Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | ||||||||||||||||
| 11V350000 | CHRYSLER GROUP LLC | V (Vehicle) | 242780 | 10/03/2011 | ODI | CHRYSLER GROUP LLC | 07/06/2011 | 07/11/2011 | ||||||||
| Defect Summary | 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 14, 2008, through august 15, 2008, because the left tie rod ball stud may fracture. this condition tends to occur during low speed parking lot type maneuvers when the customer is making a tight turn. additionally, model year 2003-2008 dodge ram 2500/3500 vehicles may have received the affected tie rod assembly as a replacement part during normal service. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | 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. the safety recall began on october 3, 2011. owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Chrysler safety recall no. l16.owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov . | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||||
| SB19-001-11 REVA | 08/09/2011 | 10041904 | Dodge: bulletin providing alignment procedures for tie rod ball stud housing for the right and left. model yrs for cab chassis (reg and mega pickups and 4x4) 2003-2011. *pe | 11/16/2011 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 01/01/2013 | 131995 | 1 | |
| I was driving at 60mph and hit a bump and that's when the front end started to shake so bad i had to stop and get out to see if i had a flat but now after doing my own research on a lot of forum a lot of the dodge rams have what thayer call the death wobble and it does scare u to death when it happens! dodge has always had weak front end so on there big trucks! to much engine too light of a front end! very few dodge 2500 and 3500 owners get 100,000 miles of them before parts have to be replaced (ball joints and sway bars) i love my dodges but hate the weak front ends! i do have video of the shake. thanks *tr | |||
| 01/01/2013 | 131995 | ||
| I was driving at 60mph and hit a bump and that's when the front end started to shake so bad i had to stop and get out to see if i had a flat but now after doing my own resurch on a lot of forum a lot of the dodge rams have what thayer call the death wobble and it does scare u to death when it happens! dodge has always had weak front end so on there big trucks! to much engine too light of a front end! very few dodge 2500 and 3500 owners get 100,000 miles of them before parts have to be replaced (ball joints and sway bars) i love my dodges but hate the weak front ends! i do have video of the shake. thanks | |||
| 04/02/2011 | 65000 | ||
| I was driving and hit a bumpy place in the road and the whole truck started shaking uncontrollably. i had to stop on the freeway before i could get it under control. we took it to the dealership where we purchased it and they said there is nothing wrong with it. we have since done research and found this problem to affect alot of these vehicles. to those that experience it we call it the death wobble because there is nothing you can do except stop and hope you don't get into an accident. | |||
| 04/02/2012 | 1 | ||
| 2007 dodge ram 3500. consumer states vehicle shimmied to the point where the consumer had to pull over *tgw the consumer discovered the entire front end of the truck had come apart. the consumer took the vehicle to a certified alignment shop, but was informed there was nothing wrong with the alignment and the tires were properly balanced. after doing some research, the consumer discovered there were other owners that experienced the same problem and no recall had been issued. the consumer stated the problem was known as the death wobble. through additional research, the consumer found an upgrade kit for the problem at a cost of $ 859.79. the consumer stated he recently received a recall notice in the mail, regarding the left tie rod and believed the problem was more than a tie rod.*jb | |||
| 09/21/2011 | 130000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2007 dodge ram 3500. the contact without any warnings the front end of the vehicle started to shake violently. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer to have it diagnosed and they were unable to determine the cause of the failure. the vehicle had been left with the dealer a total of four times and they were unable to repair the failure. the failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 140,000. | |||
| 01/11/2012 | 58876 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2007 dodge ram 3500. the contact stated that as he attempted a left turn at 5 mph, the driver side tie rod snapped, causing him to lose control of the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where the dealer inspected the vehicle and advised that the complete tie rod assembly would need replacing. the contact refused repairs and the vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where the contact was awaiting repairs. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 58,876. kmj | |||
| 01/11/2012 | 58876 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2007 dodge ram 3500. the contact stated he was in a parking lot driving 5 mph. he made a sharp left turn and the driver side tie rod snapped causing him to lose control of the vehicle. he did not hit or crash into anything. the vehicle was towed home and then to the dealer. the dealer inspected the vehicle who stated they needed to replace the complete tie rod assembly at the owners expense of $1300. the contact stated he refused to let the dealer repair the vehicle. he had it towed to a local mechanic shop who will complete the repairs. the manufacturer was notified and he was waiting on a return call. the failure mileage was 58,876. mw | |||
| 01/10/2012 | 56000 | ||
| Today while pulling into a parking stall i had a catastrophic steering failure. the drivers side steering tie rod stud fractured where it bolts into the knuckle. the tie rod dropped between the tire and suspension causing loss of steering control and the left wheel was no longer connected to the linkage. i searched several dodge enthusiast forums and it seems other owners have experienced similar failures. this truck was serviced approx 2 years ago at a local dodge dealership and the entire steering linkage was replaced because of loose and knocking steering when turning. the incident today required me to have the truck towed to my residence pending research and possible repair. this vehicle has not been involved in any situation where the steering linkage would have been damaged. i inspected the broken stud and it appears to have had a catastrophic failure of the metal. any direction or assistance would be appreciated. | |||
| 10/01/2011 | 55000 | ||
