Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||||
| 0200101 | 01/19/2001 | 618392 | Some customers may experience a situation in which the rear of the vehicle sits too high to attach their fifth wheel or goose neck trailer to the trailer hitch turnable. *jb | 04/12/2001 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 09/09/2011 | 88000 | ||
| The rear spring pads on my truck are rusting apart. not just surface corrosion but actual splitting and flaking of the metal. i am concerned about loss of control if the pad splits apart as the rear axle could shift, causing an accident. | |||
| 03/14/2007 | 25000 | 3 | 01/20/2001 |
| 2001 dodge ram 2500 reg cab long bed pickup. vehicle has 26,000 original miles and after major front end repairs( upper and lower ball joints, stabilizer bar links, stabilizer shock and both wheel bearings) for steering problems, the problem still exists. the truck is almost uncontrollable and wanders into oncoming traffic if constant attention and over correction of steering is not adhered too. driving is a task and is very dangerous. *jb | |||
| 03/01/2005 | 2 | 09/09/2001 | |
| Dodge ram 2500 series 2001, numerous problems with vehicle steering mechanisms. *bf the consumer stated he was constantly overcorrecting the vehicle left and right. the consumer had many alignments done but to no avail. it was discovered that all the ball joints needed to be replaced due to rust and no lubrication, the steering shaft and trac bar was replaced and the steering box was adjusted. the vehicle was taken to another mechanic and in his opinion alternate valve located in the steering was not performing as it should, when the mechanic removed the valve it extremely burnt from overheating. the consumer stated he no longer has any problems steering the vehicle. *jb | |||
| 01/01/2002 | 17207 | 1 | 05/28/2001 |
| Steering wanders all over the place. 2001 ram pickup 2500 with only 19,224 miles on it problem first surfaced around 15,000 miles. dealer serviced at 17,207 miles as a licensed inspection mechanic, this vehicle will fail the state inspection sticker test when it is due. the amount of play at the steering wheel is currently at 5+ inches and getting worse. inspection procedures require the play to be measured while observing the tire movement. ( example : turn the steering wheel to the left until visable movement of the tire is seen, mark a reference point on the steering wheel, now turn the steering wheel to the right untill visable movement of the tire , now measure the distance the mark on the steering wheel has traveled. anything over a 2 1/2 travel is cause for failing the state vehicle inspection sticker. dealer has already replaced the track bar but this did not solve the problem. am awaiting another appointment. my wife refuses to drive this vehicle because of the steering issues. the vehicle always needs to be chased left and right to keep it tracking straight ahead.it is my opinion that it is a problem with the steering box. the stae of maine fish and wildlife division forced a buyback of these same trucks because of similar problems with the steering. if they are not safe for our local government then they are sure not safe for the average consumer. please look into this as it is a safety issue that can not be ignored. thank you. concerned citizen in maine. *ak | |||
| 08/12/2000 | 8000 | 1 | 06/09/2000 |
| The vehicle pulled to the right or left, with the steering wheel being straight. the dealer was unable to fix the problem. *jb vehicle has been serviced 20 times. still problem still exist. new engine and 2 transmissions replaced. | |||
| 03/25/2003 | 24000 | 1 | 10/07/2002 |
| Truck wanders randomaly-front tire wobbles. *nlm | |||
| 04/01/2001 | 1 | 03/28/2001 | |
| While traveling at or above 45 mph, vehicle will drag or pull to left into oncoming traffic. dealership has examined vehicle, and stated that since there is no tsb for this problem, there is nothing that can be done to correct problem. *ak *slc | |||
| 07/01/2000 | 06/01/2000 | ||
| I just wanted to report this about my truck , the steering wanders all over the road and have heard from other owners that theirs does to. i have carried it to the dealer one time and they adjusted the steering wheel but it has started back again. | |||
| 1 | 07/12/2000 | ||
| Vehicle wanders from left to right when driving at any speeds. dealer cannot determine cause, and claims vehicle is within specifications.*ak consumer states it takes too much movement of the steering wheel to keept he vehicle on course. *slc | |||
| SUSPENSION - AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL (ASC) | |||
| 11/24/2004 | 67980 | 1 | |
| I had a sudden and unexpected shaking of the front end of my truck. i nearly ran off the road into oncoming traffic. i have newer balanced tires, and have not altered any components except for updated shock. while the shaking occurred at approximately 50 mph, i had no control over the steering at all.*ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 05/03/2008 | 100000 | 1 | |
| Air bag light is on and can't get it out . and the doors are all rotted on the bottom and is the only thing that rotted on my truck i take good care of my truck. and that is a big disappointment in this truck. and the front end that's hard to keep up with. i only have 118000 on it. and know the motor will go a long ways the cummins 25 valve. *tr | |||
| 07/20/2007 | 86000 | 60 | 10/15/2006 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2001 dodge ram 2500. while driving 45 mph, he heard a loud bumping sound and the front end of the vehicle vibrated. in addition, the vehicle would not stay straight while driving 60 mph or greater. the dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. the failure mileage was 86,000 and the current mileage was 92,000. | |||
| 07/11/2006 | 1 | 01/01/2001 | |
| Dt*: the contact stated that the ball joints are worn therefore the vehicle cannot pass the state inspection. the dealer alerted the contact that vehicles of the year, make and model have a lot of problems with the ball joints. the contact expressed concern about the safety of the vehicle in regards to steering. *ak | |||
| 02/10/2006 | 80000 | 2 | 08/01/2001 |
| Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 mph the engine started sputtering and smoking resulting in a loss of power. the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop for inspection. the mechanic determined the injection pump needed to be replaced, which no repairs were made. also, the mechanic noticed the tie rods were pulling apart on the front left and right side. the mechanic replaced the front left and right tie rods and ball joints. the dealership and manufacturer were alerted. | |||
| 11/01/2001 | 06/01/2001 | ||
| My truck wanders on the road. it is a challange to keep it in the lane at high way speeds. i always have to continue to try to steer it left then right. there is several inches of travel in the steering wheel between going left and right. it is very difficult to drive on the highway and stay in your lane, even more, it is dangourus to drive when it is snowy and icy. here in minnesota we have poor driving conditions for our long winter season. i bought this to be safe in the snow and ice, acctualy it is the opposite!!*ak | |||
| 12/01/2000 | |||
| Vehicle has a wandering problem. 1st trip to dealer for repairs they said they adjusted the steering gear box. that did not help. 2nd trip to the dealer they replaced the steering gear box. it not turns easier but still wanders and also has a growling sound from steering gear when turning. i will be visiting dealer again concerning this problem. i beleave this is not a small problem. it compromises my and my familys safety. i am not the only one with this problem please see http://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//forum17/html/000822.html and you will see an addition 115+ people with the same complaint. i do hope to see a recall on this sterring wander/play/lack of responce problem. thank you.*ak | |||
| 3 | 03/01/2000 | ||
| It wasn't the tires it is the front end of the truck itself. *ak | |||
| 03/01/2000 | 0 | ||
| While driving about any speed vehicle wandered side by side and lost control.also, the steering box had been replaced twice for lack of steering. | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM | |||
| 02/20/2002 | 05/01/2000 | ||
| Upper and lower ball joints are failing in our fleet (33000+ miles). *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT | |||
| 03/01/2005 | 2 | 09/09/2001 | |
| Dodge ram 2500 series 2001, numerous problems with vehicle steering mechanisms. *bf the consumer stated while taking a 2 mile drive, he notice he had to constantly overcorrect to the left and then the right. the dealer replaced several componets on the vehicle to try and resolve the steering problem, the replaced all the ball joints which were severely rusted and had no grease, the steering shaft was replaced, the trac bar was replaced due to severe movement. it was finally determined that a alternate valve in the steering box was not performing as it was designed to do, when the mechanic took the valve out it was burned from overheating. *jb | |||
| 02/22/2005 | 45000 | 1 | |
| The consumer states at 45,000 miles the front upper and lower ball joints needs to be replaced. the cause has not been determined. please provide additional information. *jb | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - UPPER BALL JOINT | |||
| 02/22/2005 | 45000 | 1 | |
| The consumer states at 45,000 miles the front upper and lower ball joints needs to be replaced. the cause has not been determined. please provide additional information. *jb | |||
| 12/15/2004 | 126353 | 3 | 11/11/2000 |
| 1. stereing wheel would not center up, vehicle drove straight. dealer said this is normal to compensate for torque, no warranty repair, took to a suspension shop for repair $ 1200.00 (see details below). 2. transmission shuddered in torque converter lock up. delaer found no problems with transmission, but confirmed the problem. $ 2200.00 for new hd torque converter and hp valve body (see detail below) **accelerator stuck wide open while traveling down interstate, had to push hard on brake pedal to slow down to merge to shoulder, place vehicle in neutral and the engine revved to red line, shut down the motor. motor would not start only crank. dealer said the injector pump and controller awere bad, $ 3000.00 for reapair. replaced ball joint 6/2002, replaced transmission 10/2004, replaced fuel injector pump 12/04. sum total of repairs $ 6600.00.*ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - STABILIZER BAR | |||
| 08/09/2006 | 38686 | 1 | 10/15/2001 |
| My truck only has 39k miles and was having severe issues with steering wobble and steering wandering. the steering stabilizer and track bar was replaced by the dealer but stills has play in the steering. although not currently under warranty these parts should not fail at 39k miles of highway driving. *jb | |||
| 12/23/2003 | 78000 | 0 | 05/05/2001 |
| Another worn track bar in the fron axle. 82,000 miles. vehicle starts to wander. this will make the third one that needs to be replaced. they last about 10,000 miles. i am not the only one with this problem with dodge rams made from 1994-2002 that is four wheel drive with the cummins diesel. i had heard that someone had one that caused them to lose control | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING | |||
| 11/14/2003 | 20000 | 2 | |
| Dealer replaced at 20,000 miles the left wheel bearing, and at 40,000 miles the right wheel bearing needed to be replaced. consumer stated normally wheel bearings were replaced at 85,000 miles. dealer stated that consumer should have bought an extended warranty and won't have this problem.*ak left wheel bearing failure occured at 20,000 miles. dodge refused to talk to consumer's wife about the wheel bearing failure. finally dealership replaced the wheel bearing at the cost of $100.00. consumer feels that it is premature for the wheel bearing to have failed for a front end truck that is female driven.*mr | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||
| 10/25/2008 | 82544 | 1 | |
| Rear spring mounts failed from rust causing temporary loss of control of the vehicle. truck has only 82k miles. this was one week after spending 1200 to replace rusted brake lines. *tr | |||