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2003 Dodge RAM Quad Cab

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

96 reports with mileage · 26 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 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports2 fire reports14 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

5 reports
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84,400 miles · Nov 30, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

SEPT. 2004 BOUGHT 2003 DODGE QUAD CAB W/HEMI. HAD APPROXIMATELY 34,000 MILES ON IT. TRUCK WAS IN GREAT SHAPE,RAN GOOD,DROVE GOOD. THEN IN OCT,2005,HAD A VALVE SPRING BREAK ON LEFT SIDE OF MOTOR,CAUSING MOTOR TO LOCK-UP. AT THIS TIME THE TRUCK HAD 84,400 MILES ON IT. WE LIVE 30 MILES FROM OUR JOBS,SO WE PUT A LOT OF MILES ON…

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SEPT. 2004 BOUGHT 2003 DODGE QUAD CAB W/HEMI. HAD APPROXIMATELY 34,000 MILES ON IT. TRUCK WAS IN GREAT SHAPE,RAN GOOD,DROVE GOOD. THEN IN OCT,2005,HAD A VALVE SPRING BREAK ON LEFT SIDE OF MOTOR,CAUSING MOTOR TO LOCK-UP. AT THIS TIME THE TRUCK HAD 84,400 MILES ON IT. WE LIVE 30 MILES FROM OUR JOBS,SO WE PUT A LOT OF MILES ON OUR VEHICLES. I CALLED DAIMLER-CHRYSLER TO SEE IF THEY WOULD EITHER FIX THE TRUCK,OR AT LEAST HELP WITH THE REPAIRS(AFTER ALL,YOU WOULD THINK THAT A HEMI MOTOR SHOULD BE GOOD FOR A LOT LONGER THAN 80,000 MILES).DAIMLER-CHRYSLER SAID THAT THEY WOULD NEED "A CERTIFIED DODGE DEALERSHIP"TO CHECK OUT THE TRUCK TO SEE WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED AND WHY IT HAPPENED. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP(SAVANNAH DODGE,SAVANNAH,GA).THEY CONFIRMED THE BROKEN VALVE SPRING AND BROKEN VALVE. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT HE HAS SEEN A FEW OF THESE SAME PROBLEMS,AND THE FIX IS TO REPLACE THE HEAD(IT WAS DAMAGED)USE NEW VALVES AND VALVE SPRINGS(WITH NEW"HEAVY-DUTY" VALVE SPRINGS).HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT I REPLACE THE VALVE SPRINGS ON THE OTHER HEAD WITH THESE NEW"HEAVY-DUTY"VALVE SPRINGS. I CALLED DAIMLER-CHRYSLER AGAIN AND TOLD THEM WHAT THEIR FIVE-STAR DEALERSHIP SAID. AFTER CALLING DAIMLER-CHRYSLER SEVERAL MORE TIMES,THEY SAID THAT THEY(DAIMLER-CHRYSLER)WOULD CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND THEN DECIDE IF THEY WOULD OR COULD HELP WITH THE REPAIRS. NEEDLESS TO SAY,I HAD TO CALL DAIMLER-CHRYSLER BACK(THEY DO NOT RETURN PHONE CALLS)THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT HELP WITH THE REPAIRS BECAUSE(1)I DID NOT BUY THIS TRUCK NEW(2)IT WAS OUT OF THE 70,000 MILE WARRANTY(3)BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE RECEIPTS OF MY OIL CHANGES(I AM A MECHANIC OF 25+ YEARS,I DO MY OWN OIL CHANGES,BUY MY OIL(CASTROL 5W30)BY THE CASE AT WAL-MART EVERY 3000 MILES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10144096

32,500 miles · Jul 18, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

I OWN A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 QUAD CAB SLT VIN 1D7-HU18N53S-188168 ASSEMBLY POINT, WARREN, MICHIGAN. THE TRUCK STALLED WHILE IN TRAFFIC MAKING A 10-15 MPH RIGHT TURN. THE SECOND OCCURENCE WAS JULY15, 2004. VERY CLOSE CALL HERE. I WAS IN THE SMOKEY MOUNTAINS CAMPING. THE SIX HOUR DRIVE HOME TOWING MY POPUP WAS NERVE RACKING…

