2002 Dodge Ram 1500 complaints

DODGE 1500 RAM TRUCK, ENGINE SEIZED. CHRYSLER CORPORATION WILL NOT HONOR THE CLAIM DUE TO FINDINGS OF SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. I HAVE PROVIDED RECORDS OF MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE. *NM

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE 1500 PICKUP WITH THE LIMITED SLIP REAR DIFFERENTIAL. MY DIFFERENTIAL "CAME APART" AT 37,000 MILES. SINCE MY INCIDENT I HAVE DISCOVERED NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS DIFFERENTIAL IN '02-'05 PICKUPS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I WOULD THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IF THE BROKEN PARTS WERE TO GET INTO THE RING AND PINION GEARS IT COULD CAUSE THE TRUCK TO GO OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASH. THE MANUFACTURE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT SEEMS UNCONCERNED. I THINK THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. BOB BRANDENBERG. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE MALFUNCTIONED BY INDICATING HIGH SPEEDS AS THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CALLED AND SUGGESTED A SENSOR MAY HAVE FAILED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVER THE WEEKEND, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED, AND DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, BUT HAD NOT COMPLETED THE INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR AND PHOTOS WERE TAKEN. ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED DUE TO THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.*AK

THE DRIVER WAS GOING 30 MPH AND HIT A TREE. ALL THE FRONTAL PART OF THE VECICLE WAS BENT INWARD AND THE RADIATOR WAS DAMAGED. NEITHER THE FRONTAL NOR SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. IT HAS NOT BEEN YET REPORTED TO THE DEALER. THE TRUCK HAD TO BE TOWED AND IT IS CURRENTLY NOT DRIVABLE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, AND A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC IDENTIFIED A FAILURE TO THE CONDENSER FAN RELAY, DUE TO AN UNDERSIZED FUSE. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, # O8-002-03, WAS ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER, WHICH STATED THE FUSE WAS NOT LARGE ENOUGH AND THE CONDENSER FAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.*AK

2002 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK - THE DASH HAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. I ACTUALLY SAW IT CRACK AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, ON A SMOOTH HIGHWAY. ALSO, THE ROTORS WARPED WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR, THE DEALER TURNED THEM, EVEN THOUGH WE ASKED THAT THEY BE REPLACED. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER WE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS AND THE DEALER TURNED THEM AGAIN. ONCE MORE, WE HAD ASKED THAT THEY BE REPLACED AND WE WERE TOLD DODGE WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE ROTORS TO BE REPLACED. *NM

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 PICK-UP TRUCK. AT APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES THE MIDDLE OF THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO CRACK. AT FIRST IT STARTED OUT AS A HAIRLINE CRACK AND THEN GREW LONGER. I HAVE TAKEN MY TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SHOWED THE DEFECT TO THE MANAGER, WHO RELATED THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO TO HAVE IT REPLACED FOR FREE. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED CHRYSLER, WHO ALSO DECLINED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH THEY DID ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WERE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE CONCERNING 1999 AND UP DODGE RAM'S. IN JUST 6 MONTHS, THE HAIRLINE CRACK HAS NOT ONLY GOTTEN LARGER, BUT NOW THE DASH HAS 4 MORE CRACKS IN VARIOUS OTHER LOCATIONS. ONE LOCATION THAT IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME IS THE ONE ABOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I HAVE SINCE TAKEN MY TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM OF MY CONCERN AND THAT I FEEL THIS IS NOW A SAFETY ISSUE. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE CRACKS WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AND BECOME MORE FREQUENT UNTIL THE DASH CRACKS IN HALF. *JB

