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.
While driving my trucks dash will go blank, the vehicle shuts off and then resets. The last time this occurred, when the vehicle reset the throttle came back on wide open and almost caused a loss of control. I reacted by manually shutting down the vehicle and coming to a rest on the shoulder of the road. Once I restarted the vehicle all was ok. I was only a mile form the Dodge dealer and returned it to them for a diagnosis. Again, nothing found. This has happened several times (dash resetting while driving approximately 10 times in the last 2 months) but only once has it came back on full throttle. I have been to the dealership three times for the dash resetting just to have them tell me they cannot duplicate the incident. This is a valid safety issue and needs to be addressed. After reviewing the Dodge Ram forums, I notice several people with the same issue.
Fuses continue to blow from various outlets/hubs/plugs in the vehicle. Random noise comes from under dash when car is turned off. Key(fob) also gets stuck in the ignition and will not come out unless truck is turned back on.
When attempting to start the vehicle, there was no electrical power. Fiddled with buttons for a few minutes the all of a sudden it was back to normal. This happened multiple times. Dealers told me they never heard of this problem.
I am providing a follow-up on my 2013 Dodge Ram. Both Chrysler and the dealer have worked on my truck numerous times to keep the truck panel lights from coming on. I am still losing my brakes and power steering. All the lights on the cluster panel continue to keep going on which is just about every day now. I have finally parked the truck and plan to see if we can afford a third vehicle. The problems are almost a year old and I am convinced Chrysler is unable to repair the vehicle. I am convinced that it will only be a matter of time before I crash as I never get a warning when the brakes or the power steering will fail. The dealer and Chrysler are now very involved, which I appreciate but so far they have not been able to repair the vehicle. I has been close to a year and I am bringing the vehicle back to the dealer. I hope they someday repair the truck as it really is a great vehicle.
- O'fallon, IL, USA
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Instrument cluster failure while driving. Instrument cluster shuts down while driving and instrument cluster fails while driving. Instrument cluster so far has rebooted and returned to working condition but so far cluster has failed around 20+ times while driving. Unknown if instrument cluster will resume functioning after failure until it does restart. Dealer unable to diagnose problem with instrument cluster making vehicle unsafe to drive due to possible instrument cluster failure. Unknown if this is a hardware problem, software problem or electrical problem. Numerous trips to dealership and speaking with Ram customer service has failed to resolve issue.
I was parked and the truck didn't start back up. Truck was less than 2 weeks old when this happened. The steering wheel was locked. Turned out not to be the battery which was the first guess. The dealer said it had something to do with the anti-theft system that was installed and then taken out when I purchased the truck. This happened in October 2013 and I've been driving it until today 7/1/14. The same thing happened this morning. The truck left me stranded at a gas station. Waiting for another diagnosis.
I had problems prior to April 2014 but I am just using a time frame when Chrysler got involved. In 2013 and 2014 my Dodge Ram would have the cluster panel come on with air bag service needed first and then the remaining lights would come on to include engine light while simultaneously the windshield wipers would come on. When I took it in to the dealer they tried to repair the problem to include resetting the computer. Over time I would lose my power steering and power brakes. Fortunately I was going into a parking area when I lost the power brakes otherwise I'm sure I would have crashed since I did not expect the change. As of late the truck will not start or the radio won't go off. Chrysler has really done nothing to resolve this problem and maybe I will need to crash first before something is done or run over someone when I lose my brakes. This is a problem since I purchased the truck. The truck is dangerous to drive since I never know when the electronics will quit on me. Over the last 10 days the truck wouldn't start at all two (2) times and all the lights and windshield wipers have come on at least three (3) times. I have not lost my brakes lately, but that is just a matter of time. I want to make this public because I know I will be held responsible if something happens, and it will. I have never had a vehicle do this and I'm just afraid someone will be killed if I should lose my brakes and steering while on the highway. Chrysler can be proactive or reactive. I think that I have been paying for a truck that will ultimately kill someone. I've tried to contact NHTSA by phone but the only thing there is that you leave a message and hope they will call back. Since the problems iterated above seem to have increased it's probably time to park the truck.
While driving, the front driver seat will automatically adjust, (move back and forth) sometimes. Also, it shows memory system not available while not in park. Sometimes, the radio volume will not turn down, nor channel change will not work. The radio channels would change on their own. This includes satellite, radio, or phone plugged in. Sometimes, when you try to turn the A/C fan speed up it won't go. You have to do it several times. Tire pressure sometimes shows low for one or more tires but when tires are tested they are all the same pressure. Seems something is wrong with the electrical system with the truck. I worry something may happen while driving. Truck would not raise and lower. Message on the console but when I took it in they said there was nothing wrong and it did not store the error. Once the error cleared up there was no record of it storing the error.
