Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||||
| 190499 | 05/28/1999 | 606350 | Customers may complain that the steering system feels heavy or the steering wheel is not centered while driving on a straight road. *tt | 08/17/1999 | |
| 190399 | 05/07/1999 | 190194 | 606349 | Conditions with steering slow to return to center. *tt | 08/17/1999 |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 06/15/2003 | 81281 | ||
| Transmission: dodges computer controls the torque converter for emissions and for gas mileage. after following dodges spects on service for the truck and no abuse to the truck we still loss the torque converter which than destroyed the transmission. steering: at 30000 miles the seals in the steering gear box went out. at 81000 after repair earlier the shaft and seal went out and the gear box had to be replaced. both problem we have been told are problem dodge will not take responsibilty for but happen with most of this models trucks. | |||
| While driving and upon pressing on brakes steering wheel completely locked. vin number was ran found that the vehicle had been in an accident. took to dealer. problem still not remedied. driving once again in vehicle and steering locked up again. dealer refused to deal with consumer. please provide any further information.*ak | |||
| 08/18/1999 | 2 | 03/10/1999 | |
| While applying brakes at any speed and without warning vehicle will pull to left until release of brake pedal. *ak consumer states vehicle will pull to the left when braking and will drift to the right on freeway and brakes are squeaky when braking on stop, dealer replaced calipers, turned rotors and changed brakes, dealer found steering wheel off center, dealer has replaced upper and lower control arms, dealer has adjusted the front end and replaced the rims and tires, vehicle experiences lack of power and engine light has illuminated, vehicle idles high and is experiencing poor fuel economy, when driving on freeway it gets max of 14.5 mpg, smoke also comes out of the exhaust, left side electric mirror glass had fogged, left seat bottom loose, one missing bolt found, left seat trim bezel keeps miming loose won?t stay in seat for seat belt on seat back. dealer stated that the 2002 models do not have vibration problems due to the suspension being changed to independent. *yd | |||
| 07/03/1999 | 1000 | 07/01/1999 | |
| This vehicle has a severe steering defect, i have gone to arbitraion and daimlerchrysler has sent a independent ase inspector to look at my truck this person agrees there is something wrong. i had been award a new truck by arbitration but it would had cost me 7,000 plus a new loan, the truck is defective and now the dealership will not work on the problem even though it is still under warrenty. i have alot of data to back this up and i know diamler has had similar problems with other trucks help | |||
| 09/05/1999 | 0 | 10/28/1998 | |
| When parallel parking consumer cannot turn steering wheel. if driver needed to slam on the brakes because of a deer running in the road, he wouldn't be able to swerve or stop in time. when at a stop with brakes applied, the power steering does not work. chrysler says there is nothing wrong with the truck, although they did offer to make a payment for the owner. *ak *ml | |||
| 06/07/1999 | 1 | 06/01/1999 | |
| This vehicle since new has had continuing braking and steering pulls, is extremely unstable and uncomfortable to drive. while holding steering wheel straight vehicle will be undecided about whether to drift left or right, and even after several attempts by the dealer which include two seperate full weeks of time at the dealership, plus three days of work by the factory field rep. and a few other attempts, the vehicle is still drifting and pulling on braking. the first attempt i was told that nothing was wrong with the vehicle, all the way to the time prior to the factory rep. working on it actually written on my repair order keith we have aligned your rig till the cows come home, we never did experience a brake pull at any time. i did have the tech. drive the vehicle home overnight. i think it will do what you want, if any further alignment needed you can do in your shop and set it how you want. upon reciept of the vehicle it responded exactly the same. after the factory rep. worked on it i spoke with him on the phone on tuesday 10-12-1999, and he said i think it's good enough but i'd like to keep it another day and swap tires, and maybe even brake lining, to see if it will make a difference. he also stated that upon initial braking the vehicle wanted to go left but seemed to track pretty well. clearly not stating it's fixed but rather showing that even he was not satisfied with the repairs. upon reciept of the vehicle this last time i drove approximately 1 mile to the first stop sign and upon braking vehicle pulled left. i immediately turned around and went back to the dealer hoping to talk to kevin the owner, whom i had already spoken to but he was not in at that time. i am still waiting to hear from him. | |||
| Steering mechanism in the extended cabs and quad cabs is defective, causing the vehicle to wander, and resulting in loss of control. dealers are aware of defect but cannot determine what is causing the problem. *ak | |||
| STEERING - COLUMN LOCKING - ANTI-THEFT DEVICE | |||
| 08/16/2001 | 5 | 10/25/1999 | |
| Consumer states van was brought in 5 times for the alarm. *tt | |||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | |||
| 08/22/2002 | 1 | 07/12/2001 | |
| Gearbox is leaking power steering fluid, is causing consumer to have steering problems. it will be hard to turn. *ak *scc | |||
| 05/19/2001 | 3 | 03/27/1999 | |
| When brakes were applied to deactivate cruise control brake pedal went to the floor, resulting in extended stopping distance. dealer has been notified.*ak transmission grabs hard into second when it shifts, also when stopped it feels like it is getting tapped in the back end. steering gear and steering shaft replaced, rattling noise while driving over bumps. driver's door lock will not lock when using switch, dealer replaced. *slc | |||
| Gear box broke and power steering locked up while leaving parking lot which could have caused loss of control . dealer replaced gear box and power steering pump. please provide further information. *ak | |||
| 07/16/2000 | |||
| Steering shaft box broke, caused a loss of vehicle control. please provide further information.*ak | |||
| 03/31/1999 | 1 | 03/31/1999 | |
| While driving at any speed vehicle wanders to the left or right. driver is constantly fighting with the steering wheel to keep the truck on the road. truck was taken to four or five dealerships, and dealers were not able to correct this problem. also, steering box was changed, a chime was put in the right front wheel, and some wheel aliginment was done. but none of this corrected the problem. *ak | |||
| There is approximately 4 inches of slack within the steering gear box which causes the vehicle not to maneuver properly. dealer replaced the gear box three times which did not correct the problem. *ak | |||
| 08/13/1999 | |||
| Steering gear is very loose, causing vehicle to wander to left to right. dealer replaced steering gear and pitman arm, but defect kept occurring. the trac bar has also been replaced twice. independent mechanic told consumer that possibly the wrong gear was put into gear box. *ak *ml | |||
| 12/12/1998 | 12/04/1998 | ||
| While driving vehicle at 65 mph, consumer had to make a sudden / emergency stop. the brakes failed to grab. stopping distance was extended. took vehicle to dealer & the mechanic had the rear shoes/ rotors and pads replaced. the pads were glazed over. brakes had faded out at 35 mph. the vehicle would drift from left to right. had steering gear box replaced & wheels realigned. the computer systems failed to register correct gas mileage per gallon. brakes still do not function properly. *ak *yc | |||
| 03/14/1999 | |||
| While driving vehicle it would drift. speed not a factor. would turn steering wheel a little & vehicle would jerk. steering wheel not controllable. been to dealership at least 3-4 times for problem. had it adjusted & had the gear box replaced. problem still exists. *ak | |||
| 10/01/1998 | |||
| The truck is hard to keep going straight. if the road is uneven the truck will shoot to one side or the other. chrysler said they were sending a file to the dealer. the dealer said they cannot get a replacement steering gear from chrysler.the mechanic said he has several other trucks with the same problem.this truck is dangerous to drive. please help. | |||
| 04/15/1999 | 2 | 04/01/1999 | |
| The steering box was defective on the new vehicle as evidenced by constant correction being required while driving. the amount of correction becomes greater as road conditions become bumpier. the steering box was replaced with a new box with a 10% improvement. the dealer has acknowledged that this has happened to other 99 dodge trucks. they are unable to decide what to do while waiting for word from the factory. i consider this a big safety issue as you could easily lose control if you had to swerve to avoid another vehicle or pedestrian. *ak | |||
| 10/19/1998 | 10/01/1998 | ||
