1997 Dodge Ram 2500 complaints

THE REAR ANTI-SWAY BAR, LEFT LINKAGE ROD IS RUBBING AGAINST THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY AND ALSO AGAINST THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE REAR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSORS. THESE COMPONENTS ARE BEING CUT IN HALF BY THE ANTI-SWAY BAR CONNECTING LINK.THE PARTS ARE IN TOO CLOSE PROXIMITY TO EACH OTHER.*AK

TRANSMISSION SLIPS AFTER PARKED FOR THREE DAYS. *AK

THE ENGINE WOULD NOT STOP RUNNING. WIRING TO FUEL SOLENOID STARTED BURNING. ENGINE STARTED TO SHUTDOWN AND THE STARTER ENGAGED. THIS APPEARS TO BE COMMON BECAUSE A CUMMINS DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THAT IT HAPPENS OFTEN ON DODGE TRUCKS AND SO DID ANOTHER DODGE DEALERSHIP ONCE THE VEHICLE GETS AROUND OR ABOVE 75,000 MILES. THE NEW SOLENOID IS DIFFERENT FROM THE ORIGINAL. HOW EVER DODGE SAYS THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF STD WARRANTY AND WILL NOT ASSIST. IF RESERACHED YOU WILL FIND THAT IN OTHER APPLICATIONS THIS ENGINE DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SOLENOID.

2 OUTER SEATBELTS ON BENCH IN REAR WILL NOT BUCKLE UP. SEAT BELTS HAD NEVER BEEN USED. CONSUMER JUST NOTICED IT RECENTLY.*AK

PREMATURE FRONT BRAKE FAILURE AND MAUFACTURER FAILS TO REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A TSB ON IT! *AK

THROTTLE LINKAGE BAR HAS SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF MANUFACTURER'S RECALL.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE SOLID STEEL LINKAGE CRACKED INT HE MIDDLE, NO ACCELERATION POSSIBLE.*SLC

FRAME HAS CRACKED UNDERNEATH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOOR. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK DEALER STATES SINCE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *SLC

GOODYEAR WRANGLER, SIZE LT245/75R16, DOT: MD11BT0V446018L ON RAM 250. AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH LEFT REAR GOODYEAR WRANGLER TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *AK *YH

AROUND 6 MONTHS AGO A PLUME OF THICK BLACK SMOKE EXITED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I INSPECTED THE ENGINE BUT COULD NOT LOCATE THE SOURCE AND FIGURED IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOMETHING FALLING ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. RECENTLY I DISCOVERED MELTED AND CORRODED WIRES LEADING TO THE FUEL PREHEATER. NO FUSE WAS BLOWN. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THIS VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR YET, SO THE COST ESTIMATE IS SIMPLY A GUESS. IF A SHORT EXISTED IN THE PREHEATER, THEN THE FUSE SHOULD HAVE BLOWN. EITHER THE FUSE IS TO LARGE, OR THE WIRE SIZE IS TOO SMALL FOR THE APPLICATION.*AK

STABILIZER BAR ON FRONT SUSPENSION BOLT BROKE OR FELL OUT. HAD NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. PIECE HAD WORN OUT. ENTIRE HOUSING FOR TRACT BAR HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED ON EACH SIDE OF FRAME RAILS, WITHOUT BEING INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE CRASH. NOTIFIED DEALER, AND ALSO NOTIFIED MANUFACTURER. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE DEFECT. *AK CONSUMER STATES CRACKS ON FRAME RAILS ARE NEAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLE. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL, AND WOULDN'T GO INTO FIFTH GEAR. ALSO, A NUT FELL OUT OF TRANSMISSION. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED IT WAS COMMON ACCURRENCE IN THAT TYPE OF TRANSMISSION. *AK *SLC

