While driving the van the steering became uncertain, the van would not respond to the wheel. Inspection revealed that the frame in front of the front wheels had rusted away leaving nothing for the steering box to attach to and allowing it to turn when it should have remained fixed. This prevented the wheels from steering. I also had a bracket which was part of the steering gear rust so that it broke off the frame earlier. The corresponding loss of control of the vehicle was very disturbing and I am thankful that no injury or accident resulted. I have owned many vehicles with rust problems which affected the appearance of the vehicle, but not the safety in a catastrophic manner. This van is no longer able to be driven even though there is nothing wrong with every other part of the car. Looking online I have found many others with complaints about this same situation. Owners of these vehicles should be warned before a tragedy occurs.

- Woodridge, IL, USA

I am the owner of a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500. While my wife was driving approximately 40 mph the power steering failed and lost control of the vehicle without any warning. Being unable to control the vehicle the vehicle headed into oncoming traffic, the contact crashed into a ditch. The driver received minor injuries to her hand. The police were not contacted. The vehicle was later towed and he was informed that the steering linkage fractured due to the frame being rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however, there was no response. The failure and current mileages were approximately 136,000. My wife and other drivers could have been killed. Research of this vehicle online shows this is a common problem and should force a recall for repair. My van is a Ram 1500 and I have found this complaint filed under Ram 1500 trucks and Ram vans.

- Shelby Township, MI, USA

Several months ago I bought a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 van with approximately 88,000. After driving on several trips we took it to the shop because the steering was loose and would occasionally make noise. The first mechanic we talked to said the front of the frame is almost 80% rusted through on one side and where the steering box was attached to the frame was rusted to the point that he thought it was unrepairable and he was concerned with us even driving it home. We contacted a second business that deals with frame issues among other things. They were also concerned about the vehicle being driven more than a few miles. He said that there was not enough metal to weld to make it safe and the only way he saw to fix it was to get another frame and basically remove the frame from my vehicle and attach the new frame but he thought that we would have problems finding a frame that wasn't rusted and it would be very expensive to repair even if they did. After searching the internet I have found out that I am not alone in this problem it appears that the frame rusting is common. We purchase the vehicle from the original owner that has always lived in Missouri and he received free oil changes for as long as he owned the vehicle from royal gate Dodge. I recently called the past owner about the vehicle when we found out it was unsafe and he said they never even mentioned it. I believe that Dodge knew of the problem and the dangerous frame but have yet to do anything. Please help me with both my vehicle issue and make sure they issue a recall to fix, compensate or whatever to get these dangerous vehicles off the street.

- Wentzville, MO, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge B-van station wagon. The contact stated that the entire front frame was completely rusted and had been eaten away by corrosion. In addition the contact was able to turn the steering wheel a full 360 degrees. The contact was driving the vehicle when the steering column collapsed and the vehicle stopped independently. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop where it was discovered that the entire front frame was completely corroded. The failure and the current mileages were 71,000.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

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

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.

- Rohnert, CA, USA

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.

- Rancho Cardova, CA, USA

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

- Barnhart, MO, USA

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.

- Ellensburg, WA, USA

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.

- Winton, CA, USA

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.

- Billings, MT, USA