2008 Dodge 1500 Visibility Problems

HVAC mode door inoperative causing defroster to not operate and only allowing air out of dash vents causing safety issue when windshield is fogged up due to dew or humidity from rain causing loss of visibility. Mode door broken which involves pulling dashboard and evacuating A/C system at a very significant cost. Have read and heard of many complaint due to broken doors in HVAC system on these vehicles. During early morning hours with dew and during operating vehicle in inclement weather this causes a very serious safety issue. FCA should cover this as it is an unsafe and poor design causing risk to operator and other drivers on the roadways.

NHTSA ID

11442509

Incident

Dec 3, 2021

THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF MY TRUCK HAS BEEN GOING OUT. TIE RODS, SWAY BAR END LINKS, CV AXLES, UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. MY BACK GLASS ISN'T SEALED PROPERLY AND POURS WATER IN THE CAB WHEN IT RAINS DRENCHING MY PASSENGERS OR WHATEVER I AM CARRYING IN THE BACKSEAT, THE WATER POOLS UP UNDER THE SEATS AND I ROUTINELY HAVE TO MASK THE SMELL FROM IT

NHTSA ID

11307943

Incident

Feb 8, 2020

Mileage

140,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INOPERABLE AND STOPPED MIDWAY ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HIGH SPEED SETTINGS WORKED PERFECTLY FINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. ATHENS DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (4145 ATLANTA HWY, ATHENS, GA 30606, (706) 549-7555) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V084000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,500.

NHTSA ID

11270391

Incident

Jul 1, 2019

Mileage

85,500 mi

THE WIPERS MOTOR SPEED FLUCTUATES WHEN MOVING THE STEERING COLUMN UP OR DOWN. SOMETIMES THE WIPERS WON'T GO TO 'HIGH SPEED' UNTIL THE STEERING COLUMN IS MOVED AROUND. IT HAPPENS REGARDLESS IF IT IS MOVING DOWN THE ROAD OR NOT.

NHTSA ID

11232416

Incident

Jul 16, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD WORK AT TIMES AND NOT AT OTHER TIMES. NOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL. DODGE HAS ATTEMPTED REPAIR THAT COST ME 500.00 AND THE WIPERS STILL DON'T WORK.

NHTSA ID

11154433

Incident

Sep 4, 2017

Mileage

100,000 mi

THERE IS A RECALL ON THE WIPER MODULE AND FROM WHAT I FOUND OUT IS THE WIPER MODULE ACCORDING TO DODGE IS THE LINKAGE ON THE WIPERS AND I TOOK IT IN AND THE DEALER SAID THE LINKAGE WAS BENT AND WOULDN'T FIX IT SO I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND ENDED UP PAYING 340.00 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT FIX

NHTSA ID

11064827

Incident

Jan 17, 2018

80 MILE DRIVE HOME IN RAIN AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING! TRUCK HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT AND I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER. INTERMITTENT WIPER STOPS, STARTS, RUNS AT DIFFERENT PACES. COMPLETELY SCARY TO BE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH AND CAN'T SEE THE ROAD. VERY DANGEROUS! THE COMPANY SHOULD REPLACE THIS AT NO COST. APPARENTLY THEY HAVE ISSUES WITH THIS BECAUSE IT'S BEEN RECALLED, BUT MY VIN WASN'T A PART OF THE RECALL. HOW CAN THAT BE? A KNOWN ISSUE, BUT WON'T TAKE CARE OF A LOYAL CUSTOMER WITH A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED OR THE SAFETY OF USING THE VEHICLE IS LIMITED BY WEATHER CONDITIONS. WHAT IF I HAD AN ACCIDENT AND I HAD BEEN KILLED ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE MY WIPERS DIDN'T WORK AND THE COMPANY NEW IT WAS AN ISSUE AND WOULDN'T FIX IT? VERY DISAPPOINTED BY THIS PROBLEM AND THE COMPANY'S LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX IT. I WAS ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH A POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 60 MPH, FOLLOWING THE LAW, RAIN STARTED COMING DOWN, WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK SO I COULD SEE THE ROAD. EXTREMELY UPSETTING AND SCARY TO BE IN THAT SITUATION. WOULD HATE FOR MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER TO BE DRIVING AND HAVE THIS HAPPEN TO THEM. SEMI TRUCKS WERE SPLASHING WATER ONTO MY WINDSHIELD AND I COULDN'T CLEAR THE WATER TO SEE WHERE I WAS GOING! EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!!!

NHTSA ID

10966653

Incident

Feb 13, 2017

Mileage

40,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL. I TOOK MY VEHICAL TO ALL AMERICAN CHEVY IN ODESSA TX AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEMS WITH MY TRUCK WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE BEST JUST TO GET OUT OF THE TRUCK AND INTO SOMETHING ELSE. THEY WANTED ME TO BE UPSIDE DOWN ON ANOTE VEHICAL. I CAN NOT AFFORD A LARGER PAYMENT OR A LARGE DOWN PAYMENT. I HAVE PAID ON MY TRUCK FOR OVER 3 YRS NOW. I CAN'T AFFORD TO BE WITH OUT A VEHICAL WITH 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND THIS TRUCK IS NOT SAFE WITH THE RECALL FOR MY KIDS. AND NOW I HAVE ANOT HER RECALL THAT'S 3 TOTAL AS OF NOW. PLEASE GOD HELP ME!!!!!!

