Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SUSPENSION
03/13/2012109000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 1500. while parked, the contact was performing an oil change and noticed that two bolts were missing from the front suspension. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact ordered the bolts. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 109,000. sm.
03/13/2012109000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram. while parked the contact was performing an oil change and noticed that two bolts were missing from the front suspension. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. the contact ordered the bolts. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 109,000. ds
02/24/2010980001
 2002 dodge ram 1500 wheel hub bearing assembly separation / wheel separation, while traveling at a speed of 35 -40 mph on the highway, my vehicle began to shake and pull to the right and then the wheel right front wheel hub bearing assembly failed causing my vehicle to become disabled during a snow storm. *tr
08/10/20091
 I own a 2002 dodge ram 1500 and i have been noticing that the dash has been cracking and then it began to crack more to the point of having no dash at all. i don't think this is just a cosmetic defect it is a safety issue. it doesn't take a hoard of inspectors to see how this can cause damage to occupants in the truck. lets just forget about the safety issue for a second, after buying a dodge intrepid and have the motor fail at 60,000 and i said i will never buy another dodge, but i gave dodge a second chance because i liked the look of the truck inside and out. with that said i don't mind replacing the control arms where the ball joints are welded in, at a cost of 600.00 dollars. wish i would have looked at that too, but having to replace the dash is not justified as an expense that i should have to pay for. if i sold this truck to someone i know the first thing they would say, that doesn't look safe and makes you wonder what else is unsafe with the truck. it does make you wonder about the rest of the truck, did they cut corners on other parts of the vehicle? let me ask nhtsa when you get in your vehicle to go home after work and your dash started cracking, to the point of your speakers falling out when you hit the brakes would you feel safe. that's my story and i am sticking to it. *tr
01/04/20091590001
 While driving to work early in the morning, roads were wet, temperature was 23 degrees. was driving on a two lane roadway about 40 mph. was on a straight stretch when truck started to fish tail slightly. rear of the truck slid slightly toward drivers side. i turned the wheels slightly in the direction of the slide and then started to turn the wheels back the other direction as truck started to straighten out. at that point i felt something give in the front end on the drivers side. the truck started pulling across the center line and off the other side of the road. i was heading straight for a telephone pole. i tried pushing the brakes fully, but the pedal went to the floor. i cut the wheels all the way to the right , just missing the telephone pole. my front fender struck a steel pole filled with cement next to a split rail fence. when i got out of the truck, the front drivers side tire was laying under the truck, only held on by the tie rod end. this was by no means a very bad case of sliding and over steering. the upper ball joint had just separated causing the tire to buckle under. i was lucky to have escaped this accident without injury or having my truck roll over. i have seen alot of problems with the dodge durangos with the ball joint separation and i can only imagine it is the same suspension parts used in the dodge ram 1500 4x4 trucks. this needs to be checked into before someone gets killed. *tr
02/01/2006720001000
 When on the slightest rough surface, this truck jumps and bounces all over the road. i lose all control of the truck when it is jumping. worse, the brakes bounce and grab when you apply them. dangerous. wide spread knowledge of these safety issues. need a resolution and recall. *jb
02/09/200531000410/28/2001
 The driver's side seat belt retractor continued to fail. the parts were repaired/replaced three times, however the problem recurred. *ak both seat bet retractors were replaced, however problem still exist. right rear door lock inoperative. rattle sound over bumps. right front sway bar link replaced. the steering wheel has been oscillating almost takes the wheel out of this hands. dealer found ice in wheels/cleaned wheels. however vibration re-ocurred. *tt
12/26/20041
 While driving at interstate speed (70 mph), and switching lanes while on a bridge, the excessive bouncing and bad suspension of truck make me lose control of the truck. the truck pulled to the right and the rear end of the truck ended up spinning around, making a complete 180--- on a bridge!! i ended up slamming into the safety rail of the bridge. and the air bags didn't go off. luckily, i wasn't injured. at first i thought the accident was my fault, but after talking to a few owners of this model, i figured out that many of us have had the same problems with this truck. the question is, why is this problem not being fixed?? i have talked to the dealer, and they just keep referring me to dealers from other towns. *jb
06/15/200320000310/23/2002
 I have a rattle under front finders of 2002 dodge ram 1500 brought to 3 different dealers none of them can find problem also rides rough. *ak
06/17/2003106/17/2003
 While trying to drive around a curve the driver tried to brake and the vehicle pulled to the right. the vehicle also bounced which made it difficult to control the vehicle. the driver was able to regain control of the vehicle. this happened the same day after purchasing the vehicle. dodge, ram, 1500 quad cab. *ak
