Would you buy again?

My experience with the so called death wobble, was in older 4x4's, and it typically was brought on going too fast over rough RR crossings.

Just slowing down would make the wobble quit. Steering shock dampers have been OE for many years and pretty much eliminated the problem.

Extra big tires and lifts, and even mud buildup in rims can contribute to the wobble.

I doubt the OP's 2011 Ram would would be one to worry about. I'm confidant my 08 is safe, and yes I'd buy another Ram because I don't care for the others.

DaveF-250SD wrote:
These vehicles exceeded all NHTSA safety regulations in effect when they were manufactured.

I think the thread was intended to be about the Ram pickups. But, since the Jeep issue was brought up, yes, this is correct, the Jeeps met all safety requirements that were in place when they were manufactured. Maybe the rear crash standards a few years ago were not as good as they are today, but the point is that the Jeeps were in compliance with the regulations when they were built. My 69 Dodge Superbee had a fuel tank down low under the trunk with the fuel filler behind the license plate - it would never be allowed today, but it was fine in 1969.

DaveF-250SD wrote:
Heard the tail end of the news story the other night, so I missed the reason for the truck buy back. Heard the part about the Jeep. When standing on the side of the highway, and they take a 70-80 mph hit to the rear,the fuel tank will leak. They are offering owners of such vehicles more than blue book on trade in, etc.. These vehicles exceeded all NHTSA safety regulations in effect when they were manufactured. Every vehicle on the road, regardless of manufacturer, will leak fuel when hit from the rear at 70-80 mph, even the brand new ones. Shouldn't all manufacturers be required to go through the same punishment they are foisting on Chrysler?

a

It does not have to be 70-80 mph. Earlier this year an expectant mom was killed in a crash because of this in metro Detroit. She and her family had never been contacted from FCA regarding the recall.

DaveF-250SD wrote:
Heard the tail end of the news story the other night, so I missed the reason for the truck buy back. Heard the part about the Jeep. When standing on the side of the highway, and they take a 70-80 mph hit to the rear,the fuel tank will leak. They are offering owners of such vehicles more than blue book on trade in, etc.. These vehicles exceeded all NHTSA safety regulations in effect when they were manufactured. Every vehicle on the road, regardless of manufacturer, will leak fuel when hit from the rear at 70-80 mph, even the brand new ones. Shouldn't all manufacturers be required to go through the same punishment they are foisting on Chrysler?

The problem is the fuel tank is mounted behind the rear axle and below the rear bumper. :S

Heard the tail end of the news story the other night, so I missed the reason for the truck buy back. Heard the part about the Jeep. When standing on the side of the highway, and they take a 70-80 mph hit to the rear,the fuel tank will leak. They are offering owners of such vehicles more than blue book on trade in, etc.. These vehicles exceeded all NHTSA safety regulations in effect when they were manufactured. Every vehicle on the road, regardless of manufacturer, will leak fuel when hit from the rear at 70-80 mph, even the brand new ones. Shouldn't all manufacturers be required to go through the same punishment they are foisting on Chrysler?

I haven't really followed this issue very closely, but I'll give you my $0.02 worth. If Fiat-Chrysler has agreed to do the buybacks then they have exhausted all their appeals and have decided it's a losing proposition. If it's only the NTSHA saying this is what will happen and FC has not had their "day in court" then it's a ****shoot. I'm guessing it's the former.

Unless I have missed something, (and like I said I haven't followed this), I have not heard what the "real" problem is. Is it the overall design is too weak, bad ball joints, bad springs, bad tie rod ends, bad steering box, bad steering linkage, bad seals, rims, wheels, spindles, or what? Some of these things are very dangerous, some bad but not catastrophic. And seeing as I haven't noticed these Ram's upside down in the ditches along the road by the hundreds, it seems to me to be blown a little out of proportion right now.

So I don't have an answer, but just out of curiosity I will be following this thread hopefully for some enlightenment myself. Because in reality, this probably could happen to Ford, GM, or Toyota just as easily.

Probably, I think the recall is over the death wobble issue, not total steering failure. there are some aftermarket mods you can do to make it more less likely

Steering brace (BD diesel)
better ball joints (Carli)
better track bar (BD diesel)

and don't use a lift kit