2000 Dodge Ram 2500 Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 equipped with Mastercraft Tires, Tire Line: Courser AXT, Tire Size:245/75/R16, DOT Number: [XXX] . The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the abnormal shaking worsened, and the contact pulled over and discovered a bulge in the rear driver’s side tire. The contact replaced the tire with the spare and resumed normal driving. Upon returning to the residence, while inspecting the front passenger’s side tire, the contact cut his index and middle finger on the left hand due to the steel belt protruding from the tire. Upon further inspection, the contact discovered the same failure with the rear driver’s side tire that was replaced. The contact had not sought medical attention for the injuries. The contact attempted to call the manufacturer for assistance but was unable to reach a representative. The tires were not replaced. The tire failure mileage was approximately 3,000. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 305,000. The VIN was not available. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11608437

Incident

Aug 11, 2024

Mileage

305,000 mi

The dash has completely desegregated exposing all the wires, air conditioning unit, and airbag parts. This is a huge hazard because my headlight switch hangs with nothing to attach to. My airbags are completely visible and could explode at anytime. Everything that was in the dash heated seat, headlight, air system, radio, speedometer, and airbag controls are completely visible and all attachments are completely desegregated I do not know if this also caused the loose steering in my vehicle but I assume it did the steering wheel will turn about a quarter turn before it ever engages the wheels and when driving you must constantly move the wheel back and forth to keep the car in the road I feel as though this is a major issue that has not been recalled in the dodge rams all models of my year truck that has been reported several times and should be fixed there are plenty of these trucks on the road still and all have the same issues I cannot afford another vehicle and would like for mine to be recalled and fixed so I can drive it safely without worrying about the airbags deploying or the steering being so lose it causes me to have a accident. When the plastic degenerates it also leaves extremely sharp edges that will cut you extremely deep I have been cut several times getting things from the dash pad I have lid across it covering the gapping hole. thank you for your time and consideration . Side note I tried to upload pictures of the dash or what's left of it but it would not let me.

NHTSA ID

11508106

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

In Muskogee County.By the grace of God, I finally gain control of my vehicle, after applying the brakes that failed on me, to avoid an accident, I pulled over to inspect my vehicle. I did a walk around inspection and noticed left rear side a puddle of oil on the ground, a oil leaks right next to the fuel tank inside the frame. After getting into my vehicle I noticed, my ABS light come on. So, I had it tow home. Prior to this I did not have an inspection to see it was safe to drive and I did not report this to the police.

NHTSA ID

11465307

Incident

May 18, 2022

They Did Not INCLUDE THE 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 Yet I have had the same experience several times.When travelling at highway speeds and hitting a bump or pot-hole in the road, the front end begins to shake violently and does not stop until the driver jams on the brakes and brings the truck back down to below highway speeds. Some people contribute this phenomenon to the worst possible downside of having a coil-sprung front suspension on a truck with a track bar. Unlike a typical suspension set up, Dodge Ram trucks will continue to shake long after hitting the bump to the point that controlling the vehicle is nearly impossible until the driver slows down. The current lawsuit alleges that Chrysler learned about the death wobble defect with Dodge Ram trucks in the mid-2000s but waited four years before conducting a series of recalls from 2009 through 2013. Chrysler classified the recalls as Safety Recalls, H36, H46, K28, L16, N62, N49, and N63. The recalls addressed various parts of 2009-2012 Dodge Ram trucks’ steering linkage system, including its tie rod assemblies. The complaint alleges that the recalls excluded many affected vehicles and that Chrysler provided replacement parts that were also defective, forcing Chrysler to make additional recalls to remedy prior recalls. Consumers have reported that Chrysler does not have enough replacement parts to repair all the vehicles for which it has submitted recall notices and that drivers have been put on long waiting lists for repairs. Chrysler’s steering linkage defect and redesign. Allegedly, the ball stud is defective in the Chrysler Suspension design. The driver’s side tie-rod ball stud that Chrysler used is too weak to and is known to fracture under normal driving conditions. The tie rod is a “crucial link” in the vehicle’s steering system. A loose tie rod can cause any vehicle to have an excess shimmy or the dreaded death wobble. The tie rod can affect front-end alignment. This happen several times in the last 15 years

