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 power steering failed or locked up, which caused an accident. The vehicle rolled over several times. Consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealer several times prior to incident. There were injuries.
Vehicle has been to dealer a minimun of 8 times between Sept and Dec. 02. steering and brake problem have never been corrected. Dealer has replaced power steering / brake fulid which had turned black. Replaced lower ball joint, tie rod, power steering pump, steering gear box. With my permission the truck was taken to the Dodge tech center where the tech / trainer used my vehicle for demonstration lesson /diagnosis and determined that the hydra pump (brake cylinder) was defective. This too was replaced with no better results. Please be aware that hydraulic brakes and steering are a part of the same system and share 1 pump. The tech advisor as well as the service manager together with the mechanic agree that this system is inadequate.
Vehicle has been to dealer a minimun of 8 times between Sept and Dec. 02. steering and brake problem have never been corrected. Dealer has replaced power steering / brake fulid which had turned black. Replaced lower ball joint, tie rod, power steering pump, steering gear box. With my permission the truck was taken to the Dodge tech center where the tech / trainer used my vehicle for demonstration lesson /diagnosis and determined that the hydra pump (brake cylinder) was defective. This too was replaced with no better results. Please be aware that hydraulic brakes and steering are a part of the same system and share 1 pump. The tech advisor as well as the service manager together with the mechanic agree that this system is inadequate.
Power steering failed to operate intermittently making the vehicle hard to steer, contacted dealer, and dealer indicated it was normal for power steering not to operate at all times.
- Knoxville, TN, USA
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Two times while backing out of my garage my power steering and brakes went out. The first time resulted in a power steering fluid leakage. After ten minutes the truck was able to be driven to the dealer where the power steering pump was replaced. The second time I was also backing out of my garage and lost both the power steering and power brakes. This time the manufacturer had to have the truck hauled to the dealer. The power steering pump was replaced. Dealer told me that the brakes and steering are run off the same gearing on the front of the engine. This truck seems to require constant correction to the steering to minimize wander.
When starting vehicle in cold weather and when depressing brakes consumer would have to apply force to pedal to stop vehicle. The power assist system does not work and power brakes and power steering fails as the result. The dealer and the manufacturer were unable to determine the cause.
When starting vehicle in cold weather it loses all power steering causing the hydroboost system and power brake system to disengage, dealer has been contacted.
Total loss of steering and braking. Am in process of replacing power steering pump/brake vacuum pump (one unit) for the second time. At time of loss of steering and braking control was driving downhill with a full size camper on ice. Slid sideways and stopped in snowbank. Am afraid to drive vehicle after second incident. Know several drivers who have experienced same problem with 2001 Dodge Ram.
Steering wander/drifting causes an unsafe condition while driving. Local dealer has temporarily fixed problem but the problem returned soon after the repair had been made. There is obviously a major problem with the steering and components with vehicles with diesel engines. When the steering components loosen up it causes a very dangerous driving condition requiring excessive steering wheel correction.
The steering on this truck is horrible. It wonders terribly from left to right at any speed. The driver has to constantly correct steering in order to make the vehicle travel in a straight line. This becomes very tiring on trips and presents a hazard during inclimate weather.
While traveling at highway speed, at anytime the steering would become inoperable. On the first 3 incidents a hard jerk of the steering wheel would break it free from its extremely tight condition. The truck would once again return to normal as if there was never a problem. After the first incedent I gave the truck's steering system a thorough check. Nothing seemed wrong or out of place.I tried to contact my local Dodge dealer however the service department was not open on saturdays. Since the truck now seemed fine I attempted to go to my house in it. I drove 40-50 miles toward my home without a problem. Within 6 miles of home it occured again, just as it did the first time once again a hard jerk freed the wheel. Another check of the steering system revealed nothing, everything appeared to be fine. 1.5 miles later it happened again, I repeated the same process again. At this time I decided to slow down my speeds to 35-40mph to help avoid danger just to make it home and Monday I would contact the local Dodge dealer and have it towed back to town. However, upon approaching the next bend in the road I was unable to negotiate the curve resulting in a collision with a cluster of trees. I suffered only minor injuries common in that type of accident. Since then I contacted Chrysler making a formal complaint, resulting in a independent investigator looking at my truck. I stress looking at it because that is all he did besides taking pictures of it. He never removed any component. I receive a letter from Chrysler stateing that after a thorough investigation they concluded there was no manufactering flaw of any kind. My insurance company is doing next to nothing to help me in this matter. As of today (12-6-01) the truck is still in its wrecked condition at a local body shop. The truck should be totalled but the insurance adjuster wants to fix it despite a $22,000 estimate from a Chrysler collision center.
Please contact randy vance (surviving son) at listed address. Concern if existing recalls or other manufacturer's defects were contributing factors to the fatal auto accident. Truck failed to slow and negotiate a left hand turn. Truck went down an embankment. Both driver and passenger suffered fatal injuries.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Middletown, CA, USA