218 of the
8,415 complaints filed about the Dodge RAM 2500
are about the other systems —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2003.
My 2001 Dodge Ram Instrument Panel has cracked in three pieces causing the defroster & vents to stop working recently due to the moisture/UV Issue. I'm aware of this problem because I participated in the investigation as manager of validation and testing for the manufacturer, Textron Automotive. How can I get a replacement to correct this Safety issue...?
NHTSA complaint #11611795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500. In 2003, I noticed parts of the dash, starting to break apart. In 2004, I had a major head on collision, and the airbag, did NOT deploy. The damage was extensive, with bent frame. The damage was $17,000 in 2004. I was told by the Chrysler Dealership, that did the repairs, that they could not check the condition of the airbag wiring, because the dashboard was broken. I wonder how many others out there, that have the same issue, with the dashboard, and don't have a working airbag. The other issue I have, is the seatbelt tensioner, has caused the seatbelt, to get chewed up. The belt, is now, no more than an inch wide.
NHTSA complaint #11580749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The frame has rusted completely through on both driver and passenger sides. The integrity of the frame is severely compromised and may collapse at anytime. This type of failure could be absolutely catastrophic to everyone who may be involved. It has not been confirmed by a dealer, nor has it been inspected by any others yet. It but was inspected by a ASE-certified mechanic and confirmed. I am a disabled veteran, and I am not even sure how to move the truck with its condition for further inspection. The truck is currently available for inspection at my residence. I purchased the truck in July, 2019. I was unaware of the extent of the rust until this past year. I noticed a small hole in the frame, and currently, the frame looks to be missing 20% of its circumference.
NHTSA complaint #11526910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I know I am not the only one that thinks this is a bad problem, in fact I have not met a person that has owned this era of Dodge Ram that has their Dashboard and the whole parts inside can have been falling apart. Mine has fallen and hit my legs and or lap. Now I don’t mean the whole dash at one time but I have glued, taped and put a dash pad over top to try to keep things from falling into the vents and blower motor or anything that is behind and under the top. This is a definite safety problem cause I never know when this will happen and happening more often. I bought this truck with 11 miles on it from Logansport Indiana, September of 1999. I had been looking for a 2 wheel drive with a Cummins 5.9 Diesel and found it there in Logansport we lived in Lafayette Indiana and hoped we would be able to travel and see this beautiful country. My Wife’s family started having medical problems and after we did what we could for them, then my family needed help and none wanted nursing homes so we put aside our wishes and took care of them. They took care of us even so to many on both sides didn’t want to take care of us and some didn’t even want us, luckily we knew what that felt like so we didn’t turn our backs when we were needed, (Golden Rule) All that aside we wanted to be able to take the Airstream 2002 we got in 2020 still wanted to travel. We sold Florida home and made sure 2500 Ran was mechanical sound and power train was checked, oil, transmission fluid changed put helper bags on leaf springs and drove to Indiana, sold our home we had bought in 78 and sold that house and pulled the Airstream to Tucson Az to find our forever home and think we might have finally got one and put our dream of travel aside. I was diagnosed with Miligant Myloma in Florida Cancer Center and went through Radiation and Chemotherapy in Port Charlotte Florida before the trip and now just went through Radiation here at Banner University Cancer Center and go see my Cancer Doctor at VA here to see
NHTSA complaint #11516771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The dash has completely desegregated exposing all the wires, air conditioning unit, and airbag parts. This is a huge hazard because my headlight switch hangs with nothing to attach to. My airbags are completely visible and could explode at anytime. Everything that was in the dash heated seat, headlight, air system, radio, speedometer, and airbag controls are completely visible and all attachments are completely desegregated I do not know if this also caused the loose steering in my vehicle but I assume it did the steering wheel will turn about a quarter turn before it ever engages the wheels and when driving you must constantly move the wheel back and forth to keep the car in the road I feel as though this is a major issue that has not been recalled in the dodge rams all models of my year truck that has been reported several times and should be fixed there are plenty of these trucks on the road still and all have the same issues I cannot afford another vehicle and would like for mine to be recalled and fixed so I can drive it safely without worrying about the airbags deploying or the steering being so lose it causes me to have a accident. When the plastic degenerates it also leaves extremely sharp edges that will cut you extremely deep I have been cut several times getting things from the dash pad I have lid across it covering the gapping hole. thank you for your time and consideration . Side note I tried to upload pictures of the dash or what's left of it but it would not let me.
NHTSA complaint #11508106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I own a 2001 Dodge RAM 2500 and the truck’s dashboard is disintegrating. Pieces have fallen into my heating system, and I believe that is what’s causing my vacuum issue! It is winter time right now, and i was stranded in 10° weather for hours. I could not stay warm by running the trucks because of these pieces getting into the heating system. My girlfriend put her hand on the dash and it broke and she was cut. I would hate to think if that was one of my small grand children, climbing in and the dash breaking away and them getting injured! I own two other Dodge trucks And the dashboards are just as brittle! The dashboards could be manufactured better. I’ve never had dashboards crumble away like these have! People are getting hurt. Dodge is supposed to be a quality American vehicle! And yet they don’t seem to care that people are getting injured, heating systems aren’t working from pieces getting into the system. I have to drive with the heater fan on high, trying to stay warm during the winter months, and little pieces of plastic have come out of the vents. What if one of those pieces got into my eyes, and cause me to wreck, possibly injuring myself, or injuring others. some may think this is just a cosmetic issue, but it is not! These dashboards need to be a better quality! Sure, dashboards may crack when they’re older! But they shouldn’t crumble that way and sharp brittle pieces, causing injuries! Causing mechanical problems! It’s not right! I tried to upload a picture, but after five attempts of it, not uploading, I gave up
NHTSA complaint #11505721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The truck is currently at a service station as it developed a "death wobble" while driving down the freeway a shimmed so hard I couldn't control it but managed to get it to the side of the road and finally to a stop. I did not receive any type of warning. I am being told by the mechanic at the service station it is going to require a rebuild of the front suspension. After checking to see if this has been a recall issue, I found there had been 3 but I did not receive notification of this particular recall. Not sure if the age of the truck prevents me from going back to have Dodge resolve this issue. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
NHTSA complaint #11494135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. The Panic Alarm randomly goes off without be activated by anyone. Possibly a TIPM issue which couldn't be investigated because it randomly went away. Maybe it will go off in the middle of the night in my subdivision. Who knows it's unpredictable. 2. Right Turn Signal & Stop Light would not work on the trailer. I confirmed that it wasn't an issue with the trailer but it was a problem with the TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Output (not working). The TIPM has a LONG history of intermittent electrical failures. This is a Safety Issue and a vehicle investigation for ALL vehicles that have TIPMS. TIPMS have been known to cause random vehicle stall & other intermittent random electrical failures and shut downs since 2006 when they were first put in vehicles. A RECALL is long overdue because this is ONLY 1 example of a minor problem. I've only owned the vehicle for 1 week...what's next? TIPMS can cause the vehicle to act intermittently crazy. No warning lamps or fault messages.
NHTSA complaint #11468264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While wiping down the dashboard, I sliced my finger open on a piece of the dashboard which was sticking up. This dashboard is a brittle as a potato chip and had cracked but I didn't notice it since the crack was very near the windshield and the section that broke apart was at the defroster vent situated away from my viewpoint.
NHTSA complaint #11462403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The climate control will not change to defrost. It will only blow out the dash vents. My windshield foged up while driving 70mph and I could not see. Had to stop every few miles to use my t-shirt to clean it off. Very dangerous what if I was on a small country road, there is not much room for errors.
NHTSA complaint #11452599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Because the OE blend doors are defective, my defroster does not work. I have to constantly use a squeegee while driving to remove fog from the inside windshield, which is extremely unsafe. Occasionally the heater will kick in, and even though I live in Florida, it does get quite cold during the winter months.
NHTSA complaint #11440076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
They Did Not INCLUDE THE 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 Yet I have had the same experience several times.When travelling at highway speeds and hitting a bump or pot-hole in the road, the front end begins to shake violently and does not stop until the driver jams on the brakes and brings the truck back down to below highway speeds. Some people contribute this phenomenon to the worst possible downside of having a coil-sprung front suspension on a truck with a track bar. Unlike a typical suspension set up, Dodge Ram trucks will continue to shake long after hitting the bump to the point that controlling the vehicle is nearly impossible until the driver slows down. The current lawsuit alleges that Chrysler learned about the death wobble defect with Dodge Ram trucks in the mid-2000s but waited four years before conducting a series of recalls from 2009 through 2013. Chrysler classified the recalls as Safety Recalls, H36, H46, K28, L16, N62, N49, and N63. The recalls addressed various parts of 2009-2012 Dodge Ram trucks’ steering linkage system, including its tie rod assemblies. The complaint alleges that the recalls excluded many affected vehicles and that Chrysler provided replacement parts that were also defective, forcing Chrysler to make additional recalls to remedy prior recalls. Consumers have reported that Chrysler does not have enough replacement parts to repair all the vehicles for which it has submitted recall notices and that drivers have been put on long waiting lists for repairs. Chrysler’s steering linkage defect and redesign. Allegedly, the ball stud is defective in the Chrysler Suspension design. The driver’s side tie-rod ball stud that Chrysler used is too weak to and is known to fracture under normal driving conditions. The tie rod is a “crucial link” in the vehicle’s steering system. A loose tie rod can cause any vehicle to have an excess shimmy or the dreaded death wobble. The tie rod can affect front-end alignment. This happen several times in the last 15 years
NHTSA complaint #11421800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In 2006, I bought this truck new and for the 3rd time I am again putting it in for repairs for the same problem, a /c blend doors. I do not believe this is a safety issue, but has cost me an average of $1000.00 each time (x3). The last visit I had the cooling system replaced (2019) and here again the same problem has happened again. This first time I had the dealer fix it and I recall that visit cost me around $2500.00. I still like this vehicle and it runs fine with 124.000 plus miles. But, if I decide to get rid of it it will be because of this A/C problem and will have an impact on what to replace it with.
NHTSA complaint #11421148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALER FOR A RECALL NOTICE I RECEIVED, THE RECALL WAS FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO BE REPLACED. THE WORK WAS COMPLETED, I TOOK THE TRUCK HOME AND ASSUMED THINGS WERE FINE. IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR I WENT UNDER THE TRUCK TO SEE ABOUT A OIL LEAK I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH, I NOTICED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS DIRTY LOOKING AND HAD SCRATCHES ON IT. IT HAD A BROWNISH KIND OF LIGHT FILM ON IT. I DID NOT LOOK LIKE A NEW ONE. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP FOR THEIR OPINION. THEY COULDN'T BE SURE BUT THEY SAID IT LOOKS LIKE AN OLD ONE ALSO, THEY INSPECTED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND TOLD ME IT HAS RUST STAINS ON IT AND DOES NOT LOOK LIKE A NEW ONE. I AM IN NEED OF SOMEONE TO REFER ME TO AN EXPERT SO WE CAN DETERMINE IF WEATHER OR NOT THE DEALER ACTUALLY REPLACED THE THE PARTS OR NOT. CAN YOU HELP PLEASE.
NHTSA complaint #11397778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IT'S A RANDOM OCCURRENCE. WHILE I'M STARTING IT, I HAVE TO RESTOP WHEN I'M DRIVING NO WARNING, IT'S A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THAT ADDS A HUGE DANGER WHEN YOUR TRUCK DIES IN MOTION IT'S A BIG TRUCK IT'S A WORK TRUCK WHICH MAKES IT EVEN MORE HORRIFYING.!! PLEASE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY THIS IS A HUGE DANGER I CAN'T STRESS HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS AND I'M SURE ALL THE ALL OF THEM ARE
NHTSA complaint #11385056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE PEALING (DEFECTIVE) PAINT THAT DODGE REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT HAS NOW PEALED AROUND THE WINDSHIELD FRAME. THE WINDSHIELD IS STUCK TO THE PAINT, BUT SINCE THE PAINT HAS TURNED LOOSE FROM THE WINDSHIELD FRAME IT'S JUST SORT OF SITTING THERE. I GUESS THE GOOD NEWS IS NOW UPON IMPACT THE WINDSHIELD WILL QUICKLY EXIT THE VEHICLE ALLOWING THE SHARP PLASTIC SHARDS FROM THE BROKEN DASH TO ALSO LEAVE THE VEHICLE RATHER THAN IMPALING THE OCCUPANT'S. THIS JUST WEEKS AFTER HAVING TO WELD A BROKEN LOWER A FRAME BRACKET BACK IN PLACE, YET ANOTHER DEFECT IN THESE TRUCKS.
NHTSA complaint #11365274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING ON I405 IN WASHINGTON STATE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT...I PULLED OVER POPPED THE HOOD AND TOOK A QUICK LOOK.. I NOTICED FLAMES ON THE LOWER PORTION OF THE MOTOR ALMOST BEHIND THE FIREWALL...CALLED 911...
NHTSA complaint #11361537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FRAME ON MY TRUCK IS RUSTING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH OF ITS SELF, WHICH IS LEADING TO CRACK IN SPOTS. THE DATE PROVIDED BELOW IS AN ABOUT DATE. I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR TIRE WORK AND ASKED THE GUYS IF HE COULD LOOK OVER MY TRUCK TO SEE IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT I MIGHT HAVE MISSED, I DO IT QUARTERLY. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY FRAME WAS CRACKED AND ROTTING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH OF ITS SELF. I CAN'T FIND ANYONE THAT WILL FIX IT,
NHTSA complaint #11342892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.