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.
Ever since we purchased the truck used from Dodge dealer in tucson Arizona we have had concerns with suspension and steering of the truck. When driving the truck steering is bouncy and unstable. We thought it was alignment so we took it in and truck continues the same. When pulling out 34' 5th wheel steering is very shaky and vibrates a lot. After years of bringing up concern with Dodge dealer we took to another shop where they gave us a huge list of things needing too get fixed. We went back to Dodge dealer where they gave us a 2nd opinion and came up with additional concerns with truck. We have changed shocks, struts, be all joints and other things with the suspension and truck continues to run the same way. But recently we got brakes, drums, and master cylinder since we ran out of brakes while pulling out 34' 5th wheel. All this things were recommended so that the truck would run well. We have spent thousands of dollars and issue is still unresolved. We would like someone to help us since all the recommended repairs have been done and still having same problem. We travel quite a bit with our animals and would hate to have a deadly accident due to truck problems. Please let us know what would be the best step to repairing our truck to safe conditions. Steering shaky and brakes failure even after all recommended repairs. Thank you [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owned a 1999 Dodge Ram 3500. While driving at 35 mph, the vehicle started pulling to the left. While attempting to stop the vehicle, the power steering and brakes failed. As a result, the vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a retaining wall. The air bags deployed, knocking the contact unconscious. The contact sustained lacerations to the nose and face, a concussion, bruising of the left shoulder, a head injury and a wrist injury that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 149,312.
While traveling at a slow speed there was a sudden steering failure resulting in complete loss of vehicle control. A look under the vehicle showed that the entire passenger side idler arm assembly had ripped off the frame and the arm and steering linkages were dragging on the ground. The failure seemed to be cause by extreme rust/rot.
Transmission: Dodges computer controls the torque converter for emissions and for gas mileage. After following Dodge spects on service for the truck and no abuse to the truck we still loss the torque converter which than destroyed the transmission. Steering: At 30000 miles the seals in the steering gear box went out. At 81000 after repair earlier the shaft and seal went out and the gear box had to be replaced. Both problem we have been told are problem Dodge will not take responsibilty for but happen with most of this models trucks.
- Caldwell, ID, USA
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Front brake pads were replaced at 11,000 miles to stop the severe pulling when the brakes were applied---"lockup" started the front wheels lockup and the rears roll free---master cylinder was replaced--porportioning valve was replaced--rear drums were turned & rear shoes were replaced
The weld in 6th gear broke causing 6th gear to be unusable. Consumer stated that when the transmission was taken apart, the mechanic found that the weld was faulty. The power steering system had leaks.
While driving at any speed and without warning, applied on brakes and vehicle would pull to the left or right. Dealer has been notified. Dealer has serviced vehicle before for same problem; however has not found remedy for malfunction. Consumer adds after front pads were replaced front/rear brakes continue to lock up. While opposite end wheels roll free. Many attempts made to correct problem, but lock up still happens frequently. Steering seems very loose and is hard to keep vehicle straight. Power steering gear and steering gear box was replaced however truck continues to wander. Driver side seat cushion saggs. Seat bottom cushion replaced. Cab sqwaks on uneven ground. Black smoke from exhaust when cold or warm. Clutch slips. Dealer could not duplicate. Dimmer on dash lights burns fingers. When turning on turn signals, wipers will activate and rapid flash is heard. Difficulty getting into first gear. ABS jams when under a hard stop and during cold start. Lumbar is inoperative. Tranmsission leaking oil. Replaced output shaft seal. Master cylinder replaced. Most gears difficult to engage. Reverse is very stiff. Shifting 2-3rd will cause shifter to lock up and won't move at all. No problem found. Overhead console inoperative and replaced.
While driving and upon pressing on brakes steering wheel completely locked. VIN number was ran found that the vehicle had been in an accident. Took to dealer. Problem still not remedied. Driving once again in vehicle and steering locked up again. Dealer refused to deal with consumer.
While applying brakes at any speed and without warning vehicle will pull to left until release of brake pedal. Consumer states vehicle will pull to the left when braking and will drift to the right on freeway and brakes are squeaky when braking on stop, dealer replaced calipers, turned rotors and changed brakes, dealer found steering wheel off center, dealer has replaced upper and lower control arms, dealer has adjusted the front end and replaced the rims and tires, vehicle experiences lack of power and engine light has illuminated, vehicle idles high and is experiencing poor fuel economy, when driving on freeway it gets max of 14.5 mpg, smoke also comes out of the exhaust, left side electric mirror glass had fogged, left seat bottom loose, one missing bolt found, left seat trim bezel keeps miming loose won?T stay in seat for seat belt on seat back. Dealer stated that the 2002 models do not have vibration problems due to the suspension being changed to independent.
This vehicle has a severe steering defect, I have gone to arbitraion and DaimlerChrysler has sent a independent ase inspector to look at my truck this person agrees there is something wrong. I had been award a new truck by arbitration but it would had cost me 7,000 plus a new loan, the truck is defective and now the dealership will not work on the problem even though it is still under warrenty. I have alot of data to back this up and I know diamler has had similar problems with other trucks help
When parallel parking consumer cannot turn steering wheel. If driver needed to slam on the brakes because of a deer running in the road, he wouldn't be able to swerve or stop in time. When at a stop with brakes applied, the power steering does not work. Chrysler says there is nothing wrong with the truck, although they did offer to make a payment for the owner.
This vehicle since new has had continuing braking and steering pulls, is extremely unstable and uncomfortable to drive. While holding steering wheel straight vehicle will be undecided about whether to drift left or right, and even after several attempts by the dealer which include two seperate full weeks of time at the dealership, plus three days of work by the factory field rep. And a few other attempts, the vehicle is still drifting and pulling on braking. The first attempt I was told that nothing was wrong with the vehicle, all the way to the time prior to the factory rep. Working on it actually written on my repair order "keith we have aligned your rig till the cows come home, we never did experience a brake pull at any time. I did have the tech. Drive the vehicle home overnight. I think it will do what you want, if any further alignment needed you can do in your shop and set it how you want." Upon reciept of the vehicle it responded exactly the same. After the factory rep. Worked on it I spoke with him on the phone on Tuesday 10-12-1999, and he said "I think it's good enough but I'd like to keep it another day and swap tires, and maybe even brake lining, to see if it will make a difference." He also stated that upon initial braking the vehicle wanted to go left but seemed to track pretty well. Clearly not stating "it's fixed" but rather showing that even he was not satisfied with the "repairs". upon reciept of the vehicle this last time I drove approximately 1 mile to the first stop sign and upon braking vehicle pulled left. I immediately turned around and went back to the dealer hoping to talk to kevin the owner, whom I had already spoken to but he was not in at that time. I am still waiting to hear from him.
Steering mechanism in the extended cabs and quad cabs is defective, causing the vehicle to wander, and resulting in loss of control. Dealers are aware of defect but cannot determine what is causing the problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Tucson, AZ, USA