Page 11 of 17 · complaints 501–550 of 815

2002 Dodge Ram 1500 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball JointCrash
Filed Jul 19, 2007IN

I HAVE A 2002 DODGERAM 1500 TRUCK APPROX. 70,000 MILES, THE UPPER BALLJOINT (PASSENGER SIDE) BEARING FAILED, AND CAUSED UNDO STRESS ON THE LOWER BALLJOINT CAUSING IT TO BRAKE. CAUSING THE TRUCK TO PULL TO THE RIGHT INTO A TREE. *JB

Structure
Filed Jul 16, 2007FL

I HAVE A DODGE RAM PICKUP YEAR 2002 AND THE DASHBOARD OF THIS TRUCK IS DAMAGE (CRACK). THE DASHBOARD STARTED TO CRACK FEW YEARS AGO, BUT NOW IS FALLING APART IN PIECES. IT IS INCREDIBLE HOW THE DASHBOARD HAD DAMAGE IN ONLY FEW YEARS OF CAR BUILD. I WOULD LIKE THIS PROBLEM TO BE FIXED. *TR

Structure
Filed Jul 16, 2007FL

I HAVE PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 AND I HAVE NOTICE NUMEROUS CRACKS IN MY DASHBOARD. THIS CRACKING STARTED IN 2005 AND NOW THE DASHBOARD IS FALLING APART AND CAN CAUSE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS UNDERNEATH. FLORIDA REPORTS MANY CRACKED AND COLLAPSED DASHBOARDS ON DODGE/CHRYSLER VEHICLES. DODGE/CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THIS SITUATION AND HAS NOT ACCEPTED ANY RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REPAIR AT MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSES. IN ADDITION, I STILL MAKE PAYMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE. I BELIEVE FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHALL BE MADE.*VO *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 16, 200760,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE PLASTIC BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN SEVEN DIFFERENT AREAS. THE CRACKS HAVE BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE COURSE OF ONE YEAR. THERE ARE NO EXPOSED WIRES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY CAN REPAIR THE DASHBOARD AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 70,100 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 10, 200745,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAS SEVERAL CRACKS. THE CRACKS EXTEND FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WINDSHIELD TO THE END OF THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 53,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

Structure
Filed Jun 29, 200740,000 milesAZ

CORRODED DASHBOARD. AS OF TWO YEARS AGO THE DASHBOARD HAS LITERALLY BEEN CRACKING INTO SMALL PIECES EXPOSING THE INTERNAL WIRING/AIRBAG EQUIPMENT, WHICH WILL HAVE THE TENDENCY TO CAUSE DEFECTS WITH HEADLAMPS, ENGINE FAILURE, ETC. *AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 27, 200778,000 milesWV

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB. THE OTHER DAY, I GOT INTO MY TRUCK AND NOTICED A SMALL CRACK IN THE CENTER OF THE DASH NEAR THE VENT. NEXT DAY, I GET IN AND THERE ARE 4 CRACKS. TODAY, MY DASH CRACKED OVER THE EDGE NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. AFTER GETTING ONLINE AND SEEING THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE (IE - FREE DASH REPLACEMENTS FROM DODGE). I HAVE HAD NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TRUCK BUT THIS IS A LITTLE RIDICULOUS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE REPLACED FOR FREE. THIS IS WHAT CHRYSLER/DODGE GETS FOR TRYING TO CHEAPEN THEIR MATERIALS IN ORDER TO SAVE A BUCK.

Structure
Filed Jun 25, 2007FL

2002 DODGE RAM WITH CRACKED DASHBOARD. *AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 19, 2007FL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAS TWO CRACKS. THE CRACKS EXTEND FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 48,085 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 18, 200740,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR, HIS DASHBOARD HAS DISINTEGRATED INTO PIECES. THE DEFROSTER VENT ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS COMPLETELY GONE. THE VIN AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 53,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Structure
Filed Jun 18, 200760,000 milesFL

2002 DODGE RAM DASHBOARD WAS DEFECTIVE. IT CRACKED AND FELL IN. *AK

Structure
Filed Jun 13, 2007FL

WE OWN A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 AND THE DASHBOARD HAS SEVERE CRACKED. THIS WAS NOT CAUSED BY ANYTHING THAT WE HAVE DONE, AND WE COULD NNOT AFFORD AND DO NOT FEEL THAT WE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED. WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED FROM OTHER PEOPLE THAT THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. RESEARCH DONE ON THE INTERNET SHOWED THAT IT IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jun 12, 200781,000 milesNY

