WHILE HAVING NEW TIRES INSTALLED THE MECHANIC AND I HEARD SOUNDS FROM UNDER TRUCK AS IF THE LIFT WAS CRUSHING A RUSTY MUFFLER. ONCE THE TRUCK WAS UP IN THE AIR IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE FRAME ON THE DRIVERS SIDE UNDER THE REAR SEAT HAD ROTTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. A CANCER HOLE ABOUT 6" LONG BY 1" WAS VISIBLE. …
Read full complaint
WHILE HAVING NEW TIRES INSTALLED THE MECHANIC AND I HEARD SOUNDS FROM UNDER TRUCK AS IF THE LIFT WAS CRUSHING A RUSTY MUFFLER. ONCE THE TRUCK WAS UP IN THE AIR IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE FRAME ON THE DRIVERS SIDE UNDER THE REAR SEAT HAD ROTTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. A CANCER HOLE ABOUT 6" LONG BY 1" WAS VISIBLE. THE LIFT, POSITIONED ABOUT 4" BEHIND THIS HOLE HAD COLLAPSED THE FRAME UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE ELEVATED TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10289022
65,000 miles · Sep 12, 2009
Structure
THE DASH IN MY 2003 DODGE RAM IS CRACKED AND CRUMBLING. YOU CAN BREAK OFF CHUNKS WITH 2 FINGERS. ITS THAT BRITTLE. NOW THAT I SEARCHED FOR THE PROBLEM I HAVE FOUND MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10283774
95,000 miles · Dec 31, 2008
Structure
DASHBOARD HAS LARGE CRACKS IN IT WHICH HAVE EXPOSED WIRES AND CAUSED ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN MY TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10253402
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2008
Structure
2003 DODGE RAM 1500, THE DASH STARTED CRACKING IN 2007. I FIGURED IT WAS DUE TO THE HIGH HEAT IN VEGAS, THE CRACKS HAVE CONTINUED AND ARE GETTING BIGGER. STARTED LOOKING INTO GETTING A REPLACEMENT AND CAME ACROSS THOUSANDS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST PRODUCT FROM THIS COMPANY. THE PAINT HAS FADED COMPLE…
Read full complaint
2003 DODGE RAM 1500, THE DASH STARTED CRACKING IN 2007. I FIGURED IT WAS DUE TO THE HIGH HEAT IN VEGAS, THE CRACKS HAVE CONTINUED AND ARE GETTING BIGGER. STARTED LOOKING INTO GETTING A REPLACEMENT AND CAME ACROSS THOUSANDS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST PRODUCT FROM THIS COMPANY. THE PAINT HAS FADED COMPLETELY ON THE ROOF AND HOOD. IT IS NOW FADING ON THE DOORS AND BED OF THE TRUCK. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. BUT THAT'S ANOTHER LONG STORY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10253234
43,000 miles · Jun 21, 2008
Structure
MY 2003 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB, LARAMIE DASH STARTED CRACKING AND NOW HAS 3 CRACKS. I THOUGHT I WAS ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM UNTIL TODAY. ONE SIGHT ALONE HAD 103 REPORTS OF THE SAME CRACKS WHERE THEY STARTED AND IN THE SAME ORDER AS HOW MINE STARTED. DODGE RECOGNIZES THIS AS A DEFECT BUT ARE NOT WILLING TO RECALL. AT THIS POINT IT…
Read full complaint
MY 2003 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB, LARAMIE DASH STARTED CRACKING AND NOW HAS 3 CRACKS. I THOUGHT I WAS ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM UNTIL TODAY. ONE SIGHT ALONE HAD 103 REPORTS OF THE SAME CRACKS WHERE THEY STARTED AND IN THE SAME ORDER AS HOW MINE STARTED. DODGE RECOGNIZES THIS AS A DEFECT BUT ARE NOT WILLING TO RECALL. AT THIS POINT IT IS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ISSUE AS WELL AS SAFETY ISSUE. WITH THE AIRBAGS INSTALLED IN THE DASH, WHAT HAPPENS IF THE CRACKS CONTINUE AND CAUSE AN AIRBAG TO DEPLOY WITHOUT A CRASH. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED BEFORE THE COMPANY RECOGNIZES THEY NEED TO RECALL SUCH AS FORD DID SEVERAL YEARS AGO WITH THE DEFECTIVE TIRES, THEY WAITED UNTIL PEOPLE DIED, I JUST DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY A COMPANY WOULD REPRESENT THEMSELVES FALSELY, DODGE PROMOTES THEIR PRODUCTS AS QUALITY AND TOP OF THE LINE. I BEG TO DIFFER, ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER WILL HELP THOSE FAMILIES DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN THESE UNSAFE VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231877
