Dodge RAM VAN body problems

STRUCTURE:BODY

HVAC DRIPPING INTO RIGHT FRAME HORN CAUSING SEVERE RUST AFFECTING STEERING LINKAGE, AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. NO APPROPRIATE DRAIN TUBE TO ROUTE MOISTURE AWAY FROM FRAME WAS INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. VERY DANGEROUS!

NHTSA complaint #11220303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE FRAME HORNS {LEFT AND RIGHT} DEVELOPED CRACKS ON ALL FOUR SIDES AHEAD OF THE FRONT WHEELS LEADING TO THE DETACHMENT OF THE STEERING ARM AND STABILIZER BAR RESULTING IN LITTLE TO NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE DETACHMENT IS NOT FULLY COMPLETE IT ONLY THROUGH THE EXTREMELY WEAKENED CONNECTIONS THAT REMAIN THAT AN ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A STOP AS SOON THE LOSS OF CONTROL WAS EXPERIENCED AND HAS BEEN PARKED SINCE. IT IS CANNOT BE OPERATED SAFELY IN THE THIS CONDITION. THE FAILED FRAME IS THE SOURCE OF THE DRIVEABILITY AND SAFETY ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON A 4 LANE DIVIDED ROAD WHEN THE LOSS OF CONTROL MANIFESTED.

NHTSA complaint #11192029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

URGENT SAFETY ISSUE: DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD VEHICLE LOSES COMPLETE STEER ABILITY!!! HAD TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND FOUND FRAME RUSTED THROUGH (DUE TO FACTORY ROUTING OF A/C WATER DRAINAGE) AND CAUSED STEERING MECHANISM TO SEPARATE WHERE THE STEERING CONNECTION IS!!! DEALERSHIP IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING A RECALL NOR RESOLUTION AND BASED ON THE NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES STILL ON THE ROAD (NOW PRIMARILY AS LOW BUDGET WORK VANS) I FULLY EXPECT TO SEE INJURY AND DEATHS IF THIS IS NOT ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY!!! I HAVE DONE ALL I KNOW TO DO (INCLUDING SEARCHING THE WEB WHERE I SEE MULTIPLE ALERTS TO SIMILAR INCIDENTS) SO ANY INJURY OR DEATH DUE TO FURTHER INACTION IS ON THE CONSCIOUS OF THE RECIPIENT OF THIS URGENT WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!

NHTSA complaint #11005087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

IN JULY OF 2015, THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE STEERING ARM TO THE FRAME, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED AS I WAS MAKING A TURN. THIS I HAD REPAIRED (WELDED) SHORTLY AFTERWARD. THE FRAME WAS DISINTEGRATING FROM UNDERNEATH ME. ON 09/02/2016 THE FRAME TOTALLY SEPARATED WHERE THE STEERING CONNECTS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. I FIND THE METAL THAT WAS USED FOR THE FRAME THIN, CHEAP, UNTREATED, AND UNSAFE! 12 YEARS IS MUCH TO SHORT OF TIME FOR A VEHICLE TO BE RETIRED BY A RUSTED FRAME! CHRYSLER HAS A DOCUMENTED COMPLAINT FROM ME ABOUT THIS AND OF COURSE THEY'RE DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA complaint #10918694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, FRAME AROUND STEERING COMPONENTS VERY RUSTY

NHTSA complaint #10851779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

TOOK VAN IN FOR INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME HAD RUST ISSUES. WAS TOLD THE FRONT FRAME WAS SO BAD I SHOULD JUST PARK IT AS THAT ANYTHING FROM THE RADIATOR TO THE ENGINE COULD JUST FALL OUT WITH ONE GOOD JOLT. DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AS WITH THE TOYOTA TRUCKS. THE BODY SHOP I TOOK IT TO SAID HE HAD 13 OF THEM THIS YEAR ALONE. I CRAWLED UNDER THERE AND THERE ARE LARGE AREAS OF FRAME THAT HAS JUST DISAPPEARED. EITHER POOR QUALITY STEEL OR IMPROPER RUST PREVENTION AT MANUFACTURE POINT COULD CAUSE THIS MUCH DAMAGE. COMPANY SHOULD BE MADE TO STEP UP AND REPLACE THE FRAMES.

NHTSA complaint #10682494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

ON 8/8/14, A LOUD BANGING SOUND OCCURRED WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AND RAILROAD TRACKS WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. AT THAT TIME, STOPPED DRIVING VAN UNTIL WERE ABLE TO TAKE IT TO BETTENHAUSEN CHRYSLER JEEP IN TINLEY PARK, IL. ON 8/14/14. ON THE SAME DATE, WE WERE INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE AREA AROUND THE SWAY BAR IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. THE OTHER AREAS OF THE FRAME SHOW RUST AND CORROSION WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE STEERING MECHANISM TO FAIL MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE PROPER PROCEDURES WERE FOLLOWED TO DETERMINE IF CHRYSLER WOULD WARRANTY THE REPAIR OF THIS VEHICLE SINCE THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH SOME OF THEIR OTHER VEHICLES. VAN WAS TRANSPORTED TO RIVERDALE BODY SHOP, TINLEY PARK, ILLINOIS, TO DETERMINE THE COST OF REPAIRS. CHRYSLER WAS CONTACTED. ON 8/27/14 WERE INFORMED CHRYSLER WOULD NOT WARRANTY THIS VEHICLE. A TELEPHONE CALL WAS MADE TO THEIR CUSTOMER CARE CENTER WHEREIN A CASE WAS PRESENTED TO GET THEM TO WARRANTY THE WORK. A LETTER WAS ALSO SENT OUT TO DIFFERENT CHRYSLER PEOPLE ON THIS SAME DATE.

