NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
40 reportsClear category filter125,000 miles · Oct 22, 2025
Suspension
The contact's son owns a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal grinding and rubbing sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for brake service. The contact sta…
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The contact's son owns a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal grinding and rubbing sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for brake service. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being repaired, the independent mechanic confirmed the abnormal grinding and rubbing sound. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to contact the dealer for assistance. The contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V656000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V160000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall. In addition, the contact stated that the dealer had not confirmed the failure but had agreed to inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
NHTSA ODI #11694936
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2024
Suspension
Rear axle spindle started to grind then locked up and ripped assembly housing apart. Recall on certain trucks of same year same model
NHTSA ODI #11565266
177,000 miles · Mar 10, 2023
Suspension
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to move while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the rear passenger’s side wheel bearing was defective. The dealer and the manufactur…
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The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to move while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the rear passenger’s side wheel bearing was defective. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.
NHTSA ODI #11511163
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2022
SteeringSuspensionWheelsCrashInjury
Yesterday, the Front Right Wheel completely separated from the axel while driving 25 mph. The truck veered sharply to the right, crashing into the driver's side of a fortunately unoccupied parked car, and continued to the right into the curb. I was not seriously injured, though my neck was strained. The tire and rim were destroy…
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Yesterday, the Front Right Wheel completely separated from the axel while driving 25 mph. The truck veered sharply to the right, crashing into the driver's side of a fortunately unoccupied parked car, and continued to the right into the curb. I was not seriously injured, though my neck was strained. The tire and rim were destroyed, and it appears that the metal attachment from the wheel to the car was completely sheared through. There was also extensive Front End damage. Had I made it another mile to the parkway, this would have been a fatal injury to me, as well as other drivers. The truck was just inspected 2 days prior to this occurrence by a Certified Dodge Ram Dealer (NY Facility #[XXX]) with a clean health record. It is currently at the North Star Auto Body (516-781-2200) awaiting inspection by the Allstate Insurance adjuster (Claim # [XXX]). A police report was also filed. (Case #[XXX]) There was no warning to this catastrophic event. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #11482068
140,000 miles · Nov 4, 2019
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND MADE A LOUD GROWLING NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE FRAME AND DETERMINED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION AXLE WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CON…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND MADE A LOUD GROWLING NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE FRAME AND DETERMINED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION AXLE WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V656000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #11277995
100,000 miles · Feb 11, 2019
SuspensionCrash
FRONT IN BALL JOINT DISCONNECTED WHILE DRIVING AND AXEL SNAPPED. AS A RESULT MY FRONT IN OF THE CAR HIT THE GROUND CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING. I CRASHED INTO A WALL DOING 70 MILES PER HOUR AND ALMOST LOST MY LIFE.
NHTSA ODI #11176134
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2019
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN...*BF CONSUMER STATED NOISE IS COMING …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN...*BF CONSUMER STATED NOISE IS COMING FROM THE BEARINGS IN THE REAR AXLE.*JB
NHTSA ODI #11164459
102,853 miles · Jan 2, 2019
Suspension
WHEN VEHICLE REACHES SPEEDS OF 70+ ON THE INTERSTATE, VEHICLE STARTS SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY FOR PERIODS OF TIME THEN RETURNS BACK TO NORMAL, HAD TIRES BALANCED AND THE ISSUE CONTINUES
NHTSA ODI #11164430
85,000 miles · May 30, 2018
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V656000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT ONLY NHTSA COULD ADD VINS TO THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #11098734
78,000 miles · Feb 1, 2018
Air BagsPower TrainSuspension
TAKATA RECALL, I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL STATING I NEEDED MY AIRBAG REPLACED BUT AFTER NOTIFYING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT I WAS TOLD THAT I DO NOT HAVE ANY ACTIVE RECALLS AT THE PRESENT TIME. THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE FOR SOME TIME DESPITE ALSO BEING TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE SPECIFIC YEAR THAT I…
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TAKATA RECALL, I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL STATING I NEEDED MY AIRBAG REPLACED BUT AFTER NOTIFYING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT I WAS TOLD THAT I DO NOT HAVE ANY ACTIVE RECALLS AT THE PRESENT TIME. THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE FOR SOME TIME DESPITE ALSO BEING TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE SPECIFIC YEAR THAT I HAVE PURCHASED. LAST BUT NOT LEAST THERE IS A CONSTANT BATTLE WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAVE UPPER AND LOWER MOUNT BARS BUT THE RUBBER GIVES AWAY IN THE PART WHICH CAUSES A SWAY THAT MAKES YOU LOOSE CONTROL TRAVELING OVER 50MPH WITHOUT TOWING A LOAD. I HAVE BEEN REDUCED TO NOT USING THIS VEHICLE ON THE EXPRESSWAY. ALSO TO DATE THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN GIVEN A FULL OVERHALL AS OF LAST YEAR. AT THE TIME THERE WERE 120,000 MILES ON THE POWER TRAIN
NHTSA ODI #11066179
Official recalls
4Mar 8, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks currently, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Exposure to environmental conditions such as water mixed with road salt may cause the front fuel tank strap frame "T-Slot" bracket to corrode, possibly causing the fuel tank to drop and make contact with the ground.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fuel tank may not remain secured to the vehicle, possibly causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence in an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will bolt a bracket reinforcement to the frame, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U04.
Dec 20, 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
Feb 6, 2013
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
Remedy: On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.
Dec 24, 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RAM 1500 TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH DECEMBER 2010. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCE A NOISE (GROWL, GRIND) COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE BEARING WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY SEIZE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FAILURE OF THE BEARING COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL INSTALL AN OIL PORT INSERT INTO THE REAR AXLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA19001 · Electrical Overstress
Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
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