1999 Dodge RAM 1500 suspension problems

SUSPENSION

1999 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP, WHILE DRIVING AROUND 35-45 MPH USUALLY ON A DOWNHILL GRADE THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO SHAKE,THE ONLY WORD TO DESCRIBE IT IS VIOLENTLY AND WILL NOT SUBSIDE UNTIL YOU CAN GET THE SPEED BELOW 20MPH BUT YOU CAN NOT JUST APPLY THE BREAKS OR THE SHAKING BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE,I HAVE REPLACE MOST OF THE SUSPENSION(CONTROL ARMS,BALL JOINTS ECT.)NOTHING WORKS.THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES! I'VE TALKED TO OTHERS AND THERE IS A NAME FOR IT, DODGE DEATH WOBBLE. ALSO I AM ANOTHER VICTIM OF THE DODGE DASH CANCER, IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS MY DASH HAS BASICALLY DISINTEGRATED....CONSIDERING BRINGING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT

NHTSA complaint #11165543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

THIS LOW MILEAGE (64K) 1999 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS DEVELOPED A DEATH WOBBLE. USUAL SYMPTOMS, HIT SMALL BUMP IN ROAD AT 60 + MPH AND SHAKE AND SHUTTER UNTIL SLOW TO 20-30 MPH TO REGAIN CONTROL. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT.

NHTSA complaint #10875026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. THE DASH CRACKED AND PIECES FELL INTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. THE BALL JOINTS FAILED. ALL AROUND 120,000 TO 130,000 MILES. THE FUEL INJECTORS BEGAN TO FAIL AT 120,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10808987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

THERE IS EXTENSIVE DEATH WOBBLE IN MY TRUCK AND MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON AND RECOGNIZED PROBLEM BY DODGE/CHRYSLER FOR THEIR DODGE RAM LINE. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND AN IDENTIFIED DESIGN FLAW. IT OBVIOUSLY HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TO NEARLY STOP THE TRUCK TO CALM THE SHAKING.

NHTSA complaint #10781263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

AM ON THIRD ENGINE EACH TIME OIL PUMP FAILED,AND NOW THIS ONE IS ACTING UP, POWERTRAIN END OF YEAR BUILT TRUCK HAS A LOT OF 2000 PARTS ON IT, REAR END SEIZED UP DRIVE SHAFT BROKE REAR YOAK SPLIT IN TWO, SUSPENSION TIE RODS AND IDLE ARMS ALWAYS BREAKING, TWO BREAK DISKS 1 LEFT SIDE 1 RIGHT SIDE BROKE, LEFT ONE SPLIT RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE, THE RIGHT SIDE THE CENTER OF THE HUB BROKE RIGHT OUT AT THE BEARINGS RIPED RIGHT OUT

NHTSA complaint #10744838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

THE "DODGE DEATH WOBBLE" IS FOR REAL. WHILE DRIVING MY 1999 DODGE RAM 1500 ON THE INTERSTATE, I WENT OVER A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE WHOLE TRUCK BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO CONTROL AND DID NOT STOP SHAKING UNTIL I SLOWED DOWN TO UNDER 20 MPH. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND DODGE SHOULD BE FORCED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN FIVE TIMES IN MY TRUCK.

NHTSA complaint #10292610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

BOLT ATTACHING LOWER SHOCK MOUNT TO LOWER A-ARM HAS TO GREAT A THREADED LENGTH CAUSING THE THREADS TO BEAR ON THE LOWER A-ARM, CAUSING THE THREADS TO BE GROUND DOWN AND THE HOLE IN THE A-ARM THROUGH WHICH THE BOLT PASSES TO BE FRETTED AND ENLARGED EXCESSIVELY. THE WEAR OF THE A-ARM COULD RESULT IN CRACKING OF THE A-ARM DUE TO FATIGUE. WEAR OF THE BOLT THREADS COULD CAUSE EXCESSIVE BENDING OF THE BOLT AND PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE BOLT CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #10252979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

FRONT END DRIVE AND SUSPENSION ALSO STEERING COLUMN MOVE AND MAKE A NOISE WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT FEEL LIKE THE FRONT SUSPENSION IS GOING TO GIVE WAY.

NHTSA complaint #10233233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 2- 40 MPH A WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE SPEED WAS INCREASED THE NOISE WOULD BECOME LOUDER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN IDLE THE NOISE WAS NOT HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE PURCHASE DATE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 101,000.

NHTSA complaint #10200541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE GOT INTO HER 1999 DODGE RAM 1500 (FAILURE MILEAGE: 100000) THE SEAT BELTS WERE RETRACTED AND LOCKED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP AND THEY NOTIFIED HER OF THE RECALL ON THE RETRACTOR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL AND ASKED HER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. *JB UPDATED 2/22/2007 - BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT WERE LOCKED IN THE RETRACTED POSITION AND COULD NOT BE USED. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE WATER PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE AIR CONDITIONING HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE BRAKE LINES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE REAR END HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10178911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

CONTACT STATED: 1999 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK. HOOD POPPED UP AT 45 MPH. SECONDARY LATCH DID NOT CATCH, IT JUST WENT RIGHT UP. DID NOT HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. VEHICLE WAS ON SMOOTH ROAD. ALSO, HAD TO HAVE THE WHOLE FRONT END/ REAR END AND TRANSMISSION REBUILT.

NHTSA complaint #10119710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

1999 DODGE RAM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.*MR 1 YEAR OLD AND NOT ON REPOSITORY. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED A LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, WHO STATED HE WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITH NO BRAKES. THE MECHANIC STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO FRONT BRAKES WITH SHIMS, FRONT ROTORS, TWO FRONT CALIPERS, BEARINGS, TWO REAR SHOES, TWO REAR HARDWARE, TWO DRUMS AND TWO REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS. THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE CONSUMER PLACED THE GEAR INTO REVERSE. THE FRONT WHEEL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WOULD SHAKE WHEN THE CONSUMER HIT A POTHOLE. THE WINDOWS WOULD FOG WITH A GREASY FILM, THE HEATING COIL WAS REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE 02 SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE PCV VALVE HOSE WAS REPLACED, THE LEFT BRAKE LIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED, 4 INJECTORS WERE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10119274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

VEHICLE WHEEL ALMOST LAYED DOWN. BRAND NEW FRONT TIRES WORE DOWN. *TC THE BALL JOINTS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES. THE DASHBOARD CRACKED AND THE CONSUMER HAD IT REPLACED AT A COST OF $525.00.

NHTSA complaint #10108933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

THE BALL JOINTS ARE ALSO DEFECTIVE, BUT THIS IS AN 1999 DAKOTA. I HAVE WENT THROUGH EIGHT TRES IN TH FRONT AND CAN HEAR THE BALL JOINTS SQUEAK.

NHTSA complaint #10102596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

THE BALL JOINTS ARE ALSO DEFECTIVE, BUT THIS IS AN 1999 DAKOTA. I HAVE WENT THROUGH EIGHT TRES IN TH FRONT AND CAN HEAR THE BALL JOINTS SQUEAK.

NHTSA complaint #10102596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER 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.

NHTSA complaint #10064132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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.

NHTSA complaint #10064132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR

I OWN A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. I NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN ALIGNMENT. I WAS NOTIFIED MY TIRES WERE UNUSABLE AND THAT THE FRONT TRAC/SWAY BAR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE TRAC BAR ON THAT VEHICLE AND IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE A SWAY BAR AND TIRES ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 28,000 MILES ON IT. DODGE SHOULD PUT OUT AN IMMEDIATE RECALL ON THE SWAY BAR AS PEOPLE WILL HAVE QUICKLY DETERIORATING TIRES THAT COULD CAUSE A LOT OF ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA complaint #10036762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

THERE IS A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER SAYS THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE KEEPS WEARING FASTER. ALSO, DEALER STATES THE BALL JOINTS ARE BAD.

NHTSA complaint #10024903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

THERE IS A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER SAYS THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE KEEPS WEARING FASTER. ALSO, DEALER STATES THE BALL JOINTS ARE BAD.

NHTSA complaint #10024903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I RECENTLY TOOK MY 1999 DODGE RAM 1500 PICK UP TO MY ALIGNMENT SHOP AND HAD TO PUT A NEW TRACKER BAR ON IT. WHICH I REPLACED ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO AT ABOUT 40 THOUSAND MILES.. AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE MY STEERING BOX AND MY TRUCK HAS JUST OVER 54,100 MILES ON IT AND I THINK THAT IS A LITTLE RIDICULOUS. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY TRUCK NEW IN 1999 I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT END ALIGNED IN THE FIRST YEAR, THE SECOND YEAR, IN THE YEAR 2002 AND NOW ON MARCH 3 RD 2003 I HAD TO HAVE IT AGAIN FOR THE REASONS I STATED IN THE BEGINNING. I HAD SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS UNDER THE DASH AND IN THE STEERING COLUMN. MY ALIGNMENT SHOP SAYS THEY HAVE REPLACED A LOT OF STEERING BOXES AND THE TRACKER BAR EVEN AT 18,000 MILES. I HAVE CALLED CHRYSLER THEMSELVES AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND I THINK THEY SHOULD BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A RESULT FROM A BAD PART FROM THE FACTORY. I HAVE DOCUMENTED EVERYTHING I HAVE DONE TO MY TRUCK. I HAVE LOOKED INTO THE PRICE OF A NEW STEERING BOX AND I HAVE FOUND THAT DODGE WANTS OVER $600 AND A PARTS HOUSE IN MY TOWN CAN GET THE SAME DODGE STEERING BOX FOR $205. I BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE BOX WHAT EVER THE PRICE, BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT IS NEW ENOUGH THAT THEY SHOULD BE WILLING TO HAVE IT FIXED, TO AT LEAST MAKE A CUSTOMER SOME WHAT HAPPY. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A STEERING BOX GOING OUT AT LESS THEN 100,000 MILES. MY FATHER HAD A 1999 RAM 1500 PICK UP AND WITH LESS THAN 25,000 MILES THE MOTOR LOST 4 QUARTS OF OIL ON OUR WAY TO A OLD CAR SHOW IN MONTANA BUT IT NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN SO HE DID NOT WORRY ABOUT IT AND SOLD IT AND GOT A NEW 2002 RAM PICK UP AND HE LIKES IT SO FAR, BUT A FRIEND OF MINE HAS A 2002 RAM AND HE IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH HIS FRONT END ALIGNMENT. SO I AM WONDERING IF THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR FRONT ENDS ON DODGE VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #10013984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

THE INTAKE GASKET LEAKED, THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM VEHICLE, ENGINE OIL HAD LEAKED ALONG WITH A SMOKE ODOR, AND THERE WAS UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. SCC

NHTSA complaint #10008890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

THE TRUCK CONTINUOUSLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT ABOVE FIFTY (50) MILES AN HOUR. AFTER TWO SEPARATE ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE ALIGNMENT, THE TRUCK WAS RETURNED TO THE ORIGINAL PLACE OF PURCHASE FOR REPAIR WHERE I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR ( TRACY KRUMPLEMAN) THAT BECAUSE MY TRUCK WAS LOWERED IT WON'T BE GUARANTEED TO HOLD AN ALIGNMENT. I THEN STATED THAT THE TRUCK WAS SOLD TO ME WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED SUSPENSION MODIFICATION FROM THE SAME DEALERSHIP THAT HE IS NOW WORKING FOR , AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR IGNORES THIS FACT AND RESTATES THAT THE TRUCK WON'T HOLD AN ALIGNMENT BECAUSE IT'S BEEN LOWERED.

NHTSA complaint #763380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WANDERS BETWEEN THE LINES IN THE HIGHWAY. THE FRONT TRACK IS OUT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE ALIGNED HOWEVER THAT HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. NLM

NHTSA complaint #8006541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE FRONT WHEEL BEARING AGAIN. HE JUST REPLACED THEM 3 WKS. AGO. ALSO, MECHANIC STATED THAT BEARINGS WERE TOO SMALL FOR TRUCK, AND AS A RESULT THEY WERE WEARING OUT FASTER.*AK

NHTSA complaint #8005942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

CONSUMER REPLACED A SET OF FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS AGO. CURRENTLY, NEED TO REPLACE THEM AGAIN. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT BEARINGS WERE TOO SMALL FOR TRUCK AND THAT WAS WHY THEY WERE WEARING SO FAST. *AK

NHTSA complaint #8005947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

WANDERS, AND REQUIRES CONSTANT STEERING CORRECTIONS FROM DRIVER.

NHTSA complaint #757500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IT PULLED TO THE RIGHT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TWO TIMES FOR ALIGNMENT ISSUES AND IT WAS OUT OF ALINGMENT BOTH TIMES AND DURING THE SECOND VISIT I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO PULL DO TO THE WAY THE ROADS ARE BUILT. WHILE CHANGING A FLAT I NOTICES THAT THE UPPER ARM ON THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTING AT THE WELD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLES A ARM EVEN WITH THE EVIDENCE OF THE WELD RUSTING AND A VISIBLE CRACK WHICH CAN BE VERIFIED BY SLIDING A THREAD OF STRING THROUGH IT.

NHTSA complaint #752488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.