2001 Dodge Ram 2500 complaints

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE LIFT PUMP FAILED AND CAUSED THE INJECTOR PUMP TO FAIL ALSO. THE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED EACH TIME, BUT CONTINUE TO FAIL.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PERFORMING REPAIR WORK, IT WAS NOTICED, THAT THE FRAME WAS NOT WELDED PROPERLY. THERE HAS BEEN NO ATTEMPT TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER OR DEALER CONCERNING THE PROBLEM.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE ENGINE STARTED SPUTTERING AND SMOKING RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE INJECTION PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. ALSO, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE TIE RODS WERE PULLING APART ON THE FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT TIE RODS AND BALL JOINTS. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED.

WHEN TRUCK IS PULLING CAMPING TRAILER WHEN WEATHER IS HOT THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT UP SHIFT UNTIL MOTOR IS AT VERY HIGH RPM GETTING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. MAKING THIS VERY DANGEROUS TO DO. SOME TIMES TAKES A 1/4 MILE TO GET TO 55 MPH IG ON SMALL HILL IF BIG LONGER TIME AND DISTANCE. I HAVE 2001 2500 WITH V10 AUTOMATIC. *JB

SEVERAL LARGE CRACKS ON DASH AREA OF 2001 DODGE 3500 PICKUP. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR TWICE. WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE IDLED, BUT HE HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON IT. AT APPROXIMATELY 101,000 MILES THE CONSUMER STARTED EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. *AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB

DIESEL ENGINE LOOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHILE ACCELERATING. WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR, NOTHING HAPPENS. TAKES A MINUTE BEFORE IT RECOVERS AND YOU CAN ACCELERATE AGAIN. I TOW A 5TH WHEEL RV WHICH MAKES MORE DANGEROUS. HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE ONCE WHILE TRYING TO PASS. THIS WAS FIXED BY THE DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE INJECTOR PUMP. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THERE WAS A RECALL ON SCHOOL BUSSES WITH THESE ENGINES FOR THE SAME THING. MAYBE IT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO FURTHER. *NM

WHILE TOWING A TRAILER AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH (SPEED LIMIT) ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 10 WEST BETWEEN WILCOX, AZ AND BENSON, AZ, THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE DEVELOPED A FLAT SPOT RENDERING IT UNUSABLE. THE SEPARATED TREAD CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE PICKUP TOWING THE TRAILER AND INCIDENTAL DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE TRAILER. NO ONE WAS INJURED. TWO TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE LEFT BED SIDE AND ASSOCIATED PARTS WERE REPLACED AND THE DENTS IN THE BED WERE STRAIGHTENED. THE OLD TIRES ARE AVAILABLE. *JB

MY DASHBOARD IS FALLING APART. IT STARTED WITH A SMALL CRACK AND KNOW A CHUNK HAS FALLEN OUT. I HAVE E-MAILED DODGE, BUT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO HELP. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE DAMAGED DASHBOARD COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR OR WITH THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. DAIMLER CHRYSLER'S REFERENCE NUMBER IS: 13609941. *JB

DURING EVACUATION OF VEHICLES PRIOR TO HURRICANE RITA TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT STAFF WERE PROCEEDING NORTHBOUND ON I-59 NEAR EDNA, TEXAS, IN A 2001 DODGE 3/4-TON 4X4 WITH BRIDGESTONE DUELER MT TIRES WHEN A LOUD EXPLOSION WAS HEARD AND A LARGE PIECE OF TREAD FLEW FROM THE LEFT REAR OF THE TRUCK. SEVERAL VEHICLES HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID BEING STRUCK BY THE LARGE PIECE OF TIRE TREAD ALMOST RESULTING IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. STAFF WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER AND DISCOVERED THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE LEFT REAR FENDER. THE TIRE RETAINED AIR BUT THE TREAD WAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE LEAVING THE STEEL BELTS AND UNDERLAYMENT EXPOSED. LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALERS TOLD US WE WOULD BE CHARGED TOP REPLACE THE TIRE. *JB

