2002 Dodge Ram complaints

DT: CONTACT STATES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON DUE TO THE TRANSFER PUMP AND DIESEL INJECTOR PUMP MALFUNCTIONING. HE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD HIM TO WAIT UNTIL THE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN, AND THEN BRING THE VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE CHECKED. THE CONTACT NEVER KNOWS WHEN THE LIGHT WILL COME ON, AND DOES NOT WANT TO BE STRANDED IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. HE HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

ON 10-17-05 CARRIED MY 2002 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB INTO MY MECHANIC TO HAVE CHECKED OUT AC WAS NOT WORKING AND THE HEATER WAS NOT EITHER HE TRACED THE PROBLEM TO THE ING WIRES AND FOUND THEY WERE BURNED. CARRIED MY TRUCK TO A LOCAL DEALER IN MY HOMETOWN BECAUSE BOUGHT MY TRUCK OUT OF TOWN. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT LOCAL DEALER WAS VERY RUDE AND UNHELPFUL. SWORE TO MYSELF I WOULD NOT USE THEM AGAIN. CALLED THE DEALER WHERE BOUGHT MY TRUCK THERE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT ANY BETTER. ASK TO SPEAK TO PERSON OVER SERVICE HE TOLD ME IF IT WAS SAME PROBLEM AS LAST TIME THEN THEY DID NOT HAVE TO FIX IT BECAUSE THEY ONLY HAD TO FIX RECALLS ONE TIME ONLY. SO WHEN I WAS OFF THE PHONE WITH THEM I CALLED DODGE RECALL CENTER TO CHECK ON THIS. WHEN THEY TOLD ME THE DODGE DEALERS HAD TO FIX GAVE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ONE MORE TRY. THERE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH BLOWER BUT ING WIRES WERE BURNED. I TOLD THEM THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE SO I HAD TO PAY FOR THEM TAKING ONE HOUR AND 50 MIN TO FIND THIS OUT AND PUT A NEW PART IN. SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS STILL NOT VERY NICE BUT HAD TO HAVE MY TRUCK SO I CAN WORK. THEM NUMBER OF TIMES IT QUIT WORKING BEFORE IT WENT OUT ALL THE WAY IS 6 OR 7, HOPE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BETTER LUCK THAN ME. I WOULD THINK IF WIRES ARE BURNING UP THAT DODGE WOULD FIX AT THEIR COST NOT MINE BUT GUESS THEY DON'T GIVE A [XXX]. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

FAILURE OF RACK AND PINION.*JB

ON TWO OCCASIONS, UPON INSTALLING A CHILD SEAT IN THE MIDDLE SECTION OF THE REAR SEAT IN MY 2002 QUAD CAB DODGE RAM, THE PLASTIC TENSION CLIP ON THE SEAT BELT THAT HOLDS THE TENSION TO KEEP THE SEAT BELT IN PLACE HAS BROKEN. FIRST TIME, DODGE REPLACED FOR FREE, THE SECOND OCCURRENCE, 10 MONTHS & 14,000 MILES LATER THE CLIP BROKE AGAIN. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE, DODGE REPLACED THE PART, BUT NOT THE LABOR. FIRST OCCURRENCE TOOK PLACE IN OCTOBER OF 2004, AND SECOND OCCURRENCE HAPPEN IN AUGUST OF 2005. *NM

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB. CONTACT GOT OUT AND HIT THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS. CONTACT TRIED TO OPEN DOORS WITH THE KEY, BUT DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK. ONCE INSIDE THE VEHICLE CONTACT TURNED VEHICLE ON AND NO LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD CAME ON. THE ONLY INDICATION THAT HE HAD THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WAS A SMALL RED LIGHT. NO DOOR LOCKS, NO INDICATION FOR CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON. CONTACTED DODGE, AND WAS TOLD THAT NO RECALLS WERE ON THIS VEHICLE. CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. NO CRASHES. NO POLICE REPORTS. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD FAILED. UPDATE 11/15/05. *JB

