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2000 Dodge RAM 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Dodge RAM 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 520.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

305 reports with mileage · 208 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 248 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

37 crash reports7 fire reports37 injury reports

Steering complaints

17 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

Unknown Will be driving down the road and the truck will shut off. When this happens it also affects the power steering and the power brakes. Has happened at a spotlight and I had to push it thru a busy intersection. Has happened going down the road just at random. No warning. But it does show (No Bus) when this happens b…

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Unknown Will be driving down the road and the truck will shut off. When this happens it also affects the power steering and the power brakes. Has happened at a spotlight and I had to push it thru a busy intersection. Has happened going down the road just at random. No warning. But it does show (No Bus) when this happens but it does not trigger a code or engine light Try to start it and it will not start. Sometime it's only a few minutes up too 1/2 Hour the last time it cut off.

NHTSA ODI #11469787

90,000 miles · May 1, 2018
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control

LINKAGE IN STEERING COLUMN WILL REMAIN IN 2ND GEAR WHEN I HAVE PUT IT IN DRIVE. IT HAS BEEN IN MECHANICS TWICE. TWICE INTO MECHANICS REGARDING ANTIFREEZE SPILLING INSIDE THE CAB OF TRUCK. REPAIR WAS ON WATER PUMP BOTH TIMES. STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BOTH CONCERNS. RESULTING IN HEALTH ISSUES BEING AT RISK LINKAGE WHILE IN MOT…

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LINKAGE IN STEERING COLUMN WILL REMAIN IN 2ND GEAR WHEN I HAVE PUT IT IN DRIVE. IT HAS BEEN IN MECHANICS TWICE. TWICE INTO MECHANICS REGARDING ANTIFREEZE SPILLING INSIDE THE CAB OF TRUCK. REPAIR WAS ON WATER PUMP BOTH TIMES. STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BOTH CONCERNS. RESULTING IN HEALTH ISSUES BEING AT RISK LINKAGE WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY. ANTIFREEZE SPEWING INSIDE CAB OF TRUCK ON WINDSHIELD, CARPET AND MATS, ALSO CENTER OF CAB NEAR 4 WHEEL GEAR SHIFTER.OCCURS WHEN STATIONARY OR WHEN DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11091215

190,000 miles · Sep 9, 2016
Steering

I'VE ONLY OWNED THE TRUCK FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS AT THIS TIME. ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO I EXPERIENCED WHAT MY RESEARCH HAS SHOWN TO BE THE DODGE DEATH WOBBLE, THIS IS WHERE ONE OF THE FRONT WHEELS HITS A BUMP IN THE ROAD AT FREEWAY SPEED AND THE FRONT END OSCILLATES VIOLENTLY AND WILL NOT STOP WITHOUT SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN AND RADICALLY…

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I'VE ONLY OWNED THE TRUCK FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS AT THIS TIME. ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO I EXPERIENCED WHAT MY RESEARCH HAS SHOWN TO BE THE DODGE DEATH WOBBLE, THIS IS WHERE ONE OF THE FRONT WHEELS HITS A BUMP IN THE ROAD AT FREEWAY SPEED AND THE FRONT END OSCILLATES VIOLENTLY AND WILL NOT STOP WITHOUT SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN AND RADICALLY MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM CENTER (STRAIGHT LINE). IF LEFT TO "WOBBLE" IT SEEMS THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE ITSELF TO DEATH!! MAYBE EVEN BREAK A STEERING/SUSPENSION COMPONENT. I DID TRY INSTALLING THE ENHANCED BRACE THAT TIES THE SWAY BAR MOUNTS/ANCHOR POINTS TO A NEW BEARING SUPPORTING AN EXTENSION ON THE PITTMAN ARM SHAFT AND I ALSO HAD THE FRONT END COMPONENTS CHECKED, ALIGNED AND TIRES BALANCED TO NO AVAIL, THOUGH THE BRACE KIT SEEMED TO HELP. IT IS HARD TO PREDICT WHEN A BUMP IN THE ROAD WILL SET IT OFF BUT THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I BARELY KEPT IT FROM PULLING INTO THE NEXT LANE BEFORE I GOT IT SLOWED AND CONTROLLED. I NOW TRY TO MINIMIZE MY TIME ON THE FREEWAY IN MY COMMUTE TO/FROM WORK.