ON FOUR OCCASIONS AFTER ENCOUNTERING ROUGH PAVEMENT OR RAILROAD TRACKS THE FRONT END OF THE VEH HAS STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, NECESSITATING COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP TO REGAIN CONTROL. HAD STEERING DAMPER AND TRACTION BAR REPLACED AT 36768 MILES. AGAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 45100 MILES HAD SAME VIOLENT SHAKING OF FRONT END WHEN CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS. FEELS AS IF TRUCK IS FLYING APART AND OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL ABLE TO COME TO COMPLETE STOP. SELLING DEALER HAS RECOMMENDED REPLACING STEERING STABILIZER. WILL *AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT APPROX 65 M.P.H. THE TIRE TREAD AND BELTS SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A TOWING OPERATION NOR WAS IT CARRYING ANY TYPE OF LOAD. THERE WERE 2 OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUGGAGE. (DOT NUMBER: C1W288G07R TIRESIZE: LT24575R16)

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-45 MPH EXTREME VIBRATION OCCURS. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HE HAD RESPONDED IN DETAIL BEFORE. *YH

VEHICLE WAS MAKING A HOWLING NOISE IN REAREND. CONSUMER WAS REFERRED TO CONTACT A DODGE DEALER ONCE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC COMPLETED REPAIR. MECHANIC HAD SEEN ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THAT MODEL. MECAHNIC HAD TO REPLACE BOTH PINION BEARING AND AXLE BEARINGS. *AK

THE LEFT REAR TIRE FAILED CATASTROPICALLY. TREAD VIOLENTLY SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE DOING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE OCCURRED, BUT NO CRASH RESULTED. THE FAILED TIRE REMAINED FULLY INFLATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO REST. THE FAILED TIRE SLOWLY LOST PRESSURE AFTER THE INCIDENT AND WAS AT A LOW PRESSURE WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT TO A GOODYEAR DEALER 40 HOURS AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURED. ALL OF THE TIRES WERE WELL MAINTAINED, PROPERLY INFLATED, AND WERE NOT OVERLOADED. ALL OF THE TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS. THE LOCAL GOODYEAR DEALER HAS THE ALL OF THE TIRES AND WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS.*AK( DOT NUMBER: )

BRAKES PULLED HARD RIGHT, REPLACED BRAKES AND HAD THEM SERVICED, NOW THEY PULL HARD LEFT. REQUIRES MAJOR STEERING CORRECTION TO MAINTAIN INTENDED VEHICLE COURSE. OCCURRS EVERY TIME BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND I FEAR A COLLISION EVERY TIME I USE THE BRAKES. SERVICING HAS NOT HELPED, PROBLEM LIES WITHIN THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. *AK

GAS GUAGE DOES NOT WORK. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE DODGE TRUCKS, DODGE SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL THE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEFT IN THE TANK.*AK

HEADLIGHT SWITCH SHORTED OUT, RENDERING HEADLIGHTS INOPERABLE. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN.*AK

MIRROR IS INHERENTLY DEFECTIVE AND BLOWS AROUND IN THE WIND WHEN IT FAILS. EMPLOYEES AT DODGE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM REQUIRING TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF MIRROR AT COST OF $250.00 PLUS LABOR TO INSTALL. MIRROR IS SUBJECT TO FAIL AT ANY TIME AND FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON. IT IS SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.

DUE TO DESIGN OF BRAKES IT CONSTANTLY PULLS ONE DIRECTION OR THE OTHER WHEN BRAKING.IF MAKING HARD STOP IT PULLS MORE.THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP THIS AT BAY IS TO CONSTANTLY REMOVE AND RELUBE SLIDE PINS ON THE FRONT CALIPERS.WHEN DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS,THEY WERE ADVICED ABOUT THE PULL AND AS USUAL RESPONSE WAS COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR FIX.*AK

OIL LEAKS FROM REAR AXLE AND CAUSES REAR BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON TURNPIKE, TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND BEAT ON SIDE OF VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE, TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE, FIRESTONE FIREHAWK, SIZE P265/75R16. *SLC