MY 2002 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB PICKUP HAS 49,000 MILES ON IT. I RECENTLY BROUGHT IT IN TO GET AN ALIGNMENT AND BRAKES CHECKED, WHEN THE SERVICE WRITER INFORMED MY THAT MY RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS LEAKING. 49,000 MILES! IF THE STEERING IS LOST, THE CONSEQUENCES COULD BE SERIOUS, AND EVEN FATAL. I CALLED DODGE CORPORATE FOR OUT OF WARRANTY ASSISTANCE, AND AFTER SITTING ON HOLD FOR 30 MINUTES, THEY CAME BACK TO TELL ME BECAUSE OF PROCEDURE, THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HELP ME. THE COST TO FIX THIS IS $675 PARTS AND LABOR. I FEEL THAT A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK SHOULD HAVE IT'S RACK AND PINION LAST LONGER THAN 49,000 MILES, AND THAT DODGE SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND HELP OUT. DODGE OBVIOUSLY DOES NOT FEEL THAT WAY. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 HAUL RIGHT 60 BOAT TRAILER MANUFACTURED BY B AND M. WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH THE TONGUE BROKE WHERE IT HOOKS ON THE TRUCK, CAUSING THE BOAT AND THE TRAILER TO FALL DOWN AND HIT THE PAVEMENT. WHEN THE BOAT TRAILER WAS INSPECTED IT SHOWED ADDITIONAL WEAKNESS IN THE TONGUE. THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION TOLD THE CONTACT TO CONTACT NHTSA BECAUSE THE TRAILER HAD BRAKE LIGHTS. SHE HAS TRIED TO CONTACT THE BOAT MANUFACTURER, AND COULD NOT CONTACT THEM BY PHONE OR LETTER. THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN A RESPONSE, AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS OUT OF BUSINESS. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. HE WAS MAKING A TRIP TO LOS VEGAS, WAS WALKING AROUND THE TRUCK ON AND LOOKED UNDER THE WHEEL AND HE NOTICED A CLAMP THAT HELD A SPRING IN PLACE BROKE. *AK

I TOOK MY TRUCK TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE AND 60,000 MILE SERVICE AT THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR END NEEDED TO BE OVERHAULED BECAUSE THE BRACKETS TO MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL WERE BROKEN, AND IF I DID NOT HAVE IT REPAIRED, THE BRACKETS WOULD FALL DOWN INTO THE SPIDER GEARS AND WHILE I WAS DRIVING, IT WOULD CAUSE THE TRUCK TO LOCK UP. I TOOK IT TO GET ANOTHER OPINION AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IF THEY REPAIRED IT BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS MANUFACTURED, I WOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I WENT ONLINE TO HTTP://WWW.MINERICH.COM/DODGE_RAM.HTM AND READ NUMEROUS REPORTS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED MORE THAN ONCE. THE SHOP I TOOK IT TO DID NOT RESTORE IT TO THE WAY IT WAS MANUFACTURED, BUT INSTEAD FIXED THE PROBLEM SO THAT IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS TRUCK IS ONLY USED TO BE DRIVEN BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. *JB

DT: THE DRIVERS SIDE ASSIST HANDLE THAT WAS USED TO GET INTO VEHICLE CAME OFF IN THE CONSUMERS HAND AND HE FELL OUT OF TRUCK ON HIS BACK. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT HURT. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HIS GRANDMOTHER USING THE ONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TO HELP HER GET IN. THE DEALER REPLACED THEM ALL THE TIME. *JB

THE DASH IN MY 2002 RAM 1500 HAS TWO CRACKS IN IT. BOTH AT LEAST 10 INCHES LONG.

DT: IN THE DRIVERS SEAT ABOUT 3 INCHES FROM THE LEFT EDGE OF SEAT AROUND WAIST HIGH HAS A PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT STICKS IN THE DRIVERS BACK. IT HAS WORN OUT THE FOAM RUBBER AND THE SEAT COVER. DEALER SAYS IT WILL COST CALLER TO FIX IT. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP. *NM *SB

AT 42000 MILES THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE STARTED DROPPING AT THE TOP OF A HILL. IN LESS THEN A MINUTES THE TRUCK SHUT ITSELF DOWN. I DRIFTED DOWN THE HILL AND TRIED TO START IT. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. I CALLED THE DEALER AND HAD IT TOWED. THEY REQUESTED ALL RECEIPTS FOR OIL CHANGES AND ORDERED A NEW ENGINE. THEY HAD SAID THAT THIER MECHANIC PUT A BREAKER BAR ON IT AND COULDN'T MOVE THE ENGINE. IT HAD SEIZED. WHEN THE NEW ENGINE ARRIVED A WEEK LATER THE MECHANIC WENT OUT TO PULL IT IN TO SWAP ENGINES. HE FORGOT AND TRIED TO START IT AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. THEY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME TO PICK IT UP THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. AT 52000 MILES MY ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP GARAGE. BEFORE EVEN TOUCHING THE VEHICLE THE GARAGE REQUISTED ALL OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS. WHICH I SUPPLIED TO THEM. AFTER REMOVING THE OIL PAN THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT THERE WERE PIECES OF BEARINGS IN THE OIL PAN AND THAT THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR "AROUND" $5200. HE THEN STATED THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT DUE TO SLUDGE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN. HE BELIEVED THE OIL TO BE CHANGED "INCORRECTLY".

