This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I have a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 4X4. My mileage is at 85,020. I have taken real good care of this truck and I use it to drive in the snow when I need the 4 wheel drive. I was doing a oil change and I noticed the passinger side trailing arms and coil spring bracket welds are pulling away from the axle. I looked over to driver's side and the trailing arm welds on the front axle are cracked. I have a dana 3.5 axle ratio. The tag under the hood numbers are 3850 front axle dana 4. I purchased this truck thinking the frame and axles would last the life time of the truck. I'am a navy veteran and a mechanic and I can repair mechanical equipment. I feel that this should not of happen and I would like Dodge to help out in this matter. I also what to make other Dodge people awear of this problem. I'm just glad that I noticed this before winter and I was not driving at the time. If the welds would have separated from the axle and trailing arms it could of beem fatal.
I own a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 with the 5.2 liter engine. The engine oil light would flicker when stopped at a stop sign in drive. I took it to the Dodge dealership and they said that the engine would have to be replaced due to the wear. I have used mobile 1 synthetic oil since the breakin oil and never let the oil in the vehicle over 4,000 miles. Each time the oil filter was also changed. The vehicle has 106,000 miles on it and the engine replacement is costing me $4.700. I've been told that the 5.2 liter engine does not handle synthetic oil well. The oil does not return to the oil pan fast enough to keep the bottom of the engine lubricated. I find this hard to believe but I've never wore out an engine before. My question is how can an engine wear out when it was taken such good care of? I've had several other failures of this vehicle dealing with U-joints, steering shaft, failed fuel pump, and an unstable suspension requiring a $500 piston assembly to repair but the repair did nothing to help.
When driving at any speed and applying the brake or hitting a bump in the road, consumer feels like she is loosing control. Vehicle not taken to dealer yet.
While driving vehicle kept pulling to the right. Owner stopped vehicle and checked it. Noticed cracks on driver's side, shock tower mounts were cracking and getting worse. Passenger's side was also cracking. Tower mounts were separating from frame. Contacted dealer who informed consumer that this vehicle was not on recall. Vehicle being repaired.
While driving, could hear noise coming from rear of vehicle wich sounded like suspension was out of place. Had taken vehicle to dealer, and they had to replace rear pinion bearing on differential. Please provide more informatinon.
- Presca Valley, AZ, USA
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In August of 1999 with approximately 70,000 miles on odometer while driving 35 mph, there was a vibration, and the driver lost all steering control before crashing into a ditch. Dealership examined vehicle and replaced steering gear box to remedy the problem. Since replacement of original steering gear box, vehicle wanders all over the road during normal operation. Steering gear box has to be replaced again by an independent repair shop.
Intermittently vehicle would shake/ wobble while driving at approx. 40 or more mph once it started it continued until speed come down to 25 mph. Vehicle been in / out of repair shop on four occasions, and condition remained unresolved. Manufacturer notified and informed consumer that a correction can be made. But, the cost would be at consumer's expense. Can NHTSA provide information concerning this matter.
While driving below 45 mph or above the front end of the vehicle severely shakes as if the tires were bouncing off the ground. Dealer replaced the track bar and steering stablizer.
While driving the vehicle vibrates and steeering is very unstable, cause unknown. Dealer replaced shock absorber bar which did not correct the problem.
While driving vehicle about any mph and when stepping on the brake pedal to stop, vehicle wanders from side to side on the road. Consumer tried to keep control of vehicle and keep focused on the road. Dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
Vehicle is continuously out of alignment. Tires were replaced at 12,000 miles due to abnormal, excessive and extreme wear on the outer edges of front tires. Again at 17,500.
While driving on freeway, consumer applied brakes & vehicle pulled left, across 2 lanes. At a much lower speed, pulled right. Took to dealer several times for brake problem & was corrected 75%. was informed normal for truck to pull right. Consumer states that the vehicle is now constantly pulling to the left at any speed.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cambridge, OH, USA