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.
The vehicle in question is a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab 4X2 with approx 81450 miles. While servicing rear differential, found metal pieces stuck to the magnet at the bottom of the housing. No noticable indications of failure prior to service. Vehicle delivered to dealership service department who's service advisor expressed they don't see many of these failures. It was discovered during inspection of the damage that the "C" clips which hold the lsd in place had failed. When the vehicle was picked up after repair the service ticket stated "this happens all the time". service advisor also stated that the mechanic that performed the repair has over 30 years experience in the repair of rear differentials however, I should expect to see this happen again. The repairs were covered under the "limited lifetime powertrain warranty".
After reading many of the same complaints I have, I'm beginning to wonder if Dodge/Chrysler/Fiat did the same as GM. That is, intentionally put customers in harms way for profit during the economic downturn. I have a "08" 4X4 ext. Cab truck, that has a clunking noise coming from the rear end. This has happened when I first put this truck in "D", or go through the gears. I have experienced the engine shutting off when I bumped it accidently with my knee. Realize I only have one key on my key ring, so it's not a weight issue similar to GM's ignition problems. I do have a recall for the airbags that I'm sure won't be addressed by Dodge or the local dealers because it does have over 100,000 miles and is a used vehicle. I also have experienced a bounce in the front end when I make a sharp turn. Yes, with 100,000 miles, I prolly need new shocks/struts, but it could very well also be a mechanical/wear issue with the ball joints/tie rod ends. I have also experienced a hard shift in the 5 speed transmission my truck has, even though I've changed out the transmission oil twice since owning this truck. The one nice thing about the Ford products I owned prior, a recall was just that and they honored it even if I wasn't the original owner/mileage issue/etc. That's what safety recalls should be about--safety first! then again, what difference does it make to a manufacturer like Dodge"? to the employee's that want mega monies" to the corporate mgr's that make big bucks, they all hold the consumer as a prisoner per SE by putting out a product that doesn't hold up and yet will not honor their mistakes by fixing the product as needed in a timely manner. By the way, I baby my vehicles, I'm not rough on them at all. So mileage should not matter with reasonable wear/tear on any vehicle.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at 25 mph, the vehicle failed to shift into gear and stalled without warning. The contact mentioned that the vehicle restarted and the transmission warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the transmission seized. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. In addition, the contact mentioned that the steering wheel was vibrating and excessive pressure was needed when depressing the brake pedal. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact received notices for NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V313000 (air bags) and 14V796000 (power train). The contact felt that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer stated that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 75 mph, the vehicle started to make an abnormal sound. The contact merged to the shoulder of the road and noticed that the pinion nut detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 239,000.
- Pell City, AL, USA
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The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle lost power without warning. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the PCM failed and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
I just purchased this vehicle and within a week the key wouldn't go into the ignition and once in wouldn't come back out. The vehicle shuts off randomly locking the power steering and brakes. My right turn signal now doesn't go off and when I try to put it off my self the left turn signal activates! this went on back and forth a good eight times before both shut off. My front headlights (mostly right but cannot really see the left while driving) the lights shakes and bounces when I go over anything uneven. Upon coming to a sudden stop the truck pulled hard to the right causing me to swerve into the grass. This vehicle just doesn't drive right. The whole front end seems loose. I cannot drive over 50 or the rear end comes off the ground when I brake to make my turn. I'm taking it to the dealer this evening. My dealer 30 day warranty expires tomorrow. The 3 year 36000 manufacturer warranty is up since three years are gone - although the vehicle only has 31864 miles now. I cannot afford to make repairs while still financed. I'm a single mother of four and always have my four year old in the truck. It's to the point I no longer trust driving this truck.
I was traveling at 70 mph in the center lane of very heavy freeway traffic when my trucks 4-wheel low light came on and started to flash and immediately after, my truck shook violently and made a loud crunching grinding noise and within seconds my truck had slowed down to 30 mph. I thought I had been rear ended by another vehicle. Now in a panicked state of mind not knowing what had just happened, I somehow without causing an accident, got my truck across the lanes off traffic and off to the shoulder of the road. My truck was now stuck in 4 wheel low. I had to drive around 10 miles home with the truck in this condition, driving on the shoulder of the road with my flashers on. I had my truck towed to my Dodge dealer. The dealer confirmed the truck malfunctioned causing it to shift into 4 wheel low. Numerous trips back to the dealer for the same problem over and over again, has made me feel very unsafe about driving in heavy traffic or on the freeway. Two years after the first incident the problem has not been fixed. Chrysler specialists say they do not know what the problem is. Besides being a hazard to drive it is costing me thousands of dollars in repairs and they never fix the problem. This is a warranty issue that they are refusing to honor. The component that failed is the drive train, the transfer case to be exact.
