2007 Dodge RAM 2500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe violent front-end shaking — commonly called "death wobble" — triggered by bumps, potholes or expansion joints at highway speed, along with fractured tie rods and worn front-end parts. Complaints also cover airbags that did not deploy in crashes and intermittent electrical problems such as headlights and turn signals cutting out. Reports span a wide mileage range, from nearly new trucks to well over 200,000 miles.

1. 1
   Steering

   Violent front-end shaking ("death wobble")

   • 121 complaints (34%)
   • median 55,000 mi at 4.9 yrs old (109 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,100 (median of 14 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2023

   Owners describe the front end and steering wheel shaking violently after hitting a bump, pothole or bridge joint, usually at highway speed, and say control only returns after slowing well below highway speed. Many report repeated repairs — ball joints, track bar bushings, steering stabilizer or damper, pitman arm, steering box, tie rod ends and alignments — without the shaking going away. Complaints say dealers variously replaced front-end parts, suggested a heavy-duty suspension upgrade, or told owners nothing was wrong. Most reports fall between roughly 20,000 and 160,000 miles, often triggered by bumps, potholes or uneven pavement at highway speeds.

   Recall 13V528000Recall 11V3500002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive the truck at highway speed over expansion joints and rough pavement before buying, and ask for records of any front-end work, tie rod recall completion, and alignment. A steering stabilizer replacement alone is not a confirmed fix.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving about 65 MPH hit a bump on interstate and truck shook violently and almost hit concrete wall. Had track bar bushings replaced that was supposed to be the fix just to have the same thing happen again two weeks later taking me off the interstate once again. Not sure what to have done next before it kills me or someone else!”

   NHTSA complaint #10925268, filed 2016-11, 126,000 miles

   “I have experienced the infamous Dodge death wobble numerous times in the past 3 months. I have a 2007 2500 Dodge ram truck that I bought used a year ago. Three months ago, driving on the interstate going about 65 MPH I came upon a bridge approach slab and once I hit it the truck began violently shaking. Afterwards I did research on the issue and discovered what I experienced matched what is known as the Dodge death wobble . …”

   NHTSA complaint #10367751, filed 2010-11, 31,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Broken tie rod, pitman arm or steering linkage

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe a tie rod or pitman arm fracturing while driving, sometimes with a loud noise and sudden loss of steering control, and in one case at low speed on the front axle. Several owners say the vehicle was repaired under a tie rod recall campaign and the problem returned, or that no replacement parts were available. Dealers typically replaced the failed linkage as a kit. Reported from about 35,000 to 170,000 miles, sometimes shortly after a recall repair.

   Recall 13V528000Recall 11V3500002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether recall 13V528000 or 11V350000 was performed and whether the pitman arm part number was verified; have a shop inspect the tie rod ends and pitman arm for play or cracks.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2007 Dodge RAM 2500. The contact was driving 5 MPH when the pitman arms on the front axle fractured. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who informed her that the entire front end would need replacing. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted in regards to the failure. The failure mileage was 133,919.”

   NHTSA complaint #10384162, filed 2011-02, 133,919 miles

   “The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH and towing a 20-foot trailer with a back yard shed on the trailer, the contact hit a pothole on the highway that caused the steering wheel to turn violently to the left. The contact regained control and guided the vehicle off the roadway. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11484269, filed 2022-09, 260,000 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbags not deploying in a crash

   • 49 complaints (14%)
   • median 51,000 mi at 6.7 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2022

   A number of complaints describe front airbags failing to deploy in a head-on or rollover crash, with injuries reported in some cases. Other owners filed complaints about the passenger or driver inflator recall and said the repair had not been completed or parts were not available. Several of these crashes were reported to police, and owners say the vehicle was not always inspected afterward. Reported across a wide mileage range, roughly 30,000 to 150,000 miles.

   Recall 16V352000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 15V313000 · DO NOT DRIVE

   What to check: Check by VIN whether the driver and passenger inflator recalls (15V313000, 16V352000) were completed, since parts availability delayed some repairs; ask for documentation rather than taking a verbal assurance.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was on a on-ramp getting up to hey speed. Hit a little bump where the old and new asphalt join and the rear started to fishtail to the left and started to spin out hot that k-rail then went over it roiling about 30 feet from it. The air bags did not deploy nor did the seat belt lock. It was a bit foggy and the road surface was wet.”