I BOUGHT SOME NEW TOYO M-55 TIRES LESS THAN A MONTH AGO. THESE TIRES ARE OUT OF ROUND AND BOUNCE AND VIBRATE HORRIBLY EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN BALANCED TWICE. ALSO THEY HANDLE TERRIBLE TO THE POINT WHERE ONE COULD LOSE CONTROL OR FLIP A VEHICLE. THE TIRES FEEL LIKE RADIAL TIRES ON ONE END AND BIAS PLY ON THE OTHER. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I CAN NOT MAINTAIN THE SPEED LIMIT BECAUSE OF THE SERIOUS UP AND DOWN BOUNCE MOTION OF THESE TIRES. IF SOMEONE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A RIDE IN MY TRUCK, I WOULD BE MORE THAN GLAD TO EVEN LET THEM DRIVE THE THING. THESE THINGS MAKE A THE FORD EXPLORER THING LOOK LIKE A PICNIC. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL ENGINE. THE VEHICLE ACTED AS IF IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF FUEL, BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. IF THE TEMPERATURE RANGE WAS OVER 100 DEGREES THEN THIS WAS WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 190-195 DEGREES THAT DID NOT GO UP. THE VEHICLE STALLED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR THREE YEARS, AND CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE HA 93,000 MILES ON IT. ALSO, HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH RAN OUT THE JULY 19, 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE FOUR TO FIVE TIMES FOUR OF THOSE TIMES IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM, AND EACH TIME THEY THOUGHT THEY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO SO. ON AUGUST 4, 2005 CONSUMER WENT TO A DEALERSHIP, NOT A DODGE DEALERSHIP, TWO VEHICLES THERE HAD SAME PROBLEM AS CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. MECHANIC CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR, AND THE FUEL PUMP, AND THAT STILL HAD NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. *AK *JB

MY 2001 DODGE RAM 2500 QUAD CAB TRUCK HAS DEVELOPED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE DASHBOARD. THERE ARE SEVERAL CRACKS REACHING FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE FRONT OF THE DASH. THERE ARE ALSO PIECES OF THE DASH THAT HAVE BROKEN LOOSE FROM THE DASHBOARD ITSELF. THESE RANGE IN SIZE FROM 1-6 INCH PIECES. I HAVE CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AS TO THE PROBLEM AND HAVE BEEN TOLD "THEY ARE SORRY, BUT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO." THE TRUCK HAS BEEN OUT OF THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY FOR 5 YEARS NOW AND THE DASHBOARD LOOKS LIKE IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO WITH A HAMMER. *JB

DT: THE FUEL PUMP FAILED , AND THE CALLER WAS TOLD THAT PART WAS ON A NATIONWIDE BACK ORDER. HE WAS WAITING FOR 2 WEEKS TO GET THE FUEL PUMP. HE WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON HOW LONG HE HAD TO WAIT FOR THE PART. CURRENTLY, HE HAS HIS FUEL PUMP. THE CALLER SAID THAT THE BACKORDER WAS ABOUT 300 AT A TIME, HE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE PART WAS FAILING PREMATURELY. *AK

THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM AFTER THE FIRST YEAR I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. IT DID NOT COOL. IT WAS REPAIRED WITH A NEW EVAPORATOR ON 8/16/02. IT WAS AGAIN REPAIRED ON 4/3/03 WITH ANOTHER NEW EVAPORATOR. THE NEXT YEAR IT DID NOT WORK AND IT WAS AGAIN REPAIRED WITH A NEW EVAPORATOR ON 6/2/04. ON ALL THESE JOBS THE WATER SEPARATOR WAS NEVER REPLACED. AGAIN ON 5/24/05 I TOOK THE TRUCK IN AND THEY SAID THE CONDENSER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $507.23. ASSISTANCE AT THIS TIME WAS DENIED. I FINALLY HAD MY LOCAL CERTFIED MECHANICS AT COUNTRYSIDE TRUCK SERVICE IN MONTVILLE, OH LOOK AT IT. THEY SAID THE CONDENSER WAS OKAY AND THERE WERE NO LEAKS IN THE SYSTEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FREON WAS LOW. THEY PUMPED THE SYSTEM DOWN AND FILLED IT TO REQUIRED LEVELS. THE AIR CONDITIONING IS NOW WORKING FINE. AT THIS TIME THE TECH TOLD ME THAT THE WATER SEPARATOR WAS NEVER REPLACED AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN EACH TIME A MAJOR COMPONENT IS REPLACED.*AK