NHTSA ODI #10905131

167,000 miles · May 9, 2014
SteeringSuspension

UNCONTROLLABLE WHEEL SHAKE (DEATH WOBBLE), UNTIL YOU COME TO COMPLETE STOP WHICH THE VIOLENT SHAKING IN TURN AFFECTS HOW I BRAKE. CHRYSLER REVISED THE STEERING SET UP AND KEPT IT A SECRET UNTIL YOU MADE A COMPLAINT EVEN THEN THEY JUST SAY YOU NEED TO REPLACE ALL STEERING COMPONENTS MEAN WHILE WHAT THEY INSTALL IS NOTHING LIKE WH…

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UNCONTROLLABLE WHEEL SHAKE (DEATH WOBBLE), UNTIL YOU COME TO COMPLETE STOP WHICH THE VIOLENT SHAKING IN TURN AFFECTS HOW I BRAKE. CHRYSLER REVISED THE STEERING SET UP AND KEPT IT A SECRET UNTIL YOU MADE A COMPLAINT EVEN THEN THEY JUST SAY YOU NEED TO REPLACE ALL STEERING COMPONENTS MEAN WHILE WHAT THEY INSTALL IS NOTHING LIKE WHAT WAS THERE. CHRYSLER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR POOR ENGINEERING- THIS CAN HURT SOMEONE ONE DAY AND WOULD RATHER SEE IT NOT. VIOLENT WHEEL SHAKE I MEAN VIOLENT. IF A PRODUCT IS DESIGNED WRONG AND MANUFACTURE CREATES A FIX FOR SO CALLED DESIGN FLAW THEN THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. HTTP://BLOG.DIESELPOWERPRODUCTS.COM/DODGE-FRONT-END-ISSUES-AND-THE-DREADED-DEATH-WOBBLE THIS LINK CONTAINS CHRYSLERS REVISED PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10587518

126,000 miles · Apr 8, 2014
EngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE POWER STE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AS THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

NHTSA ODI #10578379

160,000 miles · Mar 3, 2011
SteeringSuspension

VIOLENT CONVULSIVE BOUNCING SHAKING WOBBLING MOVEMENT IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING AT MODERATE TO HIGH SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386354

2,000 miles · Nov 23, 2007
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCKED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE AND, MINUTES LATER, THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME FUNCTIONAL AGAIN. TEN MINUTES LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCKED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE AND, MINUTES LATER, THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME FUNCTIONAL AGAIN. TEN MINUTES LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 2,000.

NHTSA ODI #10209743

Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2004
Steering

I HAVE 2000 DODGE RAM PICKUP THAT HAS FOUR WHEEL DRIVE AND 37,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. AT APPROXIMATELY 15,000 MILES, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND IT BECAME HARD TO KEEP IT FROM WANDERING. I USED THE INTERNET TO FIND WAYS OF CHECKING THE FRONT END COMPONENTS AND FOUND THAT THIS …

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I HAVE 2000 DODGE RAM PICKUP THAT HAS FOUR WHEEL DRIVE AND 37,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. AT APPROXIMATELY 15,000 MILES, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND IT BECAME HARD TO KEEP IT FROM WANDERING. I USED THE INTERNET TO FIND WAYS OF CHECKING THE FRONT END COMPONENTS AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. USING THE INFORMATION THAT I FOUND ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE BALL JOINTS, TRAC BAR, AND STEERING STABILIZER ARE ALL DEFECTIVE. LIKEWISE, THE TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO GIVE ME PROBLEMS IN REVERSE GEAR. I HAVE COLLECTED INFORMATION THAT SHOWS ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS GOING BACK MANY YEARS. HOW CAN A MANUFACTURER BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE MAKING FAULTY PRODUCTS KNOWING THAT THEY ARE JEOPARDIZING THE SAFETY OF PEOPLE? I CANNOT AFFORD TO GET THIS TRUCK FIXED AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. IS DODGE BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR REPAIRS SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE THAT THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT FOR YEARS? *JB

