2007 Dodge RAM 3500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2007 Ram 3500 most often describe front-end shimmy after hitting a bump or seam, and in many complaints the steering wheel or the front end shakes hard enough that drivers slow down or stop to regain control. A second cluster involves the front tie rods breaking or separating, and a third involves the fuse box/TIPM in the electrical system melting or catching fire, sometimes with the starter engaging while the key is out. Diesel-related complaints about stalling, soot-loaded exhaust parts and turbo diagnosis show up as well, often at higher mileage.

1. 1
   Steering

   Front-end shimmy or shake after bumps ("death wobble")

   • 40 complaints (19%)
   • median 81,750 mi at 5.6 yrs old (36 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2026

   Complaints describe the front end shaking violently after hitting a bump, pothole, bridge seam or expansion joint, sometimes at highway speed and sometimes at low speed. Drivers report having to slow sharply, downshift or stop completely to regain control, and several say the shake returns at various speeds. Owners describe replacing tires, track bars, tie rod ends and steering stabilizers with mixed results, and some say dealers inspected the front end, found nothing wrong, or suggested new tires. Reported from as little as a few thousand miles up to about 200,000 miles, most often at highway speeds over bumps or uneven pavement.

   Recall 13V5280001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test drive over broken pavement, bridge seams and at 55-70 mph, and ask whether the tie rod recall work (13V528000) was completed. Have a shop check tie rod ends, track bar and steering damper before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I can go over a slightly raised area in the pavement and my truck goes into the death wobble. I had in to the dealer for over a week for them to ck and repair. They tell me everything in the front end looks ok and I just needed new tires. Replace the tires and still have the same problem. I am afraid to even drive on the houston,tx freeway which I drive over 400 miles per wk.”

   NHTSA complaint #10423071, filed 2011-09, 9,600 miles

   “Vehicle begins shaking violently cause loss of control. I have to come to a complete stop to regain control of the vehicle. No mechanics or Dodge service centers know what is causing the problem. I have spent over $2000 to have things replaced and problem has not been fixed. This is a very dangerous problem. I have searched the internet for solutions. All I have found are other people with this problem an no one knows how to fix it!”

   NHTSA complaint #10300129, filed 2010-01, 100,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Tie rod breaking or separating

   • 55 complaints (26%)
   • median 93,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (47 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2026

   Owners describe the tie rod or tie rod end fracturing or popping apart, in some cases while parking or accelerating from a stop, leaving the steering wheel unable to turn the wheels. Several complaints mention being told the vehicle was not covered by the tie rod recall and that parts were unavailable for an extended period. Some report the failure was repaired at their own expense. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 190,000 miles, often during low-speed maneuvering or acceleration from a stop.

   Recall 13V528000Recall 11V3500001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the tie rod recalls (13V528000, 11V350000) were performed and have the front-end linkage inspected for cracks, play or a loose ball stud.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Power steering hose developed a leak where it rubbed on the frame/body and the power steering gearbox developed a leak at the output shaft. This allowed all the fluid to leak out loosing power steering. Not knowing you had lost the assist until you tried to turn could cause you to run off the road or hit another vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10436077, filed 2011-11, 85,250 miles

   “2007 Dodge 3500 lost steering power. Consumer states that the vehicle was almost impossible to steer. Mechanic determined that a metal gear in the power steering assembly was faulty. The metal shavings from the hear had contaminated the entire power steering system and had also damaged the power steering pump.”

   NHTSA complaint #10227344, filed 2008-05, 49,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Diesel stalling, power loss and soot-clogged exhaust parts

   • 33 complaints (16%)
   • median 51,250 mi at 4.6 yrs old (29 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,800 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2026

   Owners of 6.7L diesel trucks describe the check-engine light coming on, the engine bogging down, losing power and stalling, sometimes requiring a tow or a roadside restart. Complaints mention exhaust soot loading, catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter replacement, turbo replacement and repeated shop visits without a lasting fix. Some report fuel or exhaust fumes entering the cabin. Reported from a few thousand miles to about 115,000 miles, sometimes while towing or at highway speed.