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE 2500 CUMMINS DIESEL 4X4 THAT I TAKE IMMACULATE CARE OF, AND HAVE THE SERVICE RECORDS TO PROVE IT. I BACKED OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE THIS WEEK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I REALIZE I HAVE NO STEERING. I LOOKED UNDER MY TRUCK AT THE STEERING LINKAGE TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THE STEERING GEAR BOX HAD BROKEN OFF THE FRAME. THE BOLTS THAT HOLD IT ON HAD BOTH SHEERED OFF AND CRACKED THE MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE GEAR BOX AS WELL. MY FAMILY AND I ARE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. I CONTACTED LITHIA MOTORS AND TOLD THEM MY SITUATION AND SHE INSISTED THAT I HAVE IT TOWED TO THEM BEFORE ANY WARRANTY WOULD BE CONSIDERED. I TOWED IT OUT THERE. I SHOWED THE SERVICE MANAGER BECKY BRINKA ONE OF THE BOLTS THAT SHEERED OFF (THE OTHER IS STILL STUCK IN THE FRAME). WHEN I SHOWED HER THE BOLT, SHE SAID SHE WOULD NEED THE BOLT FOR HER DIAGNOSIS. I TOLD HER THAT SHE COULD LOOK AT IT BUT I WAS GOING TO KEEP THE BOLT IN MY POSSESSION. SHE IMMEDIATELY BECAME RUDE AND UNHELPFUL. THE MECHANIC WENT OUT TO LOOK AT MY TRUCK AND CAME BACK IN WITH THE DIAGNOSIS THAT THE BOLTS HAD SHEERED OFF. THE SERVICE MANAGER THEN CONTACTED THE DISTRICT MANAGER ABOUT THE SITUATION. SHE CALLED ME BACK TO INFORM ME THAT IT WAS MY FAULT. I MUST NOT SERVICE THE VEHICLE VERY WELL. AT THIS TIME I POINTED OUT THAT SHE HAS MY SERVICE RECORDS ON FILE FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS AND TO SHOW ME WHERE I HAD MISSED ANYTHING. SHE THEN TELLS ME THAT THE DISTRICT MANAGER SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE FOR A LONG TIME BEFORE T

DT: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING EARLY IN THE MORNING WITH A FULLY LOADED TRAILER WHEN HE LOST STEERING CONTROL AND WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD AND WENT RIGHT THROUGH A FENCE CAUSING LOTS OF DAMAGE TOTHE VEHICLE AND DESTROYING THE FENCE. VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING WHEN CONSUMER LOST STEERING. CONSUMER FOUND THAT STEERING COLUMN HAD FALLEN APART. THE SHAFT GOING FROM THE GEAR BOX TO THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT CAME APART. THE BOLT LOOSENED AND ALLOWED FOR SHAFT TO SEPARATE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT THE SHAFT BACK TOGETHER AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A GARAGE. THE CONSUMER PUT LOCK TIGHT ON BOLT AND MARKED SHAFT TO SEE IF IT WOULD MOVE AGAIN. CONSUMER HAS AN ACCIDENT REPORT.*AK