FIRST LET ME STATE THAT PRIOR TO THIS EXPERIENCE, I ABSOLUTELY LOVED MY DODGE TRUCK. ON 20 APR 2006, MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 PICK-UP WITH 50,529 MILES STARTED STALLING AFTER THE ENGINE WARMED UP. THERE WAS A DISTINCT "PINGING" SOUND COMING FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BEFORE THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. MY 17 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WAS RETURNING FROM SOCCER PRACTICE WHEN THIS FIRST STARTED. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK--THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT BASED ON MY DESCRIPTION FELT THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MIGHT BE BAD, SO THEY REPLACED IT. THIS SEEMED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM UNTIL A MONTH AND 1,100 MILES LATER THE VERY SAME SYMPTOMS AROSE (ENGINE STALLING WHEN WARMED UP, AND A "PINGING" SOUND COMING FROM THE VICINITY OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS TIME THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BEING SCORED PISTONS, REQUIRING ME TO REPLACE MY ENGINE BLOCK...AT 51,679 MILES! A QUALITY ENGINE WOULD NOT FAIL AT THIS LOW MILEAGE. I CALLED DODGE, THEY AGREED THAT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED'AND WERE VERY APOLOGETIC THAT MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, BUT THEY REFUSED TO SHARE THE BURDEN OF THE NEARLY $7,000 COST WITH ME, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE WAS ONLY 51,679 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WOULD YOU BUY A TRUCK WHOSE ENGINE FAILED AT 50,000 MILES? I CERTAINLY WILL NEVER AGAIN. *JB

RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BROKE OFF. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY; THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS WHEN THE CONTACT HEARD A POP AND NOTICED THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE FIRE MARSHALL DETERMINED THIS WAS A PRODUCT LIABILITY CASE. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT USED THE CRUISE CONTROL TWICE A YEAR.*AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS WORK INTERMITTENTLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THERE WAS A SWITCH INSTALLED ON THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE 2ND TIME, THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE THIRD TIME THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE MASTER CONTROL WAS DEFECTIVE. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS.

OUR DODGE RAM 1500 WAS WORKING FINE ONE DAY THE NEXT DAY THE HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. WE CHECKED FUSES AND ANYTHING ELSE OBVIOUS. THE NEXT DAY WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, AFTER HALF A DAY OF CHECKING HE FOUND THAT THE FUSE AND RELAY CENTER WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD WAS CORRODED. THIS BOX IS NOT AIR TIGHT AND ALLOWS WATER TO GET INSIDE AND CORRODE THE INSIDES. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS WAY. THE TRUCK IS A 2002 AND IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY BUT I THINK THIS IS BESIDE THE POINT. MY HUSBANDS BUSINESS PARTNER HAS THE SAME TRUCK ONLY A 2003 AND AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE PROBLEM HE POPPED THE HOOD OF HIS TRUCK AND FOUND THE VERY SAME THING WAS HAPPENING. WHEN CONTACTING DODGE THEY TOLD US THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS TRUE I BELIEVE THEY MUST RECALL THIS PART. IT IS DANGEROUS DRIVING WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS AND WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO EVEN GET THE PART TO HAVE IT FIXED. I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC BAR USED ONTO TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE CONTACT TO FALL AND LAND ON THE GROUND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. 08/01/06 UPDATED. *TT

FAILURE OF RACK AND PINION UNIT ON 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT. UNIT DEVELOPED A SEVERE LEAK THAT CAUSED THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR TO DRAIN COMPLETELY WITHIN AN HOUR OF DRIVING. *NM

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY TRUCK HIT A POTHOLE NOT BIG AT ALL AND JUMPED IN THE OTHER LANE AND I ENDED UP IN SOMEONE'S FRONT YARD. *NM

I WAS STOPPED BY POLICE DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY PARKING/RUNNING LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. THE SIGNALS AND STOP LIGHTS WORKED FINE. MY 2002 DODGE RAM IS AT THE GARAGE. THEY FOUND THE CIRCUIT BOARD (POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER) UNDER THE FUSE BOX IS BURNED OUT. COST FROM DODGE, $400.00. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT THE LIGHT WENT OUT FROM THE CAB. THE DASH LIGHTS WORKED AND THE HEAD LIGHTS WORKED. THE GARAGE INFORMED ME THAT IS HAPPENING A LOT TO OTHER DODGE RAMS. *NM

