MY HUSBAND ORDERED THIS TRUCK IN LATE 1997. WE PURCHASED IT NEW AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WE HAVE FACED IS THE TRANSMISSION. MID-APRIL 1998 THE FIRST PROBLEMS OCCURED WITH SLIPPAGE, THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES WERE REPLACED, ONE MONTH LATER THE TORQUE CONVERTER WENT AND REPAIRS WER…
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MY HUSBAND ORDERED THIS TRUCK IN LATE 1997. WE PURCHASED IT NEW AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WE HAVE FACED IS THE TRANSMISSION. MID-APRIL 1998 THE FIRST PROBLEMS OCCURED WITH SLIPPAGE, THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES WERE REPLACED, ONE MONTH LATER THE TORQUE CONVERTER WENT AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. NOW AT 51,000 MILES AND VERY LITTLE DRIVING FOR THE LAST 2 YRS (SINCE MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN SICK WITH CANCER) IT HAS BLOWN AGAIN. THE FRONT SEALS ARE LEAKING PROFUSELY. THE REAR WINDOW WAS LEAKING SO BADLY AT ONE POINT THE ENTIRE CEILING INSIDE WAS SOADED. THE ABS COMPUTER WENT WACKY ON US EARLY ON ALSO. THE SEATBELT HAS BEEN TWISTED SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WE HAVE NOT SUCCESSFULLY FIXED IT. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WE PURCHASED HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. I WILL NOT LIKELY BUY ANOTHER DODGE EVER AGAIN. MERCEDES TAKES THE CAKE.
NHTSA ODI #10070595
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2002
EquipmentTrailer Hitches
PRIOR TO THE RECALL, THE TRAILER HITCH ATTACHMENT WAS CRACKED AND DETERIORATED, THE DEALER REPLACED TRAILER HITCH.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITION WAS NOT BLOWING COLD. *YD
NHTSA ODI #8002718
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentVisibility
I BOUGHT THE DODGE JUNE 1998, FROM THE FIRST MONTH I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS.I HAD BOTH FRONT SIDE WINDOWS FALL DOWN, WIPER BLADE LINKAGE BREAKS, ENGINE SURGES, DOOR LIGHTS WON'T COME ON, THE AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER/MOTOR SHORTED OUT, AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS/TV/VCP/CD PLAYER WILL SHUT OFF AT TIMES. EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE INTERIOR EQUIP…
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I BOUGHT THE DODGE JUNE 1998, FROM THE FIRST MONTH I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS.I HAD BOTH FRONT SIDE WINDOWS FALL DOWN, WIPER BLADE LINKAGE BREAKS, ENGINE SURGES, DOOR LIGHTS WON'T COME ON, THE AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER/MOTOR SHORTED OUT, AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS/TV/VCP/CD PLAYER WILL SHUT OFF AT TIMES. EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE INTERIOR EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN CORRECTED, THEY STILL SHORT OUT. THE PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL SHORTS HAS EXPANDED. ON THE WAY HOME FROM VACATION JUST OUTSIDE OF ST. LOUIS ON INTERSTATE 44, WE WERE PASSING A DIESEL TRUCK GOING ABOUT 70 MPH WITH ANOTHER DIESEL TRUCK FOLLOWING US WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. LUCKY FOR US THE TRUCK BEHIND US WAS PAYING ATTENTION. THE TRUCK CAME WITHIN INCHES OF HITTING US, IF IT DID MY WHOLE FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. MY SON MANAGED TO PULL THE VAN OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE HAD AAA TOW THE VAN TO A DODGE DEALER IN BOURBON, MO. THE NEXT DAY THE MACHANIC FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE ASD 20AMP FUSE BLEW, THE ASD FUSE IS LOCATED UDER THE HOOD IN THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER. THE ASD FUSE HANDLES ENGINE CONTROLS/FUEL PUMP. THE DEALERSHIP IN BURBON COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT HE DID GIVE US EXTRA FUSES TO GET US HOME. WE HAD TO STOP AT WALMARKS TO BUY EXTRA FUSES. ON THE WAY HOME THE ASD FUSE BLEW OUT 4 TIMES. WHEN WE GOT BACK HOME, I TOOK THE VAN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT FOR REPAIR, CUMBERLAND VALLEY MOTORS, THEY ANSWERED WITH THEIR STOCK QUOTE, UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AT THIS TIME. I DON'T KNOW IF THE ASD FUSE BLEW OUT DUE TO ENGINE HEAT, BAD WIRING, OR IF THE INTERIOR CONTROL PANEL WHICH HANDLES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS/TV/VCP HAS A SHORT IN IT. THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND IF I HAVE THIS PROBLEM, THEN THEIR MIGHT BE OTHER DODGE VANS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAPPENED ALREADY OR WILL HAPPEN?