WITH APROX. 89,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK I EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER DURING NORMAL OPERATIONS. REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL FILTER FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS BAD FUEL. AS IT TURNED OUT IT WAS MY TRANSFER PUMP GETTING WEAK. THIS INTURN, DUE TO LOW JUEL PRESSURE, CAUSED MY FUEL INJECTION PUMP TO EVENTULY FAIL. I HAD TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED IN MAY OF 2005. FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE REPAIR SHOP THIS IS AN INHERIT PROBLEM WITH THE CUMMINGS. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER CUMMINGS DIESEL OWNERS AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME OF THE SAME PROBLEMS. DODGE MOST BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR, $2100 BETWEEN THE TWO PUMPS AND THAT IS WITH ME REPLACING THE TRANSFER PUMP MYSELF. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A LOW FUEL PRESSURE INTICATOR INSTALL IN THESE TRUCKS AT THE FACTORY. THEY ARE AVALIBLE IN THE AFTERMARKET. I HAVE ALSO HAD FRONT BALL JOINT PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK. THESE JOINTS ARE MAINTANCE FREE JIONTS THAT FAIL, I BELIEVE DUE TO THE ADDED WEIGHT OF THE CUMMINGS MOTOR. THIS IS ALSO AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR BECAUSE YOU MOST REPLACE THE ENTIRE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLE, NOT JUST TE BALL JOINT.

HAD TO REPLACE BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS DUE TO WEAR.*AK THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 40000 MILES WHEN THE BALL JOINT FAILED. *NM

JUST AFTER THE POWER TRAIN WARRENTY WAS UP THE TRANS STARTED TO SLIP. I CHECK FLUID. IT WAS OKAY. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REBUILT THE TRANS AT MY COST OF 2500. IT STILL DIDN'T SHIFT RIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS FINE. LAST YEAR I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANS REBUILT AGAIN AT 2500. IT RAN FINE FOR EXACTLY 12 MONTHS. THE TRUCK IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AGAIN TO HAVE THE TRANS REBUILT FOR THE THIRD TIME BY A LICENCED FACILITY. I HAD IT FIXED ONE TIME BY A FRIEND ALSO. THE TRANS SHOP WILL WARRENTY THE LABOR THIS TIME BUT, THEY WANT OVER 1600 FOR PARTS. THIS TRUCK WAS $40,000 AND 2,500 PER TRANS PER YEAR AND THE FRONT END REDONE 3 TIMES ALSO. THE ENGINE IS TOO HEAVY AND POWERFUL FOR THE TRUCK AND TRANS. A FAULT BY ENGINEERS AT CHRYSLER SHOULD NOT BE A CONSTANT HEAD ACHE FOR MYSELF AND MY WALLET. I HAVE REPLACED NEARLY EVERY PART ON THIS TRUCK X 3. THE ONLY GOOD THING ABOUT THIS TRUCK IS THE MOTOR AND IT'S BECAUSE IT'S A CUMMINS.

(1) FRONT BRAKES GRAB ON ONE SIDE, VEHICLE SWERVES TO ONE SIDE AND JERKS TO STOP (2) BRAKE HOSE INTO CALIPERS "CALLAPSED". BREAK PADS WEAR PREMATURELY, ROTORS OVERHEAT. LOSS OF BRAKING ON AFFECTED SIDE. (3) BRAKE HOSE, CALIPERS, PADS, AND ROTORS REPLACED. INSIDENT OCCURRED ON LEFT SIDE AFTER 40,000 MILES OF DRIVING. REPLACED HOSE ON LEFT SIDE; BOTH CALIPERS, PADS, AND ROTORS ON BOHTH SIDES. AT 80,000 MILES, RIGHT SIDE HOSE COLLAPSED. REQUIRES HOSE ON RIGHT SIDE; CALIPER, PADS, AND ROTOR REPLACEMENTS ON BOTH SIDES. HOSE ASSY ON BACK ORDER: ONE DEALER HAS 18 ON ORDER, NO PROJECTED DATE IN SIGHT. SO MANY OF THIS PART ON ORDER AND RECURRENCE ON ONE VEHICLE RAISES QUESTION. SOON VEHICLE WILL BE UNDRIVABLE, AND DANGEROUS. INCIDENT DATE BELOW IS DATE OF RIGHT SIDE DIAGNOSIS.

THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE RIMS. THE RIMS ARE CRACKING WHERE THE BEAD OF THE TIRE MEETS THE RIM. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. *JB *SC

THE FUEL LIFT PUMP FAILED WHILE PASSING A VEHICLE, AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. VEHICLE FAILED WHEN PASSING OTHER CARS OR HEAVY ACCELERATION.*AK *BF *NM

1. THE FIRST INCIDENT, MAY 11,2000 WAS A RECALL FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSFER PUMP DUE TO PREMATURE INTERNAL ARMATURE SHAFT BUSHING WEAR. THIS WAS A RECALL BY DODGE. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED AUGUST 24,2004. 2. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO RUN EXTREMELY ROUGH, AND MAKES THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WOULD CAUSE A SUDDEN SLOWDOWN OF THE VEHICLE. 3. IN BOTH INSTANCES, THE TRANSFER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. CURRENTLY, THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 31,000 MILES ON IT. THE COST TO REPLACE THESE PUMPS CAN BE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO THE VEHICLE OWNER. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS WITH DODGE TRUCKS WHICH HAVE THE CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINE.*AK

REPEATED FAILURES OF DODGE COMMINS DIESEL FUEL LIFT PUMPS AND INJECTION PUMPS MAY LEAD TO ENGINE STOPPAGE AND LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. DODGE WILL NOT ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS ON 1998 TO 2002 DIESEL ENGINES. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STARTED TO PULLING TO ONE SIDE. HAD STOPPED VEHICLE, CHECKED OUT TIRES AND NOTICED THAT RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS LOSING AIR, LIKE A SLOW LEAK. PUT AIR IN TIRE AND STARTED DRIVING, BUT TIRE CONTINUED TO LEAK. ARRIVED HOME, TOOK CLOSER LOOK, AND DISCOVERED THAT ALUMINUM ALLOY RIM FROM MANUFACTURER, HAD A CRACK THAT CAUSED THE LEAKING PROBLEM. CHECKED OTHER RIMS AND THEY WERE ALSO CRACKED. HAD NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT, AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

I REMOVED THE SPARE TIRE TO FIX A FLAT. IT WAS THE ORIGINAL SPARE AND HAD NEVER BEEN USED BEFORE. AFTER HAVING TIRE REPAIRED I TRIED TO RETURN THE SPARE TO IT'S STOW AREA UNDER THE BED BUT THE WINCH WOULD NOT LIFT IT. IT WILL WORK WHEN THE CABLE DOES NOT HAVE WEIGHT ON IT BUT IT WILL NOT LIFT THE SPARE. THE WINCH APPEARS TO HAVE PLASTIC PARTS. I FEEL THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF IT WOULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. *JB

DODGE RAM 2500 SERIES 2001, NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STEERING MECHANISMS. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS CONSTANTLY OVERCORRECTING THE VEHICLE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CONSUMER HAD MANY ALIGNMENTS DONE BUT TO NO AVAIL. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ALL THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST AND NO LUBRICATION, THE STEERING SHAFT AND TRAC BAR WAS REPLACED AND THE STEERING BOX WAS ADJUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND IN HIS OPINION ALTERNATE VALVE LOCATED IN THE STEERING WAS NOT PERFORMING AS IT SHOULD, WHEN THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE VALVE IT EXTREMELY BURNT FROM OVERHEATING. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NO LONGER HAS ANY PROBLEMS STEERING THE VEHICLE. *JB

DODGE RAM 2500 SERIES 2001, NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STEERING MECHANISMS. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE TAKING A 2 MILE DRIVE, HE NOTICE HE HAD TO CONSTANTLY OVERCORRECT TO THE LEFT AND THEN THE RIGHT. THE DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL COMPONETS ON THE VEHICLE TO TRY AND RESOLVE THE STEERING PROBLEM, THE REPLACED ALL THE BALL JOINTS WHICH WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND HAD NO GREASE, THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED, THE TRAC BAR WAS REPLACED DUE TO SEVERE MOVEMENT. IT WAS FINALLY DETERMINED THAT A ALTERNATE VALVE IN THE STEERING BOX WAS NOT PERFORMING AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO, WHEN THE MECHANIC TOOK THE VALVE OUT IT WAS BURNED FROM OVERHEATING. *JB