| We have replaced two steering gear boxes on this 2007 dodge ram 3500.we called several dodge dealers for a replacement box but they said that they are back- ordered and would be a three week wait if they can even get one since they have about 1,013 on back orders as of yesterday.we were informed that this gear box is the same one that is used on the mercedes benz automobiles.now there is alot of difference between a car and a very heavy duty 1 ton truck.they really didnt think this one out,it is a real safty problem.my husband was turning from the highway to the side street when it broke ,this was the second one we put on it only had 213 miles on it.dodge must be aware of it as the dealers have told us it is a problem he had to wait for traffic to let him make a wide turn onto the oncoming lane of traffic.we have a 2003 dodge ram pu with the same gear box and i drive it all the time and now i am thinking if this would happen to me i do not think i could have the strenght to avoid a serious problem, on the open highway it would be horrible.this is the vehicle i use to transport our severly handicapped son now i am concerned for our safty as well as others with these trucks please look into this problem thank-you. | |||
| 03/15/2011 | 57000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2007 dodge ram 3500 quadcab. the contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph the vehicle started to shake very violently. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and they advised her that the front axle, with the ball joints,etc needed to be replaced. the components were replaced. a few hours later the vehicle started to do the same failure again after the repairs. the dealer was then contacted them again and they don't seem to know what the actual repair would be to correct the failure. the failure mileage was approximately 57,000. tb | |||
| 02/20/2010 | 75000 | ||
| Death wobble 2007 dodge 3500 75000 miles have replaced everything | |||
| 02/10/2010 | 11500 | 1 | |
| While driving at highway speeds (65mph or greater) my 2007 dodge ram 3500 will suddenly begin to shake violently after an uneven surface in the road is struck. this has happened several times over the course of the past 2 years. the only fix action is to slow the vehicle by releasing the gas pedal and applying the brake. i have taken the vehicle into the dealer to have it inspected for a safety recall involving the steering and was told there was nothing wrong. i took the vehicle into a second dealership after this last episode of death wobble and was told that the tie rods, and steering dampening shock needed to be replaced. the vehicle is still under warranty and the dealership is in the process of ordering the parts to replace the tie rods and steering dampening shock. for information purpose, the vehicle is located in germany and is driven on autobahn's with highway speeds greater than the u.s. *tr | |||
| 01/06/2010 | 33000 | 3 | |
| I have had a 03 ram 2500, 04 ram 3500, and 07 ram 3500. i have experienced a death wobble numerous times with each vehicle at all highway speeds after hitting pot holes and bumps. it violently shakes the whole truck until you reduce the speed to 30-40 mph. it feels like the truck will lose control and shake off the road. i have heard numerous complaints and feel this issue needs to be addressed by chrysler before someone gets hurt or killed. i have taken each truck into the dealership three times to be looked at and they said nothing was wrong with it. *tr | |||
| 07/17/2008 | 80000 | 1 | 08/31/2007 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2007 dodge ram 3500. while driving 65 mph, the steering wheel locked up and caused the contact's husband to strike a guardrail head on. the vehicle drifted sideways until it came to a rest. the frontal air bags failed to deploy. the police and fire departments were called and a police report was filed. her husband was not taken to the hospital. the contact has attempted to get in touch with the dealer and manufacturer, but neither have responded. she received an air bag booklet from chrysler. the failure and current mileages were 80,000. updated 10/17/08. *lj updated 10/17/08. *jb | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 04/11/2008 | 49000 | 1 | 02/26/2007 |
| 2007 dodge 3500 lost steering power. consumer states that the vehicle was almost impossible to steer. mechanic determined that a metal gear in the power steering assembly was faulty. *kb the metal shavings from the hear had contaminated the entire power steering system and had also damaged the power steering pump. *jb | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||
| 01/01/2010 | 105000 | 1 | |
| Tl-the contact owns a 2007 dodge ram 3500. the contact stated that the front passenger's side tie rod failed while accelerating from a traffic stop. the contact was able to repair the failure by replacing the tie rod. in addition, the contact stated that the rear passenger's side wheel was cracked due to defective material. the manufacturer was made aware of the failures, the failure mileage was 105,000 and the current mileage was 155,000. kmj *tr | |||
| 02/11/2011 | 1 | ||
| 2007 dodge ram 3500 truck. consumer states loss of steering *tgw according to the service repair invoice, the tie rod broke, which had to be replaced along with the steering dampener. *jb | |||
| 04/02/2012 | 1 | ||
| 2007 dodge ram 3500. consumer states vehicle shimmied to the point where the consumer had to pull over *tgw the consumer discovered the entire front end of the truck had come apart. the consumer took the vehicle to a certified alignment shop, but was informed there was nothing wrong with the alignment and the tires were properly balanced. after doing some research, the consumer discovered there were other owners that experienced the same problem and no recall had been issued. the consumer stated the problem was known as the death wobble. through additional research, the consumer found an upgrade kit for the problem at a cost of $ 859.79. the consumer stated he recently received a recall notice in the mail, regarding the left tie rod and believed the problem was more than a tie rod.*jb | |||
| 03/01/2012 | 1 | ||
| 2007 dodge ram 3500. consumer writes in regards to safety recall 16 concerning left tie rod *tgw the dealer informed the consumer they were only allocated a certain amount of parts at a time for the recall. the consumer was informed it would be at least four weeks before the vehicle would be fixed. *jb | |||
| 05/02/2010 | 64000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2007 dodge ram 3500. while driving at approximately 25-35 mph, the contact drove over a pothole and the right front tie road failed causing him to lose control of the vehicle. the vehicle crashed into a tree. the passengers sustained injuries to the mouth, face and knee. the vehicle was towed to the contacts home. the contact called the manufacturer and was told that the dealer was privately owned and they were not responsible if the dealer chose not to repair the recalled part. the insurance company did not inspect the cause of the failure. the current and failure mileages were approximately 64,000. | |||