Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | |||
| 02/12/2010 | 176419 | ||
| The dashboard on my truck has broken into many pieces. these pieces have fallen into the passenger side airbag. if these pieces were to be expelled in the event of an airbag deployment, severe injury could result from flying shrapnel. this problem is very prevelant in dodge ram trucks. something must be done. owners should not be required to pay an average of $750 to repair an obvious defect in materials. i personally know 4 people in my town with the exact problem. there are hundreds of complaints that owners have posted online. this dangerous condition must be remediated. | |||
| 09/01/2005 | 1 | ||
| 1. no specific even lead up to the failure. the item in question has broken on it's own. 2. the dashboard has broken in two different places. one of the large cracks is directly over the passenger airbag which is concerning as airbag deployment could cause the entire dashboard to shatter resulting in a higher injury rate to the front passenger. 3. after doing research and determining that numerous owners of the dodge ram pick-up are having the same exact issue i contacted chrysler to look into replacing the dashboard. currently waiting for their response. *tr | |||
| 09/22/2009 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1999 dodge ram 1500 busted dash. my concern is the air bag deployment. the dash is so busted up that i'm worry what will happen if i'm ever in an accident. if the air bags come out will all the sharp pieces of the dash fly out and hit me. those pieces are really sharp and i fell like they could do just as much damage to someone as being in a wreck. the busted dash is such a safety hazard. the wiring is also exposed and that along creates a safety hazard. i have two children, i would hate for one of them to get hurt just because dodge will not do a recall. i'm not sure of their reason for not doing it, but in this economy, they are loosing business fast due to their lack of responsibility. *tr | |||
| 06/29/2008 | 56000 | 1 | |
| 1999 dodge ram dash cracking which could lead to failure of electrical safety functions such as air bags, headlights and windshield wipers. dodge and dodge dealerships are aware of this problem due to the tremendous number of complaints. reports of large chunks falling into electrical wiring. *tr | |||
| 01/01/2008 | 95000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1999 dodge ram 1500. while driving 35 mph, the air bag light illuminated on the instrument control panel. the contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic and was informed that it was experiencing symptoms similar to the ones described in nhtsa campaign id number 01v153000 (air bags). the mechanic advised him to take his vehicle to the local dealer. the dealer stated that his vin was not included in the recall and all repairs would be made at the contact's expense. the vehicle is currently at the dealer for diagnosis. the failure mileage was 95,000 and current mileage was 111,000. | |||
| 04/30/2007 | 175000 | 1 | 01/01/1998 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1999 dodge ram 1500. while driving 50 mph, the contact rear ended another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. the vehicle was destroyed. a police report was filed. the occupant of the other vehicle stated that her neck was hurting and the contact's insurance company issued a settlement. the current and failure mileages were 175,000. | |||
| 06/12/2006 | 67000 | 1 | 03/27/2006 |
| Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 20 mph, with prior braking, the vehicle struck a tree. when this occurred, the airbags did not deploy. the front center of the vehicle was damaged and the vehicle was towed to a salvage yard. there was a police report taken at the scene. although the seat belt was worn, the driver sustained a fractured neck. the manufacturer sent a representative who determined based on the speed and damage, the airbags should not have deployed. the insurance company deemed the vehicle totaled. | |||
| 06/21/2003 | 870000 | 5 | 06/21/2003 |