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I OWN A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 QUAD CAB SLT VIN 1D7-HU18N53S-188168 ASSEMBLY POINT, WARREN, MICHIGAN. THE TRUCK STALLED WHILE IN TRAFFIC MAKING A 10-15 MPH RIGHT TURN. THE SECOND OCCURENCE WAS JULY15, 2004. VERY CLOSE CALL HERE. I WAS IN THE SMOKEY MOUNTAINS CAMPING. THE SIX HOUR DRIVE HOME TOWING MY POPUP WAS NERVE RACKING TO SAY THE LEAST. ESPECIALLY, SINCE MY 13, 6 AND 3 YEAR OLD WERE IN THE TRUCK. I MENTIONED THAT THE TRUCK RUNS EXTREMELY ROUGH INTERMITTENTLY TO THE DEALER MORGAN DODGE DURHAM NORTH CAROLINA ON AT LEAST TWO OCCASIONS. I AM ALSO EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT SHUDDER THAT SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION, ALSO MENTIONED TO THE DEALER ON AT LEAST TWO OCCASIONS. THE DEALER SIMPLY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE SHUDDER OR STALL. I ALSO HAD A SEVERE BRAKE PULSATION. THEY DID REPLACE FRONT PADS AND CALIPERS AND CUT ROTORS. THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO FOLLOW UP WITH ME REGARDING THE SHUDDER AND STALL BUT AS OF THIS DATE, 7/18/2004 I HAVE NOT YET RECEIVE A CALL BACK.

NHTSA ODI #10081297

11,285 miles · Jan 24, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

I OWN A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB 4X4. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE ENGINE DIED. I RESTARTED AND HEARD A LOAD CLANKING SOUND FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE A CONNECTING ROD KNOCK. I CONTACTED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY ARRANGED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WHEN W…

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I OWN A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB 4X4. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE ENGINE DIED. I RESTARTED AND HEARD A LOAD CLANKING SOUND FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE A CONNECTING ROD KNOCK. I CONTACTED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY ARRANGED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WHEN WE ARRIVED AT THE DEALER, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT GET IT STARTED. WHEN HE FINALLY GOT IT STARTED, THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. THE ENGINE WAS TORN DOWN AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VALVE SPRING ON THE INTAKE VALVE FOR THE #6 CYLINDER HAD BROKEN IN TWO, THE VALVE HAD DROPPED INTO THE CYLINDER, FLIPPED OVER, PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE #6 PISTON AND SNAPPED IN HALF. THE DEALER, FENTON AUTO GROUP IN PAMPA, TEXAS HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF ARRANGING FOR A LOANER CAR, AND GETTING THE MECHANIC TO WORK ON IT IMMEDIATELY. DODGE IS REPAIRING UNDER WARRANTY A BRAND NEW SHORT BLOCK, BRAND NEW PASSENGER SIDE HEAD, VALVE SPRING AND VALVE. THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THE PARTS IMMEDIATELY (THE NEXT DAY) AND PLAN TO HAVE IT REPAIRED QUICKLY. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT IF I WERE BUILDING OR REBUILDING AND ENGINE THAT HAD A BROKEN VALVE SPRING PROBLEM THAT I WOULD REPLACE EVERY VALVE SPRING ON THE ENTIRE ENGINE. AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE AND A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS COULD SAVE SEVERAL THOUSAND LATER. SECONDLY, I THINK I AM ENTITLED TO SOME SORT OF COMPENSATION FOR THE LOSS OF THE USE OF MY PICKUP IN THE WAY OF AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AT NO CHARGE, SERVICE CONTRACT ETC. THE PAYMENTS DON'T STOP JUST BECAUSE THE TRUCK IS IN THE SHOP. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT ROTORS TURNED DUE TO WARPAGE. THE TRUCK WAS A DEALER DEMO PURCHASED WITH 5,669 MILES ON IT AND CURRENTLY HAS 11,285 MILES. DODGE IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, AS THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AT DALLAS DODGE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS AND STATED HE HAD HEARD OF THE PROBLEM IN SCHOOLS. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10054807