NHTSA ID

10891887

Incident

Jul 6, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V084000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ID

10872720

Incident

Jun 3, 2016

Mileage

103,000 mi

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS) AND 09V084000 (VISIBILITY). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE BEYOND A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC TIME FRAME TO SUPPLY THE PARTS TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 04/22/2016*LJ

NHTSA ID

10839510

Incident

Feb 10, 2015

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS) AND WAS WAITING FOR MONTHS TO RECEIVE THE PART FROM THE DEALER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD FRACTURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO EXPERIENCING A FAILURE IN WHICH THE FRONT GLASS HAD POOR VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V529000 (STEERING), 13V528000 (STEERING), 11V350000 (STEERING), AND 07E104000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 2/4/16 *CN UPDATED 03/18/16*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID

10812034

Incident

Apr 7, 2014

Mileage

96,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ID

10679009

Incident

Dec 12, 2012

Mileage

36,000 mi

VEHICLE BOUGHT NEW IN 2008. IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, HAD TO: REPLACE BOTH BRAKE CALIPERS DUE TO DRAGGING AND OVERHEATING. REPLACE LF WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY - MAKING NOISE - FOUND TO HAVE WORN BEARING, WIPER MOTOR REPLACED FOR RECALL, NEVER HAD ISSUE. NOW IT DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY, IMPROPER CYCLING SPEEDS, WON'T TURN ON, OR WON'T TURN OFF AT TIMES. MILEAGE ~ 38,000. THIS IS DANGEROUS, JUST LIKE THE BRAKES AND BEARING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10658914

Incident

Sep 7, 2012

Mileage

32,000 mi

WHEN THE HEATER IS TURNED ON, AIR WILL ONLY COME OUT THE AIR CONDITIONING VENT. THE DEFROSTERS HAVE NO HOT AIR COMING OUT. THIS IS AN SAFETY HAZARD SINCE WINDOWS CANNOT BE DEFROSTED. I HAVE TALKED TO MANY OTHER RAM OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE WAS A RECALL (K-17) FOR SOME 2009 AND 2010 MODELS. THIS RECALL SHOULD BE OPENED UP TO ALL MODELS WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10652683

Incident

Oct 15, 2012

Mileage

95,000 mi

I GOT THE RECALL NOTICES FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR BACK IN 2011 AND HAD IT REPLACED EVEN THOUGH I HAD NO ISSUE WITH THAT MOTOR. THE NEW MOTOR MODULE ASSEMBLIES HAD COMPLETE LOSS OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CAPABILITY (A YEAR AFTER I HAD THE MOTOR REPLACED). I WAS DRIVING THAT DAY IN AUSTIN,TX WITH MY ONE YEAR OLD BABY GIRL. IT WAS POURING DOWN HEAVY RAIN WHEN THE WIPERS COMPLETE JUST STOPPED OUT OF THE BLUE. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR THE RAIN TO STOP BECAUSE I HAD NO ADVISABLE WHAT SO EVER. ( WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH! ) I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE 08 DODGE RAM TO A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM TO REPLACE IT FOR ME. THEY TOLD ME THAT I ALREADY HAD IT DONE. I TOLD THEM "TO REPLACE IT AGAIN BECAUSE A YEAR OLD MOTOR SHOULDN'T OF JUST STOPPED WORKING." THEY SAID, "THEY COULD MAKE A APPOINTMENT AT A LATER DATE TO BRING IT IN SO THEY CAN LOOK AT IT FOR A DAY OR TWO (( AND THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST."))) I SAID, "THERE IS HEAVY RAIN IN THE WEATHER FORECAST ALL WEEK. I HAVE A BABY THAT I HAVE TO DROP OFF AT DAYCARE EVERY DAY BECAUSE I AM A FULL TIME STUDENT, AND YOUR GOING TO LET ME DRIVE THIS TRUCK KNOW MY WIPERS DON'T WORK SO Y'ALL CAN ONE DAY TAKE A LOOK AT IT FOR TWO DAYS AND I'LL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT ! NO!" THEY SAID, "WE CAN'T REPLACE YOUR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR BECAUSE YOU ALREADY HAD IT DONE." *TR

NHTSA ID

10572618

Incident

Jan 1, 2012

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER LEAKED THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW AND ACCUMULATED UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DECIDED TO RE-SEAL THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT AND THE REAR SLIDING GLASS HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH MOLDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HER AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,440 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,465.

