2003 Dodge Ram 1500 complaints

SEAL ON RACK AND PINION UNIT LEAKING AND CAUSING SQUEALING. NEED TO TOP OFF POWER STEERING FLUID TO KEEP NOISE DOWN. NOT COVERED BY MANF. COVERAGE FOR 36K I HAVE 45K. *JB

LOUD KNOCK COMING FROM LOWER END OF THE 5.7L HEMI MOTOR. *JB

BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ON MY 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 FAILED AT 59,000 MILES. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER AND CHRYSLER THAT THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER WHEEL BEARINGS / HUB ASSEMBLIES. THE 2006 VERSION OF THIS VEHICLE HAS A NATIONAL RECALL ON THE SAME ASSEMBLY / PART DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION. I WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE PARTS ARE ON NATIONAL BACKORDER DUE TO THE NUMBER OF FAILURES. *NM

ON FRIDAY THE 9TH OF FEBRUARY 2007 I NOTICED A LOUD SCRUBBING SOUND WHEN I MOVED MY STEERING WHEEL ANY. A WEEK PRIOR WE HAD NOTICED A LITTLE SQUEAK COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT END SO WHEN I HEARD THE SCRUBBING NOISE ALSO I CALLED THE LOCAL DODGE SERVICE CENTER. ON THURSDAY FEB. 15TH 2007 I TOOK IT IN TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS THINKING MAYBE POWER STEERING PUMP OR SOMETHING SIMPLE. LOWER BALL JOINT BOOTS BUSTED AT 61K ON MY 2003 RAM 1500 4X4 QC. LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINTS AND ASSEMBLIES NEED TO BE REPLACED. MY TRUCK IS IN PRISTINE CONDITION OTHERWISE, THIS CAME AS QUITE A SHOCK AND WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. PRICE TO FIX? $1,600.00. I WAS TOLD THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THE DODGE DURANGO AND JEEP LIBERTY HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR AND THAT QUITE A FEW RAM 1500'S ARE COMING IN TO DEALERS, SO MUCH SO THAT THE PARTS TO FIX THIS ARE ON BACK ORDER. I NOW KNOW THIS IS THE REASON WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME UNEVEN TIRE WEAR IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS ONCE IT FAILS THE FRONT END WILL FALL APART. I WOULD LIKE TO DOCUMENT THIS IN THE PROPER PLACE SO THAT RESTITUTION CAN POSSIBLY BE MADE TO US CONSUMERS IN THE NEAR FUTURE. AUTOMOBILE COMPANIES SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO MANUFACTURE AND SELL BALL JOINTS AS "SEALED" THERE IS NO WAY TO MAINTAIN THEM AND ONCE THE BOOTS BUST THE BALL JOINTS FAIL - DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES INCUR. *JB

ON THE WAY TO WORK ONE MORNING, BOTH THE BRAKE AND ABS LAMPS CAME ON AT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE DASH. AT THE SAME TIME I NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER READINGS BEGAN TO OSCILLATE 5-10 MPH FROM TRUE VEHICLE SPEED. TRUCK SEEMED TO DRIVE JUST FINE OTHERWISE BUT DROPPED IT OFF AT A LOCAL DEALER JUST IN CASE. DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR HAS BEEN "DESTROYED" BY DEBRIS ACCUMULATED IN THE TONE OR EXCITER RING IN THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING. DEALER ALSO FOUND THE REMAINS OF NUMEROUS "KEEPERS" USED TO ALIGN THE CLUTCH PACKS IN THE DODGE 9.25" ANTI-SPIN DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING AND NOTED SUBSTANTIAL SCORING OF THE BEARING CAPS. FAULTY RETAINER CLIPS HAVE RENDERED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM INOPERATIVE AND MADE THE SPEEDOMETER UNRELIABLE. *NM

IN COLD WEATHER BELOW FREEZING THE THROTTLE BODY FUEL INJECTION FREEZES UP RENDERING THE VEHICLE POWERLESS. NO ACCELERATION POSSIBLE. *NM

LARGE METAL PIECES FOUND IN DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING, WHILE CHANGING LUBE, BIG ENOUGH TO JAM GEARS AND CAUSE REAL AXLES TO LOCK UP. STILL UNDER WARRANTY, DEALER WILL FIX. *JB