NHTSA ID

11421800

Incident

Jun 18, 2021

DASH CRACKED AND SHATTERED TO PIECES, WITH NO REASON APPARENT REASON AND/OR WITHOUT OPERATOR'S CONTROL. PART OF IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11061455

Incident

Dec 20, 2017

Mileage

173,190 mi

VAN FRAME IS RUSTING OUT, STEERING BOX THAT IS MOUNTED TO FRAME IS LIKELY TO FALL OFF SOON. TIE ROD TO FRAME CONNECTION ALSO IS RUSTING OUT. TO MY KNOWLEDGE AND AFTER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THERE IS NO REASONABLE FIX.

NHTSA ID

10992036

Incident

May 19, 2017

Mileage

116,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED. THE DASHBOARD WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED TWICE FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AFRAID THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD DEPLOY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID

10898072

Incident

Aug 1, 2011

Mileage

90,000 mi

THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, RADIO, AND HEAT/AC CONTROLS IS BREAKING INTO PIECES. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL BE A SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE SHARP AND JAGGED EDGES AND LOOSE MATERIAL ALL THROUGHOUT THE DASH AREA. CURRENTLY I HAVE ZIP TIES HOLDING MY HEAT/AC CONTROLS IN PLACE AND 2 REMAINING FACTORY SCREWS HOLDING MY RADIO IN PLACE. THE TOP PORTION OF THE DASH ALSO HAS FAILED AND FALLEN APART OVER THE YEARS AND DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS, I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED IT. I HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN FINDING A SUITABLE REPLACEMENT LOWER DASH ASSEMBLY TO REPLACE MINE WITH.

NHTSA ID

10897050

Incident

Aug 19, 2016

Mileage

96,000 mi

THE METAL SURROUNDING THE DOOR LATCH HAS RIPPED IN HALF LEAVING A GAPING SEAM AND THE DOOR LATCH WILL NOT KEEP THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SAFELY CLOSED. THEREFOR, BECAUSE THIS IS A DAILY DRIVER FOR ME, I HAVE TO USE A 1,000 LB CARGO STRAP TO KEEP THE DOOR SHUT UNTIL I CAN FIND A WAY TO GET IT FIXED.

NHTSA ID

10896153

Incident

Aug 6, 2016

Mileage

178,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 2500. DURING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRACKET THAT HELD THE CONTROL ARM TO THE FRONT AXLE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

NHTSA ID

10806232

Incident

Nov 18, 2015

Mileage

119,000 mi

DASH BOARD HAS DESINTEGRATED DUE TO FAULTY MATERIALS. DASH HAS BEEN COVERED SINCE ABOUT 2 WEEKS AFTER DATE OF PURCHASE WHICH WAS DEC 31ST 1999. TRUCK WAS ORDERED STRAIGHT FROM THE FACTORY AN I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THE VEHICLE SINCE DAY 1. SET PAPERS ON DASH AND WHEN I PICKED THEM UP REALISED A SOFT SPOT IN THE DASH MAT. LIFTED MAT TO FIND LARGE HOLE IN DASH.

NHTSA ID

10786979

Incident

Mar 10, 2015

Mileage

130,000 mi

COMPLETELY CRACKED DASH BOARD TOP IN TWO PLACES

NHTSA ID

10785308

Incident

Oct 1, 2015

PLASTIC DASHBOARD HAS MULTIPLE FRACTURES AND CRACKS THROUGH NO FAULT OF MINE. MANY OF THE EDGES ARE VERY SHARP AND COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY IF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND ONE OF THE OCCUPANTS WAS THROWN INTO , OR CONTACTED THE DASH WITH ANY PART OF THEIR BODY. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT THE DASHBOARD IS FALLING APART ON THIS PICKUP ALL BY ITSELF. I SUSPECT AT SOME POINT I WON'T BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANYMORE BECAUSE THE GAUGES WILL BE LAYING ON THE FLOOR.