WHEN ENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL IT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT AND ADVANCE TO A HIGHER SPEED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED VIA PHONE. THE DEALER OR A REPAIR SHOP MADE NO INSPECTION AT THIS TIME.*AK THE VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED SUDDENLY A NUMBER OF TIMES IN THE PAST 3 YEARS. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS RECENTLY FIXED BUT THAT WAS BECAUSE IT DIDN'T WORK AT ALL. *BF *NM

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. HOWEVER, WHEN APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE IDLED QUIETLY, AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. *AK

THE WINDSHIELD AND SIDE WINDOWS WOULD FOG UP WHEN THE HEATER AND DEFROSTER WERE ON, WHICH WAS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR TESTING, BUT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED. *AK *SC *JB

I WAS ON A BACK ROAD DOING 35 MPH I HIT BLACK ICE AND THE BACK END WENT OUT. I HAD WEIGHT IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK BUT IT DIDN'T HELP. I LET OFF THE GAS AND THE BRAKE AND TRIED TO SLOWLY CORRECT THE BACK END. IT JUST MADE THE SITUATION WORSE. I KNEW I WAS GOING OFF THE ROAD. MY TRUCK TOOK A NOSE DIVE INTO A SIX-FOOT DITCH THE BACK END CAME STRAIGHT UP AND THE ROOF HIT A TREE FROM THEN THE TRUCK SPUN ON ITS NOSE FELL ONTO ITS LEFT SIDE WENT UP HIT THE ROOF AGAIN AND FINALLY STOPPED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS WITH THE FIRST HIT AFTER THAT I WAS COMPLETELY SCALPED. NEITHER ONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I ONLY WONDER IF THEY DID I MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SCALPED AND SUFFERED SUCH TRAUMATIC HEAD INJURIES. AT THIS POINT I AM JUST HAPPY TO BE ALIVE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED OUT THE TRUCK UNDEPLOYED AIR BAGS AND ALL. *NM

2002 DODGE RAM SERVICE BULLETIN 0800203 CONDENSATION BUILDS UP IN THE ELECTRIC MOTOR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING FAN, FREEZES AND THEN TRIPS THE FUSE. WHEN THE FUSE IS TRIPPED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON. MUSCATELL DODGE (MOORHEAD, MN) SAID THEY HAVE A COUPLE TO FIX EVERYTIME WE GET A SNOW STORM. DODGE HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN (0800203) TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE. IT CALLS FOR REPLACING THE SHROUD ON THE FAN. IT IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. UNFORTUNATELY MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I WAS JUST UNLUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE THIS ISSUE AT 55,000 MILES INSTEAD OF 35,000. THE SERVICE BULLETIN CALLS TO REPLACE THE SHROUD. I FEEL THAT IF DODGE IS REPLACING ORIGINAL PARTS WITH UPDATED PARTS, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL, OR AT LEAST OWN UP TO IT, AND REPLACE THE SHROUDS WHEN OR IF THE PROBLEM ARISES. *NM

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED DUE TO "ENGINE SLUDGE". THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM

WHEN THE DRIVER ENCOUNTER ROUGH ROADS AND ENTERED A TURN HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END BOUNCED. *NM THERE WAS A PULSATION IN THE STEERING. THE SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *SC UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB

TRUCK BEGAN TO VIBRATE DRAMATICALLY UPON BRAKING. THE ROTORS WERE WARPED, THE BRAKE PADS IN THE FRONT WERE TOO SMALL AND WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, A CLUNKING NOISE HAD STARTED COMING FROM THE REAR AS TIME PROGRESSED AND RETURNED AFTER REPAIRS. *SC AT 30,000 MILES THE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTAIL WENT OUT.

THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLS, THE CONSUMER IS AFRAID OF BEING REAR ENDED. THE DEALER CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB

WHILE DRIVING ON GRAVEL ROAD OAT 40-45 MPH VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE, CAUSING IT TO HYDROPLANE. VEHICLE CAME DOWN, AND HIT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE FIRST AND COMMENCED TO FLIP OVER A FEW TIMES, LANDING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. *AK.......*AK

UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE WAS FOUND DURING STATE INSPECTION, WAS REPLACED AT OWNERS EXPENSE.SEEN RECALL ON DURANGOS AND DAKOTOAS, WAS HOPING TO GET RAMS INCLUDED.THE VEHICLE HAS 52,000 MILES NEVER DRIVEN OFF ROAD OR ABUSED AND ROUTINE MAINTENCE AT THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

THE CONSUMER PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE THE DOOR KNOCKED THE CONSUMER TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL INTO A CREEK. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE GEAR WAS IN PARK, HOWEVER SHE WAS NOT SURE IF IT CAME OUT OF PARK. THE MANUFACTURE WILL BE CONTACTED. *JB

2002 DODGE RAM 4WD 4 DOOR CURRENTLY ON THIRD ENGINE AFTER 2 DRIVE TRAIN FAILURES. TODAY THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING THUDDING NOISES, THE VEHICLE BUCKED AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS BLINKING. FURTHER, WHEN THE FRONT TIRE HITS A SMALL POT HOLE OR OTHER ROAD DEFORMITY, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY VEERS REQUIRING DRASTIC COUNTER STEERING TO CORRECT, OFTEN NEARLY OUT OF CONTROL. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO INFORM DAIMLER-CHRYSLER CORP. HAVE MET WITH INDIFFERENCE AND FAILURE TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM EXISTS. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AS WELL AS MY FAMILY'S SAFETY WHENEVER I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. KEITH BILLS.*AK

SINCE MY PURCHASE IN AUGUST OF 2002, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS WITH MY DODGE QUAD CAB. SO FAR I HAVE ALMOST HIT THE DIVIDER ON THE FREEWAY AND A CAR HEAD ON AT THE TOP OF A HILL. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OTHER CLOSE CALLS, BUT I HAD TO STOP COUNTING. I AM HAVING SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH MY REAR SUSPENSION ON MY DODGE. I HAVE HAD AN ALIGNMENT DONE, SHOCKS REPLACED, AND SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT GETTING IT REPAIRED BY A DEALERSHIP. EACH TIME I HAVE TAKEN IT IN, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TELLS ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT BUT THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING COMPLAINTS MENTIONED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID IT MUST BE NORMAL AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. BEFORE MY SHOCKS FINALLY GOT REPLACED, I WAS AT THE POINT OF FINDING A LAWYER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE I ENDED UP DEAD ON THE ROAD. BUT THE SERVICE GUY SUDDENLY GOT MY PARTS IN STOCK. I AM AGAIN TO THE POINT OF DESPERATELY NEEDING THIS ISSUE RESOLVED BEFORE SOMETHING TRAGIC HAPPENS TO ME OR SOMEONE ELSE. PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO WE CAN BOTH PUT THIS HAZARD TO REST. *JB

BRAKES SHAKING SEEMS ROTORS ARE WARPING EARLY. PADS LOOK LIKE NEW NOT MUCH WEAR ON THEM. I FEEL UNSAFE. PLEASE SAVE LIVES HERE. THANK YOU. *JB

RIMS UNABLE TO BALANCE. I HAVE HAD A JERKING OF HOPPING FEELING RIDE FROM NEW PURCHASE. GUNN DODGE IN SA DEALER IN SAID IT WAS THE DRIVE SHAFT AND REPLACED STILL SAME FEELING. MOVED TO AUSTIN MAXWELL DEALER SAID IT WAS TIRES. I HAD ALL FOUR REPLACED AND MAXWEKK SAID GOODYEAR PUT FOUR NEW BAD TIRES ON TRUCK. B.S. I SAY IT'S THE 17 INCH RIMS. HAD RIMS CHECK AND WAS TOLD THEY SEEM TOO FAR OUT OF SPEC BECAUSE THERE ARE HEAVY BALANCE WEIGHTS ON ONE SIDE OF RIM AND THERE ARE NONE HEAVIER TO COUNTER BALANCE THE EFFECT. NOW WHY DID DODGE DEALER SAY IT WAS THE DRIVE SHAFT AND TIRES. WHEN I KEPT SAYING LOOK AT THE WHEELS AT THE SERVICE STATION. NOTHING BUT A RUN-A-ROUND AND WHEN I CALL CHRYSLER THEY SAY THAT IS HOW THE TRUCK IS MEANT TO RIDE. LIES AND BIG BUSINESS COVER UP. DODGE MUST BE GIVING SOMEONE IN OUR GOVERNMENT BIG BUCKS UNDER THE TABLE TO LET THESE TRUCKS ENTER OUR ROADS UN SAFE. I HOPE THE PERSON IN CHARGE OR NHTSA DOSE NOT LOSE A FAMILY MEMBER OVER UN SAFE CARS AND TRUCKS. I HAVE LOST MY TWIN SISTER IN A HONDA BACK IN 1974 DUE TO UNSAFE MOTOR CRUSHING THE FIREWALL AND CAR CRUNCHED UP. PLEASE DO YOUR JOBS AND LOOK AT ALL ISSUES WITH DODGE QUAD CAP TRUCKS RIDE AND HANDLING COMPLAINTS. THANK YOU. *JB

