Page 5 of 7 · complaints 201–250 of 322

2002 Dodge Ram complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel
Filed Mar 11, 200423,300 milesCA

I HAVE 2002 RAM 2 WHEEL DRIVE WITH A HIGH OUTPUT TURBO DIESEL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 23300 MILE, IT USED 14 GALLONS OF DIELS TO GO 56 MILES. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAYED THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP WAS BAD AND IT WILL BE FIXED FREE UNDER WARRANTY. THE ONLY OTHER COMPLAINT IS THAT THE DOORS WHISLE AND IT IS BEING LOOKED AT BY CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO BE FIXED.*AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Mar 9, 200440,000 milesIL

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH UPPER BALL JOINTS BROKE, CAUSING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK

Suspension › Rear
Filed Feb 29, 200415,000 milesAR

AT SPEEDS ABOVE 35 MPH THE REAREND OF MY TRUCK HOPS EXCESSIVELY AND CAUSES THE REAR TO SWAY TO THE RIGHT WHEN DRIVING OVER AVERAGE ROAD SURFACES WITH MINOR BUMPS OR IRREGULARITIES IN THE SURFACE. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS I HAVE ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND AM VERY CONCERNED TO LEARN THAT OTHER 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Feb 24, 200410,000 milesCA

CURRENTLY OWN A 2002 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY TRUCK. I MYSELF HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION JERKING AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTTING OFF WHEN IDLING (AND NOT EVEN AT LONG PERIODS OF TIME). AT TIMES WHEN PUTTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE AT ALL AND I HAVE TO COMPLETELY SHUT OFF THE TRUCK AND RESTART IT TO GET IT TO MOVE. I HAVEN'T HAD IT REPORTED AT THE DEALER YET BECAUSE THEY WILL BE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. JUST NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH MY REAR TAILLIGHTS. AT DIFFERENT TIMES, DIFFERENT BULBS WOULD SEEM TO GO OUT CAUSING THE "LAMP OUT" INDICATOR LAMP TO ILLUMINATE. WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE THE BULB MYSELF (CAUSE BULBS ARE NOT WARRANTY), I FOUND THAT THE SOCKETS WERE CAUSING THE BULB HOUSING TO MELT INSIDE THE SOCKETS AS WELL AS ON THE BULBS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY ONLY REPLACED ONE SIDE BECAUSE THE OTHER THEY DID NOT HAVE IN STOCK, YET THEY DID NOT EVEN BOTHER ORDERING THE OTHER SIDE. I HAVE ALREADY HAD MY RACK & PINION REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING AND ALSO HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY TCM AND PCM REPROGRAMED BECAUSE THEY WERE CAUSING MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AS WELL AS MAKING MY AIR CONDITIONING INOPERATIVE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 10, 200414,000 milesCA

VEHICLE IDLES ROUGHLY. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT HAS NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Feb 3, 200433,000 milesNH

LOWER BALL JOINTS WEARING OUT PREMATURALLY ON 2002 DODGE RAM AND OTHER DODGE TRUCKS. SOMEONE BETTER START GETTING ON DODGE TO FIX THIS ISSUE BEFORE PEOPLE GET KILLED. COSTING THE CONSUMER ALOT OF MONEY IN REPAIRS. PROBABLY PLANNED BY DODGE.*AK

Steering › Gear Box › Shaft Sector
Filed Feb 3, 2004PA

WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND VEHICLE WANDERED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT STEERING GEAR BOX SHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED IT. CONSUMER STATED THAT STEERING GEAR BOX SHAFT HAD BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES EARLIER. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jan 24, 20048,500 milesMI

DISC BRAKE ROTOR FAILURE - REPEATED PROBLEM. DEALER REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS FOR THIRD TIME AT 18798 MILES. PROBLEM IS BACK, ONLY 1700 MILES SINCE LAST PAD AND ROTOR CHANGE. NO TOWING, HAULING, OR OTHER HEAVY USE INVOLVED. VEHICLE SHAKES VERY HARD AS SOON AS BRAKES ARE APPLIED. PROBLEM GETS WORSE UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS UNCONTROLLABLE IN STOPS. *LA

