Steering Drag Link If drag link had been welded due to V06 recall repair and there is an alignment concern, prior to drag link replacement ensure that the welded draglink toe setting procedure has been followed first. ~ ~ Service Library: 02 - Front Suspension / Wheel Alignment / Standard Procedure / TOE SETTING PROCEDURE FOR TRUCKS WITH DRAG LINK RECALL WELD ~
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 RAM 2500 suspension problems
moderate 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
When does it fail?
Of the 28 suspension complaints filed for the 2014 RAM 2500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Of the 6 model years of RAM 2500 we track for suspension problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 28.
Owners have filed 28 suspension complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
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.
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 ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2014 Ram 2500 suspension generates consistent complaints across 28 claims, with no single complaint representing a lone case. Highway vibration at 60–80 mph is the most common failure: owners report violent shaking felt throughout the cab and visible in objects inside the truck, sometimes triggered by hitting bumps. Dealerships replace steering stabilizers and tires under warranty without fixing it, then claim the behavior is normal for heavy-duty trucks. Multiple service managers reportedly tell customers this is "how it operates as designed."
Track bar bracket cracking is a documented defect requiring recall R46 (NHTSA 15V541000), but owners waited months for repair parts that remain unavailable. One owner's dealership mishandled the recall using non-certified welders, forcing a complete frame replacement at the dealer's cost.
Vehicle lean—where the truck tilts noticeably to one side on level ground with up to one inch of wheelbase height difference—occurs early in ownership. Dealers either deny it exists or claim it falls within specification.
Ball joints wear prematurely, failing 4–5 months after replacement. Wheel bearing assemblies fail as early as 100 miles. Shock absorber tower welds crack during manufacturing, shifting alignment and causing premature tire wear.
Dealers systematically refuse further diagnosis once tires and stabilizers are replaced, threaten to void warranties if owners seek independent inspection, and refuse to pull differentials or perform thorough suspension checks under warranty coverage.
Same RAM 2500 suspension reports on nearby years: 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Track bar bracket cracks and frame failure
Cracks develop in the track bar brackets, which can lead to dangerous suspension geometry changes. One owner reported the dealership mishandled recall R46 by using non-certified welders instead of Chrysler's welding team, resulting in substandard repairs that had to be rejected and the entire frame replaced at dealership expense.
When: Identified during recall service; mileage not consistently stated
Symptoms owners cite: Visible cracks on track bar brackets; Front differential cover made contact with track bar mount; Track bar contact with spring holder; Front bracket detachment from frame preventing steering
Repairs/costs cited: Requires track bar bracket replacement or frame replacement if damage is extensive. One owner cited entire frame replacement required after dealer error.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall R46/15V541000 issued for track bar bracket welding. However, multiple owners reported parts unavailable for extended periods (months), delaying recall completion. Recall repair instructions specify use of Chrysler-certified welding teams.
Death wobble and front-end vibration
Owners report violent front-end vibration and oscillation at specific highway speeds (typically 60-80 mph), where the suspension components appear to make contact with each other. The condition is sometimes triggered by hitting bumps or potholes. Multiple owners confirm the dealership acknowledges feeling the vibration but claim it 'operates as designed.'
When: Highway speeds 60-80 mph; triggered by bumps/potholes
Symptoms owners cite: Violent front-end vibration and oscillation at highway speeds; Shaking felt throughout cab and seats; Shaking visible in objects inside vehicle (bottles, seats); Problem triggered by hitting bumps or potholes; Vibration persists at speeds below 30 mph after initial wobble event; Multiple contacts between suspension components (differential cover, track bar, trailing arm, springs)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships replaced steering stabilizers and tires under warranty without resolving the issue. One owner reported driveshaft runout of approximately 1/8 inch and videographic evidence; dealership threatened warranty void if owner sought third-party inspection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: RAM denies defect exists and claims behavior is normal for heavy-duty trucks. Multiple service managers reportedly instructed to tell customers this is a design characteristic. Dealership refuses further diagnostics beyond tire and stabilizer replacement.
Vehicle lean or side-to-side height difference
Multiple owners report their new trucks lean significantly to one side—either left or right—when parked on level ground. One owner measured a one-inch difference in wheelbase height between sides. Dealerships initially deny the issue or claim it falls within specification, but independent inspection confirms the lean exists.
When: Evident shortly after purchase; mileage typically under 30,000
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle leans noticeably to one side on level ground; Wheelbase height difference between left and right (up to 1 inch reported); Appearance resembles a flat tire when tire pressure is normal; Unsafe driving feel reported by owners
Repairs/costs cited: No repair action taken by dealers. One dealership claimed 3/4-inch lean was within specification; another independent dealer confirmed 1-inch lean but no fix offered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler/RAM has not explained the cause and refuses to correct the issue. One dealership initially asked owner to sign liability waiver before addressing suspension work.