500 miles · Dec 18, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, AT TIMES ENGINE IDLES ROUGH AND RPM'S DROP TO ABOUT 350-400 RPM. APPROXIMATELY 75% OF THE TIME IT HAPPENS THE ENGINE QUITS. THE OTHER 25% OF THE TIME IT HAPPENS THE RPM'S INCREASE AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME (20SECONDS TO 1 MINUTE) AND IF STILL IN GEAR THE TRUCK WILL LURCH FORWARD WHEN RPMS INC…

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WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, AT TIMES ENGINE IDLES ROUGH AND RPM'S DROP TO ABOUT 350-400 RPM. APPROXIMATELY 75% OF THE TIME IT HAPPENS THE ENGINE QUITS. THE OTHER 25% OF THE TIME IT HAPPENS THE RPM'S INCREASE AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME (20SECONDS TO 1 MINUTE) AND IF STILL IN GEAR THE TRUCK WILL LURCH FORWARD WHEN RPMS INCREASE. PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR TO INCREASE RPM'S DOES NOT AFFECT RPM'S WHEN ENGINE IS STUMBLING AND TRUCK WILL NOT MOVE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, KNOWN PROBLEM WITH ENGINE PROGRAMMING. PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE TRUCK WAS NEW.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10050717

4 miles · Oct 24, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

2003 DODGE HEMI 4X4 QUADCAB LONGBOX SLT 1ST. WHEN THE PICKUP RUNS FROM DAY ONE IT HAS A SEMI-LOUD ENGINE NOISE THAT COMES FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE ENGINE THAT DODGE SERVICE TECHNICIANS HAVE TRIED TO REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES BUT CAN'T. 2ND. THE PICKUP HAS 3 TIMES SINCE NEW, SHUTTERED WHEN BACKING UP, THEN SHUTTERED GOING FORW…

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2003 DODGE HEMI 4X4 QUADCAB LONGBOX SLT 1ST. WHEN THE PICKUP RUNS FROM DAY ONE IT HAS A SEMI-LOUD ENGINE NOISE THAT COMES FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE ENGINE THAT DODGE SERVICE TECHNICIANS HAVE TRIED TO REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES BUT CAN'T. 2ND. THE PICKUP HAS 3 TIMES SINCE NEW, SHUTTERED WHEN BACKING UP, THEN SHUTTERED GOING FORWARD WHEN FINALLY CLEARING ITS SELF RUNNING FINE. 3RD. WHEN WE PULL GRADES WITH THE PICKUP THEN NEED TO GO DOWN HILL OR ON A FLAT, THE PICKUP WILL SURGE NOTICEABLE ON THE TACH AND BY LISTENING TO THE ENGINE RUN. NO RUNAWAYS SO FAR. THE PICKUP HAS BEEN IN THE DODGE REPAIR SHOP MANY TIMES FOR REPAIRS AND I STILL DO NOT HAVE IT BACK. AS OF TODAY 10/24/03 I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY PICKUP THIS LAST TIME FOR 7 DAYS AND HAVE YET TO HEAR ANYTHING FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT DODGE. I THINK THIS PICK-UP NEEDS TO GO BACK TO THE FACTORY. BELIEVE IT OR NOT I STILL LIKE THE DARN THING. I NEED HELP AND ADVICE AS TO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? THANK YOU. JJ. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10043541