| 1).we were driving along when the truck, we just got suddenly died. the gas gauge showed 1/4 of a tank. it is a single tank truck, but it was out of gas. when more was added it started up and ran. 2). a heavy rain fell , my sons carseat (latched in the back seat of the quad cab) was so wet the next day i had to wash and dry the padding before it could be used. the windows were shut, locked tight and parked all night. 3). my husband was coming from work a drunk driver suddenly pulled in front of him. trying everything to stop my husbands truck hit his. the air bags (none of them) went off! they were on at the time of impact. my husband was going around 45 miles per hour.4). as my husband started to work the truck suddenly over revved and died. it was said the transmission went out. it was later found it was a sensor went out. new sensor fixed it for about a day and a half. 5). truck shifted funny, lost all oil pressure, and died the motor failed. when it was opened up the cylinder walls were not assembled right at the factory it is a surprise it even made it to 87 thousand miles in the first place. the xxx wall pattern was highly visible and never worn smooth as it should have if it were running properly from the start. some of the pieces are missing also in this motor others are improperly aligned. when he called the dealership it was out of business and the dodge company says you bought it you got it . not even 90 thousand miles on it . now we are stuck with the financial burden of paying for my car payment( as to shuffle the kids around), his replacement car (as to get to work 30+ miles away), and this pile of mistakes in a shell that is suppose to be his truck . this does not even mention the burden of the cost we are suffering from to re build this thing to working order again . to make matters worse; this is just the stuff he has told me about so far, more is being found wrong every time he checks in on it. *jb | |||
| 08/02/2005 | 145230 | 2 | 01/02/2004 |
| Driving along highway 70 near quicny ca. when right rear axle broke sending the vehicle into the road embankment over turning the vehicle onto its roof, then flipping it again onto the remaining three wheels. the vehicle had front impact and the air bags did not deploy. *jb | |||
| 87000 | |||
| While traveling at 35 mph another vehicle ran a stop sign. consumer lost control of vehicle and landed in a ditch. upon impact,none of the airbags deployed. *ak | |||
| 01/01/1999 | 1 | 01/09/1999 | |
| While appempting to stop the brakes did not stop the vehicle (vehicle has anti-lock brakes on rear wheels only), the seat belt did not hold the passenger causing him to move forward and hit both knees on the dash, the seat belt grabbed yanking passenger back into door and the passenger hit head on the window, air bags also failed to deploy. nlm | |||
| 03/11/2002 | |||
| There is a clunking noise when turning right or left. took vehicle to dealer, and dealer stated there was recall 01v153000 concerning clock spring assembly; however, consumer's vehicle was not included. please provide any further information. *ak | |||
| 01/01/1999 | 1 | 01/09/1999 | |
| While appempting to stop the brakes did not stop the vehicle (vehicle has anti-lock brakes on rear wheels only), the seat belt did not hold the passenger causing him to move forward and hit both knees on the dash, the seat belt grabbed yanking passenger back into door and the passenger hit head on the window, air bags also failed to deploy. nlm | |||
| 06/01/2001 | 99 | ||
| Driver side airbag warning light comes on and alarm sounds. dealer changed the clock spring. | |||
| 09/17/2000 | 1 | 06/01/1999 | |
| I was traveling at 30mph when another vehicle turned head on into my vehicle. other vehicle was traveling at 10-15 mph. no safety defect mentione din summary. *ak | |||
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL | |||
| 01/20/2005 | |||
| I have a 1999 dodge 1500 with 79000 miles on it . about 5 years ago my dash started to crack i now have a large hole in my dash and can see th air bag material . i'm thinking this could be dangerous. dodge won't do snything . i bought this truck new. | |||
| 11/11/2009 | 99000 | 1 | |
| Dashboard has broken apart and completely caved in leaving exposed wiring and turned broken pieces into projectiles if the air bag was to deploy. this should be a safety related defect due to the fact that it poses a risk to motor vehicle safety and exists in a group of vehicles of the same design and manufacture. because it is a critical vehicle component that has broken, fallen apart, and separated from the vehicle, it could cause injury to persons inside of the vehicle.i am not the only person with this problem and if you do a little research online (www.carcomplaints.com)you will see how widespread the problem actually is. dodge should be ashamed of themselves for not already recalling all trucks with this problem at no charge to their loyal customers. *tr | |||
| 10/25/2009 | 40000 | 1 | |
