Dodge Ram Complaints (1999)

1,486 consumer complaints on file.

#10080015June 28, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK GEAR WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING WHEN IT POPPED OUT OF THE PARK INTO DRIVE BY ITSELF. WHEN THIS OCCURRED VEHICLE WENT THROUGH TWO STREETS AND A DITCH BEFORE STOPPING WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER DIDN'T LOCK IN THE PARK POSITION. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10078966June 28, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I BOUGHT A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP WITH A 5.2 LITER ENGINE FROM SWIFT DODGE IN DAVIS, CA IN DECEMBER OF 1998. THE FIRST DAY, I NOTICED THAT IT HAD A SPARK KNOCK OR PING WHEN ACCELERATING UP THE SLIGHTEST GRADE. WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON OR WHEN PULLING A SMALL TRAILER, THE KNOCK WAS WORSE. I COMPLAINED ABOUT IT EVERYTIME I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP. *AK THE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED TWICE BY THE DEAER, AND I WAS TOLD THAT WOULD FIX IT. IT DIDN'T. I'VE HAD THE TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE AT SWIFT DODGE APPROXIMATELY 13 TIMES OVER THE PAST 4+ YEARS, EACH TIME COMPLAINING OF THE SPARK KNOCK. SOMETIMES THEY HAVE SAID THEY CAN'T HEAR IT, SOMETIMES THEY JUST PUT ME OFF, AND SOMETIMES THEY CHANGED THE MANIFOLD GASKET. NOW, I'M TOLD - AT 129,000 MILES - THAT THE GASKET HAS FAILED AGAIN AND THAT THE CYLINDER HEADS NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL, ALL FOR THE PRICE OF $2,000+. I'VE CALLED CHRYSLER TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE ONE COMPLAINT ON RECORD WITH THEM FROM APRIL 2001. THERE ARE 2 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS OUT ON THIS VERY PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THE FIX IS ONLY TEMPORARY, AND WHEN THE TRUCK IS PAST ITS WARRANTY, THE CONSUMER PAYS. IT'S NOT FAIR THAT A CHRONIC DESIGN PROBLEM ISN'T DEFINITIVELY REMEDIED BY THE MANUFACTURER UNDER WARRANTY. IF ALL COMPANIES INCLUDED DESIGN FLAWS IN EVERY PRODUCT THAT THE CONSUMER WOULD EVENTUALLY BE CHARGED FOR, COMPANIES COULD ENJOY A STEADY STREAM OF AFTER-WARRANTY INCOME. THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENED HERE. BY THE WAY, THE WEB IS FULL OF CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS AND THREATS OF CLASS-ACTION SUITS FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM WITH 1999 DODGE PICKUPS AND DURANGOS. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS ANY LEGAL RECOURSE, BUT I'M LODGING MY LEGITIMATE COMPLAINT ANYWAY. YOURS TRULY, DENNIS PARKER
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10079389June 16, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
LEFT FRONT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE, AND CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT DUE TO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10075937June 9, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH BRAKE PEDAL PROCEEDED TO THE FLOOR. AS A RESULT, REAR BRAKE LINE BROKE. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10075920June 8, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, THEY CLAIMED SINCE NO ONE COMPLAINED ABOUT IT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. IT WOULD COST $3000.00 TO REPAIR IT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073080May 24, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
THE LEFT FRONT TIRE CAME LOOSE ON THE DODGE RAM 1500. THE TRUCK TOOK A HARD LEFT TURN INTO THE CONCRETE DIVIDER ON THE INTERSTATE APPROXIMATE SPEED 65 MPH. THE IMPACT BROKE THE REAR LEFT WHEEL, AND CRUSHED THE FRONT LEFT FENDER, AS WELL AS THE ENTIRE FRONT OF TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HOWEVER, I HEAR OF A POTENTIAL LINING RECALL THAT MIGHT HAVE AFFECTED THIS. MY BROTHER THANKFULLY ONLY HAD MINOR INJURIES THAT WE ARE AWARE OFF. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10073023May 23, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
THERE IS NO REASON WHY I SHOULD BE HAVING A PROBLEM(E.G. ACCIDENT OR ABUSE). MY RIGHT REAR WHEEL IS GETTING A SLIGHT AMOUNT OF OIL OR GREASE ON THE BRAKES, NOT ENOUGH TO RUN DOWN THE TIRE BUT ENOUGH TO GET TACKY ON THE BRAKES. AS A RUSULT, THE BRAKES GRAB REAL HARD TO THE POINT THAT WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL LOCKS UP. ONCE STOPPED AND RELEASE THE BRAKES THEY STICK THEN RELEASE WITH A HARD THUD. VERY ANNOYING NOT TO MENTION DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IN SNOW.I CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER SO I GUESS I'M ON MY OWN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073819May 18, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BETWEEN 80 TO 90 MPH, THE THROTTLE CABLE STUCK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE CABLE TWCE AND THE PROBLEM CONTINED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10068328May 5, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO CRASH INVOLVED...YET. VEHICLE DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT ALL THE TIME & SUDDENLY PULLS HARD RIGHT AT RANDOM TIMES. ANTILOCK BRAKES HAVE NEVER WORKED. HAVE CONTACTED 3 DEALERS ABOUT THE PROBLEM & NOT ONE WILL ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM, YET I CAN FIND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IN INTERNET CHAT ROOMS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10067747April 24, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