I OWN A 2002 DODGE 1500 4X4 QUAD CAB PICKUP & THE FRONT DOORS GASKET SEALS ARE LEAKING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. IT GET SO BAD THAT THE DOOR START TO SHAKE AT THE HINGE SIDE OF DOOR. I SPOKE WITH DODGE ABOUT THIS; I WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT THE ONLY UNIT DOING THIS, THAT IT WAS A SIMPLE FIX OF RE-BENDING THE HINGES AT A BODY SHOP. THEY EXPLAINED THAT IF THIS WAS REPORTED IN THE FRIST 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRIANTY. THE TRUCK HAS 28,040 MILES ON IT NOW STILL UNDER THE 30,000 MILE WARRIANTY. I BELEIVE THIS TO BE A PROBLEM INHERIT TO THE TRUCK DESIGN.*AK

THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO MOVE ON ITS ON. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

ON JULY 17, 2003, I PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB, VIN# [XXX], FROM HYDE PARK MOTORS, IN HYDE PARK, NY. IN OCTOBER OF 2003, I EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT END SHAKING WHENEVER APPLYING THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HYDE PARK MOTORS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, AND STATED THE ROTORS WERE WARPED, WHICH CAUSED THE SHAKING IN THE FRONT END. I AGAIN RECENTLY NOTICED A SIMILAR SHAKING PROBLEM IN THE FRONT END WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. UPON BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO HYDE PARK MOTORS, THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED TO ADVISE ME THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED YET AGAIN. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT WHEN THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS LAST YEAR, IT WAS DONE SO MERELY AS A MEASURE OF "GOOD WILL", AND THIS WAS A "WEAR AND TEAR" ISSUE THAT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I THEN CALLED DAIMLER/CHRYSLER AT 800-992-1997 AND SPOKE WITH AN INDIVIDUAL BY THE NAME OF JOSH. I EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO HIM, AT WHICH TIME HE CONTACTED HYDE PARK MOTORS TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE. UPON CALLING ME BACK, JOSH INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS NOT OF ISSUE TO CHRYSLER AND IT WAS A "WEAR AND TEAR" SITUATION. UPON QUESTIONING THE FACT THAT THERE HAS BEEN ONLY 14,746 MILES SINCE THE ROTORS WERE LAST REPLACED, I REQUESTED TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR IN ORDER TO ADDRESS A POSSIBLE RECURRING SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS ABRUPTLY TOLD BY JOSH THAT THERE IS NO SUPERVISOR AND HE IS PERMITTED TO MAKE THE DECISIONS THERE. NOT SATISFIED WITH THAT ANSWER, I CALLED ONCE AGAIN AND SPOKE WITH A SUBJECT BY THE NAME OF TOM. TOM ALSO CONTACTED HYDE PA

ELECTRICAL - CANNOT CHARGE A CELL PHONE IN ANY OF THE RECEPTACLES. WORKS IN OTHER VEHICLES. TRANSMISSION - CHANGES GEARS VERY ROUGH, SOMTIMES ON ACCELERATION, ALL THE TIME WHEN DECELERATING. STEERING - AT TIMES THE STEERING DOES NOT WANT TO WORK. WILL NOT TURN, VERY HARD AS IF NO RACK AND PINION. TRUCK SLIDES OUT AT TIMES DURING TURNS, STEERING GETS PULLED.*AK