   Recall 08V6410005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records covering the DPF, EGR cooler and turbo, and whether any emissions-related ECM reprogramming was done. Watch for a check-engine light or excessive exhaust smoke during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At 1047 miles, my new 2007, Dodge 3500, diesel 4x4 trucks catalytic converter showed 100% full. I was 75 miles from the nearest paved highway,(aka as the middle of nowhere!) and could only drive 5-15 MPH due to extremely bad road conditions. Upon contacting a service tech at my dealership, I was told the only way to get back would be to unbolt the converter. I did & was nearly gassed to death by the fumes. I experienced a headache and burning eyes for a couple of days after. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10204027, filed 2007-09, 1,047 miles

   “This vehicle has been maintained according to the manual perfectly and in most cases maintenance done before required. On the date above I was driving home and the vehicle lost power. Since I was 2 hours from home I had to have it towed to the local dealer. Their repair order indicates that all 6 injectors, the DPF, crankcase breather filter, thermostat, ox sensor and 2 temp sensors must be replaced. In addition, the entire fuel system needs to be cleaned out including all filters, air and fuel and oil changed and filter. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10654660, filed 2014-11, 105,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Fuse box / TIPM melting, burning smell, engine starting on

   Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the fuse box or integrated power module (TIPM) melting, smoking or catching fire, often accompanied by a burning-wire smell. Owners report the wipers, horn and washers operating on their own, and in several cases the starter engaging and the engine running with the key out of the ignition. Some say the module was replaced repeatedly and that the cause was not identified. Reported from about 35,000 to 200,000 miles, usually without warning while parked or driving.

   Recall 14V7950002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect the fuse box area for melted plastic, scorch marks or a burnt smell, and ask whether the TIPM or fuse box has ever been replaced. On manual-transmission trucks, park in gear with the wheels chocked as a precaution.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At 35,000 miles the engine quit. I could smell wires burning. The box that holds the fuses melted with no blown fuses. They replaced the box. After 12,000 mores miles the engine quit on the highway and the fuse box caught fire this time. I raised the hood and saw sparks jumping around and a flame in the box with a lot of smoke. I quickly disconnected the battery and put out the fire.”

   NHTSA complaint #10251734, filed 2008-12, 47,000 miles

   “60 miles from home after a 2,000 mile camping trip the truck suddenly stopped. Traveling north on highway191 in yellowstone park the dash lights started to flash and the truck died. I was barely able to pull off the narrow road. Emergency flashers didn't work and there was no cellphone service, snow was falling and trucks barely able to get around us, we feared for our lives. I opened up the hood and smelled burning plastic, the tipm was melted in spots. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11407492, filed 2021-04, 79,000 miles
5. 5
   Tires

   Tire tread separation and blowouts

   • 9 complaints (4%)
   • median 42,750 mi at 4.6 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2025

   Complaints describe the front tires separating or blowing out, in some cases damaging fenders, running boards and nearby components. Owners report that tire makers and the dealer each pointed to the other for responsibility, and some replaced the same position tire more than once. Mostly reported between about 8,000 and 90,000 miles on the odometer, at highway speeds.

   What to check: Check tire date codes, look for sidewall bulging or uneven wear, and replace older tires regardless of tread depth.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The right front tire,a general ameritrac 235/80r/17,which is the original spare tire that was put on just a couple of months before,started to shake. I went to local tire store to get a new one installed. They did not have any so I was on my way home. Its about 8 miles each way to this store from my home. On the way home,this tire blew up like it had a bomb in it! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10534239, filed 2013-08, 90,000 miles

   “During travel on interstate 40 at exit 56, drivers side front tire separated causing damage to inner fender, windshield washer electrical components, and fender and nearly causing catastrophic loss of vehicle control and loss of life of an entire family. All tires were at the proper inflation and temperature range at the time of the incident. With only 20,000 miles on the tire, this seems to be manufactured defect from the general tire company. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10694340, filed 2015-03, 20,945 miles

Buying note. Have any 2007 Ram 3500 inspected for front-end play and tie rod condition, and confirm which of the recalls were actually completed on that specific truck. Service records for the diesel emissions and exhaust system, plus a look at the fuse box, will tell you a lot about how the truck has been maintained.

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.