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

EA04025 · False Park

Opened Aug 26, 2004 · Closed Dec 22, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL AND WORK PURPOSES.A COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER IS USED FOR GEAR SELECTION AND AN ELECTRONIC PRNDL ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PROVIDES GEAR POSITION INFORMATION TO THE DRIVER.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ALSO EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS THE SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING MOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION (WHEN THE ENGINE IS ON) UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND AN IGNITION-SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS KEY REMOVAL UNLESS THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARK POSITION.COMPLAINANTS GENERALLY REPORT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED IN A FORWARD GEAR AND BROUGHT TO A STOP THROUGH BRAKE APPLICATION ON ALEVEL SURFACE, AT WHICH TIME THE OPERATOR MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER TO ENGAGE THE PARK POSITION.THE OPERATOR THEN OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND, WITHOUT VERIFYING PARK ENGAGEMENT (E.G., PRNDL GEAR INDICATION), SECURING THE PARK BRAKE, OR TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, EXITED THE VEHICLE.INITIALLY, NO VEHICLE MOVEMENT WAS APPARENT, HOWEVER, A SHORT TIME LATER, TYPICALLY REPORTED AS 10 TO 30 SECONDS, THE VEHICLE MOVED REARWARD UNDER ENGINE POWER.THE INCIDENT OFTEN ENDED IN A VEHICLE CRASH, AND SOMETIMES INVOLVED SERIOUS INJURY.TWO FATALITIES ARE ALLEGED.ODI?S ANALYSIS OF TEST VEHICLES AND SOME INCIDENT VEHICLES FOUND NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT A SHIFT LEVER PROPERLY PLACED IN PARK COULD UNINTENTIONALLY (I.E., WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT) DISENGAGE FROM THAT POSITION.HOWEVER, ODI DID FIND THAT THE SHIFT LEVER COULD BE INADVERTENTLY PLACED, AND REMAIN AT REST, WITHIN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION BETWEEN THE PARK AND REVERSE GEAR POSITIONS.WHEN PLACED IN SUCH AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION, THE VEHICLE CAN EXPERIENCE A DELAYED PRESSURIZATION OF THE REVERSE HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT THAT IS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL REARWARD UNDER POWER.THE DELAY PERIOD ALLOWS SUFFICIENT TIME FOR OPERATORS TO EXIT THE STATIONARY VEHICLE WITHOUT PERCEIVING THAT THE SHIFTER IS NOT IN PARK.THE SUMMARY REPORT DISCUSSES THE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THIS ISSUE IN GREATER DETAIL AND COMPARES THE FREQUENCY OF THESE INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO OTHER PEER VEHICLES THAT ODI EXAMINED.AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR OCTOBER 4, 2005 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-462, DCC NO. E17) TO INSTALL AN OUT-OF-PARK ALARM SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE ALARM WILL PROVIDE AUDIBLE AND VISUAL FEEDBACK TO ALERT THE DRIVER, AND OTHERS, IF THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE SHIFT LEVER IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION.THE TIMING OF DCC?S ACTION HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Power Train:automatic Transmission