THIS IS FIFTH TIME THAT HIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP FOR TRANSMISSION. WHEN SHIFTING GEARS THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE, AND THERE IS LEAKING UNDERNEATH. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH VEHICLE LOST STEERING . CONSUMER DEPRESSED BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

THE TRAILER HITCH DEVELOPED TWO INCH CRACKS IN THE METAL AT THE 90 DEGREE BEND WHERE THE HITCH BOLTS TO THE TRUCK. THE CRACKS ARE ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES STARTING AT THE REAR. A RECALL HAS BEEN MADE FOR 1998 TRUCKS BUT NOT 1997. THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE A TOTAL DISCONNECTION OF THE TOWED TRAILER SINCE SAFETY CHAINS ARE ALSO ATTACHED TO THE HITCH.*AK

PE00 048; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 50MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A NOISE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDER, AND NOTICED THAT RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM RIM. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. GOODYEAR, RANGLER, 16INCH. *AK GOODYEAR WRANGLER (P245 75 R16) DOT # MD11BT0V087. *SLC

1997, DODGE, 2500 SERIES WITH GOODYEAR TIRES SIZE LT 245/75R16 E DOT# MD11BTOV446 ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON DRY BUT BUMPY PAVEMENT CONSUMER NOTICED 1/3 OF TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE. GOODYEAR REPAIRED BODY WORK, BUT CONSUMER REPLACED TIRE WITH GOODRICH TIRE. *AK *SLC

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY. *MJS

TIRE SIDEWALL FAILED AT FREEWAY SPEED WITH FULL RECOMMENDED PRESSURE, WHILE CARRYING A CABOVER CAMPER. NO TREAD SEPERATION OCCURRED. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

VACUUM LEAK IN ENGINE/LOST CRUISE CONTROL/ENGINE WAS KNOCKING AT 30 MPH OR HIGHER, AND LEAKING GASOLINE ON TOP OF MOTOR. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING GAS, AIR VENTS WOULD GO TO DEFROST AUTOMATICALY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45MPH, THE CONSUMER HEARD A FLAPPING NOISE COMING FROM REAR. STOPPED VEHICLE ON SHOULDER/ CHECKED & NOTICED NOTHING WRONG. DROVE FURTHER & THEN 1/3 OF THE TREAD FLEW OFF LEFT REAR TIRE. REPLACED IT WITH SPARE. TIRE WAS NOT FLAT, BUT BALD. BOUGHT A NEW TIRE. TRAVELING 60MPH WHEN THE TREAD PEELED COMPLETELY OFF RIGHT REAR TIRE. STOPPED VEHICLE & CHANGED IT WITH SPARE. GOODYEAR WRANLGER RTS LT245/75R16 WITH 47,000 MILES ON 1ST TIRE & 49,000 MILES ON 2ND TIRE. TIRES ON 1997, DODGE, D2500.*AK THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAULTY TIRES. *SLC

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE MINIMUM COLLISION SPEED AT WHICH THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS FOR MY VEHICLE.