FRONT END VIBRATION, AND VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. THE FRONT BALL JOINTS ARE DEFECTIVE.*AK *TC

THE CONSUMER STATES AT 45,000 MILES THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

2001 DODGE RAM 2500. REMOVED LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER DUE TO A SQWEAK THAT COULD BE HEARD AT LOW SPEED. ONE BRAKE PAD HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE METAL BACKING. WHEN INSPECTING OTHER 3 BRAKES, AT LEAST ONE PAD IN EACH CALIPER SHOWS SIGNS OF BEGINNING TO SEPARATE. PADS HAVE A MINIMUM OF 1/2" OF MATERIAL LEFT. VEHICAL MILEAGE IS 41966. ALL PADS WERE REPLACED. THE OLD ONES ARE AVAILABLE.*AK

WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE'S CLUTCH FAILED. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SENDER UNIT FOR THE FUEL WAS NOT WORKING AND NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE BALL JOINTS WENT OUT ALONG WITH THE CLUTCH. AT THE 200 MILE MARK THE ROD WHICH WHEN PUSHED ACTIVATES THE CLUTCH WENT OUT. *TC *JB

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. AS I STARTED A 215 MILE TRIP TO BOULDER CO NOTICED SOME TYPE OF FASTENER ON THE FLOOR BOARD. AT THE 200 MILE MARK THE ROD WHICH WHEN PUSHED ACTIVATES THE CLUTCH WENT OUT! THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO EASE THE TRUCK TO THE RIGHT LANE, MADE AN ILLEGAL RIGHT TURN AT THE LIGHT, AND KILLED THE ENGINE AS I PARKED IT AT A GAS STATION. BUT WHAT IF THAT HAD HAPPENED WHILE I WAS GOING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY? I MANAGED TO FIGURE OUT THE USE OF THE FASTENER, AND REPLACE IT ON THE ROD. AT THIS POINT I WILL BE GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP MANAGEMENT AS SUGGESTED BY THE BOOKLET PROVIDED ENTITLED CUSTOMER ARBITRATION PROCESS. I WOULD LIKE SOMETHING MORE SUBSTANTIAL THAN JUST A PART REPLACEMENT. I DO NOT TRUST THE FASTENER TO PROVIDE THE SAFETY. I WORK AS A SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST FOR BOULDER VALLEY SCHOOLS. WHEN WE GET A SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL I USE THE VEHICLE FOR TRAVEL. MY CONCERN IS HAVING AN ACCIDENT IN THE PARKING LOT, WHERE IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR STUDENTS TO MINGLE IN THE PARKING LOT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONTAL UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS ALSO THE POWER ASSIST FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER HAD NO STEERING AND NO BRAKES. *SC *JB

FAN BLADE CLUTCH BROKE AND ASSEMBLY CAME OFF AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO RADIATOR, SHROUD, HOSES, PULLIES, BELT AND FAN BLADE. ALL ITEMS HAD TO BE REPLACE AND TOTAL COST OF REPAIR IS $1200.00. *AK

1. STEREING WHEEL WOULD NOT CENTER UP, VEHICLE DROVE STRAIGHT. DEALER SAID THIS IS NORMAL TO COMPENSATE FOR TORQUE, NO WARRANTY REPAIR, TOOK TO A SUSPENSION SHOP FOR REPAIR $ 1200.00 (SEE DETAILS BELOW). 2. TRANSMISSION SHUDDERED IN TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK UP. DELAER FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, BUT CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM. $ 2200.00 FOR NEW HD TORQUE CONVERTER AND HP VALVE BODY (SEE DETAIL BELOW) **ACCELERATOR STUCK WIDE OPEN WHILE TRAVELING DOWN INTERSTATE, HAD TO PUSH HARD ON BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN TO MERGE TO SHOULDER, PLACE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE REVVED TO RED LINE, SHUT DOWN THE MOTOR. MOTOR WOULD NOT START ONLY CRANK. DEALER SAID THE INJECTOR PUMP AND CONTROLLER AWERE BAD, $ 3000.00 FOR REAPAIR. REPLACED BALL JOINT 6/2002, REPLACED TRANSMISSION 10/2004, REPLACED FUEL INJECTOR PUMP 12/04. SUM TOTAL OF REPAIRS $ 6600.00.*AK

FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE WORN OUT AND NEED REPLACING. TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN USED OFF ROAD AND MOST MILES ARE HIGHWAY MILES. DEALER SUGGESTED I CONTACT DODGE BUT WHEN I DID THEY REFUSED ANY HELP. LATER THAT EVENING ISAW AN ARTICLE IN THE PAPER ABOUT DODGE HAVING BALL JOINT RECALLS ON DURANGOS AND DAKOTAS.THIS COULD BE RELATED AND REPORTED.*AK

AT 41,857 MILES, MY 2001 DODGE CUMMINS DIESEL 3/4 TON 4X4 PICKUP TRUCK BEGAN TO LOSE POWER ON THE HIGHWAY. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW ON MAY 24, 2000 AND HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY WITH THE STIFF, RIGID GEARS AND CLUTCH EVER SINCE. I COMPLAINED BUT TO NO AVAIL. I WAS TOLD THAT DUE TO THE TORQUE, IT WAS "NORMAL". THEN, THE CLUTCH FAILED AND I BARELY MADE IT TO TOWN AND TO THE DEALERS GARAGE. THIS TRUCK WAS BOUGHT N FROM THE LOCAL DEALER, RIDGEWOOD MOTORS AND HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED EVER SINCE. IT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. SINCE RIDGEWOOD MECHANICS REPLACED THE CLUTCH, IT DRIVES LIKE A DIFFERENT TRUCK, SMOOTH AND EFFICIENT. I CALLED AND EMAILED DAIMLER-CHRYSLER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T COVERED BY WARRANTY AND IT WAS MY TOUGH LUCK. I'M OUT $898.26 AND NOW WONDER WHAT ELSE WILL FAIL IN A TRUCK THAT DODGE CALLS "RAM TOUGH"! I'M FURIOUS ABOUT THIS INCIDENT AND DAIMLER-CHRYSLER'S CONDESCENDING ATTITUDE. I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED MY COSTS TO REPLACE THIS CLUTCH, PROBLEMATIC FROM DAY ONE. *JB

I HAD A SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED SHAKING OF THE FRONT END OF MY TRUCK. I NEARLY RAN OFF THE ROAD INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE NEWER BALANCED TIRES, AND HAVE NOT ALTERED ANY COMPONENTS EXCEPT FOR UPDATED SHOCK. WHILE THE SHAKING OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING AT ALL.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE CABLE BROKE WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO RELEASE FROM THE VEHICLE. *JB *SC

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ALLOY RIMS ON 2001 DODGE 2500 VEHICLE. *BF ONE OF THE VEHICLE'S RIM CRACKED RELEASING THE AIR IN THE TIRE. *NM

DODGE RAM 2500 SERIES 2001, NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STEERING MECHANISMS. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD STEER IN THE DIRECTION OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING, SUDDENLY THE TRUCK STARTS DRIFTING FROM SIDE TO SIDE, WITHOUT WARNING. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE SHAFT THAT COMES OUT OF THE STEERING BOX IS LOSE WHERE THE BEARING IS WEARING OUT. *NM