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL AND WORK PURPOSES.A COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER IS USED FOR GEAR SELECTION AND AN ELECTRONIC PRNDL ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PROVIDES GEAR POSITION INFORMATION TO THE DRIVER.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ALSO EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS THE SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING MOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION (WHEN THE ENGINE IS ON) UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND AN IGNITION-SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS KEY REMOVAL UNLESS THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARK POSITION.COMPLAINANTS GENERALLY REPORT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED IN A FORWARD GEAR AND BROUGHT TO A STOP THROUGH BRAKE APPLICATION ON ALEVEL SURFACE, AT WHICH TIME THE OPERATOR MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER TO ENGAGE THE PARK POSITION.THE OPERATOR THEN OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND, WITHOUT VERIFYING PARK ENGAGEMENT (E.G., PRNDL GEAR INDICATION), SECURING THE PARK BRAKE, OR TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, EXITED THE VEHICLE.INITIALLY, NO VEHICLE MOVEMENT WAS APPARENT, HOWEVER, A SHORT TIME LATER, TYPICALLY REPORTED AS 10 TO 30 SECONDS, THE VEHICLE MOVED REARWARD UNDER ENGINE POWER.THE INCIDENT OFTEN ENDED IN A VEHICLE CRASH, AND SOMETIMES INVOLVED SERIOUS INJURY.TWO FATALITIES ARE ALLEGED.ODI?S ANALYSIS OF TEST VEHICLES AND SOME INCIDENT VEHICLES FOUND NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT A SHIFT LEVER PROPERLY PLACED IN PARK COULD UNINTENTIONALLY (I.E., WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT) DISENGAGE FROM THAT POSITION.HOWEVER, ODI DID FIND THAT THE SHIFT LEVER COULD BE INADVERTENTLY PLACED, AND REMAIN AT REST, WITHIN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION BETWEEN THE PARK AND REVERSE GEAR POSITIONS.WHEN PLACED IN SUCH AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION, THE VEHICLE CAN EXPERIENCE A DELAYED PRESSURIZATION OF THE REVERSE HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT THAT IS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL REARWARD UNDER POWER.THE DELAY PERIOD ALLOWS SUFFICIENT TIME FOR OPERATORS TO EXIT THE STATIONARY VEHICLE WITHOUT PERCEIVING THAT THE SHIFTER IS NOT IN PARK.THE SUMMARY REPORT DISCUSSES THE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THIS ISSUE IN GREATER DETAIL AND COMPARES THE FREQUENCY OF THESE INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO OTHER PEER VEHICLES THAT ODI EXAMINED.AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR OCTOBER 4, 2005 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-462, DCC NO. E17) TO INSTALL AN OUT-OF-PARK ALARM SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE ALARM WILL PROVIDE AUDIBLE AND VISUAL FEEDBACK TO ALERT THE DRIVER, AND OTHERS, IF THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE SHIFT LEVER IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION.THE TIMING OF DCC?S ACTION HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL AND WORK PURPOSES.A COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER IS USED FOR GEAR SELECTION AND AN ELECTRONIC PRNDL ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PROVIDES GEAR POSITION INFORMATION TO THE DRIVER.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ALSO EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS THE SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING MOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION (WHEN THE ENGINE IS ON) UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND AN IGNITION-SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS KEY REMOVAL UNLESS THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARK POSITION.COMPLAINANTS GENERALLY REPORT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED IN A FORWARD GEAR AND BROUGHT TO A STOP THROUGH BRAKE APPLICATION ON ALEVEL SURFACE, AT WHICH TIME THE OPERATOR MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER TO ENGAGE THE PARK POSITION.THE OPERATOR THEN OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND, WITHOUT VERIFYING PARK ENGAGEMENT (E.G., PRNDL GEAR INDICATION), SECURING THE PARK BRAKE, OR TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, EXITED THE VEHICLE.INITIALLY, NO VEHICLE MOVEMENT WAS APPARENT, HOWEVER, A SHORT TIME LATER, TYPICALLY REPORTED AS 10 TO 30 SECONDS, THE VEHICLE MOVED REARWARD UNDER ENGINE POWER.THE INCIDENT OFTEN ENDED IN A VEHICLE CRASH, AND SOMETIMES INVOLVED SERIOUS INJURY.TWO FATALITIES ARE ALLEGED.ODI?S ANALYSIS OF TEST VEHICLES AND SOME INCIDENT VEHICLES