Ball joint premature wear and failure
Ball joints wear out prematurely or develop internal play, causing clunking noises and excessive tire wear. One owner's ball joints were replaced under recall but failed again within 4–5 months. Another owner at 30,000 miles received clunking diagnosis from independent mechanic but dealership insisted joints were in specification.
When: Approximately 4–5 months after replacement; also at 30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking noise when turning at low speeds or when vehicle is jacked up; Excessive and premature tire wear on affected side; Vibration while driving; Tire pressure monitoring system light intermittently shows no air pressure
Repairs/costs cited: Ball joints replaced under recall approximately one year before failure. Replacement cost and labor not specified in narratives. One owner reported clunking detectable by pushing on tire when vehicle jacked.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership claimed ball joints were within specification despite visual and auditory evidence of wear. Tire pressure monitoring system light began after ball joint recall work was performed.
Shock absorber tower weld failure
The front passenger side shock absorber tower was not fully welded to the frame during manufacturing. The fractured weld caused suspension geometry to shift and tires to wear prematurely.
When: Discovered at 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Alignment shift; Premature tire wear on passenger side; Fractured weld at shock tower
Repairs/costs cited: Owner stated intention to repair the vehicle himself. Dealer refused repair despite vehicle having bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated they could not assist and referred owner to NHTSA. No recall exists for this defect according to dealership.
Wheel bearing and hub assembly failure
Front wheel bearing and hub assembly fail prematurely, causing severe vibration and risk of wheel detachment. One failure occurred at very low mileage (100 miles); another at 36,000 miles.
When: 100 miles and 36,000 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Severe front-end vibration at various speeds; Wheel appears about to detach from vehicle; Bearing and hub assembly failure
Repairs/costs cited: Bearings and hub assemblies required replacement. One owner's failure at 100 miles was not diagnosed or repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified of failures. No recall action indicated.
Driveshaft imbalance and vibration
Driveshaft exhibits runout or imbalance causing highway vibration. One owner documented approximately 1/8-inch runout via video. Replacement driveshaft did not resolve the issue.
When: Highway operation; 68–80 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration at 68–80 mph highway speeds; Vibration felt in floor and visible in passenger seat shake; Driveshaft runout visible on video inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced driveshaft but vibration persisted. Owner refused third-party driveshaft inspection after dealership threatened to void warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership refused to pull rear differential cover to inspect clearances and specifications under warranty, demanding owner pay out-of-pocket.
Rear suspension sway and instability
Rear of vehicle swerves or shakes excessively side-to-side while driving at moderate speeds with moderate load.
When: At 45 mph with truck bed loaded below maximum capacity; 11,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rear sway from left to right; Truck bed shaking violently side-to-side at speeds above 60 mph; Cab vibration secondary to bed movement
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership could not duplicate the failure. Suggested tire replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer contact made; dealership blamed possible tire defect.
Spring tower bracket weld failure
Factory weld holding the front right spring tower bracket to the frame rail failed, compromising suspension mounting integrity.
When: Manufacturing defect; timing of discovery not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Weld failure at spring tower bracket-to-frame connection
Repairs/costs cited: Repair details not provided in narrative.
Recall repair parts unavailability
Multiple owners reported being unable to obtain parts for suspension recalls (especially R46/15V541000) for extended periods, leaving vehicles unrepaired for months. One owner in remote Alaska was quoted $6,000+ shipping costs instead of having a mechanic flown in for $600 repair work.
When: Recalls issued August–October 2015; parts remained unavailable months later
Symptoms owners cite: Parts not available for recall R46/15V541000; Extended wait times (months) without repair completion; Dealership unable to provide estimated parts arrival date
Codes mentioned: 15V-459, 15V-460, 15V-541000
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed due to parts shortage. One owner unable to use truck for intended towing purpose due to unrepaired recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recalls 15V-459, 15V-460, and 15V-541000 issued. Parts distribution disconnect confirmed by VIN tools. Manufacturer exceeded reasonable timeframe for parts availability.
Track arm assembly noise and failure
Track arm assembly produces loud noise from the front end. Replacement of the assembly did not resolve the issue, and the noise persisted.
When: 18,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise from front end; Noise persisted after track arm assembly replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Track arm assembly was replaced.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified of the failure and the persistent issue after repair.
Synthesized from 28 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Ram 2500. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the front end of the vehicle suddenly experienced severe vibrations. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the front passenger side wheel bearing assembly failed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Ram 2500 diesel. The contact discovered that the front passenger side shock absorber tower was not fully welded. The failure caused the alignment to shift and wear out both passenger side tires prematurely. The weld was discovered to be fractured when the vehicle was taken to desert sun espanola (517 n riverside dr, santa cruz, nm 87567, (505) 747-8100). The dealer…
Had suspension trouble with your 2014 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 2014 RAM 2500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 28 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 20 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 16,000 and 66,000 miles, with the median around 36,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 16,000; a quarter make it past 66,000. 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/2014/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.