Vehicle Dodge Ram 1500 laramie crew cab at approximately, 10:30 pm edt, while drive at approximately 60 mph with limited traffic but a car immediately behind my in the right lane, there was a loud bang followed by a loss of control of my vehicle. I was accompanied by wife and 2 children (ages 11,15). Rear of vehicle was lifted off the ground followed by a strong pull into the right lane. Other car slowed and swerved to avoid my vehicle. Any acceleration was not possible. Attempted to safely decelerate the vehicle. Brakes were not performing as typically expected. A few more load thumps (2-3) occurred. Looked out the passenger side mirror and saw sparks flying behind vehicle. Didn't realize it at the time but the drive shaft completely disconnected with my vehicle and was sent bouncing through traffic. Approximately, 3-5 cars initially avoided it. Safely found a wide shoulder to stop the vehicle approximately 1/4 mile while coasting. Loud bang occurred as vehicle came to a complete stopped. I checked all 4 tires because initial thought was a tire blew out. All tires were intact. Immediately called aaa for roadside assistance reporting engine issue. Noticed strong smell of automotive oils/grease. Looked under car and saw a "threaded stem" sticking out of rear axle without any thing attached. Noticed drive shaft was not connected to the vehicle. Took pictures of the area and waited for aaa. I did attempt to walk back a little ways to see if I could locate the detached drive shaft but I was unsuccessful in finding it.
Pinion nut came off, causing catastrophic damage and near collision, I sent the letter below to Chrysler, with no response. October 12, 2013 Chrysler corporation: I have owned 5 Dodge Ram, a 95,98,99,2006,2008; the 2008 was sold to me with a lifetime warranty... until I needed it. After 5 years of ownership (Chrysler service now tells me that I was required to have my vehicle inspected within a 30 day window of its 5th birthday to preserve the warranty. Who knew this" lifetime means life-time, right? my differential just suffered from a catastrophic failure when the pinion nut backed off and the pinion gear was pinched between the housing and the ring gear at 60 mph, blowing out the cast iron housing, the drive shaft fell out and I nearly collided with another vehicle. Benny boyd of lampasas Texas had rebuilt the differential a year prior to the 5 year marker, it is my assertion that had the work been done properly this should not have happened. All of the Dodge Ram dealerships in my area claim that I do not have the warranty I have bragged about, and counted on, and will not repair it. I am screwed!! I was quoted $4,000 dollars for the repair at cecil atkins in burnet Texas. Friday Oct 11th I needed the warranty that came with my truck, but it was not there. The service people seemed afraid to even tell me, they too seemed ashamed of this loophole. Shame on Chrysler. After the loyalty I have shown you for the last 20 years, all the praise for your products, and word of mouth advertising I have given you, I expect to be treated better than this, what can you do for me before I lose faith in you" [xxx] loyal customer information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I am concerned with the rear pinion retaining nut problem I have seen and heard about on these vehicles. I feel it should be an expanded recall as I don't want to be driving down the road and have my rear diff lock up or explode internally if its something that can be fixed.
I was driving in the middle lane of traffic at 70 mph when my 4wl lite flashed, I heard a loud bang and my truck jerked violently, I thought I had been rear ended. My truck immediately slowed down to 30mph right after the loud noise. I then had to get across two lanes of speeding freeway traffic to avoid an accident or worse. After I made it to the shoulder of the road and calmed my nerves, I did damage assessment and discovered that my truck had shifted itself into four wheel low at 70 mph. I limped my truck home, stuck in four wheel low, called a tow truck and took it to my Dodge dealer. Almost two years later and numerous trips back to various dealerships to get this warranty work fixed, and out thousands of dollars the problem has never been fixed and Chrysler considers the case closed. I'm afraid now after this incident to take my truck on the freeway as I feel it is not safe for me or the drivers around me. Next time I may not be so lucky.