| I bought this 1999 dodge ram in 2002 with about 40,000 miles on it. i now have 79,000. shortly after purchase, the dash cracked. after about 10 cracks across the top of the dash in every horizontal direction. i went to the 5 star local dodge dealer and showed them the problem. they said that they had never heard of the problem and estimated $1500 to repair. until now, i thought that i was the only one with the problem and assumed that this certainly wasn't a widespread problem that may be in line for a class action lawsuit. i ordered a custom fit mat to put over the cracks. the cracks have continued and are now going vertical on the instrument panel bezel. there are probable 15 cracks in all. in addition, the glove compartment plastic door frame hinge pin (part of the dash) broke off on the lower left side. i epoxied in a piece of wood dowel rod to make the glove box door work. seems like the dash falling apart would set off the air bag or short the wiring to cause unsafe operational problem such as a fire. if the air bag deploys with a fragmented dash, will the sharp fragments become missiles that could injure or kill the driver or passenger? this appears to be a really unsafe condition. there are hundreds of complaints about this on the internet. can you help put the pressure on dodge for a recall to replace our dashes? *tr | |||
| 07/04/2008 | 130000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1999 dodge ram 1500. while driving 35 mph on a dirt road, the contact approached a curb and lost control of the vehicle. he struck a tree and the air bags failed to deploy. the entire front end of the vehicle was severely damaged and the contact was injured. the vehicle was taken to a repair shop for repairs. the weather was sunny at the time of the crash. the failure mileage was 130,000. | |||
| 02/15/2002 | 50000 | 1 | |
| I have a 1999 dodge ram pickup that has a defective dashboard. not long after my warranty expired, the dash began cracking. what seemed cosmetic initially has begun to worry me. i am concerned for my safety as well as my children. the dash is in pieces and if you touch it, it gets worse. will this potentially cause a problem with the airbag and what will dodge say at that point? the local dodge dealer will sell me the part but after reading 1000's of online complaints regarding this issue, i am just not ready to buy any other dodge vehicles or equipment. this is a very costly repair that i believe is also potentially very dangerous. the dash has disintegrated into several pieces and i believe it is due to substandard manufacturing. *tr | |||
| 11/16/2006 | 1 | 02/01/2000 | |
| Driver was in a single vehicle accident his 1999 dodge ram 1500 heading north bound on 4 lane rural road way (401 n). the vehicle departed right side of the roadway in avoidance of debris and a stopped vehicle in the road. vehicle sustained initial impact to the front left area resulting in substantial crush. as a result of this impact the passenger side airbag deployed but the driver side did not. this put the driver at unnecessary risk of chest trauma. driver sustained overall injury. *jb | |||
| 09/15/2006 | 102000 | 0 | |
| The dash on my 1999 dodge ram 1500 4 x4 has cracked in three spots. the crack runs from the windshield side of the dash all the way to the bottom of the dash. the truck has not been in any crashes that would result in this type of crack. i am concerned these cracks will intervere with the operation of the passenger side air bag as one of the cracks runs over the holder. | |||
| 05/08/2006 | 111000 | 1 | 07/15/1999 |
| Rear ended another truck at approximately 40-50 mph. neither frontal airbags deployed. all damage was to front of truck. driver sustained injury to face due to hitting the steering wheel. *jb | |||
| 02/05/2004 | 17500 | 1 | |
| While driving 45 mph in the rain the consumer lost control of the vehicle which caused the vehicle to veer off the road and hit a tree. the driver's air bag did not deploy. *nm | |||
| 1 | |||
| Consumer stated while traveling 45 mph vehicle was involved in a head on collision, and air bags did not deploy. *ak | |||
| 09/05/2003 | 40000 | 1 | |
| The dash in my dodge ram 1500 truck began with a hairline crack at about 40,000 miles. i began by taking it to the dodge dealer, who said the regional service manager would call me. no one ever called back. since then, the dash as literally fallen apart. the immediate safety issues are (1) the air bag and its ability to deploy, and (2) pieces of the dash flying apart and into occupants in the event of a motor vehicle accident. i have emailed chrysler; after chrysler's 2nd reply, no one would respond via email. i have called chrysler's toll free customer support phone line. i spoke with a very young and adamant young man, who refused to budge on the reply i obtained via email. he eventually terminated the converstation by hanging up on me. neither party (email or toll free support line) were interested in actually seeing digital photos of the problem. the phone support rep, when told of my safety concerns, simply responded that if i thought it was such a big deal that i should go ahead and replace the dash myself. some answer! i did stop by the dealer (again) this afternoon and gave me a piece of the dash in the erstwhile hope that the new service manager will begin to work this problem. please help. i am very frustrated and quite surprised at the total lack of chrysler customer care. i can afford to replace the dash at my expense (luckily), but am torn because of chrysler's refusal to do the right thing and replace this unsafe defective part.what do you suggest i do?if you want the digital photos, i can send these as well.*ak | |||