NHTSA ID

10761884

Incident

Jul 30, 2010

Mileage

87,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10761533

Incident

Sep 4, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE MANEUVER THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ID

10726161

Incident

Jun 17, 2015

Mileage

68,000 mi

THE DASH JUST STARTED TO CRACK AND FALL APART INTO SMALL AND LARGE VERY SHARP PIECES. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN AN ACCIDENT? THESE SHARP PLASTIC PARTS COULD FLY RIGHT INTO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS FACES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10683817

Incident

Apr 2, 2012

Mileage

160,000 mi

ALERT: DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM --- ON JULY 11, 2014, WHILE DRIVING ON U.S. ROUTE 77 IN NORTH CAROLINA I PASSED AN 18 WHEELER AT 70 MPH AND PULLED BACK INTO THE RIGHT LANE IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK WHEN, WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER, THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED. THE TRUCK I HAD JUST PASSED NEARLY JACKKNIFED AS THE TRUCKER APPLIED HIS BRAKES IN A PANIC MANEUVER TO AVOID ROLLING OVER ME FROM BEHIND. LUCKILY, HE MAINTAINED CONTROL, GOT AROUND ME, AND CONTINUED ON HIS WAY. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BUT, ALTHOUGH IT WOULD CRANK, IT WOULD NOT START. I WAS FORCED TO WAIT AND THEN, AFTER A TIME, TRIED STARTING IT AGAIN. IT DID. I SLOWLY DROVE TO THE NEXT EXIT BUT NOT WITHOUT INCIDENT. AFTER GOING ONLY A FEW HUNDRED YARDS THE TRUCK BUCKED, HESITATED AND STOPPED AGAIN. AGAIN, I WAITED. THIS SCENARIO REPEATED ITSELF UNTIL I GOT TO SAFETY. COINCIDENT WITH THE ENGINE STOPPING THE POWER STEERING FAILED, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON, IT APPEARED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE AND ALL THE GAUGES IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING. EVENTUALLY, MY TRUCK WAS TOWED TO LAKE NORMAN DODGE. THERE, THE VERY HELPFUL ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER, TERRY, EVALUATED THE PROBLEM SAYING EITHER THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE OR THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS THE PROBLEM BUT HIS EXPERIENCE LED HIM TO TRY REPLACING THE COMPUTER FIRST. REPLACING THE PCM FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER RESUMED WORKING. AT LEAST TEMPORARILY. ON SEPTEMBER 16 2014, ON A LOCAL TRIP, THE TRUCK JUST STOPPED AGAIN. I WAS STRANDED ON A STATE ROAD. I USED MY PRIOR EXPERIENCE WITH WAITING, STARTING, DRIVING A LITTLE WAY AND HAVING THE ENGINE STOP AGAIN TO LIMP INTO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. EVENTUALLY, THEY TOWED IT TO SHELOR DODGE IN CHRISTIANSBURG, VA. WHERE IT CURRENTLY REMAINS, ... INOPERABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10667280

Incident

Jul 11, 2014

Mileage

68,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ID

10622594

Incident

Sep 8, 2005

Mileage

62,000 mi

THE FRONT DASH BOARD CRUMBLED BEHIND THE FRONT PANEL ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC WHILE PUT ON A FACING DASH COVER TO PATCH A CRACK IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.. THE DASH THAT IS PROTECTED WITH COVER IS GROSSLY CRACKED. I ALSO DRIVE 52 YEAR OLD VW BUG THAT HAS STARTED TO HAVE SOME PLASTIC FAILURE AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT NOT A SINGLE CRACK IN THE DASH AFTER 52 YEARS IN THE CALIFORNIA SUN. THE DODGE ON THE OTHER HAND FAILED AFTER JUST 9 YEARS, AND FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY. THE CRACKING MOST LIKELY HAPPENED SOONER AS I HAD A DASH COVER ON IT AND DIDN'T THINK TO CHECK UNTIL THE COVER NEED TO BE SECURED WITH VELCRO AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10576509

Incident

Jun 1, 2009

DASHBOARD CRACKED AND HAS SUNK IN. FUMES ARE NOW COMING THROUGH THE DASHBOARD. I WONDER IF THE AIRBAG WILL WORK NOW. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A INDIVIDUAL INCIDENT BUT NOW I AM FINDING OUT THAT MANY CUSTOMERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I NEED TO GET A DASHBOARD REPLACEMENT BUT THAT IS GOING TO COST OVER $300 JUST FOR THE PART AND $300 TO INSTALL. DODGE IS NOT ISSUING A RECALL BUT SHOULD SINCE THIS CAN GO INTO A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10563973