MY 2002 DODGE RAM VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY, I WAS ON THE RAMP GETTING ONTO THE INTERSTATE. I THOUGH MY TIRES WERE BEEN RIPPED OFF. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE ONLY TO HEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR BEEN BANGED AS IF THE FLOORBOARD WAS COMING UP INTO THE VEHICLE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED ONLY TO FIND OUT I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE WITH MY THREE CHILDREN AND MY THREE NIECES AND NEPHEWS THAT WERE RIDING WITH ME TO THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM. THE UNIVERSAL JOINT HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN OF THE TRANSMISSION AND MADE A HOLE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK ONTO THE FLOORBOARD. LUCKILY I STOPPED THE CAR ON TIME BEFORE A TRAGEDY WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. I FEEL THE TRUCK IS NOT OLD ENOUGH FOR THIS TO HAPPEN AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN ON ANY TYPE OF COLLISION THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP AND MY HOME DEALERSHIP, THEY ONLY CARED ABOUT HAVING OR NOT HAVING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE TO MAKE SURE I DID NOT CAUSE THE PROBLEM (HOW COULD I HAVE RIPPED THE U-JOINT). ULTIMATELY, THEY SAID, IT WOULD BE UP TO CHRYSLER IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME AT ALL. WHAT A GREAT COMPANY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE HUH?? *NM

THE HEATER/AC FAN WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED FROM THE LOCK. SOMETIMES THE CIRCUIT IS ENERGIZED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE KEY IS REMOVED AND AT OTHER TIMES IT ENERGIZE'S ON ITS OWN. IF NOT IDENTIFIED IN TIME THE FAN WILL DRAIN THE VEHICLE BATTERY. THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER CLAIMS THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I SUSPECT THE IGNITION LOCK/SWITCH IS PROBABLY DEFECTIVE AND IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. *JB

ON SATURDAY APRIL 15, 2006 WE WERE DRIVING HOME AND THE TRANSMISSION IN OUR 2002 DODGE RAM TRUCK BEGAN SLIPPING. WE HAD TO DRIVE IN LOW GEAR TO GET HOME. WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO SCHAEFER AND STROMINGER, THE DEALER WE PURCHASED THE TRUCK BRAND NEW FROM IN 2002 AND WERE TOLD "OH ITS PROBABLY JUST A SWITCH, WE'LL REPLACE IT AND ITS GOOD YOU BOUGHT THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY...WELL THIS 2002 TRUCK ON HAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000 MILES ON IT! AFTER HAVING THE TRUCK FOR OVER A WEEK, I WAS TOLD THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THIS TRUCK....A TRUCK THAT ONLY HAS 26,000 MILES ON IT. WELL NOT ONLY SCHAEFER AND STROMINGER, BUT ALSO CHRYSLER THEMSELVES DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SENSE TO GIVE ME A LOANER CAR FOR THE INCONVENIENCE OF DEALING WITH THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. THERE IS NO WAY I SHOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION IN A TRUCK THAT IS HARDLY DRIVEN AND HAS NEVER, EVER HAULED ANYTHING. I HAVE SPOKEN TO A LOT OF PEOPLE ABOUT THIS, I AM FINDING OUT THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM EVERYONE IS HAVING WITH THESE TRUCKS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CHRYSLER TO MAKE THEM FIX THESE AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. I AM THOROUGHLY DISGUSTED WITH THE "OH WELL, WHAT A SHAME" ATTITUDE CHRYSLER HAS, WE CONSUMERS SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON THESE VEHICLES AND WE ALL DESERVE NOT ONLY A BETTER PRODUCT, BUT ALSO BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE. PLEASE TELL ME THERE IS SOMEONE OUT THERE WHO CAN MAKE THESE MANUFACTURES STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCTS THEY SELL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED DRIVING ON OF THES

I HIT A TREE DOING 45 MPH NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON EITHER THE DRIVERS OR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TRUCK. I HAD SEVERE DAMAGE TO MY FACE AND I AM FACING TWO MORE OPERATIONS IN THE NEXT YEAR. CAUSE FOR AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING IS UNKNOWN BUT CHRYSLER CORP HAS CHECKED THE COMPUTER AND FOUND NO CODES IN THE COMPUTER TO CAUSE THE AIR BAGS NOT TO COME OUT. THE TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THEY HAVE NOT FOUND OUT WHY THEY DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

WHEN DRIVING ON ROUGH PAVEMENT, THIS TRUCK JUMPS ALL OVER THE ROAD. I ALMOST WAS THROWN INTO A RETAINING WALL YESTERDAY. YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING ON ROUGH SURFACES!! DANGEROUS. *JB

I HAD A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH I HEARD A LOW HUMMING NOISE. SUDDENLY THE TRUCK VEERED TO THE LEFT. I WAS NOW IN INCOMING TRAFFIC AND NARROWLY MISSED ONE CAR. I TRIED TO GET THE TRUCK BACK TO THE RIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD A LOT OF PLAY IN IT. THE TRUCK FISHTAILED BACK TO THE RIGHT ONLY TO VEER AGAIN TO THE LEFT. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS HIT BY A CAR, RAN UP A LAWN, HIT A TREE AND FLIPPED THE TRUCK. BOTH MYSELF AND THE DRIVER OF THE CAR SUFFERED MINIMAL PHYSICAL INJURIES. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE IS A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST DAIMLER CHRYSLER INVOLVING THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE DURANGOS. I BELIEVE THAT MY VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM

RACK & PINION STEERING LEAKING ON LEFT SIDE. TRANSMISSION ROUGH. NO DASH LIGHTS. BLOWER MOTOR WORKS SELDOM. DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. SEEMS LIKE THESE HAVE WIDESPREAD TRANSMISSION AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *JB

WHEN ON THE SLIGHTEST ROUGH SURFACE, THIS TRUCK JUMPS AND BOUNCES ALL OVER THE ROAD. I LOSE ALL CONTROL OF THE TRUCK WHEN IT IS JUMPING. WORSE, THE BRAKES BOUNCE AND GRAB WHEN YOU APPLY THEM. DANGEROUS. WIDE SPREAD KNOWLEDGE OF THESE SAFETY ISSUES. NEED A RESOLUTION AND RECALL. *JB

FIRST, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO AN OVERDRIVE BAND THAT BROKE AND THEN THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. SECOND, I HAD THE MECHANICS CHECK THE DIFFERENTIAL FOR NORMAL SERVICING. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE LTD SLIP COMPONENT HAD BROKEN, WHICH THEN CAUSED BEARINGS TO BREAK, WHICH THEN NEARLY DESTROYED THE AXLE HOUSING. $4500 OR MORE TO REPAIR TRANSMISSION AND TO REPLACE REAR AXLE. 77337 MILES, NO OFF ROAD USE AND GENTLE DRIVING HABITS. I CAN HAVE THE OLD AXLE I BELIEVE. 10 DAYS IN SHOP SO FAR. *NM

THE FRONT BRAKES SHUDDER VIOLENTLY WHEN I TRY TO STOP. I HAD THE BRAKES FIXED BUT THEY ARE DOING IT AGAIN. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A GENIUS TO KNOW THAT THE ROTORS ARE INFERIOR!!! THE DEALER SAID THIS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER OF THIS TRUCK SO I KNOW THAT I DO NOT OVER BRAKE... THIS IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. *NM

I WAS TRAVELING ON A DIRT ROAD WHICH IS ALL WE HAVE IN THE AREA AND THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY 2002 DODGE RAM WHICH THEN PLOWED OVER SEVERAL TREES AND FINALLY COMING TO REST HEAD ON IN A GROUP OF 3 TREES TOTALING MY TRUCK. THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK WAS MORE THAN EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING NECK AND BACK INJURIES AS WELL AS MY TOOTH BEING BROKE IN HALF. DAIMLER CHRYSLER WAS NOTIFIED AND SCANNED THE ON BOARD COMPUTER AND STATED THAT SINCE NO CODES SHOWED UP THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE FULLY FUNCTIONAL. *JB

FIRST THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING IN 3RD GEAR AT TIMES,THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING ISSUE THAT THE DEALER CAN'T REPRODUCE. THE LAMP OUT LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF WITH THE BELL THIS WILL DO IT INTERMITTENTLY FOR AS LONG AS 30 MIN STRAIGHT AND THIS TRUCK IS ALL OVER THE ROAD WHEN YOU HIT BUMPS AT HIGH SPEED. *JB

POWER STEERING LEAKING, I HAD IT IN TO BE REPARED ONCE ALREADY AND IS LEAKING AGAIN. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE ENGINE SPUTTERED. THE CHECK ENGINE, AIRBAG, AND CHECK GAUGES LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 03/28/06