Steering
Filed Jan 24, 200418,700 milesMI

IN COLD WEATHER, STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN OR IS VERY STIFF WHEN VEHICLE IS FIRST DRIVEN. DEGREE OF STEERING EFFORT REQUIRED IS VARIABLE AND IMPOSSIBLE TO ANTICIPATE WHEN DRIVING. *LA

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jan 23, 200432,000 milesTX

BRAKE ROTORS BEGAN TO WARP AND WERE TURNED BY DEALER IN SEPTEMBER. PROBLEM BEGAN TO DEVELOP AGAIN AND VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER 1/23/2004. DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF ROTORS AT CUSTOMER EXPENSE. DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD IN ADVERSE WEATHER... WILL NOT REPAIR THEM AGAIN AS THIS IS A DEFINITE DEFECT IN THIS VEHICLE AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE ROTORS EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS. *LA

Steering
Filed Jan 15, 20045,000 milesNY

I BROUGHT MY TRUCK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND SHUDDERED AT 75MPH. I HAD ALREADY HAD 3 ALIGNMENTS ON IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT. DEALER SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE TIRE WEAR. TIRES WORE OUT AT 27,000 MILES. DEALER WAS SHOCKED; IT?S A NEW TRUCK THE TIRES SHOULD HAVE LASTED 40,000 MILES. I GOT NEW TIRES BUT THE TRUCK STILL PULLS RIGHT AND NOW IT IS STARTING TO SHUDDER AT 65MPH. I HAVE HAD A PULL PROBLEM SINCE DAY ONE. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE RAIDO LIGHTS AND ALL DASH LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED TO THE REAR AND GIGGLED A BIT. I AM BRINGING THE TRUCK IN TO THE SHOP AGAIN THIS WEEK. I HOPE IT CAN BE FIXED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 15, 200435,000 milesTX

FRONT ROTORS KEEP WARPING ON THIS TRUCK IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT EVERY 10,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP KEEPS REPLACING THE ROTORS UNDER WARRENTY THE PADS HAVE NEVER NEEDED REPLACING AND MY TIRES ARE IN GREAT CONDITION. THERE RESPONCE IS TO CHANGE MY DRIVING HABITS. I DRIVE 50 MILES ONE WAY ON THE HIWAY EVERYDAY WITH LITTLE BRAKING IM AT 45,000 AND IN NEED OF ROTORS AGAIN THIS WILL BE THE 5TH SET.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 15, 2004AZ

A/C "WARMS UP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR AT LIGHT. BLOWS COLD WHILE MOVING DOWN HIGHWAY ONLY. I HAVE HAD IT TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS AND BOTH SAY THAT DODGE PUT AN INADEQUATE BLOWER/COMPREESOR IN THE VEHICLE FOR ITS SIZE. ONE DEALERS "SOLUTION" IS TO RUN A/C BLOWER ON LOW SO THAT THE AIR "WON'T WARM UP SO FAST"

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jan 15, 2004GA

REAR BACK DOOR LOCKS HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TWICE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *PH

Electrical System
Filed Jan 15, 2004LA

PROBLEMS WITH SIDE VIEW MIRRORS, BLOW MOTOR, ELECTRIC REAR DOOR LOCKS WON'T WORK, TURN SIGNALS AND PAINT ON THE HOOD. *PH THE GAUGES ON THE DASH PANEL FAILED. THE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED THE LEFT SIGNAL FLASHED, SOMETIMES BOTH SIGNAL ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE PAINT ON THE HOOD AND FRONT PANEL BEGAN TO CHIP. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Dec 30, 200313,000 milesTX

2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CABBRAKE ROTOR WARPPING, EXTREME SHUTTERING UNDER HIWAY BRAKING VERY DANGEROUS IN THE RAIN WITH ASSOCIATED BRAKE GRAB, AND DARTING OF VEHICLE. MANUFACTURE HAS REPAIRED TWICE, BUT NOW REFUSES TO CORRECT PROBLEM OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash2 injured
Filed Dec 30, 2003MD