MY 2001 DODGE RAM STARTED STALLING OUT SO I CALLED FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE CENSOR CHECKED OUT. THEY SAID THAT WASN'T IT - IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION ITSELF AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO DROP THE PAN, THAT WAS FINE UNTIL THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS AT LEAST A 1/2 INCH OF SHAVINGS IN THE PAN AND THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THAT AMOUNT IN A NEWER TRUCK- ESPECIALLY WITH MY MILAGE BEING SO LOW. THIS SETS OFF AN ALARM THAT THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT. I CONTACTED THE MANAGER AND HE WAS SUPPOSE TO GET BACK TO ME-WHICH HE HASN'T AS OF YET...SURPRISE. OH YES, IN ORDER TO FIX THIS BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT 2000 MILES PRIOR IT WOULD COST ME $5,395.14. (NOW BEING DISABLE THIS IS SURE A BOOST TO ME) AND THAT ISN'T EVEN CHECKING OUT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WHICH IT HAS BOUND TO EFFECT ALSO. THE WARRENTY WAS FOR 36000 MILES AND I HAVE 39000 ON IT NOW. IT HAS COST ME 200.00 TO FIND THIS OUT AND ALSO THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID BECAUSE I DIDN'T USE THEIR SERVICES FOR OIL CHANGES AND TRANSMISSION CHECKS HE WOULD PROBABLY NOT GET AS MUCH HELP FOR ME AND IN THE CONTRACT IT SAID AS LONG AS I USED A LICENSE FACILITY IT WOULD BE COVERED AND I USED JIFFY LUBE. I THINK THIS IS WRONG-THEY ARE JUST ABOUT SAYING FOR NOT USING OUR FACILITY YOU ARE GOING TO BE PUNISHED AND NOT GET THE HELP YOU NEED. I AM GUESSING ON THE DATE OF PURCHASE.*AK

THE TIRES KEPT LOSING AIR. WHEN A TIRE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE TIRES THEY NOTICED THAT BEAD ON THE EDGE OF ALL FOUR RIMS CRACKED IN 6 PLACES, AND WILL NOT HOLD AIR. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF IMPACT DAMAGE. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONTAL TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE GREASED. *AK

THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT IN MY 2001 DODGE RAM DIESEL 2500. I HAD MY BRIGHT LIGHTS ON AND AS A VEHICLE APPROACHED I DIMMED MY LIGHTS. THE LIGHTS WENT OFF INSTEAD OF DIMMING. I INSTINCTIVELY SWITCHED MY BRIGHT LIGHTS BACK ON AND THEY CAME ON. WHEN I WENT TO DIM THEM AGAIN THE LIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT AGAIN. I HAD NO PROBLEM ADJUSTING TO THE SITUATION. I WAS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE MOTORIST COMING THE OTHER DIRECTION SEEING MY BRIGHT LIGHTS, THEN MY LIGHTS GO OUT, THEN MY BRIGHTS AGAIN AS HE GOT CLOSE TO ME. THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AS ACCIDENT BY BLINDING THE APPROACHIN DRIVER. I WAS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ON A WINDY MOUNTAIN ROAD IF THEY DID NOT REACT THE WAY I DID. THEY MIGHT RUN OFF OF THE ROAD IF THEY PANICKED. THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH IS A MOPAR COMBINATION SWITCH ASSEMBLY # 4728424. I DON'T KNOW IF THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PART IS THE SAME NUMBER OR NOT. ONE OTHER NOTE OF INTEREST. ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO I WAS DRIVING A 1998 FORD F 150 4X4 PICKUP TRUCK AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO IT. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH PART NUMBER IS MOTORCRAFT SW 5579. AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER WOULD BE. I AM JUST WONDERING, EVEN THOUGH THESE ARE TWO DIFFERENT COMPANIES DISTRIBUTING THE PART, IF THE COMPONENTS ARE THE SAME MANUFACTURER AND IF THERE IS A DEFECT IN ONE OF THEIR PARTS. OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEIR SWITCHES. OUR LOCAL DODGE DEALER SAYS NO PROBLEM. THEY ALSO SAY THERE IS NO RECALL ON