05/25/200324000105/09/2003
 2002 dodge ram 1500 i just bought has a shke or shimmy at braking and highway speeds. on the interstate when driving 50mph truck shakes. go 70mph truck is worse. so going 50 to 70 mphs truck shakes. the faster i go the more violently it shakes. this is a real distraction while driving. tires are new, they show no wear. i have bought it with 23500 miles on it. it's al;so a certified truck. when stopping soon as you apply brakes it shimmies or shakes violently. *ak
07/23/2002251507/21/2002
 Regarding the new body style dodge 1500 ram pickup. my truck is less than a year old and about 15000 miles. it has a steering problem. generally, it pulls to the right, dangerously! the second day of my ownership, went to the dealer and they aligned it. told me if i still had a problem, it was a tire problem. the alignment did not help. i had the tires rotated at the appropriate time and this did not help. the steering problem is worse now. if i travel over a bump or a seam in the road, the vehicle will vere to the right or left or both directions in an uncontrolable and violent manner. i must come to a complete stop to regain control of the vehicle. yes, it is very scary. so much so, that i again returned to the dealer, they aligned it again. the problem seems worse now. i was told, if the alignment did not help to bring it back and they would order/instal a new rack. i did so and was put off. today, 5-30-03 i returned to the dealer to ask about the fix for my steering problem. i again was put off and i asked to call chrysler. i did, the nice and efficient lady new what i was talking about with the steering problem. i asked if there were alot of complaints like mine and without saying yes, she indicated there are many complaints. while on hold with her, she called my dealer. i later called the dealer as instructed. the service advisor i have been working with for three weeks said there is a problem with the steering, chrysler is aware and has re-designed parts for the fix, however they are not yet available. i am to take my truck in on monday, 6-2-03 for a couple of hours so they can look at it again. sad to say, but i am afraid to drive my new dodge truck. you never know when it will vere violently out of control. what does a consumer do? how long before parts are available? how many people must die or their lives changed forever before the problem is addressed on a large scale?*ak
06/15/2002100106/01/2002
 At speeds above 30 mph, vehicle demonstrates lack of control when encountering rough/uneven road surface. vehicle experiences excessive jump/bounce in front and rear suspension. tire pressure decreased from tire manufacturer recommended 44 psi to dodge recommended 35 psi. this action helped to restore low speed control. vehicle still has control loss at highway speeds of 65 mph and greater. dealer contacted and stated had not heard of the problem, but would look into problem. note: vehicle is a swb standard cab version of the ram 1500. *ph *jb **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**768036
06/01/200201
 When the vehicle hits a bump it jumped all over the road. the consumer felt like he was going to lose control of the vehicle. the consumer believes the suspension was not appropriate for the vehicle. nlm
02/11/200322000112/24/2001
 The vehicle pulled to the right, an alignment was performed, however the problem recurred.*jb
07/01/2002
 Consumer states that while driving the vehicle will jumped lanes when it hits a bump in the road. the whole vechile will vibrate when is exceeds speeds of 65 mph and over. contacted dealer, cannot fix problem. mr
09/02/20023
 Consumer states vehicle vibrates/bounces excessively when driving on rough roads or going over a pothole. vibration is excessive and consumer feels as if going to lose control of vehicle. vehicle has been checked by dlr 3x and had tires replaced. problem is still exists. mr
06/15/2002
 When driving on either dry or wet road surfaces and run over abumps or pot holes, it causes vehicle to lose control or wander across the road. vehicle been to the dealer on three occasions, and they stated that it was the normal characteristic of vehicle. feel free to provide any further information. *ak
04/10/2002104/10/2002
 While driving the vehicle hit a bump losing contact with the road and jumped into another lane, the vehicle also hydroplanes while being driven in rainy weather, the dealer has been contacted about these problems. *ak
07/15/2002
 While driving 50 mph suspension dropped, causing loss of control.*ak
SUSPENSION - AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL (ASC)
02/06/20046000
 While driving vehicle could exceed the speed between 65 to 70 mph. also, steering wheel and the front shake very hard. dealer indicated that california highways and streets are so badly constructed that vehicles shake while driving on those highways or streets. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT
06/14/201086312
 Replaced rack and pinion four times along with the upper control arm, upper/lower ball joints, and tie rod ends. this last time the boots on the rack and pinion busted power steering fluid was lost causing steering to lock up. the severe underlying issue to the failure of the rack and pinion is the left and right steering knuckles are faulty causing the tires to turn to far which is causing the damage to the rack and pinion busting which is causing the drainage of power steering fluid and locking up the steering
11/08/2006780001