NHTSA ID

10499396

Incident

Feb 16, 2013

Mileage

29,440 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SLIDING WINDOW WAS ALLOWING WATER TO LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS INFESTED WITH MOLD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SUFFERED SEVERAL HEALTH ISSUES AS A RESULT OF THE EXPOSURE TO THE MOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDOW AND THE INTERIOR MATERIAL NEEDED TO BE CLEANED AND REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 69,000. UPDATED 06/21/12*LJ THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 06/22/12

NHTSA ID

10457785

Incident

Dec 9, 2011

Mileage

69,000 mi

WHEN THE WIPERS WERE TURNED ON THEN OFF THEY "PARK" STRAIGHT UP. WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER'S ATTENTION THEY SAID THE RECALL WAS ALREADY DONE IN 2009 AND THEY WOULD CHARGE TO FIX THE WIPER CONTROL MODULE. THEY ALSO CHARGED TO DIAGNOSE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10447499

Incident

Nov 2, 2011

Mileage

38,600 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V084000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

NHTSA ID

10440053

Incident

Oct 10, 2011

Mileage

50,000 mi

LOW WINDSHIELD WASHER SENSOR, THIS SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED OR CLEANED EVERY 4 - 6 MONTHS SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE TRUCK NEW. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH CHRYSLER CORP. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SAID I NEED TO DILUTE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID OR THAT THIS IS NORMAL IN THE WINTER, WELL IT HAPPENS IN THE SUMMER TOO. I JUST WANT THEM TO TURN OFF THIS SENSOR OR ALARM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10413216

Incident

Apr 27, 2009

Mileage

3,000 mi

THE HEATER CONTROL DOORS BREAK ON DODGE RAM TRUCKS NOT ALLOWING THE DEFROST TO WORK CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF DODGE RAMS . THEY WANT WAY TO MUCH TO FIX THERE DESIGN FLAWED DOORS WITH NEW DESIGN FLAWED DOORS . PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR US! *TR

NHTSA ID

10369590

Incident

Dec 7, 2010

Mileage

58,000 mi

THE WIPER ARM LINKAGE FROM MOTOR TO WIPER BASE BECAME DISLODGED. IT IS A BALL-SOCKET TYPE LINKAGE. IT DISCONNECTED AND CAUSED PERMANENT LOSS OF PASSENGER SIDE WIPER. THIS CAUSED A DECREASE IN VISIBILITY.

NHTSA ID

10322602

Incident

Feb 15, 2010

Mileage

95,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO PRODUCE THE PROPER LIGHTING TO SEE AT A DISTANCE. SHE PURCHASED NEW BULBS THAT WERE INSTALLED AT THE DEALER. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE FROZE TO THE WINDSHIELD AND THE VEHICLE WOULD "JUMP" UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT NEEDED MORE EXPERIENCE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIRES COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO "JUMP". THE MECHANIC FURTHER STATED THAT THE ABS WAS LOCATED ONLY IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE; THEREFORE, THE STOPPING DISTANCE WILL INCREASE. SHE INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE MECHANIC'S DIAGNOSIS AND WAS ADVISED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE A LITTLE LONGER TO ALLOW THE SUSPENSION TO LOOSEN. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE NEEDED TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,800.

NHTSA ID

10264081

Incident

Jan 22, 2009

Mileage

120 mi

ON TUESDAY, 27 JAN, 2008 - I WAS DRIVING A 2008 DODGE 1500 DURING A SLEET & SNOW STORM. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE OPERATING NORMALLY WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER FELL OFF. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO THE NORMAN CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE WIPER WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS LATER I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 35 AND, WHILE OPERATING NORMALLY, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER FELL OFF. IN BOTH CASES, VISIBILITY WAS RAPIDLY LIMITED. I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND UNDER HAZARDOUS WEATHER CONDITIONS. I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY, JANUARY 28, 2009 AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER WAS REPAIRED. I EXPRESSED MY FRUSTRATION AND CONCERN THAT THE FAILURES WERE A DESIGN FLAW. THE SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED THAT THE NEW WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT HAVE A RETENTION BOLT AS DO OLDER MODELS. I EXPRESSED MY OPINION THAT 2 FAILURES IN ONE DAY INDICATES THE NEED FOR INVESTIGATION. NO PAPERWORK OR DOCUMENTATION WAS GENERATED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10256605

Incident

Jan 27, 2009

Mileage

7,800 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, REAR GLASS, AND SIDE DOORS HAVE DIRTY BUBBLES IN BETWEEN THE LAMINATION OF THE GLASS. THE VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN PURCHASED AND WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER. THEY REORDERED NEW GLASS TO BE INSTALLED; HOWEVER, THEY WERE WORSE THAN THE ORIGINAL. THE CHRYSLER REPRESENTATIVE ARRIVED, BUT FAILED TO DO ANYTHING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250. UPDATED 11-25-08 *BF UPDATED 12/02/08. *JB

NHTSA ID

10247762

Incident

Nov 5, 2008

Mileage

250 mi