2001 Dodge 1500 Other / unspecified Problems

THE DEFECTIVE PLASTIC DASHBOARD ON THE 2001 DODGE RAM BROKE INTO FRAGMENTS AND STUCK THE DRIVERS RIGHT EYE CAUSING TEMPORARY BLINDNESS AND LOSS OF CONTROL TO VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME WELL KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE FOR THOUSANDS OF DODGE RAM OWNERS THAT NHSTA STILL SAYS IS A "COSMETIC ISSUE" I ALMOST KILLED MY CHILD DO TO YOUR COLLUSION WITH CHRYSLER DEEMING THIS A "COSMETIC ISSUE"

NHTSA ID

10985717

Incident

May 11, 2017

Mileage

18,000 mi

THE SPARE TIRE CABLE SNAPPED QUITE POSSIBLY CAUSING MY SPARE TIRE TO FALL OUT ON THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE OR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I LAST CHECKED THE SPARE TIRE IN NOV 2015 AND NOTICED IT GONE IN APRIL 2016. ALL THAT REMAINS IS A SPLINTERED CABLE. IN TALKING TO PEOPLE IN THE AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS THEY TELL ME THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. IN MY CASE IF IT DID INDEED FALL OUT WHILE DRIVING I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT NO ONE GOT HURT. I DO NOT KNOW IF NEWER VEHICLES ARE STILL EQUIPPED WITH THESE CABLES. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF SECONDARY SYSTEM TO PREVENT THE TIRE FROM FALLING OUT SHOULD THE CABLE SNAP AS I HAVE NOW COME TO UNDERSTAND TO BE A FAIRLY FREQUENT OCCURRENCE.

NHTSA ID

10855414

Incident

Apr 10, 2016

Mileage

225,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED AND BECAME JAMMED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE CORD THAT WAS HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE WAS CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10558326

Incident

Dec 18, 2013

Mileage

35,000 mi

JUST PURCHASE MY 2001 DODGE RAM THE DAY BEFORE, TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE TO NEIGHBORING TOWN. WAS GOING 45 MPH AND THE ROAD WAS SOMEWHAT BUMPY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND VERY BOUNCY. THE TOWN WAS 10 MILES AWAY. ARRIVED, TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND WENT INTO MARKET FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES. DROVE BACK HOME WITH THE SAME THING HAPPENING(VIOLENT SHAKING AND VERY, VERY BOUNCY) ALL THE WAY BACK. VERY SCARY AND DEFINITELY NOT RIGHT. STEERING WAS DIFFICULT DUE TO THE BOUNCE AND SHAKE. INTERESTINGLY MY FATHER DROVE THIS VEHICLE 300 MILES TO BRING IT TO ME THE PREVIOUS DAY WITH NO INCIDENT OF THE SHAKING OR BOUNCING. A FRIEND TOLD ME ABOUT THE "DEATH WOBBLE" AND AFTER LOOKING IT UP ON THE INTERNET, I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED, EITHER BY A RECALL OR DODGE! NOT EVEN A CONCRETE FIX FOR THE PROBLEM? I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITHOUT A LARGE SUM OF MONEY TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE, LET ALONE FIX MAJOR REPAIRS. I NEED A SAFE VEHICLE FOR MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN SCAMMED BY THE DEALER, DODGE, THE PREVIOUS OWNER, AND THE NHTSA. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM IN MY VEHICLE! *TR