 The 2002 dodge ram 1500 slt was bought in 2006. 2 months later, the rear end had to be replaced. no warranty. (2000.00 out of pocket). six months later, the front end went out. (2083.00 out of pocket). no more problems until 6 months ago. had to replace all wheel bearings and brakes ( 1500.00 out of pocket) now, my mechanic says that the brakes and front suspension has to be replaced(another 2300.00 out of pocket) this truck has never been taken off-road. it has been very well taken care of. dodge has been notified,no response. how can they expect us to keep buying their vehicles, when they can't or won't tell us what is going on? i have not received a recall for any of the things that have happened. *tr
01/04/20091590001
 While driving to work early in the morning, roads were wet, temperature was 23 degrees. was driving on a two lane roadway about 40 mph. was on a straight stretch when truck started to fish tail slightly. rear of the truck slid slightly toward drivers side. i turned the wheels slightly in the direction of the slide and then started to turn the wheels back the other direction as truck started to straighten out. at that point i felt something give in the front end on the drivers side. the truck started pulling across the center line and off the other side of the road. i was heading straight for a telephone pole. i tried pushing the brakes fully, but the pedal went to the floor. i cut the wheels all the way to the right , just missing the telephone pole. my front fender struck a steel pole filled with cement next to a split rail fence. when i got out of the truck, the front drivers side tire was laying under the truck, only held on by the tie rod end. this was by no means a very bad case of sliding and over steering. the upper ball joint had just separated causing the tire to buckle under. i was lucky to have escaped this accident without injury or having my truck roll over. i have seen alot of problems with the dodge durangos with the ball joint separation and i can only imagine it is the same suspension parts used in the dodge ram 1500 4x4 trucks. this needs to be checked into before someone gets killed. *tr
04/25/200610011/01/2003
 When driving on rough pavement, this truck jumps all over the road. i almost was thrown into a retaining wall yesterday. you have no control of the steering on rough surfaces!! dangerous. *jb
03/24/200556000503/18/2002
 First the transmission is slipping in 3rd gear at times,this has been an on going issue that the dealer can't reproduce. the lamp out light goes on and off with the bell this will do it intermittently for as long as 30 min straight and this truck is all over the road when you hit bumps at high speed. *jb
05/28/20034
 The front suspension made a clunky noise. dealer inspected four times and problem still exist. *tt
05/21/20031
 The vehicle hit a bump while driving which caused the vehicle to shake and the driver lost control. *nlm
12/18/200230000107/15/2002
 Traveling at around 70mph on i30 east mile 16 i hit a bump in the road causing the truck to sway uncontrollably and causing a spin out into the center divide. weather was cloudy and road way was dry. truck has always had a tendency to sway when hitting even the smallest bumps in the road this was the first time it was completely uncontrollable.
08/01/2002
 Vehicle developes a vibration/front end bounce at approximate speeds of 35-45 mph and then again at 55-65 mph, but worse. does not occur prior to 35 mph and then disappears between 45-55 mph only to show up again at previous stated speed 55-65 mph. dealership is aware but can not fix problem. dt
01/01/2002
 Ts
06/01/2002
 Vehicle's front end jumps from side to side when going over broken pravement causing lose of control of truck. also the rear wheels skates from side to side when going over broken pravement in road causing lose of control.*ak
 Front end skates across the lane if a bump is hit at highway speed. problem has existed since february. dealer was notified. please provide more information.*ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT
07/15/2007107/15/2002
 I have a 2002 dodgeram 1500 truck approx. 70,000 miles, the upper balljoint (passenger side) bearing failed, and caused undo stress on the lower balljoint causing it to brake. causing the truck to pull to the right into a tree. *jb
11/21/200440211/23/2002
 Vehicle was making noises in front end. took vehicle to dealer,they said noise was just bushings were just dry. at 40,000 miles took in because the truck steering was funny, dealer said both control arms and both swaybar links wor out. and truck was unsafe to drive. and the repair would cost consumer about $1000.00.*ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - UPPER ARM
11/21/200440211/23/2002
 Vehicle was making noises in front end. took vehicle to dealer,they said noise was just bushings were just dry. at 40,000 miles took in because the truck steering was funny, dealer said both control arms and both swaybar links wor out. and truck was unsafe to drive. and the repair would cost consumer about $1000.00.*ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - UPPER BALL JOINT
07/15/2007107/15/2002
 I have a 2002 dodgeram 1500 truck approx. 70,000 miles, the upper balljoint (passenger side) bearing failed, and caused undo stress on the lower balljoint causing it to brake. causing the truck to pull to the right into a tree. *jb
06/06/200553500104/05/2005
 Cluncking noise under hood. left upper control arm and ball joint. this truck has only 55,000 no off roading
12/16/200450000104/01/2004
 Dt: the consumer owns a 2002 dodge ram. the consumer says that at about 50,000 miles he started having problems with his upper ball joint. the upper ball joint on the passenger side completely went out. he contacted the dealer and the dealer said that they had several hundred in back order right now. the consumer has trouble driving the vehicle so he took it to the dealer and the dealer said that it was his ball joint and it was one of the worst ball joints that he has ever seen. the consumer is not driving the vehicle. *tt
11/23/200460000102/27/2002