NHTSA ODI #730790
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 1999
EquipmentExterior LightingPower Train
TRANSMISSION SHIFTS LATE ON CERTAIN OCCASIONS JUMPING INTO GEAR, DIAGNOSTICS' WERE PERFORMED BY DEALERSHIP RESULTING IN A NEGATIVE RESULT, THE TRUCK STILL PERSIST'S WITH THE PROBLEM USUALLY AT SPEEDS' 35 MPH AND UNDER. THE TRUCK HAS PULLED RIGHT UPON DELIVERY, DEALERSHIP REPLACED CALIPERS STATING THAT THE O.E.M. CALIPERS WERE SE…
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TRANSMISSION SHIFTS LATE ON CERTAIN OCCASIONS JUMPING INTO GEAR, DIAGNOSTICS' WERE PERFORMED BY DEALERSHIP RESULTING IN A NEGATIVE RESULT, THE TRUCK STILL PERSIST'S WITH THE PROBLEM USUALLY AT SPEEDS' 35 MPH AND UNDER. THE TRUCK HAS PULLED RIGHT UPON DELIVERY, DEALERSHIP REPLACED CALIPERS STATING THAT THE O.E.M. CALIPERS WERE SEIZED FROM FACTORY, THREE DAYS LATER THE PROBLEM WAS BACK, DEALERSHIP PERFORMED ALIGNMENT, PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED AND CONTINUES TO DO SO. THE REASON I PUT POWER STEERING DOWN UNDER THE COMMENTS SECTION IS BECAUSE OF MY BELIEF THAT THE PROBLEM RESIDES IN THE STEERING GEAR-BOX, WHICH HAS NOT BEEN CHECKED. THE BACK-UP LIGHTS DID NOT WORK UPON DELIVERY BUT WERE FIXED IMMEDIATELY AND HAVE BEEN FINE EVER-SINCE. THE DRVER-SIDE WINDOW MOLDING LEAKS AND ON CERTAIN DAYS CAUSES FOGGING OF THE WINDOW RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VISION AND AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. O.E.M. JACKSTAND IS ALSO TO SHORT TO REPLACE TIRE ON INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION.
NHTSA ODI #705725
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Equipment
RADIO IS NOT WORKING. YH
NHTSA ODI #606338
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 1998
Equipment
A/C PERFORMANCE MARGINAL SINCE NEW. EXTREMELY POOR COOLING AT IDLE AND LOW ENGINE SPEED. DEALER REPLACED EVAPORATOR & CONDENSOR EVIDENTLY DUE TO REFRIGERANT LEAKS. ALSO REPLACED FAN CLUTCH PERFORMANCE SLIGHTLY IMPROVED BUT STILL RELATIVELY POOR.
ON CERTAIN VAN AND WAGON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS), AFTERMARKET BATTERIES MAY LEAK ELECTROLYTE ONTO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR, WHICH CAN COMPROMISE SEALING INTEGRITY OF THE CONNECTOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR FOR ELECTROLYTE DAMAGE AND REPLACE THE CONNECTOR AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES ONLY, THE THROTTLE LINKAGE JOINTS CAN CORRODE AND CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BIND OR STICK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ROD ENDS AND BALL STUDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 29, 2002. 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.
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.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING "SALT BELT" STATES: MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WEST VIRGINIA, OHIO, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, AND MISSOURI. CORROSION OF THE RETURN SPRING ON THE HOOD SECONDARY LATCH COULD CAUSE THE MECHANISM TO BIND IN THE "RELEASE POSITION."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE PRIMARY LATCH IS NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 17, 2001. 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL TRAILER HITCH. THE TRAILER HITCH SIDE BRACKETS WERE MANUFACTURED USING MATERIAL WITH INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BRACKETS BUILT WITHOUT PROPER MATERIAL COULD FATIGUE AND FRACTURE IN THE AREA WHERE THE TRAILER HITCH MOUNTS TO THE FRAME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRAILER HITCHES AND REPLACE ANY TRAILER HITCH SHOWING SIGNS OF FATIGUE CRACKING. IF NO EVIDENCE OF CRACKING EXISTS, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL TWO REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION, V10 ENGINES AND FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE TRANSFER CASES. UNDER SUSTAINED MAXIMUM RATED VEHICLE LOAD, WHILE DRIVING UP A STEEP GRADE IN FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE LOW RANGE IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE LOCAL EXHAUST TEMPERATURE PROXIMATE TO THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH LINE CAN GENERATE LINE TEMPERATURES THAT EXCEED THE TEMPERATURE LIMIT OF THE CLUTCH LINE MATERIAL. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS AND THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED, THE LINE COULD RUPTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FLUID COULD IGNITE ON THE HOT EXHAUST POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VANS AND VANS USED FOR CONVERSION. IF A HEAVY OBJECT IMPACTS THE METAL CASING OF THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (AECM), LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT, THE MODULE COULD INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AECM WITH A MODULE THAT INCORPORATES REVISED HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.9L - 24 VALVE DIESEL ENGINE. THE LOW PRESSURE DIESEL FUEL SUPPLY TUBE LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BETWEEN THE FILTER AND THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP CAN FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOW PRESSURE DIESEL FUEL SUPPLY TUBE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH BOLTS THAT WERE NOT PROPERLY HARDENED. THE BOLTS WERE USED TO ATTACH THE CAB AND THE CORE SUPPORT TO THE FRAME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW THE CAB TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE BOLTS WITH PROPERLY HARDENED BOLTS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.9L - 24 VALVE DIESEL ENGINE. AN INTERMITTENT HIGH ENGINE IDLE CONDITION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A MALFUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CREATES A SIGNAL WHICH IS MISINTERPRETED BY THE ENGINE CONTROL SOFTWARE, CAUSING A HIGH IDLE SPEED CONDITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE CONTROLLER SOFTWARE TO CORRECT ERRONEOUS SPEED SENSOR SIGNALS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH EITHER A 8.0L V-10 ENGINE OR A 5.9L V-8 HEAVY DUTY GASOLINE ENGINE. AN EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELD ATTACHING SCREW IS TOO CLOSE TO THE UNDERBODY FUEL LINE. THE LINE CAN RUB AGAINST THE SCREW, POSSIBLY CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD ATTACHING SCREW AND REPLACE IT WITH RUBBER ADHESIVE. THE CHASSIS FUEL LINE WILL BE INSPECTED FOR SIGNS OF WEAR AND ANY TUBES INDICATING WEAR WILL BE REPLACED.
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