03 QUAD CAB 4.7 WITH 20" WHEELS REAR END GROWLING. DEALER REPAIRED IT 1 TIME AND TOLD US TO DRIVE IT AND IF IT STILL MADE NOISE THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE COMPLETE REAR END. TOOK IT BACK A SECOND TIME THEY TOOK IT APART AND PUT MORE NEW PARTS IN IT ,TOOK THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT AND IT STILL MADE THE GROWLING SOUND, TOOK IT BACK AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE HAVING SOME PROBLEM'S WITH THOSE REAR ENDS AND THEY DROVE IT AND SAID (COULD NOT DUPLICATE COMPLAINT) THE TRUCK STILL HAS A GROWL IN THE REAR END NOW THEY SAY IT IS A TIRE PROBLEM, THE DATES IN THIS REPORT ARE A GUESS, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY AT THE TIME OF BOTH COMPLAINTS. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AT EAST TULSA DODGE IN TULSA OK. AND ALL SERVICES HAVE BEEN BY THEM. *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT NOTICE THAT HIS PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WEBBING HAD LOCKED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC TO BE REPAIRED. HE WAS INFORMED BY A MECHANIC THAT SEVERAL DODGE RAMS HAS SIMILAR FAILURES. HE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WASA RECALL ON DODGE RAMS, BUT IT DID NOT INCLUDE THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE.

KEEPER FAILURE (CLIPS) IN 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP, REPLACEMENT OF REAREND BY THE DEALER (UNDER WARRANTY) OUT OF POCKET COSTS OF $239.00, WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WARRANTY IS UP?? THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THIS REAREND, HAVE HEARD FROM MANY OWNERS WITH SAME PROBLEM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD AND FRONT SEAT WINDOWS WOULD NOT DEFROST. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD FIND NO PROBLEM.

2003 DODGE 1500 QUAD CAB 4 DRY ROTTEN TIRES. GOODYEAR RANGLER SR-A SIZE P265-70R17. TIRES HAVE LESS THAN 35,000 MILES AND HAVE BEEN LEAKING FOR AT LEAST 5000 MILES. UPON INVESTIGATION ALL 4 ARE DRY ROTTED. JB

SIDEWALL FAILURE ON LEFT REAR TIRE AND APPARENT WEAK RING ON THE OTHER THREE. LOCAL DEALER CONFIRMED THIS AND MY COMPLAINT NUMBER IS 863246 BUT BECAUSE I WOULDN'T TAKE THERE DISCOUNT GOODYEAR WON'T RETURN MY CALLS AND E-MAILS. *JB

2003 DODGE RAM REAR SPEED SENSOR WILL FAIL, CAUSING ERRATIC SPEEDOMETER BEHAVIOR AND DASHBOARD ABS AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS TO COME ON. THIS SENSOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TELLING THE ABS SYSTEM THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE AND HOW MUCH PRESSURE TO APPLY WHEN BRAKING. OPERATING THE VEHICLE WITH THIS SENSOR NOT WORKING PROPERLY COULD LEAD TO ERRATIC STOPPING LENGTHS, NOT TO MENTION UNRELIABLE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER READINGS. THIS IS EVIDENTLY A RECURRING PROBLEM AMONG MANY YEAR MODELS OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE SAME PART NUMBER IS USED IN MANY APPLICATIONS FOR DAIMLER CHRYSLER VEHICLES. I AM YET TO GET THE PART CHANGED, BUT WILL HAVE THE REPAIR SHOP KEEP THE PART.

FROM 2002 TO 2005 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUPS FITTED WITH A 9.25" CORPORATE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL COMPLETE WITH LSD. "C CLIPS" WHICH LOCATE THE CLUTCH PACKS WITHIN THE LSD, OVER TIME, SLIP OUT OF PLACE CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE CARRIER BEARINGS USUALLY LEADING UP TO A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE AXLE ASSEMBLY. ALSO, THESE CLIPS CAN AND DO, FOUL THE DIFFERENTIAL CAUSING CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE RING AND PINION GEARS ETC ULTIMATELY LEADING TO THE LOCKING OF BOTH WHEELS AS THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. THE POTENTIAL FOR BOTH WHEELS TO SUDDENLY BECOME LOCKED WHILST AT SPEED/MOVING IN THE TRUCK, IS LETHAL. PLEASE NOTE WELL I HAVE FILED THIS COMPLAINT USING INCORRECT ZIP CODE/STATE INFORMATION AS YOU DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT FROM OVERSEAS, NAMELY ENGLAND. MY FULL ADDRESS IS:- MR ALLAN BARMBY. 7 STANHOPE GARDENS, BELLE-VUE, MIDDLESBROUGH, CLEVELAND, TS4 2QA ENGLAND. I'M SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT TO YOU, AS THERE IS NO ONE HERE IN ENGLAND WHO CAN HELP AND IN SUPPORT OF THE MANY AMERICAN FRIEND I HAVE IN THE US WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES OVER THIS LSD C CLIP FAILURE. DAIMLER CHRYSLER MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS DEFECT AND IT SHOULD BE DEALT WITH FREE OF CHARGE ON A RECALL BASIS. *JB

