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2004 Dodge RAM

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Dodge RAM do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 27.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

33 reports with mileage · 25 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports0 fire reports7 injury reports

Power Train complaints

8 reports
Clear category filter
137,000 miles · Oct 17, 2022
Power Train

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The contact stated that the rear wheels locked up and the vehicle skidded sideways. The contact stated that the rear driveshaft had detached. The contact stated that oil was leaking from the vehicl…

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The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The contact stated that the rear wheels locked up and the vehicle skidded sideways. The contact stated that the rear driveshaft had detached. The contact stated that oil was leaking from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V796000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.

NHTSA ODI #11489521

23,000 miles · Feb 4, 2009
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM SRT10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR AND CLUTCH PEDALS WERE SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUTCH AND THE DISCS. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, SHE HEARD A RATTLING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD AND FELT AS IF SOMETHING WERE LOOSE. SHE ALSO SMELLED BURNING TRANSM…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM SRT10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR AND CLUTCH PEDALS WERE SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUTCH AND THE DISCS. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, SHE HEARD A RATTLING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD AND FELT AS IF SOMETHING WERE LOOSE. SHE ALSO SMELLED BURNING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND SHE LOST THE GEARING OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 36,000. UPDATED 3/11/09 *CN THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AS WELL. UPDATED 03/13/09. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10257425

Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2007
Power Train

2004 DODGE RAM PICKUP REGARDING RECALL.**CC THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT OTHER CUSTOMERS WERE NOT HAVING THE ALARM INSTALLED AS IT WAS NOT NECESSARILY A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALER ATTACHED AN ALARM SYSTEM TO THE HORN TO ALERT THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN PARK. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10181646

35,679 miles · Nov 16, 2006
Power Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DOOR NEEDED TO BE OPENED FOR GREATER VISIBILITY WHILE BACKING OR CONNECTING A TRAILER, THE PARKING ALARM SOUNDED. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REMOVE THE ALARM DUE TO FEDERAL MANDATE OF RECALL # 05V462000 (E17) FOR T…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DOOR NEEDED TO BE OPENED FOR GREATER VISIBILITY WHILE BACKING OR CONNECTING A TRAILER, THE PARKING ALARM SOUNDED. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REMOVE THE ALARM DUE TO FEDERAL MANDATE OF RECALL # 05V462000 (E17) FOR THE POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, PARK ALARM.

NHTSA ODI #10173651

22,000 miles · May 11, 2005
Power TrainCrash

I PUT MY TRUCK INTO PARK TO RUN IN AND PICK UP MY DRY-CLEANING ( WAS INSIDE MAYBE 60 SECONDS) CAME OUT TO FIND MY TRUCK GONE AND AFTER LOOKING I FIND IT ACROSS THE PARKING LOT. IT HAD JUMPED THE CURB WENT THROUGH THEIR LANDSCAPING AND HIT A TREE DAMAGING THE REAR BUMPER,TAILGATE, BED SIDE AND DUALLY FENDER. AFTER GOING BACK IN T…

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I PUT MY TRUCK INTO PARK TO RUN IN AND PICK UP MY DRY-CLEANING ( WAS INSIDE MAYBE 60 SECONDS) CAME OUT TO FIND MY TRUCK GONE AND AFTER LOOKING I FIND IT ACROSS THE PARKING LOT. IT HAD JUMPED THE CURB WENT THROUGH THEIR LANDSCAPING AND HIT A TREE DAMAGING THE REAR BUMPER,TAILGATE, BED SIDE AND DUALLY FENDER. AFTER GOING BACK IN THE CLEANERS THE LADY THAT WORKS THERE INFORMED ME THAT HER NEW DODGE TRUCK HAS DONE THAT TO HER BEFORE. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THIS TRUCK HAS DONE THIS TO ME AND IT IS NOT A YEAR OLD. THE FIRST TIME I FIGURED IT WAS MY FAULT BUT I STARTED PAYING CLOSER ATTENTION, THE 2ND TIME IT WAS IN PARK WITH THE "P" LIT UP AND GOT ABOUT 2 STEPES FROM THE TRUCK WHEN IT STARTED GOING BACKWARDS BUT CAUGHT IT BEFORE ANYTHING HAPPENED AND NOW THIS. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE AND THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO SEND SOMEONE OUT TO LOOK AT MY TRUCK??? WE'LL SEE!!!