The electronic instrument panel has rebooted (I.e.-shut down and restarted) on 7 separate occasions and counting. This occurs while driving and does not seem to be related to any specific driving circumstance such as speed, acceleration, etc. It appears arbitrary. My concern is that it will shut down something mechanical that it controls when I am driving which could lead to a catastrophic event. I reported it to the dealer already on my last service and they 'reset the computer'. it has happened 3 times in the last 2 weeks and these are the times that I am aware of. I am bringing the car in for service and have documented the date sand times the last 3 events have occurred hoping this will help in the diagnosis.
The vehicle will shutdown without notice, the engine will shut off and will not restart. The electronic dash will go black which shows what gear the vehicle is in. So shifting to neutral to restart the vehicle can be difficult since no indication is given of what gear. All power to the steering and brakes are no longer available. The vehicles computer does some sort of reset after several seconds but any attempts to restart the vehicle fail till the reset is complete. Taken to the dealer several times and also notified Chrysler which there attempted resolutions were only guess and does not resolve the shutdowns. Chrysler and service tech's have stated they have not heard of the issue yet another customer in for service same time as myself with a Jeep complained of the same issue that I had seen with my Ram. It appears this is bigger issue than just a single vehicle. This link shows what occurs when the vehicle shutdown occurs https://www.youtube.com/watch?V=iyh9vqehyiq
The 8.4" multi-display terminal (mdt) became inoperable and I was unable to control heat/ac/defroster or view the back up camera which created an unsafe condition while backing the vehicle. My truck has been returned to the dealer several times to have the computer updated, re-flashed and untimely replaced. I've had to take off from work several times to bring this vehicle in and lost time. On 4/2/14, I brought my vehicle in for a routine oil change and when I left the mdt became inoperable again and is completely unusable.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the instrument cluster failed intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the center stack control module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 22,500.
Instrument cluster failure while driving. Instrument cluster shuts down while driving and instrument cluster fails while driving. Instrument cluster so far has rebooted and returned to working condition but so far cluster has failed around 20+ times while driving. Unknown if instrument cluster will resume functioning after failure until it does restart. Secondary condition to entertainment cluster multiple failure. Entertainment console cluster replaced due to multiple failure of touch screen system. This failed to resolve the instrument cluster problem despite dealership assurances that it would. Instrument cluster being replaced now on truck. Truck 10 months old - multiple entertainment console failures & instrument cluster failures. Dealer unable to diagnose problem with instrument cluster making vehicle unsafe to drive due to possible instrument cluster failure. Unknown if this is a hardware problem, software problem or electrical problem. Numerous trips to dealership and speaking with Ram customer service has failed to resolve issue.
I was backing out of parking space at the bank. Wipers came on and all gauges started flashing. Shut truck off and would not restart. I videoed it. I had taken it in to dealer on 2/15/14 for service and told the manager that I had 2 occasions where my gauges had flashed and went completely dark and I restarted it and they came back on. First problems noted were around 5K miles, my wife was driving it and took it to vacuum it out at the carwash. After she was finished, she started it and went to put it into gear and it would not go. However this time it was hauled off on a roll back completely dead. Spent a lot on money on big red and it makes me sick to know there are issues no one informed me of.
Driving vehicle on paved roadway traveling appx 30 mph. Vehicle burst into flames. Witness said flames shot out both sides of the vehicle from under the body. Large amount of smoke was around the vehicle as I pulled off the road. A quick glance at the instrument panel showed everything appeared normal and no warning lights. Smoke in cab and flames came up through the dash as I exited the vehicle. Extensive damage to the interior including the windshield busting out from the heat. Took fire department 3 attempts to extinguish the flames. After flooding the interior and dash cavity (through the hole burned through the dash) of the vehicle 2 times, the fire continued. At that time the fire department disconnected the battery and flooded the interior and dash area a 3rd time which finally extinguished the fire. The only injury was smoke inhalation and resulting sore throat suffered by me, the only occupant of the vehicle. This vehicle was less than 6 months old and I had no prior problems with the vehicle. Vehicle was towed to the dealer (nyle maxwell Dodge, austin tx) on the morning of the fire (12/19/2013) and while Chrysler has acknowledged liability they have not settle with me on my loss as of this date (01/23/2014). The vehicle was deemed a complete loss by both my insurance company investigator (state farm) and the Chrysler investigator.
Driving truck in town approx 35 - 40 mph. Can give exact detail / location. Vehicle transmission in "drive". vehicle has center consul. As vehicle was climbing gradual hill, transmission automatically downshifted. Vehicle immediately went to full throttle uncontrollably. Engine RPM jumped to 6K - 7K. Vehicle speed still increasing. Stepped on gas pedal several times thinking it was stuck with no effect - RPM remained constant. Then put both feet on brake pedal - RPM remained constant. Then shifted transmission into neutral position. Check etc / red lightning bolt message now on in message center located between tach & speedometer. RPM's now at a constant 4K with vehicle in neutral and coasting. No place to turn off without blocking traffic. Stopped at lighted intersection - vehicle still at 4K RPM. Shifted back into "drive", tires chirped and truck lunged forward still at 4K RPM. Parked vehicle in safe place adjacent to gas station and shut off - transmission still either in gear or neutral. Engine off - shifted into "park". waited 3-4 minutes and attempted to restart vehicle. Engine icon, ect icon and red steering wheel with explanation point icon where all on. Vehicle cranked, but acted like no fuel / spark and would not start. Vehicle towed to dealership on flatbed. No word back from dealer yet. Mileage 5,443 - mostly highway. Note: No floor mats just factory rug and cruise control was not "on" or in use in any way. Only modifications to vehicle are the addition of a spray bed-liner and topper. I was born and raised around cars and have good mechanical ability including ground-up restorations of pre 1970 vehicles. This is a real and tangible example of a 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 bighorn with unintended acceleration. This is unacceptable for any vehicle, but especially for a new, $46,000 vehicle. I am lucky that I did not hurt anyone or end up dead.
Vehicle didn't start, we were stranded miles from home it showed "wrong key fob" on the screen, steering & transmission locked up, towed to nearest dealer they reprogrammed the original key it didn't work, programmed a new key didn't work either ordered receiver module didn't work either, programmed a third key & somehow started. Repair was covered under warranty. Searched on the internet & found multiple cases, some say that they had same problem in more than one occasion. We were not in danger at any time, but if this incident occurs under cold weather conditions or in an unsafe location the story could be very different.
I was returning home from a short trip on the interstate and I had just made a turn on the street we live on when I heard a ding sound. My wife and I noticed that there was a message on the display that showed, "service electronic throttle control". it stayed on only a second and disappeared. I didn't really notice any effect to the driving capability, but this is the first time that message has appeared and I notice that there are two similar complaints posted here about the same message. I think I'll go to the dealership and at least let them know about it and see what they do. I had been using my cruise control on the way back from my trip which I normally do use and I note that in at least one of the other complaints the person was using theirs too. At the time of the message I wasn't using cruise but like I said, I had been.
On August 26th I was traveling in my truck at about 58mph with the cruise control on. As I entered a 45mph speed zone I tapped the brake pedal to disengage the cruise. The truck maintained speed so I pressed the brake pedal many times with the truck not slowing down. I then had to hit the brakes quite hard to slow down. While doing this I noticed a message come up on the info screen which read service electronic throttle control. After stopping I checked to see if something like a floormat was pressing on the accelerator pedal, which there was not. This same situation happened again on August 30th. I contacted South lake motors, the local Ram dealer to schedule an appointment for Sept. 4. I took my truck in and they found a code in the computer, but could not find anything wrong. In the following 2 weeks the same thing happened two more times as I tried to slow down from a speed of between 55 and 60mph, except I did not have the cruise on. They looked it over again on Sept 19 and decided to put a new accelerator pedal in it on Sept. 20th. The next day it stuck again as I tried to slow for a truck turning in front of me, almost causing me to rear end that vehicle. Sept 27th I took it back in and they still could not find anything wrong. On Oct 7 I once again dropped my truck off at the dealer and they kept it for 5 days trying to duplicate the issue. They could not find the problem. On Oct 13 while traveling at 45mph I let off the accelerator pedal and the truck maintained speed, I had to slam on the brakes to slow it down to negotiate a corner without wrecking. This has happened two time since then. On Oct 21st I took it back to the dealer and they installed a data recorder to record the events.the mechanic and other dealership employees have told me this truck is not safe to drive. I have called Chrysler daily telling them this vehicle is unsafe.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Braintree, MA, USA