Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
290–25K
1725–50K
2050–75K
1175–100K
14100–150K
5150K+
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
What owners actually said
122 reports
36,500 miles · Aug 7, 2010
Structure
MY 2003 RAM 1500 QUAD CAB DRIVER SIDE HANDLE BROKE AT JUST 36,500 MILES AND THE SERVICE TECH AT THE DEALER THE THERE IN NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THAT IT WAS ON MY OWN. I ONLY WEIGHT 150 LBS. AND LANDED ON MY BACK ON THE STREET. IF THE DEALER WOULD JUST REPLACE IT I WOULDN'T BE COMPLAINING. THAT IS A REALLY CRAPPY MATERIAL USED TO …
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MY 2003 RAM 1500 QUAD CAB DRIVER SIDE HANDLE BROKE AT JUST 36,500 MILES AND THE SERVICE TECH AT THE DEALER THE THERE IN NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THAT IT WAS ON MY OWN. I ONLY WEIGHT 150 LBS. AND LANDED ON MY BACK ON THE STREET. IF THE DEALER WOULD JUST REPLACE IT I WOULDN'T BE COMPLAINING. THAT IS A REALLY CRAPPY MATERIAL USED TO MAKE THIS HANDLES. PS: MUST OF THE PLASTICS USE ON THE INTERIOR OF THIS TRUCKS IS CRUMBLING DOWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10347948
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2010
SteeringStructureSuspension
OUR 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 DASH STARTED CRACKING AND CAVING IN NEARLY A YEAR AGO. AS TIME GOES BY CRACKS WORSEN AS WELL AS NEW CRACKS HAVE APPEARED. PLASTIC DASH PIECES ARE FALLING BEHIND (INTO) DASH BOARD AND COMING OUT SOMETIMES IN THE FLOORBOARD. CONCERNED ABOUT AIR BAG SAFETY. WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IN ORDER FOR…
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OUR 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 DASH STARTED CRACKING AND CAVING IN NEARLY A YEAR AGO. AS TIME GOES BY CRACKS WORSEN AS WELL AS NEW CRACKS HAVE APPEARED. PLASTIC DASH PIECES ARE FALLING BEHIND (INTO) DASH BOARD AND COMING OUT SOMETIMES IN THE FLOORBOARD. CONCERNED ABOUT AIR BAG SAFETY. WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IN ORDER FOR THE PROBLEM TO BE FIXED. OUR DAUGHTER OWNS THE SAME YEAR DODGE TRUCK AND HERS IS DOING THE SAME THING. ALSO, OUR STEERING WHEEL MAKES CRACKING, POPPING SOUND WHEN TURNING. AND THE BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO BE BAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10347909
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2010
Structure
2003 RAM 1500 UPPER AND LOWER DASH IS FALLING APART. I HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THIS TRUCK SENSE I PURCHASED IT OFF THE LOT. CHRYSLER SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS BECAUSE I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT IT IS HAPPENING ON MOST OF THE TRUCKS OUT THERE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343103
100,500 miles · Jun 23, 2010
StructureInjury
I WAS GETTING INTO MY PICKUP TRUCK WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF LEAVING WORK TO GO HOME FOR DAY. I REACHED IN AND GRAB THE GRAB HANDLE LOCATED ON THE "A-PILLAR" AND STARTED TO PULL MY SELF INTO MY VEHICLE. THE "A-PILLAR" GRAB HANDLE BROKE, CAUSING ME TO FALL BACKWARD STICKING MY HEAD ON THE DRIVERS DOOR AND THEN THE GROUND AS I CONT…
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I WAS GETTING INTO MY PICKUP TRUCK WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF LEAVING WORK TO GO HOME FOR DAY. I REACHED IN AND GRAB THE GRAB HANDLE LOCATED ON THE "A-PILLAR" AND STARTED TO PULL MY SELF INTO MY VEHICLE. THE "A-PILLAR" GRAB HANDLE BROKE, CAUSING ME TO FALL BACKWARD STICKING MY HEAD ON THE DRIVERS DOOR AND THEN THE GROUND AS I CONTINUED THE FALL TO THE GROUND. AS A RESULT OF THIS FALL I DEVELOPED A SUBDURAL HEMATOMA AND ALMOST DIED TWICE AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECTIVE PART. BOTH THE DRIVERS SIDE "A-PILLAR" GRAB HANDLE AND "B-PILLAR" GRAB HANDLE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE ARE IN THE HANDS OF A FORENSIC ENGINEER WHO HAS DETERMINED THAT BOTH PARTS WERE SUBSTANDARD. THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ALSO CRACKED AROUND HOLD DOWN BOLTS AND READY TO FAIL. PICKUP TRUCK WAS A 2003 DODGE QUAD CAB 1500 4X4 ON FACTORY 20" TIRES. CHRYSLER LLC. IS WELL AWARE THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS BUT HAS CHOSEN TO DO NOTHING! IN 2003 WHEN MOTOR TREND TESTED THE DODGE QUAD CAB FOR THEIR " TRUCK OF YEAR AWARD" THE PART FAILED ON MOTOR TREND MAGAZINE. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS SERIOUS INJURIES REPORTED PERTAINING TO THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS, BUT CHRYSLER HAS DECIDED THAT THEIR BOTTOM LINE WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THEIR CUSTOMERS HEALTH. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE MADE FOR THESE PARTS TO STOP THESE INJURIES. I ENDED UP MISSING 3.5 MONTHS OF WORK AND MY HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY ENDED UP PAYING OUT OVER $350,000.00 FOR THESE INJURIES. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN 2003 NEW AND I DID SO IN GOOD FAITH. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO ACT IN GOOD FAITH AND REPLACE THESE PARTS AND PROTECT THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10339633
100,847 miles · Jun 4, 2010
StructureInjury
ON MARCH 23, 2003 I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING IN MY 2003 DODGE 1500 QUAD CAB. THE "A-PILLAR" WITH THE GRAB HANDLE ON IT CAME LOOSE FROM THE TRUCK(THE PLASTIC CRACKED AND WENT OVER THE BOLTS HOLDING IT ON.) I FELL BACK AND STRUCK MY HEAD ON THE DRIVERS DOOR AND THEN AGAIN STRUCK MY HEAD ON THE GROUND. I SUFFERED A SUBDURAL H…
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ON MARCH 23, 2003 I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING IN MY 2003 DODGE 1500 QUAD CAB. THE "A-PILLAR" WITH THE GRAB HANDLE ON IT CAME LOOSE FROM THE TRUCK(THE PLASTIC CRACKED AND WENT OVER THE BOLTS HOLDING IT ON.) I FELL BACK AND STRUCK MY HEAD ON THE DRIVERS DOOR AND THEN AGAIN STRUCK MY HEAD ON THE GROUND. I SUFFERED A SUBDURAL HEMATOMA AND WAS FLOWN BY HELICOPTER TO ST. LOUIS FOR SURGERY. MY FAMILY WAS TOLD TO TELL ME BYE ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS BECAUSE E DOCTORS THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE. I MADE IT BUT RAN UP HUGH MEDICAL AND THERAPY BILLS. WHEN RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THIS GRAB HANDLE FAILURE HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES CAUSING SOME INJURIES TO MAJOR INJURIES. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT CHRYSLER HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM IN 2003. MOTOR TREND MAGAZINE EXPERIENCE THIS SAME FAILURE IN 2003 WHEN THEY WERE TESTING THIS VEHICLE. DODGE DID NOTHING AND WHEN YOU'VE GONE THROUGH WHAT I HAVE THAT JUST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10334655
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2010
Visibility
THE AIR PRESSURE COMING OUT OF THE VENTS WAS MINIMAL WHILE DRIVING AND JUST ABOVE MINIMAL WHEN IN PARK. THIS IS AN ALL THE TIME SITUATION. WAS TOLD IT COULD BE A FEW THINGS: BLEND DOOR, CIRCULATION OR VACUUM ISSUE. I STARTED SEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE AND FOUND ENTIRE FORUMS DEVOTED TO THESE ISSUES. IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT …
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THE AIR PRESSURE COMING OUT OF THE VENTS WAS MINIMAL WHILE DRIVING AND JUST ABOVE MINIMAL WHEN IN PARK. THIS IS AN ALL THE TIME SITUATION. WAS TOLD IT COULD BE A FEW THINGS: BLEND DOOR, CIRCULATION OR VACUUM ISSUE. I STARTED SEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE AND FOUND ENTIRE FORUMS DEVOTED TO THESE ISSUES. IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT PEOPLE FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE IT WAS AGREED THAT A RECALL WAS OR SHOULD BE IN ORDER ON THAT PARTICULAR PART OR HOUSING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10330530
65,000 miles · Mar 16, 2010
Structure
2003 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB.....CRACKS IN DASHBOARD CAUSED AC MALFUNCTION. PIECES OF DASHBOARD BLOCKED AIR DAMPER DOOR AND BURNED OUT MOTOR.. COST $1100.00 OUT OF MY POCKET TO FIX.... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10320142
55,000 miles · Dec 30, 2009
Structure
2003 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB 2WD CRACKED DASH FROM WINDSHEILD TO MIDDLE OF DASH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297469
114,885 miles · Nov 24, 2009
Structure
DASHBOARD JUST ABOVE AIRBAG HAS A CRACK 1 INCH FROM THE FRONT ALL THE WAY TO THE REAR. NO ACCIDENT EVER IN THIS VEHICLE, FIRST OWNER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10293388
70,000 miles · Oct 19, 2009
Structure
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. …
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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
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
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