1998 Dodge RAM 2500 fuel system problems

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE VIA THE BRAKE OR BY HITTING OFF ON THE STEERING WHEEL. IF I PUT THE CLUTCH IN THE ENGINE WAS IDLING AT 2300 RPMS. THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK ON AND I COULD NOT SLOW DOWN... I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND TURNING IT BACK ON AGAIN THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESET. MY CLUTCH AND BREAKS GOT A LITTLE BURNT UP MAKING IT HOME THAT NIGHT...AS THE PROBLEM HAPPENED WHEN I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. ONE I MADE IT HOME I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND MANUALLY JIGGLED THE THROTTLE LINKAGES ON THE SIDE OF THE INJECTION PUMP. RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM WAS RESET UNTIL CRUISE CONTROL WAS USED AGAIN.... THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO HAVE THE THROTTLE STICKING AT SUCH HIGH SPEED... SO I LOOKED INTO SAFETY RECALLS #B15 THINKING GREAT MY TRUCK IS COVERED... ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT RECALL WAS ALREADY PERFORMED. ALSO THE FUEL HEATER RECALL WAS PERFORMED AND IT SO HAPPENS IN THE LAST 4 MOTH HAVE TO DO THE FUEL HEATER DELETE BECAUSE THE WIRING AND PLASTIC PIECE WAS ALL BURNT UP. LOOKS LIKE THESE TRUCKS ARE HAVING A SECOND ROUND OF THE SAME OR SIMILAR SAFETY RECALL ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #10643879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

1998.5 24VALVE CUMMINS DIESEL, ONE OWNER WITH FACTORY ECM (799) UPDATE, NEVER ANY "CHIPS". ON COLD START UP, EVERYTHING NORMAL UNTIL I GO TO TAKE OFF, ANY APPLICATION TO THE ACCELERATOR AND AS IF I PUT THE ACCELERATOR ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, TRUCK WILL CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE UNTIL EITHER I REMOVE MY FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE PEDAL, OR THE GOVERNOR KICKS IN.

NHTSA complaint #10563484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I AM AMAZED THERE ARE NO REPORTS ON 1998 1/2 - 2001 MODEL DODGE PICKUPS WITH THE CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINE AS THE BOSCH VP44 MAIN (INJECTOR) FUEL PUMP HAS A FAILURE RATE OF 100%. I'VE HAD 3 FAIL SO FAR & FOR DIESEL MECHANICS IT'S COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT IT'S NOT A MATTER OF IF THE THE VP44 PUMP WILL FAIL, IT'S JUST A MATTER OF WHEN. THE LAST TIME A PUMP DIED ON ME WAS WHEN I WAS GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE @ 70 MPH & THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. I KNEW IMMEDIATELY IT WAS ANOTHER FUEL PUMP FAILURE, BUT OTHER DRIVERS MAY NOT REALIZE WHAT WENT WRONG & I'D BE SURPRISED IF THERE HAVEN'T BEEN ANY WRECKS DUE TO VP44 PUMP FAILURE, WHICH GIVES YOU NO ADVANCE WARNING - IT JUST QUITS. IN 2002 DODGE/CUMMINS CHARGED THE FUEL SYSTEM ON THE DIESEL ENGINE FOR DODGE PICKUPS (INCLUDING A DIFFERENT FUEL PUMP), BUT ALL 1998 1/2 THRU 2001 MODELS CAME WITH THE SAME BOSCH VP44 MAIN INJECTOR PUMP.

NHTSA complaint #10459238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

DEAR SIRS: I AM CONTACTING YOU ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND ALL OWNERS OF 1998.5-2002 DODGE RAM PICKUPS EQUIPPED WITH 5.9L 24 VALVE CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A FAULTY FUEL LIFT PUMP THAT IS SUBJECT TO PREMATURE FAILURE. THIS CAN CAUSE SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO THE INJECTOR PUMP RESULTING IN UNEXPECTED ENGINE FAILURE. THIS FACT IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE WEB AMONG OWNERS, AS WELL AS DIESEL EXPERTS. THE LIFT PUMP FAILS WHEN IT IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE FUEL TO THE INJECTOR PUMP. ITS FAILURE RATE IS SIGNIFICANT IN THE CUMMINS DIESEL APPLICATIONS BECAUSE THE PUMP IS DEFECTIVE AND THE REMOTE LOCATION FROM THE FUEL TANK PLACES ADDITIONAL STRESS ON THE DEFECTIVE PUMP, THEREBY CAUSING PUMP FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THERE IS NO WARNING TO THE CUSTOMER WHEN THE LIFT PUMP PRESSURE FALLS BELOW THE MINIMUM 48 OZ. IN 30 SECONDS, THEREBY CAUSING IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE INJECTOR PUMP. REPAIR OF THE DAMAGED INJECTOR PUMP IS IN EXCESS OF $2000. SOME OWNERS HAVE REPLACED THE OEM LIFT PUMP AS MANY AS FOUR TIMES. EVEN CUMMINS, WHO MANUFACTURES THE ENGINE FOR DAIMLER CHRYSLER, HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE DEFECTIVE PUMP (EMAIL EVIDENCE CAN BE SUBMITTED UPON REQUEST). DAIMLER CHRYSLER TOOK NO STEPS TO NOTIFY OWNERS OF THIS DEFECT AND THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY REFUSED REQUESTS BY OWNERS TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PUMP WITH THE MORE RELIABLE ONE, IN CONJUNCTION WITH ADDING THE FUEL PRESSURE WARNING LAMP. THEY WILL ONLY PROVIDE SUCH RETROFIT IF THE OWNER IS WILLING TO PAY THE PARTS AND LABOR COST OF WELL OVER $1000. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH DAIMLER CHRYSLER HAS ALLOWED CORPORATE GREED TO ECLIPSE THE SAFETY OF ITS CUSTOMERS. I HAVE NOT PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED LIFT PUMP FAILURE, SINCE MY VEHICLE IS A 1998.5 WITH ONLY 5000 MILES. I DO, HOWEVER, FEEL THAT DAIMLER CHRYSLER SHOULD REPLACE THE PUMP WITH THE MORE RELIABLE PUMP AND FUEL PRESSURE WARNING LAMP. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM SINCE ANY UNANTICIPATED ENGINE FAILURE CAN JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY OF DRIVERS.

NHTSA complaint #10184280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

I HAVE CONTACTED DAIMLERCHRYSLER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS BY EMAIL AND WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING A DEFECT IN THE LIFT PUMP OF THE 1998-2002 DODGE RAMS WITH THE 5.9 LITER CUMMINS 24 VALVE DIESELS. THE LIFT PUMPS EXPERIENCE PREMATURE FAILURE LEADING TO COSTLY REPAIR OF THE INJECTOR PUMP. BY CUMMINS OWN ADMISSION TO ME BY EMAIL ON JANUARY 9, 2007, DODGE HAS BEEN PROVIDED WITH A MORE RELIABLE REPLACEMENT LIFT PUMP TO BE INSTALLED IN THE GAS TANK IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN INDICATOR LIGHT THAT ILLUMINATES WHEN FUEL PRESSURE DROPS TO A LEVEL TO HARM THE INJECTOR PUMP. EVEN THOUGH DAIMLERCHRYSLER IS FULLY AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND THE REMEDY, THEY ARE REFUSING TO CONDUCT A RECALL ON THE VEHICLES AND HAVE REFUSED TO ANSWER MY LATEST CORRESPONDENCE ON JANUARY 17, 2007. THEY HAVE REFERRED ME TO MY LOCAL DEALER,WHICH I CONTACTED AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER.

NHTSA complaint #10182521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

ON MARCH 2003 WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED, AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, WHO REPLACED BOTH FUEL PUMPS AT MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE. ONE YEAR LATER VEHICLE HAS THE SAME SYMPTOM AS THE PREVIOUS YEAR. DEALERSHIP INDICATED AGAIN IT WAS THE INJECTOR FUEL PUMP, BUT WAS NOT ANY LONGER UNDER WARRANNTY. JUST THE PART WILL COST CONSUMER $1400 PLUS LABOR. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10092919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

THE LIFT PUMP THAT FEEDED THE INJECTOR PUMP FAILED, AND WAS COSTLY TO REPLACE IT. VEHICLE LOST POWER. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10092675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

OCTOBER 2003 LIFT PUMP FAILED LEFT STRANDED $1150.00 DEALER KEPT OLD PUMP FOR CORE. FEBRUARY 2004 INJECTOR PUMP FAILED ON INTERSTATE ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK. $1475.00 DEALER KEPT INJECTOR PUMP FOR CORE.

NHTSA complaint #10068248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

FAILED FUEL LIFT/TRANSFER PUMP ON 1998.5/1999 24 VALVE DODGE CUMMINS DIESEL CAUSING ENGINE TO REFUSE TO START AND DAMAGING FUEL INJECTION PUMP COSTING OVER $2,000.00 TO REPLACE NOT COUNTING THE INCONVIENENCE OF BEING STRANDED AWAY FROM HOME.

NHTSA complaint #10062594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CONSUMER SMELLED GAS. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND MECHANIC STATED THAT FUEL WAS SPRAYING OVER ENGINE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10054058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED THE SPEED EXCEEDED THE SPEED SET BY THE CONSUMER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS ALSO A RECALL ON THE FUEL TRANSFER PUMP. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT NOW A NEW PUMP IS NEEDED. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10046405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH VEHICLE SHUT DOWN FOR NO REASON, FORCING CONSUMER TO PULL OUT OF THE ROAD. DEALER STATED VEHICLE WAS RUNNING WITHOUT GAS DUE A FAULTY MEASURE GAUGE SENDING UNIT.

NHTSA complaint #10032013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY THIRD LIFT PUMP AND ALSO GOING ON MY THIRD INJECTION PUMP VP-44 IN MY 98.5 DODGE RAM CUMMINS... DODGE NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND OR HAVE CUMMINS ADDRESS IT THIS IS A BEYOND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10023567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

WHEN FILLING TANK UP AND RIDING GAS DOWN TO ABOUT 3/4 TANK. GAS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, AND THE GAS GUAGE NEEDLE WILL GO DOWN TO EMPTY. THIS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL TANK HAS BEEN COMPLETELY FILLED BACK UP. DEALER SAID FUEL SENSOR IN THE TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA complaint #893814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WHEN FILLING TANK UP AND RIDING GAS DOWN TO ABOUT 3/4 TANK. GAS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, AND THE GAS GUAGE NEEDLE WILL GO DOWN TO EMPTY. THIS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL TANK HAS BEEN COMPLETELY FILLED BACK UP. DEALER SAID FUEL SENSOR IN THE TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA complaint #893814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

FUEL SIGNAL MALFUNCTIONS. YH

NHTSA complaint #609948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

FUEL GAUGE SENSOR.

NHTSA complaint #609602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #607009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

DRIVING THE TRUCK DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND WAS GETTING OFF ON AN EXIT RAMP AND THE ENGINE DIED OUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP HAD BROKEN.

NHTSA complaint #827464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

HIGH PRESSURE INJECTION PUMP FAILED CAUSING TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE, LOSS OF CONTROL. QCAW

NHTSA complaint #538919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.