While driving on the freeway at 60 mph the rear axle pinion nut loosened itself off causing the drive shaft to drop. This caused the vehicle to make a loud boom and loose control while on the freeway luckily no other vehicles were near my vehicle at the time. Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011. This vehicle was built in that time frame on July 2, 2008 as a 2008 model but I was informed by the dealership after they contacted it does not fall under the recall and gave me a quote for $6000 to fix.
As I was driving on a highway in three lanes of traffic at approximately 70 M.P.H. the rear end made a loud noise and without warning seized up and started grinding extremely loud causing my rear end to lock up at 70 M.P.H. almost causing a pile up. I avoided a collision by pushing the accelerator to the floor allowing me to change lanes and exit the highway to the first parking lot I could find right at the exit. When I drove into the parking lot the vehicle had a strong odor of hot oil and would not move because the rear end was destroyed. I find it hard to believe Dodge is not responsible for the 2008 year trucks having a rear end failure since they have recalls on every year truck except 2008. Now since none of this will be covered by the manufacturer or dealer I am left replacing the rear end of my truck with one from a junkyard and I am out almost three thousand dollars.
I had bad vibration start in the rear end a couple days before. Went to tire shop thinking it was a tire out of balance. One was, yet vibration still there. Left tire shop to take to mechanic, as I go to leave parking lot I accelerate and a big boom, then nothing. The yoke on rear end is still connected to driveshaft yet it's dangling out the front of axle at angle. Upon having tow truck bring the truck home, I pulled the cover off rear axle to find the nut had backed off the pinion shaft. This should be a recall, everything I've researched shows 2009 models mfg Feb 27 2008 thru whenever are covered, yet my 2008 mfg March of 2008 isn't. I disabled and live on a fixed income. I cannot afford $800 or more to fix.
I was driving with my 4 kids in the truck. Problem started with my speedometer fluctuating while on the interstate going 65mph then suddenly fell to 0 and stayed there. I then started to smell a foul smell resembling natural gas. My ABS light, E brake light and engine light came on. Took nearest exit and pulled over to see what was wrong. Turned truck off then back on and all lights went away but speedo still not working. Continued driving to get it home then the truck started surging when I would let off the gas but would go away when I pressed the gas. Decided I needed to pull over again. I proceeded to the turning lane going 35pmh when all of sudden the rear end locked up and started fishtailing and spinning till it came to a stop. Luckily cars around me swerved around me to prevent from getting hit. Rear axle is leaking fluid and really bad smell. Had to get a flat bed to pull it on and off and unloaded at my house. Thankfully myself and my kids are safe. Unfortunately my 2008 Ram 1500 quad cab does not fall under the 2009-2012 recall with the same pinion retaining nut backing out due to no loctite "adhesive" causing it to lock up. All I was told by Chrysler was to save any repair receipts in the event the recall gets expanded. My local Dodge dealer wants me to tow my truck and charge me $101.89 just to diagnose it just to tell me it's the rear pinion locking nut :/ but they were sure to let me know of the windshield wiper motor that was under recall that I should get fixed....I think this is a bit more important than a wiper motor. NHTSA campaign # 13V038000/expansion recall # 12V-474/Chrysler campaign N08 states Dodge Ram manufactured between February 2008 to June 2009 fell under the recall though my truck was manufactured July 2008 yet it doesn't apply"??"!
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph, the axle pinion nut became lose. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the pinion nut needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage and current mileage was 144,000....updated 01/07/15 updated 05/29/2015
At 1750 driving in the 4th lane to the left of a 5 lane highway at 65mph heading West I suddenly felt like I had been struck from behind, the rearend of the truck lifted up into the air. I was out the windshield looking down at the pavement and the rearend swung left turning the truck 180 degrees into the middle lane of 5 lanes, now facing East into oncoming traffic. When the police officer finally arrived he asked me what had happened. I described this exactly to him adding that I was struck from behind and the vehicle that struck me did not stop. The officer walked around the truck and stated that there was no damage to the rearend of the truck. Then the officer looked under the truck and stated the powertrain was lying on the pavement unattached at the rearend..updated 06/25/14 updated 06/30/2014
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Houston, TX, USA