9.25 LSD REAR DIFFERENTIAL IN 02-2005 DODGE RAMS. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE REAR END BECAME NOISY UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE WAS GRADUALLY WORSENING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER TEN TIMES SINCE OCTOBER 22, 2004, WHO DETERMINED THE PINION BEARINGS AS WELL AS SIDE CLIPS FAILED.

2003 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB-LSD CLIP/DIFFERENTIAL/ REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY FAILURE. CLIPS FELL OUT TWICE WITH REBUILD TWICE IN WARRANTY. FIRST INCIDENT AROUND 12000 MILES. CURRENTLY AT 96000 MILES. BOTH TIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH ACCOMPANYING BANG AND JOLT. CLIP RUNS UP IN RING AND PINION, DAMAGING SAME ALONG WITH BEARINGS/RACES/HOUSING. NOISE FOLLOWED BY FAILURE EACH TIME. CURRENTLY OUT OF WARRANTY, MAKING NOISE, AND FOUND PARTIAL CLIP ON DIFFERENTIAL MAGNET DURING OIL CHANGE. FAILURE IMMINENT SOON. REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY NOW REQUIRES THIRD COMPLETE REBUILD. THE TRUCK IS USED IN A LIGHT DUTY MANNER GENERALLY HAULING PEOPLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS IS AN INFERIOR PART/ASSEMBLY AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REMEDY THROUGH DAIMLER CHRYSLER. THIS PROBLEM IS EXPERIENCED EVENTUALLY WITH ALL RAM 1500 OWNERS THAT HAVE A LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL IN THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY. *NM

2003 SLT 1500 ENGINE PISTON AND SPARK PLUGS MELT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER ON 7/16/06. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE CONSUMER NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR 68 DAYS. VEHICLE WAS NOT RETURNED TO CONSUMER UNTIL 9/16/2006. AFTER REPAIRS THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND ENGINE RAN ROUGH, 30764 MILES. AFTER 6 WEEKS THE TRUCK STILL WASN'T FIXED. *NM

I PLACED THE TRUCK IN PARK AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE TRUCK THEN BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS IN REVERSE. I WAS KNOCKED DOWN BY THE OPEN DOOR BEFORE I COULD REENTER THE TRUCK AND ROLLED AWAY TO AVOID BEING RUN OVER. THE TRUCK BACKED INTO A FENCE POST DAMAGING THE DRIVERS DOOR AND RIGHT FRONT FENDER. THE FENCE POST WAS ALSO BENT OVER. *NM

2003 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT QUAD CAB EXPERIENCED OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST YEAR A MALFUNCTIONING SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, BRAKE WARNING LIGHT, ABS WARNING LIGHT, WIPER MOTOR, AUX. POWER OUTLET. AS A RESULT OF RECURRING ELECTRICAL DEFECTS VEHICLE SUFFERED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE COMPLETELY DESTROYING IT'S VALUE AND USE WHILE IT WAS PARKED AND UNATTENDED. OWNER HAD WRITTEN COMPLAINT LETTERS TO DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER PRIOR TO FIRE INCIDENT AND HAS SERVICE RECORDS DOCUMENTING DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER, REPLACED BRAKE SENSOR (WHICH CONTINUED TO MALFUNCTION AFTER REPAIR), AND REPLACED WIPER MOTOR. OTHER COMPLAINTS WERE NEVER ADDRESSED BY DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE "THEY WERE SPORADIC INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT WERE IMPOSSIBLE TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR" ACCORDING TO SERVICE WRITER STATEMENTS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE GEAR LEVER DID NOT COME OFF THE PARK POSITION, AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE LEVER SHIFTED TO THE DRIVE POSITION BUT THE TRANSMISSION WENT TO THIRD GEAR AND REMAINED IN IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVEN TIMES, AND THE DIAGNOSIS MACHINE INDICATED THE DEFECT IN CONTROL MODULE (P700). THE CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED SEVEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND COINCIDED WITH THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE THE LACK OF ENOUGH POWER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS LOADED PRESENTED A SERIOUS RISK TO SAFETY WHILE DRIVING UP OR DOWN A HILL.

ELECTRICAL FIRE, TRUCK WAS NOT RUN OR STARTED IN 26 HRS. LEFT IS SHADED AREA NEXT TO HOUSE IN DRIVEWAY. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BEFORE ANY DAMAGE TO HOUSE OR PROPERTY. *NM

DT*: UPDATED 10/4/2006 - THE PISTONS MELTED INSIDE THE ENGINE AND THE SPARK PLUGS MELTED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. A NE *NM

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, IT STARTED TO RAIN, I TURNED ON MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THEY DID NOT WORK, NEITHER DID MY TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD FLASHERS. I PULLED OVER AND AFTER A WHILE THEY STARTED WORKING, NOW THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK, AND THEN SOMETIMES YOU TURN THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL ON AND THE RIGHT ONE FLASHES AND VISE VERSA. I AM TAKING IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP MONDAY THIS ISSUE DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, I WOULD GUESS ABOUT FIFTY PERCENT OF THE TIME. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR AXLE FLANGE DETACHED AND THE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED. *AK UPDATED 10/25/2006 - AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED WITH A CONCRETE WALL. *NM

I OWN A 2003 DODGE RAM WITH ABOUT 46,000 MILES. IN LESS THAN 3 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE, ALL THREE REAR SEAT BELTS HAVE HAD A CRACK IN PART OF THE SEAT BELT THAT PREVENTS THE BELT FROM SLIDING WHEN IT IS USED TO SECURE A CHILD SEAT. THE FIRST 2 WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE THIRD NOW WILL BE REPLACED AT MY COST. DODGE HAS REFUSED TO ASSIST IN THE MATTER, AND THEY ALSO REFUSE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE PLASTIC PIECE THEY HAVE DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE SEAT BELT FROM SLIDING IS WOEFULLY INADEQUATE. THE DEALER I WENT TO ALSO WAS OF NO HELP FIGHTING FOR THE CONSUMER. YOU WOULD THINK THAT AFTER THREE FAILURES, A BULB WOULD COME ON. DATE OF INCIDENT IS APPROXIMATE BUT AFTER WARRANTY. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH RETAINING CLIP ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL BECAME DETACHED, RESULTING IN PART OF THE AXLE TO BE WORN AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOTH A PRIVATE MECHANIC SHOP, AND A SERVICE DEALER. THE PRIVATE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THAT SPECIFIC PART SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN, AND THAT A DESIGN FLAW WOULD BE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE DEALER EXPRESSED THAT IT WAS A LACK OF MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE PIECE TO BECOME DETACHED.

UPON TAKING MY VEHICLE IN TO HAVE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, I WAS NOTIFIED OF A PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCH RETAINER CLIP IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I WAS TOLD THE PART WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AS I HAD NOT PERFORMED THE SERVICE THEREFORE THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE CLIP BROKE INSIDE THE AXLE HOUSING DID NOT AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE AND WORE AWAY THE HOUSING INSIDE. THERE IS NO TIMELINE TO PINPOINT HOW LONG THIS HAS BEEN BROKEN. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IF NOT REPAIRED THE PART WOULD BREAK AND CAUSE THE REAR END TO LOCK UP. *NM

I HAVE A LOUD TICK COMING FROM THE MOTOR. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT WAS TOLD NOT TO TRY AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE MOTORS BY DAIMLER CHRYSLER BUT REFUSE TO FIX IT UNTIL THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR. THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THIS IS THE WARRANTY MAY BE UP AT THAT TIME FORCING ME TO HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT NOW AND ALSO THE RESALE OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT IS FIXED WITH THAT NOISE COMING FROM THE MOTOR. *NM

I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY ROADWAY AND TRAFFIC CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE CAR 2 CARS IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES TO STOP. HE WAS ON HIS PHONE, THE GIRL BEHIND HIM AND IN FRONT OF ME THEN SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES AND HIT HIM, I THEN LOCKED MY BRAKES AND HIT THE GIRL IN FRONT OF ME...MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I WAS GOING FROM 25 TO 30 MPH WHEN CONTACT WAS MADE...THERE WAS $1,800 DAMAGE TO THE JEEP CHEROKEE THAT SHE WAS DRIVING AS WELL...AFTER LOOKING AT THE AFTERMATH THE SENSOR IN THE GRILLE WAS JUST HANGING THERE BUT THE GRILLE WAS COMPLETELY PUSHED IN. 2 MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED BUT I DO NOT KNOW WHO TO TAKE IT TO, TO SEE IF THIS IS A CORRECT ASSUMPTION. THE DAMAGE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED BECAUSE I NEED TO KNOW IF THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. *JB

LOSS OIL PRESSURE ON I75, TOWED TRUCK TO DODGE DEALER, THEY SAID THE ENGINE WAS RUINED. DODGE WILL NOT FIX ENGINE. TRUCK HAS 26,000 MILES AND UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SAID THE OIL WAS BAD BUT THEY DIDN'T TAKE AN OIL SAMPLE OR HAVE IT TESTED. *NM

TIRE EXPLODED NO WARNING ON INTERSTATE 95 IN GA. *JB

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK AND MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO MY SERVICE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPAIRED IT. I ONLY HAD 37,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AT THE TIME. I DIDN'T HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MY VEHICLE. I HAD TO USE A RENTAL CAR. THEN ON TOP OF EVERYTHING, CHRYSLER DAMLER WOULD NOT PAY FOR MY RENTAL. THE REAL ISSUE HERE IS THAT MY TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT UNDER 40,000 MILES. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE IGNITION MODULE WAS BURNED ON ONE END. THE WIRING WAS MELTED DUE TO THE WIRING BEING TOO SMALL. THE WIRING OVERLAY HARNESS, WIRING AND IGNITION SWITCH WERE REPLACED, WHICH REMEDIED THE PROBLEM.

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN WATER GOT INTO THE CONNECTOR OF THE PCM AND SHORTED OUT THE MODULE. THE LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF EVEN WITH THE SWITCHED OFF. THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2004 VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM AND FOR 2003 VEHICLES BUT ONLY IF THEY ARE EQUIPPED WITH A DIESEL. THE FIX COSTS $500.00 FOR A NEW FUSE BOX AND MODULE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE USING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THE RIGHT SIDE BLINKS. WHEN THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WAS ENGAGED, NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CONTACT VERBALLY SPOKE WITH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPDATED 3/3/2006 - *NM

MY HUSBAND & I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 FROM GOSSETT MOTOR CARS LOCATED AT 1900 COVINGTON PIKE RD. IN MEMPHIS, TN. WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN TRAVELING 3 TO 5 MPH, THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL SHEARED OFF AT THE AXLE. THE WHEEL STILL HAD THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY ATTACHED TO THE RIM. THE DEALER STATED THAT AN INVESTIGATOR/ENGINEER FROM CHRYSLER CAME TO INSPECT THE TRUCK AND IN THE REPORT INDICATED THAT THE AXLE BREAK WAS CAUSED BY AN IMPACT AND THAT THE AXLE WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE 7 YEAR 70,000 MILE WARRANTY WHICH WE WERE INFORMED BY A REP AT CHRYSLER CORP WAS TRANSFERABLE. THE DEALERSHIP & CHRYSLER CORP REFUSED TO RELEASE THE REPORT TO US. THERE WAS NO IMPACT THAT CAUSED THIS AND UPON REVIEWING SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME TRUCK WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. ONE IN PARTICULAR STANDS OUT ODI # 10147823. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A REPORT FROM AN ENGINEER AT THE CHRYSLER AXLE PLANT, REPORT # 10007842 THAT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF A PROBLEM IN MANUFACTURING AND THE HEAT CURRYING. SEE ODI CASE # 10058633 AND VOQ 10059475.*JB

2003 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB, TEMPERATURE 38 BELOW. RACK & PINION FAILED, VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN. 23000 MILES ON VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN COLD CLIMATES. FIX IS REPLACE UNIT. THAT'S GREAT UNDER WARRANTY WHEN THAT RUNS OUT THEN ITS MY DIME, NOT ACCEPTABLE. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT GETS COLD NEXT WINTER MY WARRANTY WILL BE EXPIRED. NEXT TIME IT COULD CAUSE A FATAL CAR ACCIDENT. *JB

DRIVING DOWN I-94 ON 01/24/2006 FROM WORK GOING 70 MPH AND OIL GAUGE BOTTOMED OUT, AND I HAD A TICKING NOISE. PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THE ENGINE WAS SHOT DUE TO SLUDGE. I MAINTAINED A EXCELLENT 3000 MILE OIL CHANGE. CURRENTLY, THE TRUCK SITS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I OWE $27000 ON SOMETHING I COULD NOT DRIVE. HELP!! *AK

1. OIL PRESSURE GAUGE STARTED SWINGING BACK & FORTH. I TOOK ME ABOUT 100 YARDS TO PULL OVER SAFELY AND THE ENGINE QUIT. 2. ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BOB BOSE DODGE IN BRADENTON FLORIDA SAID THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE AND WILL NOT BE COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I HAVE MAINTAINED THIS ENGINE RELIGIOUSLY AND HAVE CHANGES THE OIL MORE THAN RECOMMENDED. THERE IS NO REASON FOR AN ENGINE WITH 63,000 MILES TO FAIL LIKE THIS.*AK

2003 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 QUAD CAB - SHIMMY FELT IN STEERING WHEEL WHILE BRAKING. 1ST REPAIR 12/16/03 (7217 MILES), 2ND REPAIR 3/24/05 (23401 MILES) - DODGE REPLACED FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS, PADS AND MACHINED ROTORS. 3RD COMPLAINT 1/19/06 (33315 MILES) - DODGE REFUSES TO REPAIR BECAUSE IT'S OVER THE 1 YEAR/12000 MILE WARRANTY PERIOD. *NM

WHILE MAKING A U-TURN TRAVELING 3 TO 5 MPH, THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL SHEARED OFF AT THE AXLE LEAVING THE TRUCK SITTING ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE 20" RIM. THE WHEEL STILL HAD THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY ATTACHED TO THE RIM. THE DEALER HAD AN INVESTIGATOR INSPECT THE TRUCK AND IN THE REPORT THEY SAID THERE WAS IMPACT DAMAGE AND THEY WOULD NOT WARRANTY THE AXLE. I KNOW THE REPORT HAS TO BE FALSE. BESIDES THE AXLE SHEARING THE ONLY OTHER DAMAGE IS SCRATCHES TO THE FACE OF THE RIM, CALIPER BRACKET, AND BRAKE LINE. THE WHEEL AND TIRE ARE STILL USABLE. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 30,000 MILE. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR ELEVEN HOURS HE TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND HEARD A LOUD BACKFIRE NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FILLED WITH SMOKE , AND HE EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE PARKING ATTENDANT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND THERE WAS MINIMAL FIRE DAMAGE. ELEVEN DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY'S SALVAGE LOT. UPON INSPECTION THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED IT WAS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP, AND ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN APART TO CORRECTLY DIAGNOSE IT, THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK UPDATED 2/7/2006 - *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS MAJOR VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO ROTOR WARPAGE. WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL FROM ANY SPEED OVER 20 MPH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHIMMIED,AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO HOLD THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE BRAKE ROTORS, CALIPERS, AND PADS WERE REPAIRED EVERY FOUR TO FIVE MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS. *AK UPDATD 01/25/06. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V185000 CONCERNING THE ABS BRAKES MODULE. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.*AK

DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A STEERING LINKAGE FAILURE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. LATER, WHILE ENTERING A CURVE, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STEERING FAILED, RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE CRASHING INTO A FENCE. UPON INSPECTION HE DISCOVERED THE STEERING LINKAGE LYING ON THE GROUND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS A DODGE, RAM VAN, 1500.*AK

DEAR SIR, I RECENTLY PURCHASED 2 TIRES FROM WWW.TIRERACK.COM WITHIN THE LAST MONTH AND HAD THEM MOUNTED AND BALANCED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. LAST NIGHT I HAD A COMPLETE TIRE FAILURE WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. THE TIRE THAT FAILED HAD LESS THAN 100 MILES ON IT AND WAS CHECKED THE DAY BEFORE FOR PROPER TIRE INFLATION. THIS TIRE FAILURE COULD HAVE COST ME AS WELL AS MY FAMILY, OUR LIVES. I WILL NOT PURCHASE THE SAME GOODYEAR TIRE AGAIN. THE TIRE THAT FAILED WAS A GOODYEAR EAGLE LS 275/55/R20 ANY HELP WITH THIS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU! *JB

DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAULING AN 8 FOOT BY 16 FOOT TRAILER IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE SWAY TO THE LEFT THEN TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE AND THE TRAILER SHOOK. THE CONTACT PRESSED ON THE CLUTCH AND IT CAUSED THE TIRES TO LOSE TRACTION. THE VEHICLE SWERVED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AND ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE RELAY SWITCH FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THE BRAKE LIGHTS IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING ONE AT A TIME. THE INDICATOR LIGHT INDICATED THAT ONLY ONE LIGHT WAS OUT. THIS DID NOT AFFECT THE LIGHT IN THE REAR WINDOW. THE RELAY SWITCH WAS REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. *AK