| The steering has excessive play,and feels uncontrolable.i took it in to the dealer & they said there was nothing wrong. i then drove it for a short time & felt there was still a problem. i took it in again, & they replaced the steering gear box. upon picking up the truck,i found it to be no better than it was prior to the gear box replacement. i contacted the dealer the next day, & they came to my residence & picked up the truck. the service manager told me that they checked it out,& it was ok. he also stated that he called the chrysler star line for tech support, & they advised him that all the trucks handled this way . i was not satisfied with that reply, & contacted chrysler's customer service dept on 4-12-99 & filed a complaint( # 5680042). i did not get any response after 2 weeks,and i again called chrysler on 4-26-99. at that time arrangements were made to have the district service rep look at the truck. on 5-5-99 the district service rep(reggie sanders ) drove my truck & advised me that it handled normal for that vehicle. i find this unacceptable,and feel that the handling of this vehicle is unsafe, & could cause loss of control. this truck was purchased for the purpose of towing a trailer, (it has a factory installed tow package) and i feel i can not safley do this.this condition is present with & without a trailer. at this point i am contacting you for help with this matter . | |||
| 03/08/1999 | 4 | 03/01/1999 | |
| Truck is a death trap changes lanes of traffic while holding steering straight unable to control on wet pavement | |||
| 02/05/1999 | 1 | 02/01/1999 | |
| The gear box also went out on my dad's 1998 dodge ram quad cab | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP | |||
| 1 | 07/01/1999 | ||
| The power steering fluid was leaking and the power steering pump was replaced. *yh | |||
| 05/01/2001 | |||
| Consumer saw a puddle of steering fluid on ground. independent repair shop replaced steering pump seal. this was the second time seal had to be replaced since purchase.*ak | |||
| 07/01/1999 | |||
| Going around corner & vehicle kept straight. had no steering control. could turn left, but not right. at dealer, was informed needed steering pump, but it was on back order. *ak | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 01/01/2002 | |||
| While consumer was driving steering became real hard to control, and eventually consumer lost control of vehicle. contacted dealer. *ak | |||
| Gear box broke and power steering locked up while leaving parking lot which could have caused loss of control . dealer replaced gear box and power steering pump. please provide further information. *ak | |||
| 10/03/1999 | |||
| Consumer was driving at 40-45 mph when suddenly motor froze, and vehicle started to pull to left/ lost all steering capability/hit a concrete divider ,and then vehicle rolled over . consumer noticed that of one of screws that held power steering to frame fell off, and it got stuck between wheel and frame which contributed to crash,causing injuries. *ak | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES | |||
| 08/13/1999 | |||
| Steering gear is very loose, causing vehicle to wander to left to right. dealer replaced steering gear and pitman arm, but defect kept occurring. the trac bar has also been replaced twice. independent mechanic told consumer that possibly the wrong gear was put into gear box. *ak *ml | |||
| 08/09/1999 | 3 | 10/01/1998 | |
| Dates listed were the last time the vehicle was in. | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - KNUCKLE - SPINDLE - ARM | |||
| 08/16/2001 | 2 | 10/25/1999 | |
| Consumer states 2 times the wheel bearings and the upper control arm bushings had to be replaced. the steering knuckle also had to be replaced. *tt | |||
| 1 | 04/21/1999 | ||
| Steering knuckle failed. nlm | |||
| 10/01/1998 | 2 | 09/01/1998 | |
| Ball joints have broken twice on rt. ft. of veh.possible loss of wheel at hwy. speeds | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||
| 03/03/2003 | 1 | 05/01/2000 | |
| Replacement of intake gasket/ catalytic converter has gone bad/ tie rod went bad. mr the consumer experienced some belt squealing in the engine compartment. the belt was replaced under warranty. the consumer took the vehicle back to the dealer because of an engine noise. the tires were discovered to be worn.*jb | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | |||
| 08/14/2000 | 1 | 12/01/1999 | |
| No summary | |||
| STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR | |||
| 08/18/1999 | 2 | 03/10/1999 | |
| While applying brakes at any speed and without warning vehicle will pull to left until release of brake pedal. *ak consumer states vehicle will pull to the left when braking and will drift to the right on freeway and brakes are squeaky when braking on stop, dealer replaced calipers, turned rotors and changed brakes, dealer found steering wheel off center, dealer has replaced upper and lower control arms, dealer has adjusted the front end and replaced the rims and tires, vehicle experiences lack of power and engine light has illuminated, vehicle idles high and is experiencing poor fuel economy, when driving on freeway it gets max of 14.5 mpg, smoke also comes out of the exhaust, left side electric mirror glass had fogged, left seat bottom loose, one missing bolt found, left seat trim bezel keeps miming loose won?t stay in seat for seat belt on seat back. dealer stated that the 2002 models do not have vibration problems due to the suspension being changed to independent. *yd | |||
