2001 Dodge RAM 2500

I own a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 with the 5.9L Cummins diesel, manufactured in September 2000, with approximately 197,000 miles. The AIRBAG warning light now remains illuminated continuously, and the steering-wheel cruise-control buttons are completely inoperative. The horn still works. I performed the instrument-cluster self-test, and the CRUISE indicator illuminates during that test, confirming the indicator itself functions. I suspect a failure in the steering-wheel clockspring or related airbag circuit because these symptoms are similar to the condition addressed by Chrysler Safety Recall 982 / NHTSA Recall 01V153000. The vehicle has not yet been repaired or disassembled for this issue, so the original component remains installed and would be available for inspection if requested. My safety concern is that a clockspring or airbag-circuit failure could prevent the driver’s frontal airbag from deploying properly in a crash. The illuminated AIRBAG warning lamp indicates that the supplemental restraint system has detected a fault. The problem has not yet been diagnosed or confirmed by a dealer or independent repair facility. I contacted the Dodge/Ram Recall Assistance team and reported the condition. They opened a customer-assistance case, but told me that my VIN was not included in Recall 982. My Dodge/Ram case number is 97895685. My truck was manufactured in September 2000, and the 11th character of the VIN is “G.” Because the vehicle is experiencing an airbag warning condition and loss of steering-wheel cruise-control functions similar to symptoms associated with clockspring failure, I am requesting that NHTSA review whether vehicles outside the original recall population may be experiencing the same safety-related defect. The AIRBAG warning light and cruise-control failure are the current symptoms. I do not know the exact date the underlying component began to fail. No crash or airbag deployment has occurred.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE IS CALLED DEAD PEDAL, WHICH OCCURS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AGAINST THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHILE IN MOTION. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A FAULTY FUEL CONNECTOR AND STATED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHE STATED THAT SHE HAS HAD FUEL COMPONENTS REPLACED BEFORE BY A LOCAL AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,151 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,442.

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

2001 DODGE RAM 2500 PICKUP TRUCK. THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS IN THREE WAYS. 1) IT WILL TURN ITSELF ON AND START TO ACCELERATE. 2) IT WILL RESUME ON ITS OWN AFTER BEING TAPPPED OUT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. 3) IT HAS TURNED ITSELF OFF. UNDER SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, EITHER OF THOSE THREE MALFUNCTIONS COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT SUSAN SCHEIN DODGE TRUCKS, IN PELHAM, ALABAMA, THE PROBLEM WAS "SERVO FAILURE." I PAID THEM TO PUT A NEW SERVO ON MY VEHICLE. ON MY WAY HOME FROM THE SHOP, THE CRUISE RESUMED ON ITS OWN TWICE BEFORE I GOT HOME. I HAVE ADVISED CHRSYLER OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY REFUSE TO TAKE ANY ACTION ON THEIR OWN. ANOTHER DODGE 2001 OWNER TOLD ME, HE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND IT WAS THE VEHICLE COMPUTER. HE SAID CHRYSLER FIXED HIS TRUCK AND HE WAS OF THE OPINION A "RECALL" HAD BEEN ORDERED. IF SO I WAS NOT ADVISED AND NEITHER CHRYSLER NOR THE DEALER HAVE AGREED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. [AS FOR AN EXACT DATE OF INCIDENTS, I CAN'T BE SURE. I KNOW IT TURNED ITSELF ON IN MAY, 2004, AND IN SEPTEMBER, 2003. THOSE TWO TIMES ARE VERY SPECIFIC IN MY MIND! AS FOR RESUMING ON ITS OWN, THAT STARTED IN LATE 2002, OR EARLY 2003. THE NUMBER OF FAILURES LISTED IS A CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE.] OTHER PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME THE PROBLEM IS THE VEHICLE COMPUTER. I'VE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE A/C WORKING PROPERLY AND WITH THE O/D KICKING IN. PEOPLE WITH MORE MECHANICAL KNOWLEDGE THAN I POSSESS SAY, "THE COMPUTER IS FOULED UP!. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON A DOWN GRADE VEHICLE WAS PICKING UP SPEED WHILE CONSUMER HAD BRAKES APPLIED. VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE BECAUSE OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING, WHICH CAUSED DRIVER TO SUSTAIN FOOT, LOWER LEG, NECK, AND BA INJURIES, WHILE PASSENGER SUFFERED BACK AND MUSCLE INJURIES. INSURANCE COMPANY EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED VEHICLE TO BE A TOTAL LOSS.*AK *SLC