PURCHASED 2002 QUAD CAB WITH 23 MILES FORM TURLOCK AUTO PLAZA IN APRIL 2002, STARTED NOTICING PROBLEMS RIGHT AWAY, DOOR LOCKS NOT UNLOCKING, WINDOWS NOT OPERATING, ENGINE STALLING, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, RADIO INTERMITTANTLY WORKING, ETC... VISITED 3 LOCAL DEALERSHIPS. FINAL DIAGNOSIS "GREMLINS" ??? CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM . EVEN THOUGH THEY THEMSELVES NOTED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. ON AUGUST 27, 2004 ENGINE "BLEW UP", ON A MAJOR MOUNTAINOUS HIGHWAY IN THE SLOW LANE, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TURLOCK DODGE. SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AS LONG AS THERE WERE NO MODIFICATIONS TO THE VEHICLE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IT WAS STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD BE COVERED AND PARTS WERE ORDERED. HOWEVER WHEN THE REGIONAL REP FOR DAIMLER CHRYSLER WENT TO SEE THE VEHICLE. HE DENIED ON GROUNDS THAT OIL SLUDGE WAS PRESENT AND STATED AN ENGINE CAN'T DO THAT ACCORDING TO TURLOCK DODGE MECHANIC?, EVENTHOUGH THE TRUCK WAS SITTING IN A PUDDLE OF NORMAL LOOKING OIL. AND THE SLUDGE WAS ONLY IN THE PAN. REP REFUSES TO CONTACT US, TO TELL US WHY HES REFUSING ON GROUNDS OF SLUDGE. CONSIDERING THIS CAN HAPPEN WHEN CRANK BEARINGS GO OUT. WE HAVE BEEN REFUSED BY DAIMLER CHRYSLER,AND THE DEALERSHIP TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE NOT REACHED OUR WARRANTY LIMIT. ALSO BE AWARE AS OF 2002 DAIMLER CHRSYLER IS NO LONGER PARTICIPATING IN THE LEMON LAW PROGRAM.*AK

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND WAS UNABLE TO STEER IT PROPERLY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM QUAD 1500. I JUST HAD IT SERVICED FOR ITS 30,000 MILES MAINTENANCE REQUIRED. WHILE I WAS THERE I ALSO HAD THEM LOOK AT THE FRONT BRAKES BECAUSE OF A VIBRATION I WOULD GET WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES.*AK WAS TOLD UPON INSPECTION OF THE BRAKES, THAT THE ROTORS WHERE WARPED. THIS DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME ONLY 30,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK STILL HAVE FULL BRAKE PADS ON FRONT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT HAPPENS SOMETIMES WHEN TOWING TRAILERS OR HEAVY LOADES WHERE THE TRAILER HAS NO BRAKING SYSTEM. I DON'T TOW TRAILERS. IT WAS ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE WAY I DRIVE IS THE PROBLEM. IF THIS WAS THE PROBLEM THERE SHOULD BE SOME WARE ON THE BRAKE PADS? THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE SEEN TRUCKS LIKE MINE WITH AS LITTLE AS 11,000 MILES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I SAID THERE MUST BE SOME KIND OF DEFECT WITH THIS BRAKING SYSTEM. HE TOLD ME NO THAT THE BRAKES WHERE BIG ENOUGHT FOR THE TRUCK BUT THAT THEY WHERE BADLY DESIGNED WHICH CAUSES THEM TO HEAT UP AND WARP THE ROTORS. I KNOW I'M PROBABLY WASTING MY TIME SENDING THIS TO YOU. BUT I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR SOME TIME NOW I'M 53 YEARS OLD. I HAVE NEVER IN ALL MY DRIVING HAD TO EVEN REPLACE BRAKES BEFORE 40,000 MILES LET ALONE ROTORS. I THINK THAT THEY HAVE A SERIOUR PROBLEM HERE WITH THESE BRAKES. I JUST HOPE THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE BEFORE SOME ONE GETS HURT OR EVEN DIES BECAUSE OF BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE.

WHILE DRIVING THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF ON ITS OWN. THE LIGHT BULB SWITCH RATTLED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL. *AK THE FRONT BRAKES WERE BAD. *SC *JB