HEATER CORE FAILS ON COOLING LINE FITTING COMING OUT OF IT. THIS CAUSES LEAKAGE AND DUE TO HVAC DESIGN AND NEWNESS OF MAKE IT IS ONLY POSSIBLE TO GET THE PART FROM THE DEALER AND THE PART ITSELF IS CHEAPLY MANUFACTURED AND APPEARS TO BE CHEAPLY DESIGNED. WHEN IT DOES FINALLY FAIL AT THE FITTING ONE WILL RUN THE DEFROSTER AND THE WINDOWS WILL MILK OVER IN COLD WEATHER CAUSING SEVERE VISIBILITY PROBLEMS. NOT TO MENTION ONE IS BREATHING IN GASEOUS HOT COOLANT THAT DODGE USES WHICH ITSELF BREAKS DOWN INTO AN ACID IN OPEN AIR AT HIGH TEMPERATURES. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. ONCE THE VEHICLE STARTED, IT TOOK 5 MINUTES FOR THE POWER TO BE COMPLETELY FUNCTIONAL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED PREVIOUSLY WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70MPH ANOTHER MOTORIST ALERTED THE CONTACT THE RUNNING LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE WERE OUT. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER AND THE FCM (PART # 56045434AEA) FAILED. THERE WAS A POWER SURGE THROUGH THE PARTS THAT CAUSED THE FUSES TO BE BLOWN. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER AND THE FCM.

POWER TRAIN - AXLE SHAFT BROKE THE AXLE SHAFT BROKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY. THE ENTIRE WHEEL AND TIRE ASSEMBLY FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. *NM

WHEN DRIVING DOWN ANY BUMPY ROAD, THE REAR OF THE TRUCK IS ALL OVER THE PLACE HAVE TO DRIVE AT 5 MPH OR LESS TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. WHEN IT'S RAINY IT'S EVEN WORSE. ON THE HIGHWAY ON WET WEATHER YOU CAN SEE THE REAR OF THE TRUCK SWAYING AFTER A BUMP - VERY SCARY THIS STARTED WHEN THE TRUCK REACHED 40,000 MILES - WILL THERE BE A REMEDY FOR THIS - HAVE TAKEN IT TO DIFFERENT MECHANICS THEY ALSO AGREE WITH THE WAY THE TRUCK OPERATES AS DESCRIBED ABOVE. *NM

SES LIGHT IS ON .SCAN TEST CODE 1491. RADIATOR FAN CONTROL CIRCUIT. *NM

LEAF SPRING BREAKS IN THE MIDDLE OF BOLT EYELIT AND REAR AXLE SLIDES BACK AND DRIVESHAFT ALMOST FALLS OUT. *NM

ENTIRE GAUGE CLUSTER FAILED. HEADLIGHTS AND RUNNING LIGHTS CAME ON WITH THE SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION. TURN SIGNALS, EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT OPERATE. ELECTRIC LOCKS DID NOT OPERATE. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT CORRECTED ITSELF AFTER CHECKING ALL OF THE FUSES. THE SECOND TIME IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP HAS DIAGNOSED A INTERNAL SHORT IN THE GAUGE CLUSTER WITH AN EXPECTED REPAIR COST OF $900.00. *NM

I HAD AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER,WHICH CAUSED ALL OF MY GAUGES TO STOP WORKING. NO SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, BATTERY, OIL OR TEMPERATURE GAUGE. MY TURN SIGNALS, HORN, INTERIOR LIGHTS, WIPERS, AND POWER DOOR LOCKS ALSO FAILED. I ALSO DISCOVERED THAT I HAD NO STOP/BRAKE LIGHTS OR FOG LIGHTS, BUT HAD HEADLIGHTS AND PARKING LIGHTS EVEN THOUGH THE INTERIOR SWITCH WAS IN THE OFF POSITION. EVEN THOUGH THIS TRUCK WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JANUARY OF 2002 AT JERRYS DODGE (NOW SAFFORD DODGE, AND THE THREE YEAR WARRANTY WAS JUST UP, I ONLY HAD 7,078 MILES ON THE TRUCK AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUSTER BUT I HAD TO PAY. I THINK THIS CLUSTER SUDDENLY GOING OUT IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. THANK GOD MINE WENT OUT IN THE DAY TIME AND NOT AT NIGHT. I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED AS IT IS. THIS IS THE FOURTH INCIDENT OF A FAILED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT I KNOW OF. I AM SURE THERE ARE MORE, AND I HAVE READ THAT CHRYSLERDAIMLER/DODGE HAS HAD CLUSTER PROBLEMS IN SOME OF THEIR OTHER VEHICLES.*JB