   NHTSA complaint #11386741, filed 2021-01, 150,000 miles

   “Takata recall. Repair has not been made in a timely manner. Concerned about injury and/or death as described by your recall. The air bag should be legally disengaged or removed completely until such time as parts are available which is not the case at this time. This is urgent!!!”

   NHTSA complaint #10914230, filed 2016-10, 108,000 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Diesel fuel leaks, odors and emissions-system faults

   • 21 complaints (6%)
   • median 27,000 mi at 2.8 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2020

   Owners of diesel trucks describe a strong diesel smell inside the cab, especially at idle, and in one case a cracked injector line spraying fuel across the engine, hood insulation and wiring. Other complaints involve exhaust-system faults with the check-engine light and stalling, dealerships repeatedly replacing or reprogramming emissions components, and a fuel tank vent that let dirt into the system. Dealers handled these as separate component repairs, such as EGR cooler bolts or a vent kit. Mostly reported from very low mileage (under 2,000) up to about 90,000 miles on diesel trucks.

   Recall 08V641000Recall 07V2470002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Smell for diesel inside the cab and under the hood after a test drive, look for wet or fuel-soaked insulation around the injector lines, and ask whether the EGR cooler silencer pad recall (08V641000) was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2007 Dodge RAM 2500 with 68,500 miles, left me on the side of the road. According to the dealership the fuel tank vent has allowed dirt and other contaminants in to the fuel system. This in turn clogged several other components. To fix the problem they had to drop the fuel tank, clean and flush the system, dispense of 34 gallons of fuel, install a vent up fit kit ($675.00) and re-install fuel tank. Total cost to me...$1175.00 dealership, plus 34gal. Of fuel (34gal. X $3.85) = $130.90. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10426789, filed 2011-09, 68,500 miles

   “While driving 2007 Dodge RAM 2500 mega cab 5.9l i6 cummins diesel noticed smoke emitting from rear of vehicle, stopped vehicle and discovered fuel running out of vehicle below engine compartment. The #4 cylinder fuel injector line from the common rail was cracked and spraying fuel over the engine and soaking hood and firewall insulation as well as electrical connections and exhaust. The retention bracket for this line had become loose due to vibration which lead to the line cracking. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10499385, filed 2013-02, 86,000 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Headlights and turn signals cutting out or acting wrong

   • 11 complaints (3%)
   • median 82,675 mi at 8.5 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2021

   Owners report headlights going dark without warning while driving at night, and in one case all lights went out when the high beams were switched on, ending in a crash. Others describe the turn signal indicating the opposite direction or failing, and brake lights not working. Complaints mention dealer attempts including replacing the power distribution module without a lasting fix. Usually reported between about 45,000 and 190,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test all exterior lighting with the engine running, including high beams and both turn signals, and ask whether the integrated power module or wiring has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving on unfamiliar rural dirt road at night, switched to high beam to see upcoming intersection and all headlights went out. Stunned, I lost several critical seconds before I restored the low beams and locked up the brakes. Too late. Unable to turn safely, I left road, went down embankment through fence before stopping in pasture. Substantial front end and body damage to truck.”

   NHTSA complaint #10716837, filed 2015-05, 46,000 miles

   “(safety) when using left turn signal, right signal blinks or none at all. I have had other motorist think I was turning right and go around me as I slow down to make my turn left . I think NHTSA need to look into this ! Because motorist can be issued a ticket for improper lane change or an accident could occur.”

   NHTSA complaint #10850554, filed 2016-03, 84,000 miles

Buying note. The front-end steering and suspension reports are the most frequent theme here, so a highway test drive over rough pavement and a pre-purchase inspection of the steering linkage, ball joints and tie rods are worth the cost. Also confirm by VIN that the airbag inflator and tie rod recalls have been completed, and check for records on any emissions or fuel-system repairs on diesel trucks.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.