NHTSA ODI #10098378

5,522 miles · Jan 6, 2004
SteeringSuspension

VIBRATION & NOISE IN RIGHT FRONT WHEN TURNING, DEALER CHECKED FOUND NOISE COMING FROM R/S LOWER BALL JOINT & DRAG LINK BROKEN - DELAER REPLACED DRAG LINK AND BALL JOINT KIT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10052524

100,000 miles · Nov 1, 2003
SteeringSuspension

I OWN A 2000 DODGE RAM 1500, 2 WHEEL DRIVE. AS I LOOKED THROUGH YOUR SITE I FOUND A RECALL ON THE SUSPENSION OF THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM. ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO THE TRUCK THE TRUCK NEEDED TIE ROD ENDS ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. A LOUD SQUEAKING WAS TO BE FIXED BY THE TIE ROD ENDS. ONCE IN THE SHOP I RECEIVED A CALL SAYING THAT THE RIGH…

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I OWN A 2000 DODGE RAM 1500, 2 WHEEL DRIVE. AS I LOOKED THROUGH YOUR SITE I FOUND A RECALL ON THE SUSPENSION OF THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM. ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO THE TRUCK THE TRUCK NEEDED TIE ROD ENDS ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. A LOUD SQUEAKING WAS TO BE FIXED BY THE TIE ROD ENDS. ONCE IN THE SHOP I RECEIVED A CALL SAYING THAT THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM HAD A BAD BUSHING AND TO REPLACE THE RUBBER BUSHING I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE CONTROL ARM. NO ONE PERSON COULD TELL ME WHY. ACCORDING TO YOUR RECALL, MY BAD TIE ROD ENDS, SHOCKS, AND CONTROL ARM ARE A RESULT OF A BAD AXLE. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THIS ALL HAPPENED FROM THE CONTROL GOING BAD. THE TRUCK HAD ONLY 100,000 MILES AT THE TIME,THIS COST ME 1,500.00. THE TRUCK IS NOW STARTING TO HAVE THE SAME NOISES AS A YEAR AGO. COULD THIS BE THE RECURRING PROBLEM,SHOULD I JUST KEEP REPLACING THE RIGHT SIDE CONTROL ARM. MY TRUCK IS ALL ROAD MILES,NO FOUR WHEELING, NO TOWING, NO ACCIDENTS. WHAT YOU HAVE POINTED OUT I FEEL IS MORE PREVALENT THAN 76 VEHICLES. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED THERE IS NO RECALL OF THIS KIND FOR MY TRUCK, THEN WHY IS IT WITH YOU PEOPLE AND WHY IS IT EXACTLY AS YOU HAVE STATED. I FEEL YOU ARE RIGHT,I FEEL THERE IS A PROBLEM, I ALSO FEEL PUTTING ON NEW CONTROL ARMS DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM WHICH I FEEL IS RETURNING AND I FEAR ANOTHER 1,500.00 BILL IS ON IT'S WAY. PLEASE HELP! *LA

NHTSA ODI #10045250

Official recalls

2

03V504000 · Tires

Dec 10, 2003

ON CERTAIN 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE SNOW PLOW PREPARATION PACKAGE, THE TIRES SUPPLIED ON SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS THAT SLIGHTLY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM TIRE LOAD CAPACITY AS DEFINED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PROVIDE REPLACEMENT P245/75R16 TIRES TO MEET THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL AND ACCOMMODATE THE ADDITION OF A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SNOW PLOW AND HARDWARE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.