DT: THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET IN JANUARY WHEN HE TURNED THE TURN SIGNAL TO THE TURN RIGHT, HE LOOKED DOWN AND SAW THAT THE TURN SIGNAL WAS FLASHING TO THE LEFT. THIS PROBLEM RECURRED REPEATEDLY. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WAS ON, THE INDICATOR WOULD SHOW THAT THE TURN SIGNAL WAS TO THE RIGHT. THE OWNER SAID THAT SOMETIMES IF HE'D ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, THE INDICATOR WOULD SWITCH TO THE OTHER DIRECTION. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE OWNER CONTACTED DODGE, WHO SAID THAT THE CONSUMER COULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THE CONSUMER THOUGHT THAT THIS DID NOT MAKE SENSE. THE PROBLEM INTERMITTENT. WHEN THE PROBLEM DID OCCUR, IT SEEMED TO REPEAT ITSELF THEN IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN FOR A WHILE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANY OTHER WARNINGS WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. *AK (11/21/05) *SC

SUDDEN AND COMPLETE FAILURE OF RACK AND PINION STEERING UNIT ON 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP TRUCK. SEAL FAILURE CAUSED IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUILD. CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL ON HIGHWAY. UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES, THIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SLOW TO A STOP ALONG THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, BUT ONLY AFTER VENTURING INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET HAS BROUGHT TO LIGHT MANY RELATED COMPLAINTS, INCLUDING STEERING FAILURES THAT HAVE RESULTED IN INJURY AND DEATH.

TRUCK WAS TAKEN INTO THE AUTOWEST DODGE DEALERSHIP TO FIX TAILLIGHTS THAT DIDN'T WORK. AT THE TIME THE TRUCK WAS IN THEIR POSSESSION THERE WERE 2 OPEN RECALLS AND THEY DID NOT NOTIFY ME OF EITHER. NINE MONTHS LATER THE BRAKES, CLUTCH, AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. ONCE I GOT IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. TRUCK IS A TOTAL LOSS. TRUCK HAD 31,000 MILES ON IT. DAIMLERCHRYSLER HAS DENIED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. *NM

DT: CONTACT STATES: WHEN WATER IS SPLASHED UNDER THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF HIS TRUCK, THE STEERING GOES OUT. HE CANNOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. HE SAYS HE IS GOING APPROX. 25-30 MPH WHEN IT HAPPENS. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE WHEN IT HAS BEEN RAINING. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY WOULD LOOK AT BUT AT THE CONSUMER'S COST. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD HIM THE SAME THING. THE CONSUMER SAYS THE WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT. THE CONSUMER SAYS HE DOES NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THE WATER IS SPLASHING, JUST THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. *NM

DT: WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION IT WOULD STALL AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY ASKED THE CONSUMER WHAT DID SHE WANT THEM TO DO ABOUT IT AND THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS INSTRUCTED TO THE VEHICLE HOME. THE CONSUMER REPORTED TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 4 TIMES AND RECEIVED THE SAME ANSWER EACH TIME. *AK *SC

ON JUNE 4TH,2005 MY WIFE HAD AN ACCIDENT IN A 2002 DODGE PICKUP. ON HER WAY TO WORK SHE WAS DRIVEING AROUND 45 MILES AN HOUR. UNTIL A CAT RAN IN FRONT OF HER BY REFLAX SHE TRIED TO AVIOD THE CAT SO SHE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND STRUCK A MAILBOX THEN SHE SWERVED TO THE LEFT TRYING TO GIAN CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. THEN WHILE TRYING TO GIAN CONTROL SWERVED BACK TO THE RIGHT GOING OVER A DITCH AND ENTERING PRIVATE PROPERTY. THEN SHE STRUCK A PINE TREE WHICH ALSO STRUCK SOME POWER LINES. WHEN SHE CRASHED INTO THE PINE TREE THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY ALSO THE SEAT BELT DIDN'T LOCK ETHIER. MY WIFE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH THE CHEST AND HER ELBOWS. AGTER SHE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL SHE BOUNCED BACK TOTHE SET WHICH CAUSED HER NECK PIAN AND LEFT SOULDER AND HER LEFT SIDE OF HER LOWER BACK. WHICH LEAD TO HER DAMAGEING HER LOWER BACK SHE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO THE EMERGNCY ROOM BY AN AMBULANCE. THEN I CALLED CHRYSLER ON JUNE 6TH 2005 THEY ASKED ME FOR MY VIN NUMBER OF MY TRUCK. THEN THEY LIED TO ME ABOUT CALLING, SENDING A LETTER,SEND A FAX TO THE BODYSHOP WHERE MY TRUCK AT, AND EACH TIME I CALLED THEY ALWAYS CHANGE INFOMATION AND THEY HAVEN'T TOLD ANYTHING REGARDING TO MY TRUCK. OLD PARTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE. THIS THE REFERENCE NUMBER 137455235 THE REPORT NUMBER FROM THE STATE TROOPER IS FHPA05FF024427.