GOODYEAR RT/S 235-85R16 TIRES, LOAD RANGE E (FACTORY TIRES). TIRES ARE WEARING PREMATURELY AND FALLING APART. FIRST TIRE, PASSENGER FRONT, HAD EARLY STAGES TREAD SEPERATION AT 18,592 MILES-REPLACED TIRE. OTHER 6 TIRES WEARING UNEVENLY, WITH VISABLE DAMAGE TO STEEL BELTS IN SIDEWALLS AT 22,683 MILES. MULTIPLE BULGES AND INDENTATIONS IN SIDEWALLS. 2 TIRES MILDLY WARPED IN REAR. ALL TIRES AT 80 PSI PER GOODYEAR TIRE DEALERS' DIRECTIONS. 40,000 MILE WEAROUT WARRANTY-USELESS AS NONE OF THE GOODYEAR DISTRIBUTERS IN FAIRBANKS, ALASKA WILL WARRANTY FACTORY INSTALLED TIRES. I STILL HAVE 6 OF THE 7 FACTORY INSTALLED TIRES, AND WITNESSES WHO SAW OR EXAMINED THE 7TH TIRE (WITH TREAD SEPERATION). I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO PARK MY DODGE 3500. I INTEND TO REPLACE THESE TIRES WITH COOPER DISCOVERER S/T TIRES WHEN I HAVE FUNDS AVAILABLE. AM CONSIDERING LEGAL ACTION!!!!!!*AK

LACK OF REAR SEAT HEAD RESTS IN 2002 RAM 1500 QUAD CAB. REAR SEAT PASSENGERS SEEM TO BE AT RISK OF A HEAD INJURY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. REAR SEAT PASSENGERS HEADS' ARE ON THE GLASS DUE TO THE LACK OF REAR SEAT HEAD RESTS. I BELIEVE THERE IS ENOUGH OF A SAFETY CONCERN TO WARRANT THE RETROFIT OF THE CURRENT YEAR REAR SEAT HEAD RESTS INTO THE 2002 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES TO MITIGATE THE OBVIOUS RISK OF HEAD INJURY TO REAR SEAT PASSENGERS. *JB

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. DRIVER SUSTAINED SHOULDER, LEG, ANGLE AND KNEE INJURIES, AND WAS HAVING HEADACHES. *AK

LETTER WRITTEN TO THE PRESIDENT OF CHRYSLER-DODGE ON 3/2004 REGARDING THIS IMPORTANT MISSING SAFETY FEATURE. DEAR MR. ZETSCHE: I PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB IN LATE 2001 OF WHICH I AM CURRENTLY MAKING PAYMENTS THROUGH CHRYSLER FINANCIAL. HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN A CONSIDERABLE SAFETY CONCERN OF MINE SINCE PURCHASING MY TRUCK IN LATE 2001. THIS CONCERN REVOLVES AROUND THE LACK OF BACK SEAT HEAD RESTS (RESTRAINTS) FOR THE MODEL YEAR IN QUESTION. I COMMUTE WITH MY THREE DAUGHTERS AGES 16, 12, 10, AND HAVE ALWAYS FELT THAT MY TWO YOUNGEST CHILDREN, WHICH RIDE IN THE REAR SEAT, ARE AT AN CONSIDERABLE RISK FROM HEAD INJURY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THE LACK OF THESE REAR SEAT HEAD RESTS (RESTRAINTS) PLACES THE BACK OF THE CHILDRENS HEADS DIRECTLY AGAINST THE REAR GLASS OF THE CAB. I RECENTLY VISITED MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER - PLANET DODGE IN MIAMI, FL. - AND LOOKED AT THE 2004 DODGE HEMI'S WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF TRADING UP MY TRUCK NEXT YEAR. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE 2004 DODGE TRUCKS HAVE COLLECTIVELY INCORPORATED THIS SAFETY FEATURE FROM THE FACTORY. I PRESUME THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY CONSIDERATION WHICH ADDED TO THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THIS ITEM. SINCE THESE SAFETY HEAD RESTS (RESTRAINTS) WERE NOT DESIGNED INTO THE 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB THAT I PURCHASED. I REQUEST THAT CHRYSLER RETROFIT THE NEWLY DESIGNED HEAD RESTS (RESTRAINTS) AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION IMMEDIATELY. I WELCOME ANY OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS MATTER FURTHER WITH YOU. THANKING Y

WHENEVER THE BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT SHIFTS. DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT ONCE ALREADY BUT, EIGHT MONTHS LATER, ANOTHER SEAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK

TRANSMISSION GOES INTO HIGH GEAR TOO SOON, CAUSING TOO MUCH DOWNSHIFTING WHEN I NEED TO SPEED UP. IT GOES INTO O/D AT 45 MPH. VERY SLUGGISH WHEN I NEED TO SPEED UP UNLESS I GIVE IT LOTS OF THROTTLE AND THEN IT DROPS OUT OF OVERDIRVE AND SKIPS 4TH GEAR AND GOES INTO 3RD. IN TOWN WHEN YOU GET UP TO 30 MPH THE TRANSMISSION POPS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO DOWNSHIFTING STRAIGHT TO 1ST.I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES WITH NO RESULTS.*AK I FEEL THEY ARE TRYING TO WEAR ME OUT SO I WILL QUIT COMING BACK