01V153000 · Air Bags

May 8, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE08047 · 2000-2001 Dodge RAM Pickup Hood Latch

Opened Jul 25, 2008 · Closed Dec 17, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch; Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments

THE AGENCY OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 30 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE HOODS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS FLEW UP AND BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VISION.THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PRIMARY HOOD LATCH AND A SECONDARY (BACKUP) HOOD LATCH.THE SECONDARY LATCH IS DESIGNED TO SECURE THE HOOD IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED OR OTHERWISE MALFUNCTIONS.IN THESE COMPLAINTS, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION, AND DID NOT LATCH.DODGE CONDUCTED RECALL 01V-040 IN 1999 TO ADDRESS SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.THE INFORMATION CHRYSLER PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER INDICATED THAT THE MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES WITH STAINLESS STEEL RETURN SPRINGS, AS OPPOSED TO THE EARLIER RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAD ZINC COATED CARBON STEEL RETURN SPRINGS.THE RECALLED COMPONENTS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION-INDUCED FAILURE DUE TO THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, WHEREAS THE CORROSION FAILURES IN THE NEWER MODELS APPEAR TO BE DUE TO LUBRICATION LOSS OVER TIME (REGULAR APPLICATION OF GREASE IS ADVISED PER INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). ODI'S REVIEW OF CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY, COMPLAINT, AND INJURY DATA FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES INDICATES THAT THE RATES FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE LOW AND ARE DECLINING.A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

THE AGENCY OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 30 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE HOODS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS FLEW UP AND BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VISION.THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PRIMARY HOOD LATCH AND A SECONDARY (BACKUP) HOOD LATCH.THE SECONDARY LATCH IS DESIGNED TO SECURE THE HOOD IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED OR OTHERWISE MALFUNCTIONS.IN THESE COMPLAINTS, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION, AND DID NOT LATCH.DODGE CONDUCTED RECALL 01V-040 IN 1999 TO ADDRESS SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.THE INFORMATION CHRYSLER PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER INDICATED THAT THE MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES WITH STAINLESS STEEL RETURN SPRINGS, AS OPPOSED TO THE EARLIER RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAD ZINC COATED CARBON STEEL RETURN SPRINGS.THE RECALLED COMPONENTS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION-INDUCED FAILURE DUE TO THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, WHEREAS THE CORROSION FAILURES IN THE NEWER MODELS APPEAR TO BE DUE TO LUBRICATION LOSS OVER TIME (REGULAR APPLICATION OF GREASE IS ADVISED PER INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). ODI'S REVIEW OF CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY, COMPLAINT, AND INJURY DATA FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES INDICATES THAT THE RATES FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE LOW AND ARE DECLINING.A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments

THE AGENCY OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 30 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE HOODS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS FLEW UP AND BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VISION.THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PRIMARY HOOD LATCH AND A SECONDARY (BACKUP) HOOD LATCH.THE SECONDARY LATCH IS DESIGNED TO SECURE THE HOOD IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED OR OTHERWISE MALFUNCTIONS.IN THESE COMPLAINTS, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION, AND DID NOT LATCH.DODGE CONDUCTED RECALL 01V-040 IN 1999 TO ADDRESS SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.THE INFORMATION CHRYSLER PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER INDICATED THAT THE MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES WITH STAINLESS STEEL RETURN SPRINGS, AS OPPOSED TO THE EARLIER RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAD ZINC COATED CARBON STEEL RETURN SPRINGS.THE RECALLED COMPONENTS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION-INDUCED FAILURE DUE TO THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, WHEREAS THE CORROSION FAILURES IN THE NEWER MODELS APPEAR TO BE DUE TO LUBRICATION LOSS OVER TIME (REGULAR APPLICATION OF GREASE IS ADVISED PER INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). ODI'S REVIEW OF CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY, COMPLAINT, AND INJURY DATA FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES INDICATES THAT THE RATES FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE LOW AND ARE DECLINING.A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.