EVERYTHING BAD ON MY 2002 RAM 4WD. I HAVE HAD NEW BEARINGS IN MY TRUCK,RADIATOR 2X,FRON AXLES 3X,REAR AXLES 2X, NEW ENGINE, POWER STEERING HOSES 2X, I HATE THS TRUCK I WILL NEVER OEN A DODGE AGAIN... I HAVE ALREADY TOLD ALOT OF PEOPLE NOT TO BUY A DODGE. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55 MPH AND THE REAR END LOCKS UP... THEY PUT THE WRONG FLUID IN IT FROM THE FACTORY AND BURNT IT UP! ITS ONY 3 YEARS OLD AND I GOT IT IN NOV OF 2002.... I HAVE PUT 4 SETS OF FRONT AND REAR BRAKES ON IT SINCE I HAVE HAD IT! I TOOK IT IN TO BE FIXED EVERYTIME AND IT HAPPINS AGAIN WITH IN 6 MONTHS! LAST DODGE I WILL OWN!!!!

VEHICLE HAS HAD TO HAVE UNIVERSAL JOINTS REPLACED THREE TIMES. EACH TIME, DEALER INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME DEFECTIVE PARTS OUT THERE. THEY INDICATED THAT IF THEY ARE NOT REPLACED IN A TIMELY FASHION, THEN DAMAGE COULD OCCUR TO THE DRIVE SHAFT. PROBLEM IS NOTICED WHEN VEHICLE IS MOVED FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THERE IS A METAL-ON-METAL KNOCKING SOUND HEARD FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE (AND FELT). IT HAPPENS ONE TIME DURING INITIAL ACCELERATION. SOMETIMES FELT WHILE SHIFTING GEARS AS WELL. VEHICLE PURCHASED APRIL 2002. FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS 06/24/03 AT 33,716 MILES SECOND REPLACEMENT WAS 04/01/04 AT 54,257 MILES THIRD REPLACEMENT WAS 07/14/04 AT 62,636 MILES. I NOW HAVE 84,000 MILES AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I AM SURE I AM GOING TO GET SOAKED BY DODGE FOR THIS ONE. I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH THE VEHICLE AND POOR DODGE SERVICE HAS CAUSED THE PROBLEMS. IN THE PAST I KEPT TELLING THEM SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE SUSPENSION. WHEN THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SUSPENSION, THEY COULD HAVE LOOKED A BIT FURTHER BUT THEY DID NOT... IT ENDED UP COSTING ME 2 NEW TIRES (THE OLD TIRES ONLY HAD 20K ON THEM AND WERE WORN BEYOND BELIEF). IT WAS AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP IN QUESTION IS STETLER DODGE IN YORK, PA. I HAD A BLOWER MOTOR PROBLEM IN THE PAST THEY IGNORED (TURNED OUT TO BE A RECALL ITEM), BAD AMPLIFIER, BRAKE PROBLEMS AND THE VEHICLE FLOATS ALL OVER THE PLACE WHEN HITTIN

MY 2002 DODGE PICKUP DEVELOPED A BUZZING/RATTLE WHILE DRIVING.I FIRST THOUGHT IT TO BE AN EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILURE.IT TURNED OUT TO THE DRIVE SHAFT.MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT,AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.THE DEALER TECHS SAY THE INNER SHAFT FAILED.I STILL HAVE THE OLD PART.

CLUNCKING NOISE UNDER HOOD. LEFT UPPER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT. THIS TRUCK HAS ONLY 55,000 NO OFF ROADING

CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR HE REPLACED ON THE 2002 DODGE RAM 1500.*MR THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR RECALL#03V077000. *JB