THERE IS A SAFETY STANDARD REQUIRING HEAD RESTRAINTS TO PREVENT OR REDUCE WHIPLASH INJURIES YET THERE IS APPARENTLY NO STANDARD THAT REQUIRES THE SEAT BACK HOLDING SUCH HEAD RESTRAINT TO REMAIN STANDING UPRIGHT DURING AN ACCIDENT WHERE SUCH HEAD RESTRAINT WOULD BE NEEDED. I WAS REAR ENDED ON AN EXPRESSWAY. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING SIGNIFICANTLY FASTER THAN I WAS. THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE ENOUGH THAT THE INTERIOR SHELVING IN MY VAN BUCKLED DUE TO THE SHOCK TO ITS LOAD. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK RECLINER STRIPPED COMPLETELY, ALLOWING THE SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE. IN FACT, THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED THE SEAT FROM COLLAPSING ALL THE WAY WAS THE CARGO LOADED BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE SHELVES. INSTEAD OF A WHIPLASH INJURY, I RECEIVED A LOWER BACK INJURY FROM MY BACK BEING SNAPPED BACK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT. WHAT GOOD IS A HEAD RESTRAINT IF THE SEAT BACK DOESN'T HOLD IT UP? FURTHERMORE, IN THE SEARCH TO FIND A USED SEAT TO AVOID HAVING TO DISMANTLE THE SEAT TO REPLACE THE STRIPPED RECLINER, I DISCOVERED THAT ALL SIMILAR DODGE VANS IN THE JUNK YARDS WITH THE DELUXE HIGH BACK SEATS ARE SIMILARLY STRIPPED. I SEARCHED JUNKYARDS DESPITE THE POLICE OFFICER WHO CAME TO THE ACCIDENT SCENE SAYING THAT SEATS COLLAPSING DURING REAR END ACCIDENTS WAS COMMON. IS THIS ANOTHER INSTANCE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAVING ITS HEAD UP ITS A** LIKE WITH THE FIRESTONE TIRES?

I DRIVE 70,000 MILES A YEAR...I HAVE HAD A SET OF 4 MICHLIN TIRES THAT HAVE SHOWN OBVIOS SIGNS OF TREAD SEPERATION ...VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT IS SHOWN ON TV WITH THE FIRESTONE RECALL PROBLEM.......I HAVE BEEN A OVER THE ROAD DRIVER AND DO KNOW WHAT I FEEL IS UNSAFE IN TIRES...I TOOK THESE OFF MY TRUCK WITH OVER 1/2 OF TREAD STILL ON THEM,AS IFEARED THAT THEY WERE TO COME APART...I CONTACTED THE DEALER(SAMS CLUB) FOR ADJUSTMENT...THE STORE MANAGER WAS CALLED IN TO THE PROBLEM AND HE CALLED SOME PAPERPUSHER AT MICHLIN AND DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM....THEY SAID IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM AS THE TIRES DID NOT FAIL,THAT IT APPEARED ACCORDING TO DESCRIPTION THAT IT WAS SURFACE CHECKING,BUT IT IS COMPLETELY AROUND TREAD IN AND OUT SIDE ON ALLL 4 TIRES...THESE WERE ROTATED AND BALANCED REGULARLY ON SERVICE CONTRACT WITH SELLING DEALER..SO THEY HAD ALL MAINT REQUIRED.....I DID REPLACE THEM AS I SAID I FEARED FAILURE....I AM WONDERING IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER REPORTS ON THIS TIRE.*AK( DOT NUMBER: M32KBHX519 TIRE SIZE: LT245/75/R )

2 WRANGLER AT LT 245 75 R16 HAVE FAILED VIA TREAD SEPARATION, THE SECOND AT 70MPH WHICH DID 4755. $ DAMAGE. 4 OF 5 TIRES REPLACED BYGOODYEAR UNDER LIABILITY CLAIM G00T00109. TRUCK REPAIRS PAID BY STATE FARM, MADE BY SYMMONS BODY AND FENDER, INC DANVILLE CA FED ID #: 942536583 PH (925)820 3317 FAX 8897 JOB NO 9151 ON 03/10/2000( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT 245 75 )

AT LOW SPEEDS POWER STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP INTERMITTENTLY,WITHOUT WARNING WHICH HAS CAUSED 2 ACCIDENTS. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO TWO CHRSYLER DEALERS, WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED STEERING LOCKING UP, AND HAVE NOTED THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH PLAY IN STEERING GEAR BOX. ALSO, ALLSTATE INSURANCE SAFETY INSPECTOR CAME OUT TO CHECK VEHICLE AFTER 2ND ACCIDENT AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH PLAY IN STEERING GEAR BOX. CHRYSLER FINALLY SENT OUT THEIR OWN SAFETY INSPECTOR TO DEALER TO CHECK VEHICLE, AND HE DETERMINED THERE WAS NO DEFECT, EVEN AFTER TWO CHRSYLER DEALERS AND ALLSTATE INSPECTOR INDICATED EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING GEAR BOX.*AK

