AT 58,000 MILES, THE STEERING COLUMN IN MY DODGE RAM 1500 PICK UP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NOISE WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I WROTE A LETTER TO CHRYSLER ABOUT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE MY EXTENDED SERVICE CONTRACT DOES NOT COVER T…
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AT 58,000 MILES, THE STEERING COLUMN IN MY DODGE RAM 1500 PICK UP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NOISE WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I WROTE A LETTER TO CHRYSLER ABOUT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE MY EXTENDED SERVICE CONTRACT DOES NOT COVER THE STEERING COLUMN. THE LETTER WAS WRITTEN ON APRIL 5TH OF THIS YEAR AND I JUST CALLED CHRYSLER TO INQUIRE ABOUT AN ANSWER AND WAS TOLD MY REQUEST FOR "GOOD FAITH" ASSISTANCE HAS BEEN DENIED. I DO NOT USE THIS VEHICLE FOR COMMERCIAL OR OFF ROAD DRIVING AND DO NOT FEEL THE STEERING COLUMN SHOULD FAIL WITH ONLY 58,000 MILES OF NORMAL DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER WANTS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE REPAIR OTHER THAN TAKE MY $400-$500 FOR THE REPAIR. I HAVE SEARCHED YOUR DATABASE AND HAVE FOUND NO OTHER ISSUES SIMILAR TO MINE WITH THE YEAR AND MODEL OF MY TRUCK. I AM ALSO RECEIVING NO ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEALER. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND I DO NOT NEED TO WORRY ABOUT ANY FAILURE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #763993
72 miles · May 6, 2002
SteeringCrash
WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS COLD OUTSIDE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED UNTIL THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WARMED UP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PARTS 3 TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. *AK *NLM
NHTSA ODI #8009284
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2002
Steering
VEHICLE HAS HAD EXCESSIVE STERRING DRIFT SINCE PURCHASED. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO HELP CORRECT PROBLEM. "THEY ALL DO THAT" IS THE ATTITUDE. SEEMS TO EFFECT MOST DODGE 4 X 4 TRUCKS. PROBABLY A DESIGN DEFECT AS THEY SEEM TO ALL DO THIS FROM DISCUSSIONS WITH OTHER OWNERS. VERY DANGEROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #756521
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2001
Air BagsSteering
WHEN DRIVING AT 40 MPH STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN SUDDENLY COLLAPSED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. CONSUMER PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *AK WHILE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOYED.
NHTSA ODI #895125
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2001
Air BagsSteering
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND ALARM SOUNDS . RETURNDE TRUCK TO MOSS MOTORS (DODGE DEALER IN RIVERSIDE) THEY RESET THE ALARM AND LIGHT BUT DID NOT HAVE AN ANSWER SA TO WHAT WAS WRONG . THE WARNING LIGHT AND ALARM RETURNED THE FOLLOWING DAY. THEY CHARGED ME $50.00 TO RESET THE ALARM? WITH NO FIX! NOW WHAT. SHOULDN'T THE DEALER FIX SAF…
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AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND ALARM SOUNDS . RETURNDE TRUCK TO MOSS MOTORS (DODGE DEALER IN RIVERSIDE) THEY RESET THE ALARM AND LIGHT BUT DID NOT HAVE AN ANSWER SA TO WHAT WAS WRONG . THE WARNING LIGHT AND ALARM RETURNED THE FOLLOWING DAY. THEY CHARGED ME $50.00 TO RESET THE ALARM? WITH NO FIX! NOW WHAT. SHOULDN'T THE DEALER FIX SAFTY ITEMS AT NO CHARGE!!!! PLEASE RETURN AN ANSWER VIA E-MAIL THANK YOU L.W. BAKER?
NHTSA ODI #741724
Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2000
Steering
THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO DC SEVERAL TIMES. MANY OTHER DODGE RAM OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. NOW MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WILL BE FORCED TO PAY TO HAVE WHAT I BELIEVE IS A DEFFECTIVE STEERING GEAR BOX. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT DC SHOULD PAY FOR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #732402
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2000
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicSteeringCrash
WHILE DRIVING 45MPH, HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY AT A FRONTAL IMPACT WHICH CAUSED STEERING TO LOCK UP, AND BRAKES TO FAIL. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #871053
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2000
Power TrainSteering
PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BEARINGS. FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE FAILED FIVE TIMES. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SPINDLE, HUBS AND BEARINGS ON BOTH SIDES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #859297
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
"AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED THE TRUCK IS A PIECE OF JUNK, THE TRUCK IS CURRENTLY IN SERVICE FOR 4 DAYS SO FAR THIS WEEK FOR ALL THE ABOVE PROBLEMS(THIS IS THE REASON I DO NOT HAVE THE VIN NUMBER), ON TOP OF THE ALREADY ACCUMULATED 25-30 DAYS OF SERVICE. THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AS WELL AS MY STATE'S ATTORNEY GEN…
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"AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED THE TRUCK IS A PIECE OF JUNK, THE TRUCK IS CURRENTLY IN SERVICE FOR 4 DAYS SO FAR THIS WEEK FOR ALL THE ABOVE PROBLEMS(THIS IS THE REASON I DO NOT HAVE THE VIN NUMBER), ON TOP OF THE ALREADY ACCUMULATED 25-30 DAYS OF SERVICE. THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AS WELL AS MY STATE'S ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE, OH AND BY THE WAY I NEED 4 NEW TIRES AS WELL, AFTER ONLY 25,000 MILES."NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717305
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 1999
Steering
I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THIS YET. THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES ALOT OF NOISE WHEN YOU TURN IT EITHER DIRECTION. HAD DODGE CHECK IT OUT. THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED ALOT OF STEERING COLUMNS BECAUSE OF THIS, BUT NOT SURE WHAT CAUSES IT. SAID THAT MOST HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH LOWER MILEAGE. WARRANTY COVER THE STE…
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I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THIS YET. THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES ALOT OF NOISE WHEN YOU TURN IT EITHER DIRECTION. HAD DODGE CHECK IT OUT. THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED ALOT OF STEERING COLUMNS BECAUSE OF THIS, BUT NOT SURE WHAT CAUSES IT. SAID THAT MOST HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH LOWER MILEAGE. WARRANTY COVER THE STEERING COLUMN. SEEMS MY WARRANTY IS UP, THEY TELL ME TO TRY AND GET USE TO THE NOISE. SAID THAT THE NOISE WILL GET 5 TIMES WORSE, BUT DIDN'T THINK IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. IT THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT CAUSES IT, HOW CAN THEY BE SURE IT ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE. IF THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM, THEN IT IS OBVIOUSLY A FACTORY DEFECT
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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