a higher than specified clamp load. Breakage of the upper control arm fasteners could cause the axle to rotate forward under braking conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the upper control arm bolts and nuts.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. The welds at the right side lower control arm bracket to axle tube attachment May have inadequate fatigue life due to poor weld quality. This can lead to separation of the control arm bracket from the axle tube.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front axle with a properly welded front axle.
Suspension › Front › Shock absorber
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. (2500 and 3500 series 4x4 regular cab pickup produced before March 21, 1995; 2500 and 3500 series 4x4 club cab pickup produced before June 8, 1995; and 3500 series 4x2/4x4 chassis cab trucks produced before June 21, 1995).
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the spring/shock tower and any vehicles exhibiting cracking will have the tower replaced. Vehicles that are do not show any cracking will have a weld-on reinforcement added.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Ram years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (59), 2001 (54), 1996 (50), 1999 (41) and 2002 (35) model years. Suspension complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Dodge Ram suspension problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 01V-008 (rear, Jan 5, 2001); 00V-307 (upper arm, Oct 12, 2000); 00V-007 (lower arm, Jan 11, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Ram suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles; 54% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front (123 mentions), followed by the rear (36).
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.