NHTSA ID

10497964

Incident

Feb 9, 2013

Mileage

110,373 mi

THE UNDER THE BED SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY CABLE BROKE AT THE JUNCTION OF WHERE THE CABLE ENDS AND THE HOLDING METAL ASSEMBLY BEGINS. THE SPARE TIRE CAME LOOSE AND HIT THE HIGHWAY BOUNCING OFF OF THE PAVEMENT AND BECOMING AIRBOURNE BEHIND MY TRUCK . AT THAT TIME IT BECAME A HAZARD FOR ANY VEHICLE ESPECIALLY A MOTORCYCLE BEHIND ME. MY SPARE IS A 16 INCH TIRE AND WEIGHS OVER 35 POUNDS. I GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE AT THE NEXT EXIT AND TRIED TO FIND THE TIRE BUT COULD NOT LOCATE IT . I SUSPECT IT WENT OFF THE ROAD AND DOWN A STEEP EMBANKMENT. NO CARS BEHIND ME STRUCK THE TIRE AND NO WAS HURT. AFTER INSPECTING THE SPARE TIRE CRANK ASSEMBLY I FOUND THE CABLE WAS RUSTED AND SUSPECT THE HOLDING NUT ASSEMBLY WAS TOO. I HAVE NOT USED MY TRUCK FOR OFF ROAD USE ONLY TO TRAVEL BACK AND FORTH TO WORK AND TO HAUL MATERIAL WHEN NEEDED. I WENT TO THE LOCAL JUNK YARD AND WAS BOUGHT ANOTHER SPARE TIRE CRANK ASSEMBLY OFF OF A 2000 DODGE RAM 1500 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND FOUND THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY WAS ALSO RUSTED. I SUSPECT THAT IT MAY FAIL IN THE FUTURE JUST LIKE MINE DID. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW FOR ON INSPECTION IT IS EASY TO SEE HOW RUST CAN MAKE THE HOLDING NUT AND WASHER FAIL. I AM AFRAID THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN OR ALREADY HAS HAPPENED ON DODGE TRUCKS USING THIS TYPE OF SPARE TIRE HOLDER. IF THIS TIRE COMING FREE AND HITTING THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH COULD HAVE CAUSE SERIOUS HARM TO ANOTHER VEHICLE OR COULD HAVE LED TO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. MY GUESS IS THAT MANY TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED BUT HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10476517

Incident

Sep 14, 2012

Mileage

135,714 mi

DASHBOARD AND CAP IS CRACKING UP INTO JAGGED PIECES. SHOULD THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY, SEVERE INJURY COULD RESULT FROM BEING PUNCTURED FROM PLASTIC SHRAPNEL MUCH MORE THAN THE CAUSE OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I FEEL THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD IMPLEMENT A REPLACEMENT AT NO EXPENSE. *LN

NHTSA ID

10376839

Incident

Nov 1, 2010

Mileage

88,000 mi

ON FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2010 I WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY 231 IN LAFAYETTE INDIANA, WHEN SUDDENLY I REALIZED I COULD NO LONGER USE THE BRAKES ON MY TRUCK. I TRIED TO SLOW MY VEHICLE BY BRAKING BUT MY BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING SO I JUST LET UP ON THE GAS. AT THIS POINT MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AS DID MY ABS LIGHT ON THE CONTROL PANEL. I WAS STILL ABOUT 40 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOME AND STILL HAD ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING TO DO BEFORE I REACHED MY DESTINATION. I DROVE ABOUT 20 MILES AN HOUR WITH MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON AND WAS PREPARED TO US MY EMERGENCY BRAKE IF I NEEDED TO. THANKFULLY THERE WAS CONSTRUCTION GOING ON AT THE TIME ON PARTS OF HIGHWAY 231 AT THE TIME, SO PARTS OF HIGHWAY 231 WERE SLOW GOING ANYWAY. HOWEVER, THE LOSS OF MY BRAKE SYSTEM SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. I MADE IT SUCCESSFULLY HOME WITHOUT INJURING MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE ON FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2010. HOWEVER, MY TRUCK IS ONLY 9 YEARS ONLY AND THIS INCIDENT SHOULD NEVER HAVE TAKEN PLACE. WHEN I RETURNED HOME ALL OF MY BRAKE FLUID WAS PORING OUT AND WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF THE MASTER TANK UNDER MY HOOD. FURTHERMORE, LOOKING AT THE BRAKE LINES, THE HARD LINES THAT LEAD TO THIS PROBLEM REVEALED THAT SEVERE RUST HAD LEAD TO THE TOTAL BREAKDOWN AND ACTUALLY CAUSED THE HARD LINES OF MY BRAKES TO BRAKE IN HALF, WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN IN A NINE YEAR ONLY VEHICLE, THAT IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED. I HAVE SINCE REPLACE MY BRAKE SYSTEM WITH ALL NEW PARTS AND BLEED THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I HAVE ALSO TOLD PEOPLE WITH WHOM I NOW HAVE OTHER DODGE'S ABOUT MY INCIDENT, TO AT LEAST CHECK THEIR BRAKE SYSTEM FOR POSSIBLE RUST SO THEY DO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH WHAT I HAVE GONE THROUGH. I HAVE KEPT THE OLD PART, AT LEAST FOR A WHILE, IN CASE I NEED TO PROVE THAT THIS REALLY DID HAPPEN AND THESE WERE REALLY BAD PARTS THAT CHRYSLER INSTALLED ON THESE TRUCKS. MOST OF ALL I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THIS AFTER THERE WERE SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS SAME INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10358622