NHTSA ODI #10120703

38 miles · Jan 24, 2005
Power Train

SINCE PURCHASED MY 2004 DODGE RAM 1500, FIVE SPEED STANDARD, WILL NOT DECELERATE FOR THREE TO FOUR SECONDS. PROBLEMS ALSO WITH THE CLUTCH. IT HAS TO BE PRESSED FULLY TO THE FLOOR. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THIS WAS "THE WAY THE TRUCK WAS BUILT". *NM

NHTSA ODI #10107839

1,300 miles · Sep 29, 2004
Parking BrakePower TrainCrash

WHILE PARKED ON AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF PARK. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARDS, CAUSING A MINOR COLLISION. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10088013

56,000 miles · May 7, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train

THE ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER THE FIRST TIME WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE TRANSMISSION; THE COLINOID WAS THEN REPLACED. THE SECOND TIME WE TOOK IT IN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WE WERE TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER IS SENDING THE EXACT SAME CODE. WE…

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THE ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER THE FIRST TIME WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE TRANSMISSION; THE COLINOID WAS THEN REPLACED. THE SECOND TIME WE TOOK IT IN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WE WERE TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER IS SENDING THE EXACT SAME CODE. WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD NEED A NEW COMPUTER, AT 56,000 MILES. IT WAS INSTALLED. THE THIRD TIME WE TOOK IT IN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON WE WERE TOLD ONCE AGAIN THAT THE COMPUTER IS INDICATING THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER THREE DAYS OF BEING WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION WE WERE TOLD THAT A BALL BEARING IN THE VALVE BODY WAS IN THE WRONG SPOT, TO QUOTE THE SERVICE MANAGER. WE TOLD THIS WAS FIXED SO WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE HOME. ONE MILE FROM OUR HOME (WE HAD JUST LEFT THE DEALERSHIP HAVING THE TRANSMISSION "FIXED") THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE CLIMBED QUICKLY TO HOT. ONCE WE ARRIVED AT HOME, WE OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND A PERFECTLY STRAIGHT SLICE ON THE UPPER RADIATOR HOSE. OF COURSE, I AM SURE YOU ARE AWARE THAT THE ONLY PLACE TO PURCHASE A NEW HOSE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP. WE REPLACED THE HOSE OURSELVES FOR A GRAND TOTAL OF $32.00 BECAUSE WE WERE TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPATMENT, WHEN WE WENT BACK THE NEXT DAY, THAT IT WAS CONSIDERED REGULAR MAINTANCE AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I CAN ACCEPT THAT EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT THREE ASE CERTIFIED MECHANICS THAT WE SPOKE TO REGARDING THIS HOSE TOLD US IT SHOULD HAVE HELD UP FOR AT LEAST 100,00 MILES (NOT 59,000).*AK

NHTSA ODI #10068453

Official recalls

1

04V385000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

Aug 3, 2004

ON CERTAIN PICK-UP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.7L ENGINES, THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS MAY SHORT CIRCUIT DUE TO CONTACT WITH A VALVE COVER STUD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE GENERATOR HARNESS CAN CAUSE AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ALTERNATOR WIRING INSULATION FOR DAMAGE AND REPAIR AND ADD A TIE-STRAP CLIP TO THE VALVE COVER STUD TO RETAIN THE WIRING. THIS RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

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

2

EA05018 · Engine Stall

Opened Nov 2, 2005 · Closed Aug 29, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT, FIELD REPORT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOWS THAT THE MAJORITY OF STALLING INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO THE ENGINE CALIBRATION CONCERNS THAT DAIMLERCHRYSLER ADDRESSED WITH SERVICE BULLETINS RELEASING REVISED PCM SOFTWARE.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINTS AND ODI'S SURVEY OF OWNERS OF VEHICLES THAT RECEIVED ENGINE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE UPDATES UNDER TSB #18-013-05 SHOW THAT THESE STALLING INCIDENTS HAVE THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS: - THEY OCCUR AT LOW SPEEDS, OFTEN DURING PARKING LOT ORDRIVEWAY MANEUVERS; - THEY OCCUR DURING DECELERATIONS, SUCH AS BRAKING FOR A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC SIGNAL; AND - THE OPERATOR IS ALMOST ALWAYS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESTART THE VEHICLE.WHEN COMPARED WITH OTHER SAFETY DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS AND RECALLS OF CONDITIONS THAT RESULT IN STALLING DURING LOW-SPEED DECELERATION WITH IMMEDIATE ENGINE RESTART POSSIBLE, THE FAILURE RATE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW.ANALYSES OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA ALSO SHOW A DECLINING TREND.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

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.