Incident

Mar 1, 2004

LOST BRAKING. BRAKE FLUID LEAKING AROUND GAS TANK AREA. BRAKE LINES TOTALLY RUSTED. WHY WOULD YOU USE STEEL BRAKE LINES? *TR

NHTSA ID

10547725

Incident

Oct 11, 2013

Mileage

94,000 mi

POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD, HAS MULTIPLE BIG CRACKS AND IS FATIGUED MATERIAL, SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AND POSING A SAFETY HAZARD. IF VEHICLE WERE TO BE INVOLVED IN A CRASH, SHARP PLASTIC SHARDS WILL BE PROJECTED THRU CAB OF TRUCK. I DO HAVE A FAMILY AND THEIR SAFETY IS A MAJOR CONCERN. PLEASE GET BACK TO ME IN REFERENCE TO THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10536214

Incident

Aug 19, 2013

MY VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND ON PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AS THOUGH IT RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED INTO A SHOP AND DIAGNOSED WITH HAVING A FUEL TRANSFER PUMP FAILING WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE INJECTION PUMP TO FAIL. THIS IS ON A DODGE WITH A CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINE. THE REPAIR SHOP QUOTED A PRICE TO REPAIR IT AND GAVE ME WHAT THEY DETERMINED TO BE WRONG. PRIOR TO AUTHORIZING ANY REPAIR CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE CHRYSLER DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED WHO ALSO ADVISED THAT THIS HAD BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM IN THE PAST THAT THEY HAD RUN INTO. THE REPAIR IS TO REMOVE THE TRANSFER PUMP AND PLACE A FUEL PUMP IN THE FUEL TANK AND REPLACE THE LINE TO THE INJECTION SYSTEM AND REPLACE THE INJECTION PUMP. ALL THIS WAS $4500 IN REPAIRS. IT SEEMS THAT IF CHRYSLER KNEW ABOUT THIS AND IN LATER YEARS CORRECTED WHY ARE THEY NOT NOW FORCED TO MAKE A RECALL ON THE OLDER MODELS AND/OR PAY FOR THE COST OF MY REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10515561

Incident

Jun 28, 2012

Mileage

66,011 mi

DASH IS FALLING APART. IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS PLASTIC SHARDS ARE GOING TO FLY ALSO PLASTIC SHARDS ARE FALLING INTO MY VENTS AND BLOWING OUT MY A/C VENTS AND HITTING ME IN THE FACE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10512458

Incident

Nov 4, 2004

Mileage

34,500 mi

STARTED TRUCK UP AND COMMENCED TO TRAVEL TO MY DESTINATION. DURING THAT TRIP THERE WAS A LOUD SNAP AND THE DASH PAD DEVELOPED A CRACK WHICH HAS SINCE TURNED INTO MANY CRACKS WITH A PIECE OF THE PAD FALLING DOWN INSIDE THE DASH. ALSO THE INSTRUMENT BEZEL HAS SINCE BROKE ON THE TOP EDGE WHERE ONE OF THE PAD CRACKS IS. WHEN I SHOWED IT TO THE SERVICE DEPT. AT A LOCAL DEALER RIGHT AFTER THE INITIAL CRACK THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE BECAUSE IT WAS OFF WARRANTY. THE MAIN CRACKS SEEM TO HAVE STARTED AT SCREW MOUNTING HOLES. I HAVE ALSO HAD SMALL PIECES OF PLASTIC FLY OUT OF THE DEFROST HOLES AT TIMES WITH SOME HITTING ME IN THE FACE. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL ESPECIALLY SINCE MINE STARTED AT AROUND 24 TO 25 K MILES AND I ONLY HAVE APPROX. 76K ON IT NOW. ALSO THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE. ALSO THE SEAT CUSHIONS ARE JUNK. I HAD MINE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND WITHIN 60 DAYS THE BASE SUPPORT WAS RIGHT BACK WHERE IT WAS AND I WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T REPLACE THEM AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10504401

Incident

Jun 15, 2004