Dodge RAM Suspension Problems
Owners have filed 293 complaints with NHTSA about suspension problems on the Dodge RAM across 16 model years. The 1995 model year has the most (59). The words owners use most often: “front end” (14% of reports).
- 293suspension complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 16mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- 43%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.
- Front end: mentioned in 42 of 292 complaints (14%)
- Ball joints: mentioned in 19 of 292 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do suspension problems happen?
Based on 33 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 293 complaints, 16 mention a crash, 7 an injury.
Dodge RAM suspension complaints by model year
| Model year | Suspension complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 RAM | 1 | 4% | 100,000 |
| 2009 RAM | 1 | 11% | 47,985 |
| 2008 RAM | 1 | 4% | 186,000 |
| 2007 RAM | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2006 RAM | 3 | 12% | 28,472 |
| 2005 RAM | 3 | 8% | 54,000 |
| 2004 RAM | 3 | 5% | — |
| 2003 RAM | 3 | 6% | 54,900 |
| 2002 RAM | 16 | 14% | 20,264 |
| 2001 RAM | 42 | 13% | 40,000 |
| 2000 RAM | 20 | 14% | 58,000 |
| 1999 RAM | 36 | 10% | 58,095 |
| 1998 RAM | 31 | 6% | 99,000 |
| 1997 RAM | 24 | 6% | 59,000 |
| 1996 RAM | 49 | 8% | — |
| 1995 RAM | 59 | 10% | 158,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Suspension:rear
Model years: 2001
Problem: 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.
Risk: The soft joint could cause the rear axle u-bolts to lose clamp load, resulting in displacement of the rear axle and a loss of vehicle control. This could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Suspension:front:control arm:upper arm
Model years: 2001
Problem: 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.
Risk: This rotation could twist the steering linkage and possibly separate the brake lines, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the upper control arm bolts and nuts.
Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
Model years: 2000
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the bracket separates the vehicle could experience reduced directional stability, braking degradation and/or vehicle pull under braking.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front axle with a properly welded front axle.
Suspension:front:shock absorber
Model years: 1995
Problem: 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). The front suspension spring/shock towers can crack and eventually separate from the vehicle frame. The shock tower could damage the rear wheel brake lines resulting in loss of rear brake system pressure.
Risk: This would create the potential for increased stopping distances.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that he heard an abnormal noise in the front driverâs side wheel. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wheel bearing failed and needed to be replaced. The…
The contact owns a 2010 Ram 1500. The contact was driving for their local state vehicle inspection at 65 MPH when an abnormal humming noise was coming from the rear exterior of the vehicle. No warning light illuminated. The contact drove to the local dealer who diagnosed the failure was related to…
Dashboard has broken up like a jig saw puzzle. *tr
On my way to work, as usual, on a "slightly" bumpy part of the highway my steering wheel and front end started vibrating so violently that i almost lost control. I could barely hold the steering wheel; and could not steer at all; all i could do was start braking and come to a stop. I got out and…
After backing out of my garage, at an approx. Speed of 1 mph, i turned the wheels to the left to run an errand, and the drivers side tie rod end broke. The drag link dropped and the wheel cocked to the full left. At this point i don't know if it caused any other damage. I spoke with the nearest…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge RAMs have suspension problems?
No. NHTSA has 293 owner complaints about suspension for the Dodge RAM. 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 suspension?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list suspension. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about suspension problems on the Dodge RAM?
The most frequent phrase is “front end”, in 42 of 292 complaints, followed by “ball joints” (19).
Other Dodge RAM problems
See all Dodge RAM problems.