BRAKE ROTORS SEVERLY WARPED AT 20,000MILES. DEALER TURNED ROTORS AT CUSTOMER EXPENSE, BLAMED THE PROBLEM ON DRIVING STYLE. ROTORS WARPED AGAIN WITHIN 15,000 MILES. PROBLEM IS SO SEVERE THAT ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN FORCED OUT OF SPEC. TRUCK NOW DARTS UNDER BRAKING. THE TRUCK IS USED FOR COMMUTING. IT HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR TOWING AND DOES NOT FREQUENTLY HAUL LOADS. WHEN LOADED IT IS KEPT UNDER THE LOAD LIMIT. APPARENTLY, THE BRAKES ARE INCAPABLE OF SURVIVING A FEW FREEWAY OFF RAMPS ON THE DAILY COMMUTE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSES TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THE NHSTA SITE IS A FRACTION OF REALWORLD PROBLEMS. EVERY OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE I HAVE SPOKEN TO TO HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. EMPLOYEES AT THE ST. LOUIS PLANT ROUTINELY REPLACE THE BRAKES ON THEIR NEW TRUCKS WHEN THEY TAKE DELIVERY. IT'S COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT THE BRAKES ARE SUBPAR. IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT DAIMLER-CHRYSLER CHOOSES TO CUT COSTS ON SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONANT. I WILL BE REPLACING MY BRAKE ROTORS WITH HIGH QUALITY AFTERMARKET PARTS AT MY OWN EXPENSE IN ORDER TO HAVE A SAFE VEHICLE.*AK

THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *LA

FOIA ADDRESSED TO CPSC REQUEST A COPY OF ALL RECORDS PERTAINING TO COMPLAINTS RE 2002 DODGE TRUCK RAM PICKUP SINGLE VEHICLE COLLISION CAUSED BY A VEHICLE DEFECT (SEARCH ATTACHED). (NAR) *PH *CB *JB

BOTH FRONT SHOCKS HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 29,000 MILES ON IT. THE LEFT BALL JOINT IS SHREDDED AND ALL HAS TO BE REPLACED.*AK

EXCESSIVE STOPLAMP FAILURES, REPLACED LAMPS DUE TO MELTING OF BASE REPEATEDLY,4TH TIME IN 8 MOS. NO SERVICE KIT OR UPGRADES AVAILABLE, CHECK CHEVY, SAME TAIL LIGHT BOARD SET-UP, SAME PROBLEMS, PERHAPS THEY HAVE A BULLETIN ON PROBLEM?*AK SEVERE SHAKING UNDER BRAKING, STARTED AT 15K MILES, SERVICER REFUSES TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY (12K WARRANTY), HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THESE ROTORS. SEVERE SHAKING ON SWEEPING RIGHT HAND FREEWAY TURNS, PRESENTLY SCHEDULED FOR SERVICE AT ANTIOCH/DELTA DODGE. ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY STALLING, UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM WHEN IN FOR SERVICE, NOT NOTED ON SERVICE TICKETS. INDEPENDENT FRONT END LEAKAGE, PRESENTLY SCHEDULED FOR SERVICE AT ANTIOCH/DELTA DODGE. THIS MY 3RD DODGE TRUCK SINCE 1996, 1ST ONE WAS GREAT, 2ND HAD REPEATED REAREND ISSUES, 3RD SEEMS TO BE HAVING EXCESSIVE ISSUES ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF COMPONENTS, I WOULD LIKE HELP IN RESOLVING THESE ISSUES, AS PRESENTLY I STILL VIEW DODGE AS THE LEADER IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.

BACK SEATS HAVE NO HEAD RESTRAINTS. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT IF THE VEHICLE IS REAR ENDED PASSENGERS WILL SUSTAIN MAJOR HEAD INJURIES. *AK

PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT BROKE APART AT 50,000 MILES, WITH LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY ON GRAVEL ROAD AND WHILE BRAKING....REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE, NOW LESS THAN ONE MONTH LATER, THE DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT SEEMS TO BE GOING...THIS TIME WITH A LITTLE BIT MORE WARNING THAN THE LAST TIME....HOPEFULLY, OTHER PEOPLE ARE NOT HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND LOSING CONTROL OF THEIR TRUCK..PLEASE LET ME KNOW 2002 DODGE RAM 4X4 QUAD CAB 1500. *AK