MY PROBLEM OR COMPLAINT IS THIS. ONE NIGHT I WAS DRIVING MY 1999 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB TO WORK. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY LIGHTS FAILED. THE DRIVING LIGHTS, LOW AND HIGH BEAMS JUST WENT OUT. I HAVE A 23 MILE COMMUTE ONE WAY. WORKING AT NIGHT I WAS PLACED IN A BAD SITUATION. THE ONLY THING I HAD WAS MY PARKING LIGHTS AND FLASHERS. I PULLED OVER AND WAITED FOR THE STATE POLICE, SINCE THEY DID NOT COME. I DROVE TO WORK WITH MY FLASHERS ON. THE GOOD NEWSIS MY LUCK DID NOT RUN OUT I MADE IT TO WORK UNHARMED. IN THE MORNING I DROVE MY TRUCK HOME AND LOOKED UP THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND FOUND THERE IS NO FUSES IN THIS CIRCUIT. I SPOKE WITH MY COUSIN WHO ALSO HAS A RAM AND FOUND OUT THAT HE HAS GONE THROUGH 3 SWITCHES. WOULD THIS BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY HAZARD? IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON A WINDING ROAD AT NIGHT AND THE SAME THING HAD HAPPENED, I WOULD BE REPLACING MY TRUCK AND NOT JUST THE $75.00 DEALER ONLY SWITCH. I KNOW THEIR ARE A LOT OF THESE TRUCKS OUT THERE AND TO FIND OUT THAT THERE HAS BEEN 4 SWITCHES REPLACED IN JUST 2 TRUCKS. ISN'T THIS A LITTLE HIGH. ALSO, THE DEALER HAS PLENTY OF THIS ON HAND. WHICH TO ME MEANS, THIS ITEM IS A HIGHLY CONSUMED ITEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10068653April 21, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE PLACING THE KEY INSIDE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH VEHICLE DID NOT START CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10061669April 20, 2004
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
WHEN IT IS 75 DEGREES OR WARMER FRONT SEAT BELT COULD NOT BE PULLED OUT TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTION IN THE MERCURY SWITCHES. *AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10065820April 9, 2004
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELT DISENGAGED DURING A SUDDEN STOP TO MISS A DEER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10066744April 7, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
LTR FM CARL SCHOENER (SC) INQUIRING ON THE STATUS OF HIS VEHICLE OWNER'S QUESTIONNAIRE RE THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION ON HIS 1999 DODGE TRUCK 1500 VAN, HE NEVER REC'D AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT RPT WAS REC'D, REPLY DIRECTLY TO CONSTITUENT. *PH *JB WHILE PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE, IT BOUNCED OFF A CENTER SUPPORT POST, VEERED TO ONE SIDE AND THEN PLOWED INTO THE CONSUMER'S BACK DOOR. *PH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064433April 2, 2004
STEERING
I OWN A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500 CLUB CAB WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS THE STEERING EITHER HAS PLAY OR CLICKS I JUST HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AND NOTHING WAS REPORTED WRONG. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10061190April 1, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE CONSUMER ENTERED THE VEHICLE, PUT ON HIS SEAT BELT AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE HOME. WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE BELTS TIGHTENED UP. THEN, HE SMELLED SMOKE. THE CONSUMER LOOKED DOWN, AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE UNDER SEAT. THE CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, UNLATCHED THE SEAT BELT, LOOKED UNDER THE SEAT, AND SAW SMOKE AND FIRE COMING FROM THE PLUG. *AK THE PROBLEM OCCURRED IN THE DRIVER SEAT. THE ELECTRIC PLUG WAS UNPLUGGED TO THE SEAT BELT. THE PLUGS WERE REPLACED WITH A SINGLE STABLE PLUG. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064298March 31, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, EQUIPMENT
BOTH AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN FRONTAL COLLISION, RESULTING IN SEVERE STRUCTUAL DAMAGE, INCLUDING FIREWALL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE DECLARED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS BY INSURANCE COMPANY. COULD NOT BE REPAIRED TO A SAFE CONDITION.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10064132March 29, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
POPPING SOUND HEARD COMING FROM DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL AREA. I ASKED THE DEALER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE WHILE PERFORMING NORMAL MAINTENANCE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME THAT BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE TOP AND BOTTOM BALL JOINTS HAD FAILED AND THAT I SHOULD IMMEDIATELY HAVE THEM REPLACED. THE 1999 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS LESS THAN 70000 MILES. IT HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN OFF ROAD. IT PRIMARILY HAS BEEN DRIVEN TO SCHOOL AND HOME APPROXIMATELY 6 MILES ROUND TRIP UNTILL 2 YEARS AGO. THE MILEAGE THAT IS ON THE VEHICLE IS EITHER IN TOWN OR INTERSTATE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 3,000 MILES AND HAS HAD PERIODIC MAINTENACE PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUAL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND UNLESS THE PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW. SEEMS THERE IS OTHER FAILURES OF THIS TYPE AFFECTING DURANGOS AND DAKOTAS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064987March 23, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
WITH 62,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED. *PH VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW. DEALER REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD AND PARTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064977March 23, 2004
TRAILER HITCHES
DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO CORRECT THE FACTORY DEFECT BECAUSE THE CONSUMER ADDED A DUAL EXHAUST SYSTEM TO HIS VEHICLE. *PH THE DEALER REFUSED *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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