GASOLINE GAUGE NEEDLE DOESN'T WORK. NEEDLE OF THE GAUGE DOESN'T SHOW CORRECT AMOUT OF GASOLINE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED 5TH GEAR SUDDENLY LETS GO; ACTS LIKE SUDDENLY PRESSING CLUTCH WHILE AT SPEED. PROBLEM APPEARS WITHOUT WARNING, STARTLES DRIVER AND LEAVES DRIVER WITHOUT POWER TO AVOID VEHICLES APPROACHING IN REAR. ONLY RESPONSE IS TO MOVE TO RIGHT WITHOUT POWER TO AVOID ACCIDENT. HAD REPAIRED BY AZ DEALER FIRST TIME WITH "NEW REDESIGNED" PARTS AND SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED EXACTLY ONE YEAR LATER ON 2/10/00 AT 87615 MILES. PROBLEM FIXED WITH SAME PARTS AGAIN BY CA DEALER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE TRUCK IS NOT CAPABLE OF DRIVING IN 4TH GEAR AT FREEWAY SPEEDS (TRUCK HAS 4:10 RING AND PINION). BOTH TRANSMISSION MECHANICS HAVE REPAIRED SEVERAL VEHICLES WITH SAME PROBLEM.*AK

ON THREE OCCASIONS REAR AXLE SEAL HAD LEAKED OIL ONTO THE BRAKES, CAUSING BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION. A TECHNICIAN FOUND THIS OUT ON A ROUTINE INSPECTION.*AK

MIRROR "FOLDAWAY" DETENT FAILED AND MIRROR FOLDED BACK AND WOULDN'T STAY IN PROPER POSITION. THIS OCCURRED WHILE TOWING A TRAVEL TRAILER. THIS HAS OCCURED WITH THREE DIFFERENT MIRRORS. THE PROBLEM EXISITS WITH ALL 1996 AND 1997 RAM PICKUPS, WITH POWER MIRRORS.*AK

WHILE TURNING INTO THE DRIVEWAY HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE AND NOTICED BROKEN BOLTS WHICH HOLDS THE STEERING BOX ON THE FRAME. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK

VEHICLE SWAYS AND PULLS TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. CHRYSLER REP SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT SO FAR NO SOLUTION. *AK *ML

THE FRONT FUEL TANK STRAP BROKE, CAUSING THE FRONT END OF THE FUEL TANK TO DROP DOWN TO THE ROAD SURFACE. FRICTION AGAINST THE ROAD SURFACE CAUSED A HOLE TO FORM IN THE TANK, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK OUT. LOOKING AT THE FUEL TANK STRAP, IT APPEARS THAT THERE HAD BEEN A CRACK ACROSS APPROX. 50% OF THE WIDTH FOR SOME TIME DUE TO THE FORMATION OF RUST SEEN IN THE CROSS SECTION. *AK

STARTING AT AROUND 21000 MILES TRUCK BEGAN PULLING HARD TO EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT UNDER PANIC STOPPING CONDITIONS. QUITE A BIT OF EFFORT REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT DIRECTION. DEALER HAS WORKED ON NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO CORRECT. IN ADDITION PEDAL HAS GONE "SOFT" ON THREE OCCASIONS DURING THIS PERIOD. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT CORRECTLY UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CIRCUMSTANCES. VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO WE TOOK IT TO WESTER DODGE IN SEASIDE, CA FOR REPAIR. SERVICE DEPT CHANGED THE VALVE BODY, WASN'T AT SEALS HAD INTERNALLY FAILED. REPLACED THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. TWO YEARS LATER SAME PROBLEM ARISES AT THIS TIME VEHICLE WARRANTY IS UP. DODGE DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR AND WARRANT PROBLEM. TOOK TRUCK TO CERTIFIED TRANSMISSION IN GILROY, CA . THEY FOUND THAT THE SEALS WERE BAD IN TRANSMISSION AND BROKEN BELL HOUSING AND OVERDRIVE HOUSING BOLT HOLES WERE STRIPPED. *AK

THE BRAKES SHOES ARE PREMATURLEY WEARING WHICH IS CAUSING THE BRAKES PADS TO WEAR, ALSO CALIPER PISTONS WHICH AR EMAD EOF FIBER STICK SIDEWAYS, CAUSING PADS AND SHOES TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. *AK

THIS IS FIRST DODGE I'VE HAD WITH THIS TRACK BAR DESIGN ON STEERING. PREVIOUS DODGE VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED HAVE OVER 150,000 MILES ON ORIGINAL STEERING COMPONENTS WITHOUT COMPLAINT USING PAST DESIGN. THE TRACK BAR DESIGN USED ON THESE NEW PICKUPS IS A FLAWED DESIGN PRONE TO FAILURE. DEALER DID NOT HAVE ONE IN STOCK WHEN TRUCK WAS PURCHASED AND FRONT END ASSESSMENT AT THE TIME SHOWED IT TO BE LOOSE AND DEFECTIVE CAUSING THE STEERING TO WANDER ALL OVER THE ROAD. NEW TIRES AND BRAKES WERE INSTALLED TO ELIMINATE THEM AS A FACTER. ORIGINAL TRACKBAR WAS REPLACED WITH TRW AFTERMARKET COMPONENT. 6/1/99 THIS COMPONENT WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED WITH CHRYSLER COMPONENTS. THIS IS THIRD TRACK BAR AT 54,141 MILES. FRONT END ALIGNMENT SHOPS I,VE TAKEN TRUCK TO TELL ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON SITUATION. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO UPGRADE THIS JUNK COMPONENT TO A MORE STABLE PRODUCT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I WILL NOT LET MY HELP DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND MY WIFE ONLY DROVE IT ONE TIME WHEN I WAS SICK BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT ANYONE HURT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT USED TO DRIVING THIS WANDERING VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE MAKES A HARD LEFT TURN WHEN BRAKING. DEALER ADVISED IT TO BE FRONT END ALIGNMENT, ( WHICH THEY DON'T DO) OR BRAKES OR TIRE PROBLEM. BRAKES WERE REPLACED, FRONT END ALIGNED, TIRES WERE REPLACED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT ON CONDITION. FURTHER RESEARCH AND TIME AND $ SPENT FINDS CHRYSLER HAS A TSB #05-03-97 THAT TELLS YOU TO PUT A SPACER BETWEEN THE HUB AND WHEEL OF VARYING SIZES UNTILL YOU FIND ONE THAT CHANGES THE FRONT END GEOMETRY TILL IT NOLONGER PULLS. THIS IS AFTER YOU HAVE FILED BRAKE COMPONETS. IF THIS DOES NOT CURE THE PROBLEM , THEN YOU ARE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HUB ASSY WHICH THEN MAY CAUSE YOU TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE TRIAL AND ERROR SHIM BUSINESS AGAIN. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND WARRANTY INCLUDING CHRYSLERS MAXIMUM WRAP WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THIS FIX ACCOURDING TO AUFFENBURG AND A DEALER IN OLATHE KS I STOPPED AT LAST WEEK. A PERSON , IF THEY HAD THE FUNDS COULD LITERALLY SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON TRIAL AND ERROR FIXES ON THIS BRAKING PROBLEM ON DODGE 4X4 PICKUPS. ALSO CAPE GIRARDEAU MO ATTY DON THOMASON HAD A CLIENT THAT WAS INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A PICKUP THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEPMT TO FIX IT. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO FIX THIS BEFORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED. *AK