Dodge RAM 1500 Suspension Problems
Owners have filed 848 complaints with NHTSA about suspension problems on the Dodge RAM 1500 across 18 model years. The 2006 model year has the most (106). The words owners use most often: “rear axle” (11% of reports).
- 848suspension complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 58mention a crash
- 28mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $1,350typical repair cost reported by owners
- 51%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Rear axle: mentioned in 92 of 848 complaints (11%)
- Front wheel: mentioned in 86 of 848 complaints (10%)
- Ball joints: mentioned in 71 of 848 complaints (8%)
- Tie rod: mentioned in 47 of 848 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical suspension repair on the Dodge RAM 1500 at $1,350, and half of them between $900 and $2,750.
Based on 16 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2003–2015), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do suspension problems happen?
Based on 601 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 848 complaints, 58 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 28 an injury.
Dodge RAM 1500 suspension complaints by model year
| Model year | Suspension complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 RAM 1500 | 20 | 3% | 50,500 |
| 2011 RAM 1500 | 40 | 6% | 25,250 |
| 2010 RAM 1500 | 28 | 6% | 64,600 |
| 2009 RAM 1500 | 34 | 5% | 62,000 |
| 2008 RAM 1500 | 49 | 9% | 52,000 |
| 2007 RAM 1500 | 69 | 13% | 59,000 |
| 2006 RAM 1500 | 106 | 13% | 61,555 |
| 2005 RAM 1500 | 82 | 7% | 106,000 |
| 2004 RAM 1500 | 66 | 6% | 80,881 |
| 2003 RAM 1500 | 57 | 5% | 69,500 |
| 2002 RAM 1500 | 71 | 9% | 56,000 |
| 2001 RAM 1500 | 69 | 6% | 47,568 |
| 2000 RAM 1500 | 35 | 7% | 82,350 |
| 1999 RAM 1500 | 31 | 5% | 100,000 |
| 1998 RAM 1500 | 34 | 7% | 81,920 |
| 1997 RAM 1500 | 21 | 6% | 123,500 |
| 1996 RAM 1500 | 27 | 9% | 92,000 |
| 1995 RAM 1500 | 9 | 4% | 55,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Suspension:rear:axle:spindle
Model years: 2011
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011 ram 1500 trucks manufactured from september 2009 through december 2010. Some vehicles may have experience a noise (growl, grind) coming from the rear axle bearing which could eventually seize.
Risk: A failure of the bearing could cause the vehicle to stall increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and will install an oil port insert into the rear axle free of charge. The safety recall began on april 4, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Suspension:front:wheel bearing
Model years: 2006
Problem: On certain pickup trucks, the front wheel bearing may have received an insufficient quantity of grease during the manufacturing process.
Risk: This could result in bearing degradation, and if subsequent noise and vibration are ignored, could result in hub assembly separation. This may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front hub and bearing units. The recall began on february 26, 2007. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
**Subject: URGENT VEHICLE SAFETY CONCERN â Steering Failure, Track Bar Bracket/Frame Damage, and Risk to Family Safety â 2012 Ram 2500** To Ram Customer Care and the Vehicle Safety Team, I am requesting immediate attention to a serious safety concern involving my 2012 Ram 2500 4Ã4 with the…
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being driven by a friend at 45 MPH, the rear axle detached. The driver was stranded by the roadside. The vehicle was towed to the driver's residence. There were no warning lights illuminated. An unknown local…
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the steering wheel and the front wheels were uncontrollable. While driving from Georgia to Memphis, there was an unknown object loose by the wheel. The ball joint suspension was replaced by an independent mechanic. The low tire…
My rear driveline separated from the rear differential causing the rear differential to seize up. It is available for inspection. This occurred while driving down a highway at 45 MPH, there was some humming noise then it shook for a second and then load pop sound and send me fish tailing down the…
The contact's son owns a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal grinding and rubbing sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge RAM 1500s have suspension problems?
No. NHTSA has 848 owner complaints about suspension for the Dodge RAM 1500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Dodge RAM 1500 suspension?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list suspension. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix suspension problems on the Dodge RAM 1500?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,350 (half paid between $900 and $2,750), from 16 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about suspension problems on the Dodge RAM 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “rear axle”, in 92 of 848 complaints, followed by “front wheel” (86).
Other Dodge RAM 1500 problems
- Power Train problems (2,382)
- Air Bags problems (2,208)
- Structure problems (2,020)
- Electrical System problems (1,377)
- Steering problems (833)
- Engine problems (740)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (599)
- Exterior Lighting problems (484)
See all Dodge RAM 1500 problems.