| 09/24/2002 | |||
| While driving 50 mph, the van struck a tractor head on. the driver's air bag failed to deploy upon impact. please describe details. *mr | |||
| 08/02/2002 | |||
| Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision and neither air bag deployed. dealer and manufacturer have not been notified at this time. feel free to provide any further information.*ak | |||
| 02/18/2002 | 1 | 06/01/2099 | |
| The vehicle hit a tree and bent the bumper in the center and pushed it back into the engine the air bag should have deployed upon impact. we feel this is a manufacturing defect. *ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| While driving 50 mph rear ended another vehicle and air bags did not deploy, consumer was unable to reach the manufacturer. *ak *nlm | |||
| 12/09/2001 | |||
| During a vehicle crash driver's airbag did not deploy.*ak | |||
| Driver's air bag deployed while driving. *ak | |||
| 01/01/2002 | |||
| While driving 45mph, vehicle involved in a front end collision. upon impact, front air bags failed to deploy. contacted dealership. please provide further details.*ak | |||
| 06/17/2001 | |||
| While traveling at approximately 25 mph consumer's vehicle broadsided another vehicle that pulled out in front of his vehicle. frontal air bags failed to deploy, and consumer sustained back pains. insurance company has totaled vehicle, and made no determination as why frontal air bags failed to deploy. please provide any additional information/attachments. *ak | |||
| 05/06/2001 | 2 | 01/01/2001 | |
| The vehicle driven at 30mph, hit a very high cement step (wall) and then continued on to ram a steel railing. after the vehicle hit the railing it was thrown backwards all while the tires were stilling spinning forward. the driver/owner broke his front teeth on the steering wheel and hit his head on the windowshield. air bags failed to deploy. *ak | |||
| 03/19/2001 | |||
| Air bags failed to deploy when involved in a head-on collision while traveling at approximately 25 mph. please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak | |||
| 1 | 06/19/1999 | ||
| While driving about 35-40mph vehicle slipped on ice and front driver's side hit a tree. neither driver's side nor passenger's side airbags deployed. chrysler said it was not hit in right spot.*ak 2 people were injured in accdient, vehicle was pulling a trailer with 2 snowmobiles which hit the back of the vehicle upon impact. *slc | |||
| 1 | |||
| No deployment of both frontal airbags during collision, two injuries during collision. *mjs | |||
| 12/02/2000 | |||
| Consumer was traveling about 50mph, and another vehicle cut consumer off to make a u-turn. other vehicle stopped dead in front & caused consumer to rearend it. upon impact, front airbags didn't deploy. delaership will be contacted. *ak | |||
| 07/04/2000 | 2 | 02/03/1999 | |
| While on a gravel road it was not raining, vehicle swerved to avoid hitting a deer, lost control and hit two trees, and went in a ditch, upon impact, neither airbag deployed. *ak *slc | |||
| 09/18/2000 | 1 | 03/01/1999 | |
| On 18 sep 2000 i had a direct head-on collision with another truck. airbags did not deploy. a rep from dodge tested the airbag yesterday. a report on the test will follow. *ak | |||
| While traveling at 2o-25 mph another vehicle ran head-on and hit consumer's vehicle. upon impact, air bags did not deploy. please provide further information. *ak | |||
| Vehicle's front end hit another vehicle , rear ended at about 50 to 55mph, and neither driver's side nor passenger's side airbags deployed. dealer has not seen vehicle. *ak | |||
| 05/07/1999 | 0 | ||
| Consumer was in an accident, and air bags did not deploy. *ak | |||
| AIR BAGS - SIDE/WINDOW | |||
| 1 | 06/19/1999 | ||
| While driving about 35-40mph vehicle slipped on ice and front driver's side hit a tree. neither driver's side nor passenger's side airbags deployed. chrysler said it was not hit in right spot.*ak 2 people were injured in accdient, vehicle was pulling a trailer with 2 snowmobiles which hit the back of the vehicle upon impact. *slc | |||