Incident

Sep 17, 2010

Mileage

138,144 mi

SPARE TIRE IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED WHICH CAUSES YOU TO LOOSE YOUR SPARE TIRE WHICH HAS HAPPENED TO ME CAUSING DAMAGE TO OTHER PARTS CAUSE CABLE IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SECURE YOUR TIRE PROPER AND NOW I AM LIKE OTHERS I HAVE SPOKEN TO WITH THE SAME TRUCKS HAS HAPPENED TO THEM ALSO. NOW I HAVE TO LOOK FOR ANOTHER SPARE AND REAR BUMPER DUE TO DAMAGE DONE AND DENT TO REAR CORNER PANEL. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED TO DODGE SO IT CAN BE REPAIRED RIGHT SO IT IS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD TO ALL OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10340343

Incident

May 27, 2010

MY DASH STARTED CRACKING BEFORE I BOUGHT IT BACK IN 3/2009 BUT NOW THE CRACKS ARE "HOLES". THE DASH IS LITERALLY CAVING IN. WHAT IS LEFT IS SHARP EDGED PIECES THAT CAN EASILY CUT YOU. ALSO, THE WIDE OPEN CRATERS ARE ALLOWING THE HOT TEXAS SUN TO BAKE THE WIRING AND HAS TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE RANDOM INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT SEEM TO BE CROPPING UP PERIODICALLY.

NHTSA ID

10321570

Incident

Jul 20, 2009

Mileage

130,000 mi

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT. ALTHOUGH I HAVE TAKEN EXTREMELY GOOD CARE OF THIS TRUCK, THE DASH HAS CRACKED INTO A MILLION PIECES. IT IS ABOUT TO FALL IN. I DOUBT MY AIR BAGS WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY IN A CRASH, DUE TO THE DECREASED STRENGTH OF THE SURROUNDING AREAS, AND THE FACT THAT THE TOP OF THE DASH IS ABOUT TO FALL INTO THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. ELECTRICAL WIRES CAN BE SEEN THROUGH THE CRACKS. EVERY TIME I TURN THE BLOWER ON NEAR THE WINDSHIELD, TINY PIECES OF DASH THAT HAVE BROKEN OFF BLOW UP AND AROUND THE TRUCK, OFTEN INTO MY EYES. THIS CERTAINLY ISN'T SAFE, SINCE I CAN'T SEE WITH PLASTIC IN MY EYES!!! THIS SEEMS TO BE AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM. IF YOU REVIEW THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS LISTED ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM AT WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM, YOU WILL SEE JUST HOW MANY DODGE OWNERS ARE DEALING WITH THIS. THE PLASTIC USED TO MAKE THE DASH IS OBVIOUSLY SUBSTANDARD, AND ALL CRACKED DASHES SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED AT DODGES EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10286144

Incident

Apr 1, 2004

Mileage

54,000 mi

MY FRONT END RIM AND TIRE LOCKED UP AT 59 MPH-CAUSING A SEVERE SWERVE TO THE LEFT/RIGHT-THEN I SWERVED INTO AN 18 WHEELER;AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY;SEATBELTS WERE NOT UNLATCHING PRIOR TO ACCIDENT SO NOT USABLE AT THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10283409

Incident

Jun 11, 2009

Mileage

111,000 mi

I PARKED MY PICKUP AFTER WORK ONE EVENING WENT OUT THE NEXT MORNING AND THE DASH WAS CRACKED. IT IS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 THIS WAS IN 2004 THE NEXT MORNING I WENT OUT FOR WORK AND THE DASH WAS CRACKED AND HAS SINCE COMPLETELY CAVED IN. SOME ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. NOW I KNOW THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD COMPLAINT BUT SO FAR IS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY RISK. WELL WHY DO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SOME ONE IS INJURED BEFORE IT IS CONSIDERED A SAFETY RISK. IS THE WIRING GOING TO SHORT OUT AND CATCH ME ON FIRE OR IS MY LIGHTS GOING TO BE THE NEXT THING TO GO OUT IS THE AIR BAG GOING TO DEPLOY PROPERLY SHOULD I HAVE A WRECK, OR WILL IT JUST DEPLOY WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD FOR NO REASON. I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I CAN NOT AFFORD TO. DEFECTIVE PLASTIC WAS USED IN THE DASHES FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND DODGE REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. MAYBE INSTEAD OF WAITING UNTIL SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS YOU SHOULD CHECK ON THIS PROBLEM NOW AND MAYBE SAVE SOMEONE FROM INJURY OR SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE MAYBE MINE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10283361

