Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Ram 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My truck has the death wobble.... A violent shaking of the front end at highway speeds ...... Very dangerous!! I went off of the road last week and ended up in a cotton field. Once the death wobble started I had no control of the brakes or steering wheel. Please help before me or someone dies!!!!! I have put all new ball joints , track bar, right and left upper tie rods, damper,3 alignments, my front right shock, and the right hub assembly all valued at $2751.60 so far and ive done most of the work....please help.
Driving on the ma route 128 s highway around 65-70 MPH, I hit a pothole on the left side of the travel lane. The truck started to shake violently as described with a death wobble. The violent shaking did not stop after applying the brakes to slow through about 35-40 MPH. It felt as if all 4 tires blew simultaneously. No obvious damage was observed once stopped. This truck has less than 33900 miles at the time of the incident. The steering feels otherwise tight and responsive, the tires and wheels are stock and are wearing evenly. This is a very dangerous condition that affects the safety of operator, occupants and other drivers near an uncontrollable vehicle. The internet sources are widely aware of the condition with no clear solution to the problem. …
I was traveling along I-25 about 75-80 MPH when the steering got extremely tight so I started to slow down and when I did so I found out there was little to no brakes. Once I coasted to the edge of the interstate the truck started to overheat really fast so I shut it off. I opened the hood and examined the motor and found that the water pump shaft had snapped off because the water pump failed. When it happened my truck lost everything that is turned off of the serpintine belt which includes power steering pump all hydraulic system for my master cylinder and cooling system. There was no warning that the pump was going to fail and at 75 MPH it was amazing that nothing catastrophic happened with no steering or brakes. I have researched and found there is a recall for the water pump on my truck but it doesnt mention anything about it failing like mine did with 40,000 miles on it.
My new Ram 2500 hd truck has "death wobble". When at highway speeds when you hit a bump in the road just right the front end violently shakes out of control until you almost come to a complete stop. It shakes so hard I can't believe you don't have to rebuild the front end every time it happens. It has been to the dealer 5 times to be repaired and the problem still persists. I was told by the new service manager at the dealership I purchased the truck from that the problem could not be 100% fixed and that it will always come back. And that I'm lucky that it has only happened a couple times a year. This has been a very dangerous, aggravating, waste of time dealing with such a dangerous issue they seem to not take very seriously. It has been happening since about March 2014 and the last time it happened was jan 9th 2016.
Steering damper on my 2013 Ram 2500 (50K miles) is in need of replacing. This damper clunks while driving. I have researched other Ram trucks of this model and most are having the same issue and is apparent the steering damper - connects from steering wheel shaft to steering box is faulty. The two lugs on the damper have struck the ends of the slots and have pronounced metal to metal contact. My concern if not replaced by Ram, this could fault causing loss of steering resulting to personal injury up to including death of the driver and passengers. I have taken this issue into Jeep/chry/Ram service on several occasions and they decided to replace my ball joints at approx. 25K miles ??? Recommend NHTSA to look into this matter as a manufacture defect and will not be replaced free of charge unless pushed as a recall item.
The track bar mounts have all the welds cracked and it causes the truck to shake uncontrollably and is very dangerous. I have almost crashed twice due to this problem. I see that FCA currently has a recall for this exact problem r46, my truck falls within the model and years but for some reason is not covered under the recall. I noticed the problem driving on the highway at 60 MPH the truck began to shake in a violent and uncontrollable manner all the cars around me slammed their brakes to stay away. I was able to brake down to 20 MPH when the shaking stopped. I pulled over to the emergency lane to examine my truck and noticed the cracked welds on the track bar mount. I need to have this fixed under the recall as this is a huge safety problem for my self and my fellow drivers I share the road with.
Left house driving east on 8200s when approx 5200 w I lost steering and veered to the right, hitting a street light and skidding along a concrete fence. I stopped, exited vehicle and two men that witnessed come up and said your steering arm broke, at the time I was in shock and attributed them saying arm being broke was result of accident but that would explain why lost control of vehicle, I assume they also called police as I never made the call and officer showed up on scene. The next day I met with auto body shop and they was as in shock as I as he looked under vehicle and pointed out the broken part and said this is what caused you to loose steering. I am thankful was not on freeway driving faster speed and that I didn't have my small child with me, thank god no one was injured.
On three separate occasions recently, the steering on my 2013 Dodge 2500 exhibited a violent shaking when I hit a small linear ridge on the interstate while traveling at the posted speed limit such as going over a bridge or the line from asphalt installed over old concrete sections.. This violent shaking almost sent the truck off the road and only stopped when I slowed down below 30 MPH. I have taken the truck to the Dodge dealer and also a local garage and the drag link is bent and the tie-rod ends have to be replaced. The vehicle has never been in an accident. I was told the bent drag link was a result of the violent shaking called the "death wobble". The cost to repair the steering system is over $2200 and this truck only has 126,000 miles on it.
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Dodge Ram 2500. While parked, the contact noticed oil leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact also stated that there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on two separate occasions where the steering box and pinion seal were replaced, each on different occasions. In addition, the vehicle veered to the right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was aligned, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a "death wobble" while driving 55 MPH. Also, the steering wheel shook so violently that the contact lost control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle would shake even when it struck a small bump in the road, which caused it to drive into a ditch on two occasions. The vehicle was taken to autonation Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram spring (21027 I-45, spring, tx 77388, [phone]). The dealer stated that they were aware of the failure, but there was no remedy. The contact called the manufacturer, but was unable to speak with anyone. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 3,500.
NHTSA investigations
Steering loss due to linkage separation
On December 17, 2018, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 18-016 to investigate the steering system on model year (MY) 2015 and 2016 Ram 2500 manufactured by FCA US, LLC (FCA). Four complaints were received alleging separation of the drag link, a steering linkage that connects between the right front steering knuckle and the pitman arm on the steering box output shaft.
Steering complaints in other 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2013 Ram 2500?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the steering of the 2013 Ram 2500, 17% of the model year's 178 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Ram 2500 steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2013 Ram 2500, though it has 14 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 2013 Ram 2500 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 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.