Three problems related to steering gear box shaft pitman have been reported for the 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
We have previously filed a complaint for the "death wobble" or violent, uncontrollable shaking that occurs after going over uneven roads. The entire vehicle shakes and there is minimal control of steering when this happens until the vehicle has slowed down to almost a stop. The shaking of the front tires is visible on the outside of the vehicle. Today when I was entering the expressway, which has fresh patches of concrete, no pothole or rough surface, my truck starting shaking the front tires and steering wheel violently (death wobble). I hit the brakes to slow the vehicle down. The vehicle started drifting and I realized I had no steering when I tried to bring the vehicle into my lane. When I was able to bring the vehicle to a stop (remember I am on a 4 lane x-way) I found that the steering bar that goes from the pitman arm to the right tire had broken in half. This is a solid 1inch bar and I had not hit anything to cause this to break. . This could have very easily been a complaint lodged with a death occurring. The shaking is a know issue with Ram 2500 trucks with this same front end design (incl 2013), and the jeeps with the same design front end are now complaining of the same shaking. I have owned this truck for 7yrs now, so I know it has not been in any accidents, over curbs, 4 wheeled or any other driving condition that could have stressed or caused the bar to broke.
I had no control of the steering and the vehicle was violently shaking, I slowed down to a stop, composed myself and drove on, the steering was very hard to control but the shaking only started about 40 mph, I took the vehicle to two shops, had ball joints, u joints, tie rods, steering, shocks, upgraded mopar steering assembly, pitman arm , all replaced, shortly thereafter I received recall notice n62/ NHTSA 13v-528, the instructions stated to mail all original repair documents related to tie rod failure and I would be reimbursed, I received a phone call just simply denying any responsibility with no particular reason other than my mileage, I asked for an email outlining the reason in detail which had absolutely no content of any explanation as to why the claim was denied. I did not receive my original receipts back either.
The contact stated there was excessive play within the steering and a shimmy in the front right tire at speeds of 65 mph. The truck could strike a bump in the road and there would be complete loss of control. The vehicle has been to a dealer for inspection of this problem. The dealer discovered the right front tire was about to fall off. Also, he noted that the pitman arm, tie rod, and stabilizer bar needed to be replaced. No repairs were performed due to the expense. She contacted the manufacturer, but they did not offer any cost assistance.