Incident

Sep 15, 2004

Mileage

78,000 mi

IN JUNE OF 2006 I NOTICED A HAIRLINE CRACK IN THE DASH OF MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500, WHICH ONLY HAD 36,000 ON IT AT THE TIME. I DID NOT HAVE IT REPAIRED THINKING THE DEALER WOULD JUST TELL ME IT WAS USUAL WEAR AND TEAR. SINCE THAT DAY THE DASH HAS CONTINUED TO CRACK AND I NOW HAVE A SECTION WHERE THE CRACKS HAVE CONNECTED. IT APPEARS THERE WILL SOON BE AN AREA OF THE DASH THE SIZE OF A SOFTBALL OR LARGER WHERE THERE WILL BE A HOLE. THIS HOLE WILL BE DIRECTLY ABOVE THE INSTRUMENTATION. I HAVE RECENTLY LEARNED THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF 1998-2002 DODGE TRUCKS. SOME OF WHICH HAVE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, SUCH AS THEIR HEADLIGHTS GOING OFF. THIS HAS LED ME TO VOICE A COMPLAINT WITH CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND THE NHTSA. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN MATERIAL AND/OR WORKMANSHIP AT THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!! HEADLIGHTS SHUTTING OFF AS YOU DRIVE DOWN A DARK ROAD IS A SAFETY ISSUE!! IT IS A SHAME, BUT IT APPEARS IT WILL TAKE SOMEONE EITHER DYING OR GETTING SERIOUSLY INJURED BEFORE ANYTHING IS DONE TO FORCE CHRYSLER TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10279420

Incident

Jun 1, 2006

Mileage

36,000 mi

I NOW HAVE TWO RAM 1500 TRUCKS WITH DASH TOP FAILURES HERE IN TEXAS. I WAS HIT FROM THE REAR IN MY 2000 RAM 1500 AND PLASTIC PIECES FROM THE ALREADY CRACKED AND CRACKING DASH HIT ME IN THE FACE AS IT EXPLODED ON IMPACT CAUSING MANY MINOR FACIAL CUTS BUT NONE IN MY EYES. BEING BLINDED CAUSED ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I THEN HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT OCCURRED THAT CUT BOTH AIR BAGS ON BOTH SIDES WITH MORE SHARDS OF THE DASH. MY 2001 RAM 1500 ALSO HAS A SEVERELY CRACKED DASH AND IS GETTING MUCH WORSE. THIS OCCURRED WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASE. CHRYSLER CORP. REFUSES TO RESPOND AND THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT RESPOND WITH ANY HELP CLAIMING THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE PLUS THEY HAVE NO PARTS OR ANY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY CLAIM THERE ARE NO PLANS FOR THE PARTS TO BE MANUFACTURED EITHER. THIS PROBLEM HAS BECOME AN EPIDEMIC TO RAM OWNERS AND WILL SOMEDAY BECOME AND CAUSE SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY FATALITY PROBLEMS. ACCIDENT REPORTS ARE NOT SHOWING THE DASH AS A PROBLEM. THEY INDICATE THE CRACKED DASH WAS CAUSED BY THE ACCIDENT AND IS A RESULT. INSURANCE COMPANIES CLAIM IT IS A MANUFACTURES PROBLEMS. THE OWNER TAKES THE HIT UNLESS HE CAN CONVINCE THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER TO TOTAL THE VEHICLE. THE PRESENT POLITICAL SITUATION NATION WIDE IS STOPPING MY PLEAS TO MY REPRESENTATIVE ON MY COMPLAINTS AND PLEAS FOR ASSISTANCE TO FALL ON DEAD EARS. DODGE DEALERS ARE HIDING THE FACT THAT A CRACKED DASH RAM 1500 TRADE INS ARE BEING JUNKED TO HIDE THIS MAJOR ISSUE. THUSLY IT IS NOT GETTING THE PROPER ATTENTION. AT LOCAL AUTO AUCTIONS THE DODGE RAM 1500'S DO NOT SELL. AS A NOTE: THERE IS ALSO A MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AS NOTED BY MOST TRANSMISSION SHOPS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO CORRECT MANY AND MOST OF DODGE RAM 1500'S PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF THE DASHES. "GET THEM OFF THE ROAD AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE" IS CHRYSLER CORPORATIONS PLAN AS PER THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE WHEN HE WAS CORNERED. I HAVE BOUGHT MY LAST DODGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10245400

Incident

Jan 5, 2007

Mileage

62,250 mi

DASH BOARD ON MY 2001 DODGE 1500 CRACKED REPLACED WITH NEW DASH BOARD AND RECRACKED WITHIN A MONTH IN A DIFFERENT AREA. *TR

NHTSA ID

10231248

Incident

Nov 14, 2007

UNBELIEVABLE PROBLEM TO HAVE ON A TRUCK THAT HAS BEEN SO PAMPERED. RARELY DRIVEN ON LESS THAN PAVED ROADS, MAINTAINED RELIGIOUSLY, IMMACULATE INTERIOR. IMAGINE MY SHOCK TO DISCOVER SEVERAL HUGE CRACKS IN THE DASH! ONE STARTS AT THE TOP TO THE LEFT OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND RUNS ALL THE WAY TO THE WINDSHIELD, AND THE OTHER INTERSECTS ACROSS. I HAVE NOT YET TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR CONSIDERATION, BUT AFTER READING THESE POSTS I'M NOT HOLDING OUT MUCH HOPE FOR A REASONABLE RESOLUTION. WHAT A GINORMOUS PIECE OF CRAP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10212948

Incident

Dec 26, 2007

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE RIGHT REAR TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTERWARDS THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND AND WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER THE TIRE WAS LOCATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE SHOES AND DRUMS, WHEEL NUTS AND STUDS, COMBINATION SPRING KIT AND SELF ADJUSTER KIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10157858

Incident

Oct 14, 2005

Mileage

37,890 mi

SEVERAL CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD. *BF SMALL CRACK OF 2 INCHES LONG WITHIN A WEEK MOVED ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE DASHBOARD AND BECAME 5 CRACKS AS TIME WENT ON. THE CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING THE PROBLEM CORRECTED BY DEALER. *TC

NHTSA ID

10095470

Incident

Sep 1, 2004

Mileage

55,703 mi

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH FRONT LEFT WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10049814

Incident

Nov 28, 2003

Mileage

27,000 mi

JUST ABOUT A MONTH AGO, MY HUSBAND & I HAD TO TAKE OUR 2001, DODGE RAM1500, PICK-UP TRUCK(2-WHEEL DRIVE)INTO A LOCAL SERVICE CENTER IN THE TOWN IN WHICH WE LIVE. WE HAD BOTH NOTICED THAT SOMETHING WAS VERY "AMISS" IN THE WAY OUR TRUCK SOUNDED & FELT WHEN WE TURNED AT A SEVERE ANGLE TO THE RIGHT--I.E. INTO OUR CARPORT HERE AT HOME FOR INSTANCE. SINCE I DRIVE IT THE MOST TO & FROM WORK, I WAS THE FIRST WHO NOTICED THAT SOMETHING DIDN'T SEEM JUST RIGHT WITH THE WAY IT SOUNDED & HANDLED UPON TURNING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY. THEN ONE NIGHT WHEN MY HUSBAND HAD COME HOME FOR HIS LUNCH BREAK, HE RELATED TO ME THAT HE NOTICED THERE WAS A DEFINITE "SOUND" THAT WASN'T RIGHT..THIS PROMPTED US TO TAKE OUR TRUCK TO A SHOP HERE IN TOWN THAT SPECIALIZES IN WHEELS, BRAKES,,,ETC..ETC...THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING HOUSING, WHICH IS AN "ALL-IN-ONE" UNIT WAS IN SUCH A DAMAGED STATE THAT IT WAS NEARLY READY TO "FALL OFF" AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THE MECHANIC WHO HAD DONE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE NEW UNIT WE HAD TO BUY EXPLAINED TO US THAT IT APPEARED THAT THE UNIT HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY GREASED & PACKED WHEN IT WAS ORIGINALLY INSTALLED AT THE PLANT IN WHICH IT WAS MANUFACTURED. HE ALSO TOLD US THAT THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED ON ANY VEHICLE THAT WAS THIS NEW. THEREFORE, I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT AS IT MIGHT BE NECESSARY TO DO SOME RESEARCH IN THIS MATTER TO FIND OUT WHY THIS HAS HAPPENED TO US, AND TO FIND OUT IF IT HAS OCCURRED TO ANYONE ELSE. AFTER ALL, I MIGHT HAVE BEEN TRAVELING DOWN OUR FREEWAYS HERE IN CALIFORNIA GOING 65-70 MPH AND THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL COULD HAVE VERY EASILY FALLEN COMPLETELY OFF DUE TO SOMEONE'S OVERSIGHT AND NEGLIGENCE. WE WOULD SURELY APPRECIATE HEARING FROM YOUR AGENCY WITH ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU MIGHT COME UP WITH. SINCERELY YOURS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10020784

Incident

Apr 30, 2003

JACK IS TOO SMALL TO HOLD VEHICLE WHILE TIRE IS BEING CHANGED ON AN INCLINE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID

8000839

Incident

Dec 13, 2001