LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 RAM 2500 suspension problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
When does it fail?
Of the 10 suspension complaints filed for the 2013 RAM 2500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of RAM 2500 in our records for suspension problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Chatter, Shudder, or Vibration From Rear Axle During Turns
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Chatter, Shudder, or Vibration From Rear Axle During Turns
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Chatter, Shudder, or Vibration From Rear Axle During Turns
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Air Suspension Components Star Parts Catalog has been updated to show individual service parts for the compressor assembly. This will allow service technicians to repair the root cause without over repairing the system. Replace only the part deemed failed by the diagnostics performed. Individual parts include: - Compressor - Valve block - Individual hoses - Temp sensor - Shield - Air line clips NOTE: in most situations when a new compressor is needed, the compressor as a separate part is the correct repair, and the assembly would not be required.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The primary complaint across these narratives is violent front-end vibration at highway speeds (50–65 mph) triggered by road imperfections—potholes, speed bumps, and pavement expansion joints. Owners report the truck shakes so violently it feels like it lifts off the road or drifts uncontrollably into other lanes. The vibration only stops when the vehicle is slowed to 35 mph or brought to a complete stop. On curves, the truck bounces and wobbles even without road defects.
This problem emerges early—as low as 35,000 miles—and persists continuously. One owner reports 4+ years of an associated ratcheting noise from the left front corner, worsening over time despite multiple dealer visits both in and out of warranty.
Dealers have attempted repairs including upper ball joint replacement (two joints replaced in one case) and wheel alignment, but the vibration returns. Multiple dealers cannot reproduce or diagnose the root cause. One dealer advised the owner to trade in the truck rather than continue troubleshooting. Ball joints are flagged as worn at very low mileage (35,000–48,000 miles), suggesting premature failure.
Same RAM 2500 suspension reports on nearby years: 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Death Wobble / Violent Vibration on Bumps and Highway
Front-end violent vibration and loss of control when hitting potholes, speed bumps, or expansion joints at highway speeds (50–65 mph). Vehicle shakes violently until brought to a complete stop or speed reduced below 35 mph. Occurs on curves and uneven road surfaces. Multiple owners report the truck feels like it lifts off the road or moves uncontrollably into other lanes. Happens from early ownership and persists across multiple service attempts.
When: Highway speeds (50–65 mph), triggered by road imperfections; as early as 35,000–53,000 miles; one owner reports 4+ years of issue
Symptoms owners cite: Violent front-end vibration when hitting potholes or speed bumps; Loss of vehicle control or unintended lane movement; Shaking that does not stop until vehicle is slowed significantly; Vibration on highway curves and expansion joints in pavement; Vibration felt in steering wheel
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer replaced two upper ball joints but failure recurred. Another dealer performed alignment but failure recurred. Dealers unable to reproduce or identify the cause in multiple cases. One dealer advised trading in the vehicle rather than continuing diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred complaint to NHTSA; no recalls identified by dealers; one Canadian-built truck had warranty coverage issues due to origin
Ratcheting Sound from Left Front Suspension
Intermittent ratcheting noise and vibration originating from left front corner when driving over potholes and dips at highway speeds. Owner can feel ratcheting vibrations in steering wheel. Sound persists and worsens over time. Multiple dealers unable to identify or correct the cause despite reproducing the noise.
When: 4+ years of occurrence; progressive worsening over time
Symptoms owners cite: Ratcheting sound from left front corner; Ratcheting vibrations felt in steering wheel; Triggered by potholes and dips at highway speeds; Vibration in steering wheel
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealers (both in and out of warranty) reproduced the noise but could not identify the cause or repair it. Complete service history maintained but issue unresolved.
Premature Ball Joint Wear
Upper and lower ball joints requiring replacement at very low mileage (35,000–48,000 miles). One dealer explicitly identified bad ball joints at under 35,000 miles; another inspection flagged both upper and lower ball joints for replacement before next state inspection at 48,000 miles.
When: 35,000–48,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration at highway speeds; Wobble triggered by bumps
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of two upper ball joints performed at one dealer but did not resolve death wobble. Dealer stated ball joints were bad at under 35,000 miles.
Alignment Issues Not Resolving Vibration
Alignment performed as corrective measure for front-end vibration and wobble, but vibration recurred after alignment service.
When: During warranty period; at 77,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front-end vibration on bumps and speed bumps
Repairs/costs cited: Alignment performed at dealer but vibration recurred.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
At highway speed, about 60-65 MPH I went into an uncontrollable wobble. It would only calm down after decreasing speed to less then 35 MPH. The truck only has less then 35,000 miles. Took it to the dealer that claimed it had bad ball joints. Again the truck only has less then 35,000 miles on it. Dodge Ram junk.
Had suspension trouble with your 2013 RAM 2500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2013 RAM 2500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 40,000 and 77,000 miles, with the median around 48,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 77,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/RAM/2500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.