 When driving any speed, the consumer would hear a squeaking noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. the dealership stated the upper ball joint was defective. *jb the consumer stated that the vehicle is rarely used off road. a noise is heard on bumpy surfaces. *tc
SUSPENSION - FRONT - HUB
10/15/2004420001
 While driving 40 mph consumer applied the brakes and vehicle did not stop. the front wheel hub assembly broke on driver's side, causing the vehicle to flip.*ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - STABILIZER BAR
11/21/200440211/23/2002
 Vehicle was making noises in front end. took vehicle to dealer,they said noise was just bushings were just dry. at 40,000 miles took in because the truck steering was funny, dealer said both control arms and both swaybar links wor out. and truck was unsafe to drive. and the repair would cost consumer about $1000.00.*ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING
09/25/2002100
 A month after purchasing the vehicle was having ongoing problem with the left front end pulling to the left while driving. dealership has serviced the vehicle several times over the years to no avail. currently, the problem became worse. dealership indicated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive because the left front bearing was bad, which will result in the tire and rim separating and falling off while driving.*ak
SUSPENSION - MULTIPLE AXLE
09/20/200780000602/01/2004
 Front axle, i have replaced the front axles of my 2002 dodge ram 1500 4x4 on both sides at 100,000 miles and the axle on the right side is now gone out again, 1.5 years later. the oil pump has gone out along with all the tensioners, rear axle is going out, truck overheats and no one can find the problem. *tr
SUSPENSION - REAR
11/08/2006780001
 The 2002 dodge ram 1500 slt was bought in 2006. 2 months later, the rear end had to be replaced. no warranty. (2000.00 out of pocket). six months later, the front end went out. (2083.00 out of pocket). no more problems until 6 months ago. had to replace all wheel bearings and brakes ( 1500.00 out of pocket) now, my mechanic says that the brakes and front suspension has to be replaced(another 2300.00 out of pocket) this truck has never been taken off-road. it has been very well taken care of. dodge has been notified,no response. how can they expect us to keep buying their vehicles, when they can't or won't tell us what is going on? i have not received a recall for any of the things that have happened. *tr
05/12/2003180031
 Dodge slt-1500 4x4, short bedshops around curves if you hit the slightest bump in roar, bridge or whatever. it seem the back end is to light or something is wrong back there. *tr
01/24/20035002111/23/2001
 My 2002 dodge ram has several potetial accident, causing problems, one when im driving in the rain or after a rain water in the road it causes m steering to lock up and i cannot steer. i reported this to a dealer in town and the service rep said that the steering will turn into manual drive and seem harder to steer, wow i could not believe i heard that and the problem has never been corrected and i have reported this to dodge on several occassions. also when im driving down the road or highway in the 2002 dodge ram and i run over a small bump such as on overpasses when the bridge portion meets the ground side my truck will lose control sometimes to the point of the rear end attempting to spin the truck around i guess the only thing that has prevented this is the forward movement itself, however i have come upon situations when im turning in a particular direction and a bump is in the road prior to the turn and the truck leaves me limited control as the rear end suspension reacting to the small bump attempts to make the trucks rear end jump and attempt to spend around. this is a very sick feeling and numerous passangers have expressed concern for this trucks fault as they experience this while riding in the truck.*ak
03/12/200442000107/03/2002
 The rear right tire and assembly broke off my 2002 dodge ram while my wife and children were on the freeway. this caused the vehicle to rollover. apparently a problem with the axle. i understand there has been a recall for a weak weld on the rear axle bracket. i never got such recall on my vehicle.*ak
12/13/2002
 The rear suspension is bouncing while driving the vehicle at 65mph, when the rear tire hit a bump. dealer has been notified. please provide further information. ts *dt
11/29/20015511/01/2001
 The vehicle had a sever vibration at freeway speeds. over time the vibration was so sever it caused sever back pain. after driving the vehicle for six months and having m=no option with the manufacturer i have disposed of the truck. the manufacturer knbows about the problem, and they have not disclosed the issues to the public. the problem also manifested as over steering and extreme reaction to road conditions. chrysler has now added to their owners manual the suggestion to add sand bags to the bed of the truck to make it ride better. they are not willing to offer any other assistance. i have many letters to document their position and attitude. dt
2
 Since first day of purchase owner has noticed and complained that rear suspension has a tendency to sway when driving on a slump/bump in the road. dealership is unaware what the cause is. owner is concerned because his wife is afraid to drive due to erratic handling of vehicle on the road.*ak
05/28/2002205/28/2002
 Rear end makes vehicle bounce when it hits a bump in the road, making it difficult to control vehicle.*ak consumer states that the bounce is so bad, that the tires seem to leave the pavement, when changing lanes, the vehicle literally jerks consumer into the next lane, the dealer can not find a remedy for the problem. *slc
12/15/2001109/01/2001
 No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak