FaultScore

Dodge RAM 1500 door lock problems

145 of the 16,087 complaints filed about the Dodge RAM 1500 are about the doors, latches and locks — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2001.

145

Complaints

1%

Share of all complaints

4

Crashes

1

Fires

Doors, Latches & Locks complaints by model year

1994 RAM 1500 5 3.4%

Median failure at 245,280 miles

1995 RAM 1500 10 6.9%

Median failure at 213,472 miles

1996 RAM 1500 11 7.6%

Median failure at 131,000 miles

1997 RAM 1500 10 6.9%

Median failure at 112,497 miles

1998 RAM 1500 17 11.7%

Median failure at 92,400 miles

1999 RAM 1500 16 11.0%

Median failure at 95,000 miles

2000 RAM 1500 11 7.6%

Median failure at 85,559 miles

2001 RAM 1500 26 17.9%

Median failure at 93,802 miles

2002 RAM 1500 5 3.4%

Median failure at 31,000 miles

2003 RAM 1500 3 2.1%

Median failure at 43,000 miles

2004 RAM 1500 11 7.6%

Median failure at 48,500 miles

2005 RAM 1500 6 4.1%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

2006 RAM 1500 1 0.7%

Median failure at 24,500 miles

2008 RAM 1500 1 0.7%

Median failure at 2,000 miles

2009 RAM 1500 5 3.4%

Median failure at 45,000 miles

2010 RAM 1500 1 0.7%

Median failure at 900 miles

2011 RAM 1500 4 2.8%

Median failure at 22,150 miles

2012 RAM 1500 2 1.4%

Median failure at 28,500 miles

What owners said

1996 Dodge RAM 1500 at 152,000 miles Trenton, OH

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the hood flew open and struck the windshield. The contact immediately veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that the hood was bent, and the windshield was cracked due to the failure. The contact was able to drive to the residence at a slow speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 01V040000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The dealer informed the contact that he would be charged a repair fee for the replacement of the hood, the grill, the windshield, and components; however, the parts were not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 152,000.

NHTSA complaint #11566292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge RAM 1500 at 63,000 miles Woodruff, SC

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the tailgate unlatched and opened inadvertently while driving down the driveway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The dealer stated that the failure was a known issue however, there was no recall associated with the VIN for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact to contact the NHSTA hotline and file a complaint. The failure mileage was 63,000.

NHTSA complaint #11497379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Dodge RAM 1500 at 96,000 miles Planview, NY

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20-30 MPH, THE HOOD UNLATCHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED RUSS DARROW CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF MILWAUKEE (10901 W METRO AUTO MALL, MILWAUKEE, WI 53224, (888) 497-8363) HOWEVER, VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA complaint #11396822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge RAM 1500 at 25,000 miles Euless, TX

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE TAILGATE OPENED INDEPENDENTLY AND CAUSED OBJECTS TO FALL OUT ONTO THE ROADWAY. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE TAILGATE WAS ABLE TO LATCH SECURELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND INCIDENT OF THE TAILGATE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11287455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Dodge RAM 1500 at 86,435 miles Strongsville, OH

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE HOOD SUDDENLY OPENED AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOOD, WINDSHIELD, AND HOOD LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-992-1997 AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THERE WAS NO OPEN RECALL. A CASE NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,435.

NHTSA complaint #11061239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Dodge RAM 1500 at 75,000 miles Central Point, OR

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 1500. WHEN RELEASING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, THE LATCH DETACHED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE LATCH WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA complaint #10934768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Dodge RAM 1500 at 65,000 miles Grayson, KY

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

THE REAR POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK WHATSOEVER IN MY TRUCK. TRYING TO UNLOCK/LOCK THE DOORS IN MY TRUCK WITH THE KEY FOB ONLY OPERATE THE FRONT DOORS. TRYING TO UNLOCK/LOCK THE DOORS WITH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE POWER DOOR LOCK CONTROLS ONLY OPERATE THE FRONT DOORS AS WELL. THE ONLY WAY THE BACK DOORS WILL LOCK/UNLOCK IS IF IT IS DONE MANUALLY. WHEN THE DOORS ARE UNLOCKED, THE BACK DOORS DO NOT LOCK WHEN THE TRUCK REACHES THE SPEED THAT ENGAGES ALL DOOR LOCKS WHEN IN DRIVE. THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN PUTTING THE TRUCK INTO PARK. I COULD UNDERSTAND IF ONE OR THE OTHER IS MALFUNCTIONING, BUT NOT BOTH. THIS DEFINITELY INDICATES AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. MY CHILDREN CAN GET TRAPPED IN IF THEY TRY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN AN ACCIDENT, THEY COULD GET KIDNAPPED/ASSAULTED IF THE BACK DOOR LOCKS WERE PULLED UP BY THEM WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE, MY ITEMS COULD GET STOLEN IN MY TRUCK IF ITS LEFT PARKED AND UNATTENDED, ETC. ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN WITH A HUGE NUMBER OF SCENARIOS. I HAVE HAD MANY OTHER ISSUES WITH THE TRUCK AS WELL THAT I WILL FILE SEPARATE COMPLAINTS ON EACH ISSUE. (TIPM ELECTRICAL ISSUES/NO POWER TO ANYTHING WHATSOEVER WITH THE TRUCK, TRANSMISSION SHIFT SOLENOID, STAYING IN 4TH GEAR, TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FLYING OUT OF THE TIRE WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH) THIS TRUCK IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO MY FAMILIES LIFE AS WELL AS MY OWN.

NHTSA complaint #10930108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Dodge RAM 1500 at 201,000 miles Columbus, OH

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A TEST DRIVE, THE HOOD LATCH FRACTURED AND THE HOOD FLEW OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR FOUR WEEKS. THE DEALER OFFERED TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS NO LONGER VALID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 201,000.

NHTSA complaint #10875688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Dodge RAM 1500 at 300,000 miles Cocoa, FL

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE UNLATCHED INDEPENDENTLY AND CAUSED THE FRONT WINDOW TO SHATTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000.

NHTSA complaint #10861350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Dodge RAM 1500 at 59,000 miles Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE OPENED AND SMASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT AND THE PASSENGER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE DETAILS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD LATCH FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA complaint #10851269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge RAM 1500 at 32,000 miles Midwest City, OK

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE HOOD OPENED AUTOMATICALLY AND FRACTURED THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO A DEALER. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V459000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

NHTSA complaint #10782911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Dodge RAM 1500 at 94,000 miles Chicago Heights, IL

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE HOOD LATCH BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED THE HOOD TO OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 01/20/16*LJ

NHTSA complaint #10764127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Dodge RAM 1500 at 43,000 miles LEE, MA Crash

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE DOORS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FAILED TO OPEN. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WINDOWS AND THE LOCKS WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING UP TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO FURTHER DETAILS OF THE CRASH WERE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10744988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Dodge RAM 1500 at 45,000 miles ST. ANN, MO

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ALSO EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER HAD TO USE THE KEY FOB WHILE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA complaint #10638869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Dodge RAM 1500 at 56,650 miles Meridianville, AL

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK ON DRIVER SIDE FAILED TO ENGAGE AT 15 MPH. THE PASSENGER SIDE DID ENGAGE. MANUALLY LOCKING THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR RESULTED IN FAILURE TO UNLOCK WHEN VEHICLE WAS SHUT DOWN ALTHOUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE LOCK DID SUCCESSFULLY UNLOCK. THE DOOR MOUNTED LOCKING BUTTON FAILED TO LOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR BUT DID LOCK THE PASSENGER DOOR. WHEN MANUALLY LOCKED, THE DOOR MOUNTED LOCKING BUTTON FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE REMOTE CONTROL DOOR LOCK WILL NOT OPERATE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK. DEALER SERVICE DEPT. SAYS THIS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AND I MUST PAY TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint #10550950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Dodge RAM 1500 at 43,000 miles Brentwood, CA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

DRIVER'S SIDE LOCK STUCK IN LOCKED POSITION. IT CAN ONLY BE OPENED BY USING THE INSIDE HANDLE ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. KEY WILL NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN DOOR.

NHTSA complaint #10550449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge RAM 1500 at 43,000 miles North Chesterfield, VA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD READ THAT THE KEY WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE DOOR WAS AJAR. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE UNTIL A MINIMUM OF 35 MINUTES OF CLOSING THE DOOR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE MAIN COMPUTER MODULE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43, 000....UPDATED 11-12-13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CRANK, AND WHEN THE VEHICLE DID START, IT WOULD NOT CUT OFF. THE CONSUMER HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MAIN COMPUTER.

NHTSA complaint #10546962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Dodge RAM 1500 at 43,000 miles Pioneer, CA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES AND HE HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE TO GET THE DOOR TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA complaint #10520239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Dodge RAM 1500 Santa Clara, CA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

DRIVE SIDE LOCK GOT STUCK IN LOCK POSITION, AND IT CAN ONLY BE OPENED BY USING THE INSIDE HANDLE ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR.

NHTSA complaint #10511502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Dodge RAM 1500 at 160,000 miles Mcconnelsville, OH

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE HOOD LATCH BECAME DISENGAGED, CAUSING THE HOOD LID TO RELEASE AND STRIKE THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CLOSE THE HOOD LID. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES AND THE HOOD WOULD NOT REMAIN LATCHED SECURELY. THE DEFECT RESULTED IN THE HOOD HINGE BECOMING BENT AND THE WINDSHIELD EXHIBITED NUMEROUS CRACKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V040000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10508762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Dodge RAM 1500 problems