OIL PAN WAS REPLACED DUE TO RUST. COVERED BY WARRANTY, WITH $100 DEDUCTIBLE. APPARENTLY CHRYSLER CAN'T BUILD A PAN THAT WILL LAST A FULL FIVE YEARS. ALSO, ON THIRD SET OF BRAKES AT 81K MILES. APPARENTLY, AS SOON AS I TRADED MY TOYOTA, I STARTED DRIVING LIKE AN OLD LADY. EITHER THAT, OR THE BRAKES ON THE TRUCK ARE SUBSTANDARD. EMERGENCY BRAKE HANDLE BROKE IN LESS THAN 1 YEAR. ETC..........

Structure
Filed May 31, 200738,000 milesMS

2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB (NEW BODY STYLE) DEVELOPED LARGE CRACKS IN THE DASH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS OR BEEN TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. VEHICLE HAS 38,000 MILES AND IS ONLY DRIVEN THREE TIME A WEEK FOR 15 MILES. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed May 25, 2007FL

2002 DODGE RAM 1500 VERY WELL KEPT AND CLEAN, DASH HAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES AND IS NOW SEPERATING AND IS VERY NEAR AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE! I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS IS SAFE ANYMORE! THE AIRBAD MY BE DEPLOYED AND HURT SOMEONE! I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS SITUATION AND ALSO OWN ANOTHER DODGE (MAGNUM) BUT WILL GLADLY SWITCH TO ANOTHER MANUFACTURER IF THIS ISN'T LOOKED INTO AND SOMETHING DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM!! THERE ARE MANY OF THESE CRACKED DASHES OUT THERE NOW AND DODGE IS LOOKING AT MANY UNHAPPY CUSTOMERS AND MUST DEAL WITH THIS AND SOON!!!!

Structure
Filed May 21, 200759,000 milesFL

DASHBOARD FAILURE IN 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. *AK

Structure
Filed May 11, 2007FL

DODGE RAM 1500 DASHBOARD - FIRST BEGAN CRACKING IN 2006. DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF PROBLEM AND REFUESED TO DO ANYTHING. IN SEPT EMBER 2006 THE DASHBOARD COMPLETELY CRACKED INTO 3 PIECES. AGAIN TOLD ME IT WAS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBLILITY. THE ENTIRE MIDDLE SECTION OF THE DASHBOARD WAS LOOSE AND VIBRATED. AFTER SEEING RECENT NEWS STORIES ON THIS I REALIZED THAT WAS NOT THE ONLY 'VICTIM. THE DEALER MAD ME FEEL LIKE I HAD DONE SOMETHING WRONG AND WAS RESPONSIBLE. THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY DODGE - AT DODGE'S EXPENSE.*AK

Structure
Filed May 11, 2007FL

I OWN A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. APPARANTLY, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT HAS CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS IS NOT A RECALLED ITEM, BUT WITH AS MANY COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE SEEN ON LINE, IT IS A PROBLEM THAT CAN BECOME SERIOUS AND DESTROY OTHER PARTS UNDERNEATH.*AK

Structure
Filed May 7, 2007FL

THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKS THAT DEVELOPED OVER TIME. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY DAMAGE OR ACTION TAKEN TO CAUSE THE CRACKS.*AK

Structure
Filed May 6, 20071,000 milesFL

FLORIDA REPORTS MANY CRACKED AND COLLAPSED DASHBOARDS PRIMARILY ON DODGE RAM TRUCKS. ONE LADIES DASH COLLAPSED WHILE DRIVING WITH HER CHILD AT NIGHT WHICH SHUT OFF ALL LIGHTS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. MANY PROBLEMS SUBMITTED RO [email protected] WHO HAS COMPILED MANY COMLAINTS. DEMNSTRATION SHOWED PIECES OF DASHBOARD CUTTING PAPER LIKE A RAZOR. THIS MAKES IT A SAFETY DEFECT AS WELL AS INFERIOR MATERIEL USED FOR THESE DASH BOARDS.. SO FAR DODGE HAS ACCEPTED NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT. MY OWN 2002 DODGE RAM HAS SUCH CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD. I BELIEVE THAT FURTHER RESEARCH WILL SHOW THIS TO BE A DEFINITE PROBLEM AS WELL AS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed May 6, 200777,000 milesFL

CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW THE DEFOGGER TO DIRECT TOWARDS THE WINDSHIELD TO ENABLE THE CLEARING OF THE WINDSHIELD. *JB

Structure
Filed May 5, 2007FL

2002 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS MANY CRACKS IN THE DASH. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed May 5, 200758,500 milesFL

PROBLEM IS WITH THE DASH BOARD/PANEL CRACKING ON MY DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK. IT IS A YEAR 2002 TRUCK. ON 10/18/2004, I COMPLAINED TO CHRYSLER, THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE DASH PANEL WHICH WAS CRACKED IN 2 PLACES. THE PART WAS FREE; HOWEVER, THEY MADE ME PAY FOR LABOR. AFTER ONLY A FEW MONTHS, THE DASH STARTED CRACKING YET AGAIN. IN EARLY 2005 I SUBMITTED E MAILS AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. I WROTE CHRYSLER COMPLAINING ON 1/24/05 TO WHICH I RECEIVED A RESPONSE ON 2/16/2005 TELLING ME THEY WOULD NOT COVER REPLACEMENT. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER VIA E MAIL AGAIN AND THEY PRETTY MUCH BLEW ME OFF. I KEPT COPIES OF THE E MAIL TRAFFIC, AND MY PROTEST THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE PART. TODAY, I JUST SAW A NEWS STORY ON MY LOCAL TV CHANNEL THAT SHOWED DODGE RAM OWNERS WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE DASH CRACKING, AND THEY REFERRED CONSUMERS TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOUR AGENCY. *JB

Structure
Filed May 4, 200745,000 milesFL

I OWN A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. AROUND JULY OF 2006 I NOTICED A CRACK DEVELOPING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASH BOARD THAT RAN FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE AIRBAG COVER. SINCE THAT TIME THE DASH HAS CRACKED IN 7 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS INCLUDING THE PASSENGER SIDE DEFROST COVER WHICH FELL INTO THE VENT. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SHORT OF REPLACING THE DASH AT A COST OF $1000.00. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AMONG THIS MODEL OF TRUCK AND I WOULD LIKE MY COMPLAINT TO BE ON FILE WITH YOU. THANK YOU. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed May 4, 200742,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF YEARS AGO, THE VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN TO CRACK ASW WELL AS THE DASHBOARD. THE CRACK GRADUALLY SPREAD FROM THE DRIVER SIDE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE AIR VENT DETACHED. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 56,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 10/18/07 *TR

Structure
Filed May 4, 200783,000 milesFL

I SAW A LOCAL NEWS STORY ABOUT THE DODGE RAM 1500S HAVING DASHBOARD ISSUES CRACKING AND COLLAPSING. I OWN A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 THAT HAS FIVE TO SIX LARGE CRACKS SPANNING THE DASHBOARD. *TR

Structure
Filed May 4, 200786,000 milesFL

2002 DODGE RAM 1500, HAS TWO LONG VERTICAL CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD, HAVE A COVER ON THE DASH TO PROTECT IT FROM THE SUN, BUT CRACKED ANYWAY. *TR

Structure
Filed May 3, 2007FL

DASH BOARD CRACKING, DASH LIGHT AND HEADLIGHT WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, REPLACE WINDSHIELD TWICE. UNKNOWN WHY THE WINDSHIELD CRACK. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed May 3, 200740,000 milesFL

2002 DODGE 1500 PICKUP TRUCK HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH CRACKING IN THE DASH. *JB

Structure
Filed May 2, 200770,000 milesFL

I HAVE PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE RAM P/U AND HAVE BEEN READING THAT THE DASH IN THESE VEHICLES CRACK AND FALL IN. THIS MAKES THE ELECTRICIAL SYSTEM FAIL. I HAVE NOTICE 3 CRACKS IN MY DASH. I WANT SOMEONE TO KNOW. I STILL MAKE PAYMENTS ON THIS VEH. *TR

Structure
Filed May 2, 2007FM

THE DASH ON MY DODGE RAM IS CRACKING IN SEVERAL PLACES, I AM CONCERNED THAT IT IS GOING TO CAVE IN. *TR

Structure
Filed May 2, 200777,000 milesFL

LARGE CRACK HAS DEVELOPED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH BOARD. POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Structure
Filed May 2, 2007FL

DASHBOARD CRACKING, BREAKING, ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUADCAB. THERE HAVE BEEN RASHES OF THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT ON '01 DODGE RAM 1500'S, I WOULD LIKE MY '02 DODGE RAM TO BE INCLUDED IN ANY SETTLEMENT, SHOULD THERE BECOME A CLASS ACTION EVENT BROUGHT AGAINST DAIMLERCHRYSLER. HERE IN CENTRAL FLORIDA THE SUN DEGADES MANY ITEMS OF PLASTIC TYPE MANUFACTURE. I BELIEVE THIS IS WHAT HAS CAUSED MY PROBLEM WITH THE DETERIORATION OF MY DASHBOARD, IT COULD ALSO BE FROM SOMETHING ELSE IN NATURE. I TAPED OVER THE CRACKS WITH PLASTIC TAPE, AND BOUGHT A CARPETED DASH COVER FROM JCWHITNEY, MADE FOR MY '02 DODGE PICK UP. IN THE MEAN TIME THE LITTLE GRILLE AREA OVER THE CENTER PASSENGER DEFROST VENT DETERIORATED TO THE EXTENT THAT IT FELL INTO THE VENT. I FISHED IT OUT, BUT IT BROKE IN MY HANDS IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO RETRIEVE IT. BY COVERING THE DASH, I HAVE NOT SEEN A PROGRESSION OF THE CRACKING, BUT I HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT "4X4" (APPROX.) SIZED HOLE EVERY TIME I GOT TO DRIVE MY TRUCK. ALSO, AS REPORTED ON LOCAL TV THE LAST TWO (2) NIGHTS, AT LEAST ONE OF THESE FAULTY DASH BOARDS HAS FAILED, AND IS CAUSING HEAD LITES TO GO OFF ON THEIR OWN WHILE DRIVING. I AM A 100% DISABLED VETERAN, AND USE MY TRUCK TO CARRY MY ELEC.POWERD SCOOTER, EVERY WHERE I GO, AND DO DRIVE AFTER DARK. I DO NOT NEED THIS KIND OF THING WORRYING ME AS I DRIVE. *TR

Structure
Filed May 1, 2007FL

I HAVE A 2001 OR 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 (CAN'T RECALL THE YEAR SITTING AT MY DESK) AND THE DASHBOARD HAS STARTED TO CRACK. AT FIRST IT WAS ONE SMALL CRACK AND NOW I HAVE 4 SEPARATE CRACKS AND MY DASH APPEARS AS IF IT MIGHT CAVE IN. I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL SIMILAR ISSUES LIKE THIS WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE. *TR

Structure
Filed May 1, 200742,000 milesFL

I HAVE HAD LARGE CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE STRUCTURAL PORTION OF MY DASH. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *TR

Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed Apr 19, 200785,000 milesWI

REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEGAN MAKING A HUMMING NOISE UNDER LOAD. IT HAD PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE UNTIL FAILURE. PINION BEARINGS ARE BAD. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE TRUCK PRODUCTS. A REPAIR SHOP IN MY TOWN JUST DID 3 REBUILD ON THIS TYPE TRUCK IN ONE WEEK. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED . THIS REAR END COULD COME APART AND INJURY COULD BE HAPPEN. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 14, 200769,042 milesNC

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE CHECK GAUGES LIGHT AND AUDIBLE ALARM CAME ON. I LOOKED DOWN TO SEE I HAD NO OIL PRESSURE ON MY TRUCK. IT WAS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB 4X4 WITH 69043 MILES. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE OIL. EVERYTHING SEEMED OK. I THOUGHT START THE TRUCK TO SEE IF THERE WAS A FLUKE IN THE WARNING. THE OIL PRESSURE CAME UP AND I SET THERE EVERYTHING WAS OK. I PROCEEDED DOWN THE HIGHWAY. SHORTLY THEREAFTER PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE OIL PRESSURE I NOTICED IT DROPPING AGAIN. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEN A TOW TRUCK TO PICK UP AND DELIVER MY TRUCK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE MOTOR NEEDS REPLACING AND WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. OIL SLUDGE HAS BUILT UP IN THE MOTOR. THE OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED THREE TIMES BY A DODGE DEALERSHIP ONCE BY A LOCAL GARRAGE AND THE OTHER 5 TIMES BY ME. I HAVE CHANGED THE OIL AS RECCOMMENED BY THE VEHICLE MANUAL. THE FAILURE HAS CAUSED A ENGINE LOSS AND REPLACEMENT IS REQUIRED. I HAVE TRIED TO WORK EXTENSIVLEY WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND CHRYSLER CORPORATION WITH REFUSAL FROM BOTH. THE TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT FAILURE WAITING FOR WARRANTY REPAIRS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 14, 2007NJ

2002 DODGE RAM 1500 5.9 - VEHICLE OFTEN STALLS OR ALMOST STALLS DUE TO COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN/LIGHT, DRIVING BELOW 5 MPH, OR STARTING THE TRUCK. THE RPMS WILL DROP BELOW 500 AND THE TRUCK WILL START TO SPUDDER & THEN STALL. IT STALLED COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN MORE THAN ONCE CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK AND ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM SO I HAD FUEL SYSTEM CLEANED & THROTTLE BODY CLEANED. DID NOT FIX ISSUE. *JB

Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed Feb 21, 2007135,000 miles00

REAR CLIPS BROKEN IN 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. *JB

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Feb 20, 200730,000 miles00

I HAVE SUFFERED TWO MAJOR SYSTEM FAILURES IN MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500, BOTH OF WHICH RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOCK OF THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING. IN BOTH INSTANCES, FIRST AT 30,000 KM IN FEB 04, AND NOW AT 72,000 KM IN FEB 07, THE POWER STEERING RACK HAS BROKEN, RESULTING IN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, REQUIRING A KING KONG GRIP ON THE STEERING WHEEL SIMPLY TO TURN THE WHEEL EVEN ONE INCH. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS COVERED BY CHRYSLER UNDER THE THREE YEAR WARRANTY, BUT THIS ONE IS NOT BEING COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. BOTH FAILURES WERE LUCKILY AT LOW SPEED, BUT IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN IN TWO YEARS, I PRAY THAT IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM FOR THE SAME FAILURE, AND THERE IS ANOTHER DODGE RAM AT THE DEALER RIGHT NOW WITH THE SAME BREAK DOWN. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Feb 8, 2007110,000 milesCA

LOST ENGINE OIL PRESSURE . USED BERRYMANSB12 IN ENGINE OIL . OIL PRESSURE CAME BACK . DRAINED OIL AND INSTALLED NEW OIL AND FILTER . STARTED ENGINE NO OIL PRESSURE . REMOVED OIL PAN , SUCTION SCREEN PLUGGED WITH SLUDGE AND HARD OIL DEPOSITS . CLEANED EVERYTHING . INSTALLED OIL PAN . NEW OIL AND FILTER . STARTED ENGINE , SO FAR OK . HAVE 110,000 MILES ON ENGINE. *NM

Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed Jan 28, 2007FL

FOUND METAL PIECES THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL OF MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB 4X4. THE WHOLE REAR END HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS APPARENTLY A WELL DOCUMENTED KNOWN PROBLEM BASED ON HUNDREDS OF FORUM THREADS UNDER "C-CLIP", "RETAINER CLIP" AND/OR "CLUTCH PACK RETAINER" PROBLEMS. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 24, 200773,400 milesNJ

DRIVING ON RT. 10 IN NJ, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE DROPPED AND ENGINE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND STOPPED. BARELY MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AFTER ALMOST GETTING REAR ENDED. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER WHERE DODGE'S INDEPENDENT INSPECTOR SAID IT WAS THE THERMOSTAT. HAD ENGINE REPLACED BY MY MECHANIC AND WAS DETERMINED TO BE SLUDGE BUILD UP WITH THE PUMP COMPLETELY CLOGGED AND THE OIL SCREEN ALSO CLOGGED WITH METAL FRAGMENTS. *JB

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Jan 17, 200768,000 milesTX

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FLUID FROM THE RACK AND PINION. THE FIRST LEAK OCCURRED AT 68,000 MILES WHICH WAS A MINOR LEAK ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE RACK AND PINION SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AT A MILEAGE OF 70,000. THEN THERE WAS A MAJOR LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AFTER THE REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IS AWARE THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE FOR HIS VEHICLE. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan
Filed Dec 26, 200690,000 milesWA