| 02/14/2000 | 1 | 09/01/1999 | |
| Very bad engineer flaws, design, hard to keep going straight, trans. vibrates/shakes truck,steering column feels loose,no help from hotline or dealer,engine spark knocks real bad under a load, rear brakes lock up constantly, chrysler is aware of problems can't fix and meet epa emission law. *ak | |||
| 4 | 01/01/1999 | ||
| There are two points where there are holes in back of steering wheel. if you have a long key on you key chain, it can become lodged in the holes and prevent you from turning the vehicle. there needs to be some type of plug in these holes to prevent this from rand possibly causing an accident.*ak | |||
| 1 | 08/01/1999 | ||
| While driving, consumer would apply brakes and vehicle would pull severely to right or left. steering wheel would bind up & become hard to turn. sometimes there would be excessive play in steering. *ak consumer is pursuing the lemon law. *slc | |||
| 08/29/2000 | |||
| Streering wheel locked up at 65mph. dealer has been notified.*ak | |||
| 07/13/1999 | 1000 | 07/01/1999 | |
| We contacted you on june 21, 2000. sent back the form you sent us. refer to tsb 19-03-99. we have been to national center for dispute settlement and they claim this is a characteristic of the dodge. tsb 19-03-99 tells them how to fix it and it still has not been fixed. the indepentant vehicle inspection report states:the steering will not return to center after an in town ninety (90) degree turn. findings: during the test drive the vehicle consistently would not return to the neutral (center) steering position. usually the steering wheel had to be turned by hand the last seventy (70) to eighty (80) degrees back mto the center the two(2) sample dodge ram 2500 4x4 diesel units i drove returned closer to the center than george duffy's did. the test/sample vehicles returned to the center within ten (10) to fifteen (15) degrees of center. could the condition be verified? (please circle one) yes or no. 'yes', was circled. if 'yes' is circled, (please circle one) normal or abnormal [abnormal] is circled. if you wish, we will be glad to send copies of all papers and correspondance that we have. we feel, and so did the independant vehicle inspector, that his situation is dangerous! when i told him of not being able to keep the truck on the road ( on ca 89) in hat creek country, and running into the shoulder. i was fortunate that the shoulder was dry. he (vehicle incpector) said you would not be here to tell the story if had not been dry! | |||
| 07/13/1999 | 1000 | 07/01/1999 | |
| We contacted you on june 21, 2000. sent back the form you sent us. refer to tsb 19-03-99. we have been to national center for dispute settlement and they claim this is a characteristic of the dodge. tsb 19-03-99 tells them how to fix it and it still has not been fixed. the indepentant vehicle inspection report states:the steering will not return to center after an in town ninety (90) degree turn. findings: during the test drive the vehicle consistently would not return to the neutral (center) steering position. usually the steering wheel had to be turned by hand the last seventy (70) to eighty (80) degrees back to the center the two(2) sample dodge ram 2500 4x4 diesel units i drove returned closer to the center than george duffy's did. the test/sample vehicles returned to the center within ten (10) to fifteen (15) degrees of center. could the condition be verified? (please circle one) yes or no. 'yes', was circled. if 'yes' is circled, (please circle one) normal or abnormal [abnormal] is circled. if you wish, we will be glad to send copies of all papers and correspondance that we have. we feel, and so did the independant vehicle inspector, that his situation is dangerous! when i told him of not being able to keep the truck on the road ( on ca 89) in hat creek country, and running into the shoulder. i was fortunate that the shoulder was dry. he (vehicle inspector) said you would not be here to tell the story if had not been dry! | |||
| 02/29/2000 | 0 | ||
| While driving, steering wheel will lock up to either side (left or right). then vehicle will be towed. *ak | |||
| When traveling the steering wheel operates erratically and uncontrolleably, causing loss of steering control. consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer inspecting the vehicle. please provide any further details. *ak | |||
| 11/20/1998 | 5 | 11/01/1998 | |
| Since my truck was new there has been play/loosness in the steering, causing the steering to be jerky at highway speeds. sometimes, the steering wheel can be jerked from my hand. taken to dodge and seen by the chrysler representative, and i was told it was normal. *ak | |||