WHEN GOING SLOW THIS VEHICLE WILL AT TIMES SHUT OFF WHICH CAUSES YOU TO LOOSE THE BRAKES AND STEERING. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED I WAS ON A 360 DEGREE TURN EXIT RAMP AND WAS ABLE TO POP THE CLUTCH AND GET IT GOING AGAIN. THAT TIME THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DIFFERENTAL. IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN REPEATEDLY CAUSING ME TO ALMOST RUN THROUGH A BAR ONE TIME WITH MY SON IN THE TRUCK. THE NEXT TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTOR AND THAT DODGE WAS WORKEING TO DEVELOP A PROGRAM TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. 8 MONTHS LATER THEY HAVE JUST COME OUT WITH THE PROGRAM AND I WAS JUST IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE TRUCK SHUTTING OFF AND MY NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL IT AND HAVING NO BRAKES OR STEERING. IT IS IN THE SHOP TODAY HOPEFULLY BEING FIXED YET AGAIN

Air BagsCrash
Filed Dec 1, 200317,421 milesVA

WHILE TRAVELING ON WET ROAD CAME UPON HIGH WATER AND A VEHICLE SPUN OUT HALF ON THE SHOULDER, HALF IN MY LANE. APPLIED THE BRAKES WHICH LOCKED UP. SLID INTO SPUN VEHICLE HITTING HEAD ON AT 40-45MPH. NEITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. FRONT END WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash2 injured
Filed Nov 20, 200317,800 milesTN

I WAS DRIVING UNDER 30 MILES AN HOUR IN MY 2002 DODGE RAM QUAD TRUCK WHEN SOMETHING SNAPPED UNDER THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE RESULTING INTO CRASHING INTO A TRUCK WAITING TO PULL OUT INTO THE STREET. THE TRUCK ONLY HAD 17,000 MILES AND WE ONLY HAVE HAD IT 22 MONTHS, BOUGHT NEW. THE STEERING ARM WAS OFF AT BOTH ENDS, THE WHEEL CAME OFF AND ALL DAMAGE WAS ON THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL, THE OTHER WHEEL WAS TURNED STRAIGHT. WHEN ACCIDENT HAPPENED THE TRUCK VEERED TO THE LEFT OUT OF CONTROL. THE AIRBAG NEVER CAME OUT. ARE THERE ANY REPORTS OF 2002 DODGE TRUCKS HAVING STEERING PROBLEMS? CHRYSLER FINALLY SENT A PERSON TO LOOK AT THE TRUCK. OUR INSURANCE COMPANY IS WANTING TO PUT AFTER MARKET PARTS ON OUR NEW TRUCK, WHICH WILL LIMIT OUR WARRANTY WITH CHRYSLER SINCE THEY'RE NOT DODGE PARTS. THE POINT IS: IF WE WERE ON INTERSTATE OR ANY ROAD GOING FASTER SOMEONE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN HURT MUCH WORSE OR KILLED, SINCE THE AIRBAG DIDN'T WORK EITHER. CAST ALUMINUM IS WHAT THE PARTS THAT CAME APART WERE MADE OF. WITH THE DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED TO THE WHEEL AND BOTH ENDS OF THE STEERING ARM WAS OFF AFTER THE WRECK, IT IS HARD TO TELL HOW IT HAPPENED. WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE OFFICIAL WORD FROM CHRYSLER YET. CAUTION OWNERS OF 2002 DODGE TRUCKS OF THE POTENTIAL DANGERS, PLEASE. *LA

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch
Filed Nov 20, 2003TX

COMPLAINT INVOLVING 2002 DODGE RAM TRUCK.*MR (NAR) THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE AND REQUESTED THAT THE DEALERSHIP REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE. *CB

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Nov 19, 200318 milesTX

UNEVEN WEAR OF FRONT TIRES. TIRES WEAR ON THE INSIDE OF TREAD. THIS HAS OCCURED SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. I HAVE HAD THE TIRES BALANCE/ROATATED AND ALIGNED EVERY 10 TO 15,000 MILES WITH THE SAME TREAD WEAR RESULTS EACH TIME. DODGE WILL NOT HELP ME TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. I FEEL MY TRUCK IS DEFECTIVE AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS TRUCK. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!! *LA

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Nov 12, 2003MI

THE OWNER HAD REMOVED THE WHEELS TO CHECK THE BRAKES. OWNER NOTICED ALL FOUR-BRAKE ROTORS HAD GROOVES. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED THE BRAKES TO LOSE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS. BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH

Air Bags › FrontalCrashFire1 injured
Filed Oct 31, 2003NV

COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, I WAS GOING 75 MPH IT WAS SOMEWHERE NEAR STOPPED TO 30 MPH, I RAN INTO THE REAR OF OTHER VEHICLE AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHAT THE HELL DO I PAY FOR THEM FOR. I HAVE EXTENSIVE PICTURES OF THE TRUCK I WAS DRIVING TO PROVE MY CASE. *LA

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 23, 2003OK

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN A TRUCK RAN HIS STOP SIGN AND STOPPED IN THE INTERSECTION (IT IS NOT A 4 STOP). IT WAS LIGHTLY RAINING. WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES THE ABS DIDN'T WORK AND I THEN LOST CONTROL SLAMMING INTO THE DITCH EMBANKMENT. MISSING THE TRUCK. I WAS GOING ABOUT 35-40 MPH WHEN I HIT. I HIT HEAD ON INTO THE EMBANKMENT. WHEN I HIT MY AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AND THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. *LA

Wheels
Filed Oct 17, 2003OK

THREE OF THE FOUR STANDARD 17" PAINTED STEEL WHEELS ARE CHIPPING PAINT. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED TWO AND A THIRD IS ON ORDER AND WILL BE REPLACED UPON ARRIVAL. NO HARSH CHEMICALS - SIMPLE GREEN ONLY - HAS BEEN USED TO CLEAN THE STEEL WHEELS. *LA

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Oct 15, 200314,500 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING DURING RAINING WEATHER, THE POWER STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE ALTERNATOR DIED. DEALER STATED THAT HE HEARD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT REPRODUCE IT YET. *AK ALTERNATOR LIGHT COMES ON AND STEERING IS STIFF WHILE DRIVING THROUGH RAIN.*TS *JB

Electrical System
Filed Oct 7, 20037,000 milesOR

I PURCHASED A 2002 QUAD CAB 4X4 IN FEBRUARY 2002. FROM ABOUT THE THIRD MONTH, AND UNTIL NOW, AT TIMES THE TRUCK WILL SHUT OFF ITSELF, NORMALLY AT A STOP SIGH OR LIGHT. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE TRUCK WAS ROLLING TO A STOP THAT IT SHUTS DOWN. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE IN COOLER TEMPERATURE. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP CHECK THE TRUCK APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES FOR THIS CONDITION AND THEY SAY NOTHING AND THEY CANT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEN THEY INSTALLED A VDAQ SYSTEM (THE ONLY ONE IN THIS COUNTRY) TO MONITOR THE COMPUTER AND BE MONITORED BY CHRYSLER 24HRS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK. ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO I GET A CALL FROM THE SERVICE WRITER, ROB, ASKING ME IF ON THE 25 AND 26 OF AUGUST IF I HAD STARTED AND TURNED OFF THE TRUCK 6 TIMES IN 15 MINUTES ON THOSE TWO DAYS. THOSE WERE WORK DAYS SO THE TRUCK WAS PARKED. AFTER THE LAST TIME IT STALLED ON SEPTEMBER. 25 I WAITED TO HEAR FROM CHRYSLER, NO CALL. ON MONDAY THE 29TH I CALLED ROB AT SERVICE AND ASKED HIM IF HE HAD HEARD FROM CHRYSLER. HE SAID THAT THE LAST HE HEARD THEY WANTED ME TO TAKE THE TRUCK IN TO REMOVE THE MONITORING DEVICE, I TOLD HIM THEY COULD HAVE THE WHOLE STINKING TRUCK BACK. I ALSO HAVE A BELL THAT SOUNDS WITH A LIGHT ON THE DASH THAT COMES ON THEN SHUTS OFF. THIS LEMON DODGE WILL BE THE LAST DODGE I WILL EVER OWN. *LA

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Sep 26, 200330,000 milesFL

WHEN ACCELERATING. INTERMITTENTLY ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD STICK AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 20 MPH. CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINE. HAD TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Sep 23, 200333,000 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE SEVERELY. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WORN DISC ROTORS, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 21, 200378,500 milesGA

MY OIL PUMP WENT OUT ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB AND DODGE DEALERSHIP AND DAIMLER CHRYSLER STATE THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SAY IT IS DUE TO SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE FROM LACK OF OIL CHANGES. I HAD THE OIL CHANGED FROM SERVICE CENTERS. THE DAMAGE IS OVER $1000.00 *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Sep 12, 200333 milesFL

HAVE OWNED 02 RAM 1500 QUAD CAB SHORT BED FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. AFTER PURCHASING IN AUG 02 HAD IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS WITH FRONT END VIBRATION/SKIP. DEALERSHIP REPLACED 3 SETS OF RIMS AND 4 SETS OF TIRES, SKIP SEAMS TO BE GONE. HOWEVER, CONTINUE TO HAVE VIBRATION/SHAKE AT 40 MPH AND ABOVE, SEEMS AS IF IT IS A DRIVE TRAIN OR ENGINE PROBLEM BUT MILTON DODGE IN MILTON FLORIDA STATES THERE IS NO PROBLEM. IF A WATER BOTTLE IS SITTING IN THE CUP HOLDER YOU CAN REALLY TELL HAD BAD THE TRUCK VIBRATES/SHAKES. HAVE OVER 12 DEALER SERVICE INVOICES WHERE THEY HAVE TRIED TO CORRECT WITH NO SUCCESS. *PH

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Sep 3, 200314,440 milesIA

I HAVE HAD MY DODGE RAM QUAD CAB IN FOR SERVICE OVER 15 TIMES FOR RUST, WIRING, TWO RECALLS, ENGINE LIGHTS, BAD GAS CAP, BAD STEERING WHEEL, AND LIST CONTINUES....*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Aug 30, 200318,000 milesTX

WE HAVE A 2002 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB THAT WE FEEL IS UNSAFE. WE HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT ROTORS REFACED AT 18,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 30,000 MILES AFTER TAKING A 2100 MILE TRIP. AT THAT TIME, WE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE BACK ROTORS REPLACED.A 1/2 TON PICKUP TRUCK SHOULD HAVE A BETTER BRAKE SYSTEM THAN THAT. NEITHER TIME WERE THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED. WE HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THEY TOLD US IT WAS DUE TO EITHER ROAD CONDITIONS, DRIVING HABITS OR WEATHER.WE FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THEY GO BAD SO QUICKLY WITH NO WARNING AND CHRYSLER WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS. THERE IS DEFINITELY A DEFECT IN THE BRAKE/ROTOR SYSTEM AND IT SHOULD BE CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 28, 2003NY

CONSUMER NOTICED AFTER PLACING VEHICLE IN PARK VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Aug 26, 2003OH

2002/UP DODGE RAM 1500 BRAKE ROTORS. I AM HAVING SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES AND DCX REFUSES TO COVER THIS UNDER MY WARRANTY. IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. PLEASE REFER TO WWW.DODGETRUCKWORLD.COM. *NLM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Aug 22, 200318,399 milesWI

I HAVE A 2002 RAM QUAD CAB 4X4. THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE TURNED TO ELIMINATE A SEVERE BRAKE VIBRATION AT ABOUT 15000 MILES. AT 28000 THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AGAIN. I STILL HAVE NOT WORN OUT THE ORIGINAL BRAKE PADS. DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE CONTENDS THAT THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURED BECAUSE OF DRIVING STYLE, ROAD CONDITIONS AND THE WEATHER. I CONTEND THAT THEY ARE POORLY DESIGNED ROTORS. A RAM "TOUGH" TRUCK SHOULD BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND MY WIFE'S HIGHWAY COMMUTE TO WORK. THESE BRAKE "FAILURES" REDUCE THE EFFECTIVE BRAKING ABILITY OF THE TRUCK, COMPROMISE CONTROL AND PUT UNDUE STRESSES ON THE OTHER SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. THESE BRAKES ARE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.*AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Aug 12, 20031 milesME

TRUCK BOUNCES OUT OF CONTROL WHEN HITTING SMALL AND LARGE BUMPS IN THE ROAD. LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND VERY DANGEROUS. ALSO, TRUCK PULLS TO THE RIGHT CONSTANTLY. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER IN WATERVILLE MAINE, THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR A 4X4. EVERY TIME I BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE, I COMPLAIN, BUT I'M MADE TO FEEL LIKE IT'S ALL IN MY HEAD. ONCE THEY REPLACED THE RACK, AND TRIED NEW TIRES, BUT IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES CAN I RELEASE THE STEERING WHEEL, AND I'M HYPERVIGLENT OF EVERY APPROACHING BUMP. OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE DRIVEN MY TRUCK, WITH ME WITH THEM EXPERIENCE THE SAME "NORMAL PROBLEMS". I'VE HAD THE TRUCK FOR JUST OVER A YEAR NOW, AND THE PROBLEMS HAVEN'T GOTTEN WORSE, BUT REMAIN CONSTANT. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE PRODUCT, AND I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE TREATMENT FROM THE DEALER. IF I WASN'T TO LOSE SO MUCH MONEY, I WOULD HAVE TRADED IT IN 3 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, THIS TRUCK IS A LEMON. FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK, I POLLED EVERY OWNER OF THE SAME TRUCK, WHEN IT WAS CONVIENENT, AND I RECEIVED MORE SIMALAR PROBLEMS THAN NOT.*AK

Electrical System
Filed Aug 8, 2003600 milesFL

2002 DODGE RAM 1500 4.7L TRUCK WILL INTERMITTENLY STALL OR HAVE ROUGH IDLE AT STOP,ALSO WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT WILL FLASH. DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND REFUSE TO FIX

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Aug 7, 200320 milesAL

CONSUMER STATED ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHICH WAS AN INDICATION THE ABS WAS INOPERATIVE *AK *CB *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Aug 4, 200312,000 milesTX

DURING HEAVY RAIN, OR IN A CAR-WASH, OR RUNNING THROUGH TOO LARGE OF A PUDDLE OF WATER, THE SERPENTINE BELT BEGINS SLIPPING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT. IT WILL SLIP ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE GAUGE THAT IS SHOWING THE CHARGE LEVEL TO DROP NOTICEABLY, AND IT WILL SOMETIMES DROP TO THE POINT OF NO LONGER SHOWING CHARGING AT ALL. AT THIS POINT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALSO DISPLAYED, AND IT IS NOW NECESSARY TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTART THE TRUCK TO RESET THE GAUGE AND LIGHT AND HAVE IT BEGIN DISPLAYING PROPERLY AGAIN. DURING A HEAVY DOWNPOUR OF RAIN, THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN AS I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS DRIVEN BY THIS BELT. HAD THERE BEEN ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC, I WOULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT THAT I COULD NOT HAVE PREVENTED DUE TO THIS FAILURE. I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THE ANSWER THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A TRUCK, AND IT SHOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE SOME WATER. IF THIS PROBLEM TRULY EXISTS IN ALL TRUCKS LIKE MINE, THEN IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE HAS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND FILES A LAWSUIT AGAINST DODGE, OR EVEN A CLASS-ACTION SUIT IF ENOUGH PEOPLE ARE REALLY AFFECTED BY THE SAME PROBLEM. HAD I BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON MY TRUCK, IM CERTAIN THAT DODGE WOULD HAVE BEEN HELD LIABLE FOR BOTH MY DAMAGES AND WHOMEVER I HAD HIT. THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE RESOLVED BY REPLACING ALL THE PULLEYS

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 29, 2003CA

TRANSMISSION GOES INTO HIGH GEAR TOO SOON CAUSING TOO MUCH DOWNSHIFTING WHEN I NEED TO SPEED UP. GOES INTO OVERDRIVE AT 45 MPH. VERY SLUGGISH WHEN I NEED TO SPEED UP UNLESS I GIVE IT A LOT OF GAS PEDAL AND THEN IT DROPS OUT OF OVERDRIVE AND SKIPS 4TH GEAR AND GOES DOWN TO 3RD GEAR.*AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 22, 2003FL

DRIVERS SIDE A/C IS 23 DEGREES HOTTER THAN PASSENGER SIDE. HAD IN SHOP 2 OR 3 TIMES AND THE DEALER STILL CANT FIGURE OUT WHY. THERES ONLY ONE CONTROL KNOB ,NOT A DUAL KNOB.

Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Jul 22, 200319,000 milesMI

THE LIFT PUMP ON MY 2002 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE TRUCK START JERKING EVERY TIME I WENT TO ACCELERATE AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. AFTER HAVING TALKED TO OTHERS WITH A SAME TRUCK, OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE TRUCK HAD ABOUT 19,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS A YEAR AND 6 MONTHS OLD. I WOULD NOT EXPECT THIS TYPE OF FAILUE ON A NEW TRUCK WITH SO LITTLE MILES ON IT.

Air BagsCrash2 injured1 killed
Filed Jul 11, 200311,000 milesTX

WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE SLIGHTLY TOUCHED THE GRAVEL ON AN UNEVEN PARKWAY, AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED AND CRASHED. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER WAS KILLED. *AK WHEN THE TIRE LEFT THE ROAD THE CONSUMER TURNED THE WHEEL BACK TO THE LEFT TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK ONTO THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE FISHTAILED IN THE REAR AND COLLIDED HEAD ON INTO THE CONCRETE CULVERT, FLIPPED END OVER, AND ROLLED UPSIDE DOWN INTO A DITCH. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE SIZE OF THE WHEELS SHOULD BE REDESIGNED DUE TO THE CHASSIS. (THE CHANGE OF THE CENTER GRAVITY CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE UNSTABLE) *SCC *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 7, 2003FL

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45MPH, HAD AN ACCIDENT BY REAR ENDING VEHICLE IN FRONT. ABS BRAKING SYSTEM HAD LOCKED UP. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SKID INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. FRONT END OF VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. ALSO, SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RESTRAIN AND DRIVER SUFFERED CHEST PAINS FROM HITTING STEERING WHEEL, AND HAD TO BE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL.*AK

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jul 4, 2003OK

REAR END OF TRUCK MOVES OVER AND MAKES TRUCK UNCONTROLABLE. THIS HAPPENS AT SPEEDS FROM 35 MPH AND UP. ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH, THE REAR END JUMPS UP AND DOWN RAPIDLY ON THE HIGHWAYS. MANY TIMES I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO 55 OR 60 TO GET IT BACK IN COMTROL. I FEAR AN ACCIDENT IS VERY POSSIBLE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE PURCHASE OF THE TRUCK. THE DEALER TELLS ME IT IS JUST A TRUCK AND I HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT. THIS IS MY 5TH TRUCK TO OWN, AND IT IS THE FIRST ONE TO BEHAVE LIKE THIS. *AK

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior
Filed Jun 12, 2003NJ

WHILE HAVING VEHICLE SERVICED AT DEALER TECHNICIAN STATED THAT CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO WAIT TWO WEEKS TO GET RECALL REPAIRS DONE FOR SIDE VIEW MIRROR REPLACEMENT WHILE VEHICLE WAS MISSING MIRROR. *AK

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Jun 11, 200350 milesAZ

ONGOING VIBRATION IN REAR AXLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DODGE HAS ROTATED AND REBALANCED ORIGINAL TIRES, HAD GOODYEAR REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES WITH NEW TIRES 3 TIMES, HAS SENT THE TRUCK TO BIG-O FOR ROAD FORCE BALANCING 3 TIMES, HAS REBALANCED ORIGINAL DRIVESHAFT AND THEN REPLACED THE DRIVESHAFT WITH A NEW ONE ALL TO NO AVAIL. HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS 14 TIMES SO FAR. THE FINAL TIME GOODYEAR REPLACED THE TIRES, THEIR STORE MANAGER PERFORMED HIS OWN TEST FOR VIBRATION. HE MOUNTED AND BALANCED THE NEW TIRES AND THEN PUT THE TRUCK INTO THE AIR ON A HYDRAULIC LIFT TAKING IT UP TO HIGHWAY SPEED. HE NOTED THE VIBRATION, THEN REMOVED THE TIRES FROM THE WHEELS, STILL NOTED THE VIBRATION AND THEN REMOVED THE WHEELS FROM THE AXLE AND STILL NOTED THE VIBRATION. THIS WAS NOTED TO BOTH REPAIR DEALERS, ALSO TO NO AVAIL.*AK

Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer › Lpg Systems › Water Heater
Filed Jun 11, 2003NY

NO PARTS AVAILABLE; RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE #C10/C11FROM THE MANUFACTURER. IT HAS BEEN THREE MONTHS AND NO PARTS AVAILABLE. THE DEALERSHIP IS NAME GERALD NORTH 490 SOUTH STREET LOWVILLE TELEPHONE#315 376 6211. *AK

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior
Filed May 28, 2003LA

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR BROKE IN HALF. *TT

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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