FOUND NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT A SHIFT LEVER PROPERLY PLACED IN PARK COULD UNINTENTIONALLY (I.E., WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT) DISENGAGE FROM THAT POSITION.HOWEVER, ODI DID FIND THAT THE SHIFT LEVER COULD BE INADVERTENTLY PLACED, AND REMAIN AT REST, WITHIN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION BETWEEN THE PARK AND REVERSE GEAR POSITIONS.WHEN PLACED IN SUCH AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION, THE VEHICLE CAN EXPERIENCE A DELAYED PRESSURIZATION OF THE REVERSE HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT THAT IS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL REARWARD UNDER POWER.THE DELAY PERIOD ALLOWS SUFFICIENT TIME FOR OPERATORS TO EXIT THE STATIONARY VEHICLE WITHOUT PERCEIVING THAT THE SHIFTER IS NOT IN PARK.THE SUMMARY REPORT DISCUSSES THE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THIS ISSUE IN GREATER DETAIL AND COMPARES THE FREQUENCY OF THESE INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO OTHER PEER VEHICLES THAT ODI EXAMINED.AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR OCTOBER 4, 2005 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-462, DCC NO. E17) TO INSTALL AN OUT-OF-PARK ALARM SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE ALARM WILL PROVIDE AUDIBLE AND VISUAL FEEDBACK TO ALERT THE DRIVER, AND OTHERS, IF THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE SHIFT LEVER IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION.THE TIMING OF DCC?S ACTION HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL AND WORK PURPOSES.A COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER IS USED FOR GEAR SELECTION AND AN ELECTRONIC PRNDL ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PROVIDES GEAR POSITION INFORMATION TO THE DRIVER.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ALSO EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS THE SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING MOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION (WHEN THE ENGINE IS ON) UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND AN IGNITION-SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS KEY REMOVAL UNLESS THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARK POSITION.COMPLAINANTS GENERALLY REPORT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED IN A FORWARD GEAR AND BROUGHT TO A STOP THROUGH BRAKE APPLICATION ON ALEVEL SURFACE, AT WHICH TIME THE OPERATOR MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER TO ENGAGE THE PARK POSITION.THE OPERATOR THEN OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND, WITHOUT VERIFYING PARK ENGAGEMENT (E.G., PRNDL GEAR INDICATION), SECURING THE PARK BRAKE, OR TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, EXITED THE VEHICLE.INITIALLY, NO VEHICLE MOVEMENT WAS APPARENT, HOWEVER, A SHORT TIME LATER, TYPICALLY REPORTED AS 10 TO 30 SECONDS, THE VEHICLE MOVED REARWARD UNDER ENGINE POWER.THE INCIDENT OFTEN ENDED IN A VEHICLE CRASH, AND SOMETIMES INVOLVED SERIOUS INJURY.TWO FATALITIES ARE ALLEGED.ODI?S ANALYSIS OF TEST VEHICLES AND SOME INCIDENT VEHICLES FOUND NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT A SHIFT LEVER PROPERLY PLACED IN PARK COULD UNINTENTIONALLY (I.E., WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT) DISENGAGE FROM THAT POSITION.HOWEVER, ODI DID FIND THAT THE SHIFT LEVER COULD BE INADVERTENTLY PLACED, AND REMAIN AT REST, WITHIN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION BETWEEN THE PARK AND REVERSE GEAR POSITIONS.WHEN PLACED IN SUCH AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION, THE VEHICLE CAN EXPERIENCE A DELAYED PRESSURIZATION OF THE REVERSE HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT THAT IS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL REARWARD UNDER POWER.THE DELAY PERIOD ALLOWS SUFFICIENT TIME FOR OPERATORS TO EXIT THE STATIONARY VEHICLE WITHOUT PERCEIVING THAT THE SHIFTER IS NOT IN PARK.THE SUMMARY REPORT DISCUSSES THE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THIS ISSUE IN GREATER DETAIL AND COMPARES THE FREQUENCY OF THESE INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO OTHER PEER VEHICLES THAT ODI EXAMINED.AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR OCTOBER 4, 2005 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-462, DCC NO. E17) TO INSTALL AN OUT-OF-PARK ALARM SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE ALARM WILL PROVIDE AUDIBLE AND VISUAL FEEDBACK TO ALERT THE DRIVER, AND OTHERS, IF THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE SHIFT LEVER IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION.THE TIMING OF DCC?S ACTION HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.