MY ENGINE LIGHT COME ON ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO. HOOKED IT UP TO A CAR READER AND THE CODE IS A 1491. WHICH MEANS RADIATOR FAN CONTROL RELAY CIRCUIT. I CALLED THE DODGE DEALER HERE IN ENUMCLAW WASHINGTON AND THEY TOLD ME $500 TO FIX. SO I CALLED MY MECHANIC AT CASCADE AUTOMOTIVE IN ENUMCLAW AND HE EXPLAINED TO ME THE SITUATION. IF I REPLACE ONLY THE RELAY IF MAY BE ENOUGH BUT THE $500 COST THE DEALER IS CHARGING IS BECAUSE OF THE WIRING HARNESS BURNING UP AND CAUSE A FATAL SITUATION. MY MECHANIC HAS SEEN A NUMBER OF THESE THROUGH HIS SHOP. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY DODGE CORP. AND PAID FOR BY THEM. *JB

Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed Dec 10, 2006CA

THE RETAINING CLIPS FAIL IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL OF ALL 02-2005 (MAYBE 2006) 9.25" LSDS ARE AFFECTED FROM DODGE RAM'S. MINE HAS FAILED ONCE AND HAS BEEN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM IS DODGE JUST REPLACES THEM WITH THE SAME ONES THAT WILL CONTINUE TO FAIL. *JB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash4 injured
Filed Dec 1, 2006AK

THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED WHEN THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. *PH CONSUMER HAD TWO SURGERIES SINCE THE ACCIDENT AND HAD BEEN UNABLE TO RECEIVE ANY HELP REGARDING THE ACCIDENT. *PH *SC (PASSENGER SUBMITTED REPORT) THE SEAT BELT FAILED AS WELL. UPDATED 07/17/06. *JB *NM UPDATED

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 28, 200659,998 milesKS

CRACKED DASHBOARD IN 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 IT'S CRACKED IN SEVERAL AREAS RIGHT NOW. THE DEALER WAS UNSURE HOW TO HANDLE THIS SITUATION, AS THEY ARE A USED CAR LOT. I NEVER WITNESSED ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE AND SEEING AS HOW I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A 4 YR OLD TRUCKS DASHBOARD BREAKING UP LIKE A JIGSAW PUZZLE. I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE AIRBAGS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY, OR WORSE YET, BEING DEPLOYED WITH THE SLIGHTEST OF BUMPS FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE. FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM OTHER OWNERS, THEY'VE BEEN TOLD THAT DODGE IS BASICALLY BRUSHING THEM OFF, SAYING THAT THEIR VEHICLES ARE PASS THEIR MILEAGE AND WARRANTY AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO FOR THEM. WELL, HERE'S A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB WITH BARELY 60,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS NOT YOUR USUAL WEAR AND TEAR ITEM, LIKE A PAIR OF TIRES OR A FAN BELT. IT'S A DASHBOARD. THEY REALLY DO NEED TO REPLACE IT WITH A BETTER ITEM AND ANY OTHERS THAT ARE POSSIBLY OUT THERE RIGHT NOW. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 24, 2006100,000 milesTX

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE BEGAN TO MISFIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT CYLINDERS 1, 3, AND 5 WERE MISFIRING, AND THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A RADIATOR, COOLANT, AC BLOWER FAN, AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED, WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. A WEEK AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE AC BLOWER FAN STOPPED FUNCTIONING, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT COOLANT WAS DRIED ON THE TOP OF THE RADIATOR AND CAP. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT COOLANT OVERFLOWED. THE MISFIRING PROBLEM RECURRED 2 & 1/2 WEEKS AFTER THE FIRST REPAIR, AND WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. IT WAS NOTICED THAT COOLANT WAS FOUND INSIDE THE PORTS, AND THE HEADS ON THE ENGINE WERE WARPED. ALSO, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT NEW HEADS WOULD HAVE TO BE INSTALLED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE PAPERWORK STATED EXHAUST FUMES WERE FOUND INSIDE THE COOLING SYSTEM. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER AFTER FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 22, 200655,889 milesNY

PARKING LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS DO NOT FUNCTION. LAMP OUT INDICATOR LIGHT ON DASH IS NOT ON. PROBLEM DIAGNOSED TO BE IN THE FUSE BOX CIRCUIT BOARDS ALSO KNOWN AS THE PDC (POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER). APPARENTLY CORROSION OCCURS INSIDE THE BOX AND THE GROUND IS LOST. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PART NUMBER IS 56045433AE. THAT PART NUMBER IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND HAS BEEN REPLACED BY PART NUMBER 56045433AF. NEITHER PART IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FROM DODGE DEALERS. THERE DEPOTS ALSO SHOW NO STOCK AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. AS THE CORROSION CONTINUES OTHER ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE LOST RESULTING IN A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *JB

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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