Has a “death wobble” ever happened to you while you were behind the wheel of your Dodge RAM 2500? If so, then you know first-hand just what a harrowing experience this can be. Specifically, a death wobble tends to occur at highway speeds and is characterized by sudden and violent shaking of the steering wheel and front end.
Have there been any formal Dodge RAM 2500 death wobble recalls issued?
Actually, there have been several recalls issued on RAM 2500 steering/tie rod issues that are believed to be linked to the infamous death wobble. This includes recalls on:
- Tie rod assemblies
- Ball studs
- Aftermarket pitman arms
If you own a Dodge RAM 2500, it’s important to know if your truck is affected by any of these (or other) recalls. The article below covers recalls related to the Dodge RAM death wobble. However, we’ll also walk you through the steps to check your truck for open recalls.
2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500: Left Tie Rod Assembly Failure
NHTSA Recall ID: 13V528000
This recall was issued by the NHTSA in November of 2013 and affects more than 700,000 Dodge RAM trucks, including RAM 2500 trucks made from 2003 through 2008.
With this recall, it was discovered that some trucks may have been assembled with defective left tie rod assemblies that are prone to breaking or fracturing.
If this recall is ignored and a tie rod assembly fails while driving, this can result in the dreaded “death wobble,” which may lead to loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.
If your RAM 2500 is involved in this recall, a licensed Dodge service center technician will replace the left tie rod on your truck to remedy the issue.
2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500: Fractured Pitman Arms
NHTSA Recall ID: 10E013000
This recall only affects approximately 1,500 RAM 2500 trucks that were equipped with aftermarket/replacement pitman arms by Fabtech. Some of these pitman arms may have been damaged during manufacturing and may thus be prone to fracturing while driving.
If a pitman arm fracture occurs while driving, it will break away from the truck’s steering box and lead to death wobble or total loss of steering control. This increases the risk of a crash.
This recall is being handled by Fabtech rather than Dodge; Fabtech is offering to inspect the pitman arms on all recalled trucks for defects. If a replacement pitman arm is needed, Fabtech will cover the cost of the replacement part and installation.
2003-2011 Dodge RAM 2500: Outer Tie Rod Failure
NHTSA Recall ID: 11V350000
This recall, which affects up to 242,780 Dodge RAM trucks, was issued in July of 2011. With this recall, it was discovered that some outer tie rod assemblies may have defective ball studs, which can fracture while driving and cause a loss of steering control/death wobble.
This defect is most likely to happen when the driver is making a tight right turn at low speeds, such as while pulling into a parking space. Still, this is a defect that should be taken seriously because if ignored, death wobble and loss of steering control may occur at higher speeds.
To address this recall, dealers are inspecting the tie rod ends and ball studs on all affected trucks. As needed, the entire left outer tie rod assembly and ball stud will be replaced.
In instances where total replacement is required, a front-end alignment will also be performed at no charge.
How Should You Address a Recall on Your Dodge RAM 2500?
A quick and easy way to find out whether your truck has any open safety recalls is to enter your VIN on the NHTSA recall page. This will provide you with an instant list of any recalls about your truck.
If you have recalls to address, be sure to schedule repairs promptly with a licensed Dodge dealer. If you have questions about scheduling recall repairs or need help finding a service center, contact Dodge customer service at 1-800-423-6343.