50,000 miles · Jan 7, 2008
Structure
CRACK IN PASSENGER SIDE DASH, 7" LONG, WINDSHIELD TOWARD SEAT, IN THE LOW SPOT ON TOP OF DASH AND SPREADING. SENT DEALER AN EMAIL ASKING ABOUT ANY RECALLS, OF COURSE HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10214048
39,000 miles · Dec 31, 2007
Structure
I BOUGHT MY 2003 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB 1500 IN JANUARY 2007 WITH ABOUT 38,000 MILES ON IT. AT THE TIME THE PAINT JOB ON THE TRUCK WAS FINE BUT STARTING AROUND APRIL OR MAY THE CLEAR COAT ON THE TRUCK STARTED TO DELAMINATE. I CALLED UP DODGE AND EVEN WENT BY MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PAINT JOB BUT I WAS TOLD BECAUS…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT MY 2003 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB 1500 IN JANUARY 2007 WITH ABOUT 38,000 MILES ON IT. AT THE TIME THE PAINT JOB ON THE TRUCK WAS FINE BUT STARTING AROUND APRIL OR MAY THE CLEAR COAT ON THE TRUCK STARTED TO DELAMINATE. I CALLED UP DODGE AND EVEN WENT BY MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PAINT JOB BUT I WAS TOLD BECAUSE I'M NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THAT THE TRUCKS 3 YEAR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT NO ONE WILL FIX MY TRUCK. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER THAT IT IS A FACTORY PROBLEM WITH MY PAINT BUT I'M OUT OF LUCK WHEN IT COMES TO DODGE REPAINTING MY TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10213234
52,000 miles · Aug 24, 2007
Structure
2003 DODGE RAM 1500-CRACKED MAIN DASH PANEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200674
31,000 miles · Jul 9, 2007
Structure
THE DASHBOARD ON THE 2003 RAM QUAD CAB WAS CRACKED AFTER I GOT IN IT TO HEAD HOME FROM WORK. THE TRUCK HAS 31000 MILES, AND HAS BEEN BABIED FROM DAY ONE BY ME. CRACK IS DEFINITELY A DESIGN FLAW, AND WAS NOT CAUSED BY SUN OR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10195925
48,500 miles · May 14, 2007
Structure
A CRACK IN THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOTICED BACK IN JANUARY BUT WE ARE UNCERTAIN EXACTLY HOW LONG IT HAD BEEN THERE. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS, THE CRACK AGGRESSIVELY SPREAD THROUGH THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO CAUSE THE CRACK AT ANY TIME. THE DASHBOARD HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINE…
Read full complaint
A CRACK IN THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOTICED BACK IN JANUARY BUT WE ARE UNCERTAIN EXACTLY HOW LONG IT HAD BEEN THERE. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS, THE CRACK AGGRESSIVELY SPREAD THROUGH THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO CAUSE THE CRACK AT ANY TIME. THE DASHBOARD HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED WITH CONDITIONERS, AND THERE WERE NO OTHER AREAS WITH PROBLEMS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10190651
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.
2003 Dodge RAM Quad Cab Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration