Issue ID | 1581976 |
Internal NHTSA # | 11231697 |
Manufacurer | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) |
Brand | RAM |
Model | 2500 |
Model Year | 2009 |
File date | 05/07/19 |
Component | SUSPENSION |
Product type code | VEHICLE |
Description of the problem | I have a 2009 ram 2500 4wheel drive. I can not use the vehicle due to the following; at speeds over 35 mph the front suspension tends to experience a severe shaking that is caused by a rapid lateral oscillation of the entire axle and suspension assembly. This condition occurs when crossing an uneven, rough spot in the road, or when crossing a bridge with a grade break that is not "square" with the direction of travel, (diagonal). I am not the only owner of this type of vehicle experiencing this phenomena. There is a term that has emerged out here in the real world that best describes this condition, which is "the death wobble". ( see you tube for some good examples). There is also one remedy for this that seems to address the root cause of the problem,(you tube/ big'ol bushing) that being said it should not be the job of the general public to re-engineer their vehicles in order to use them on the public right-of-way. This ram and others have been re-called for failure of steering components,mainly tie-rod ends, no doubt. Take notice of this fact! The problem never was the tie-rod ends, but this incredible oscillation that occurs when the track bar mounting bolts wear out the mounting holes in the brackets to an oblong,non concentric state. This will be an on-going problem for as long as this this design is in service. These bolts are wearing out the brackets which are welded to the frame, making a remedy impossible. I must point out that even after a crash involving one of these units, this can easily be overlooked ,or completely missed as a contributing factor or direct cause of the accident! These vehicles are a danger to the traveling public and should be recalled and retrofitted by the manufacturer or be condemned and placed out of service immediately! |
Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 161000 |
Number of Occurences | |
Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
City and State | HAMPTON, VA |
VIN pattern | 3D3KS28T09GXXXXXX |
Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
Was incedent reported to police? | N |
Was medical attention required? | N |
Was part original equipment? | |
No. of injured persons | |
No. of fatalities | |
Date of purchase | 21/01/25 |
Was original owner? | N |
Anti-lock brakes | N |
Cruise control | N |
Number of cylinders | |
Drive train type | |
Transmission type | |
Vehicle speed | 60 |
DoT tire identifier | |
Tire size | |
Location of tire code | |
Type of tire failure code | |
Was defective tire repaired? | |
Date of manufacture | |
Type of child seat code | |
Type of restraint | |
Dealer's name | |
Dealer's telephone number | |
Dealer's city | |
Dealer's state code | |
Dealer's ZIP code |