NHTSA complaint #10629261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

SEVERE RUSTING IN UNIBODY CONSTRUCTION. HAS RUSTED SO SEVERELY VAN IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. VEHICLE HAS 133513 MILES ON IT. RUST ON UNDER CARRIAGE IS EXTREMELY EXCESSIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10598603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

WHILE COMING BACK FROM SOME ERRANDS AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY I HEARD A BIG SNAP ON MY FRONT END AND BANG AND SCRAPPING ON PAVEMENT AS SOON AS I STOPPED TO LOOK THE WHOLE PIECE OF THE STABILIZER BAR FELL OFF THE FRONT END CHASSIS AND AS I LOOKED ON FRONT END I NOTICED HEAVY CORROSION ON DRIVERS SIDE WHERE STEERING BOX IS LOCATED AS OF NOW VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE ANY WHERE THERE IS HEAVY CORROSION THIS VEHICLE"S FRONT END. I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM TOWN AND COUNTRY USED AUTO DEALER IN ABINGTON MASSACHUSETTS I NEED VAN BECAUSE IT IS HANDICAP EDITION I HAVE A HANDICAP SON WHO IS WHEEL CHAIR BOND AND NOW STUCK WITH A CORROSION PROBLEM ON THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE NEED PICTURES OR VIDEO I WILL SEND TO YOU THANK YOU

NHTSA complaint #10587431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

WHILE DRIVING THE VAN THE STEERING BECAME UNCERTAIN, THE VAN WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE WHEEL. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE FRAME IN FRONT OF THE FRONT WHEELS HAD RUSTED AWAY LEAVING NOTHING FOR THE STEERING BOX TO ATTACH TO AND ALLOWING IT TO TURN WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE REMAINED FIXED. THIS PREVENTED THE WHEELS FROM STEERING. I ALSO HAD A BRACKET WHICH WAS PART OF THE STEERING GEAR RUST SO THAT IT BROKE OFF THE FRAME EARLIER. THE CORRESPONDING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DISTURBING AND I AM THANKFUL THAT NO INJURY OR ACCIDENT RESULTED. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES WITH RUST PROBLEMS WHICH AFFECTED THE APPEARANCE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT NOT THE SAFETY IN A CATASTROPHIC MANNER. THIS VAN IS NO LONGER ABLE TO BE DRIVEN EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH EVERY OTHER PART OF THE CAR. LOOKING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME SITUATION. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE WARNED BEFORE A TRAGEDY OCCURS.

NHTSA complaint #10585166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE FRONT FRAMES ROT OUT ON STEERING SIDE AND IT ISN'T 1 OF THEM IT IS ALMOST ALL OF THEM. TOYOTA RECALLED TACOMAS FOR THIS AND I WANT MY FRAME FIXED OR REPLACED. THIS HAPPENS EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLES. THEY HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN AWAY WITH IT . BUT THESE ARE STILL ON THE ROAD AND COULD KILL PEOPLE .THEY NEED TO BUY THE ONES THAT ARE STILL ON THE ROAD OR TRADE FOR SAFE VANS OR TRUCKS. THE SERVICE LIFE OF THESE WERE CUT SHORT AND ALMOST EVERY JUNKYARD HAS THESE AND THEY ALL LOOK GOOD BUT THEY AREN'T SAFE. THEY NEED TO CLEAN UP THEIR MESS AND TAKE THEM BACK TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AS THEY CANT BE REPAIRED .I THINK THE DRAIN HOLES IN THE FRAMES WERE IN THE WRONG PLACE OR NOT THERE AT ALL.

NHTSA complaint #10542538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

WHILE DRIVING VAN, HEARD A LOUD BANG IN FRONT END. NOTICED THAT FRONT SWAY BAR BRACKETS BROKE OFF FRAME DO TO FRAME ROT. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, UPPER A FRAME BRACKETS ARE SEPARATING FROM FRAME MOUNTS DUE TO FRAME ROT. ALSO, FRAME CONNECTING FRONT BUMPER AND RADIATOR SO RUSTED THAT I CAN PUSH A SCREWDRIVER THROUGH FRAME.

NHTSA complaint #10538372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

SOME DODGE RAM VANS HAVE A LATENT DEFECT IN THE FRAME THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, THERE IS NO RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE INTERNET IS LITTERED WITH COMPLAINTS, INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE FRAME IN ONE SPOT. I BELIEVE THAT THE AC RUNOFF IS VENTED DIRECTLY INTO THE FRAME WHICH, OVER TIME RESULTS IN THE EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE FRAME AT THE POINT WHERE THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING ARE LOCATED - THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO EASY WAY TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM SHORT OF REPLACING THE WHOLE FRAME. DODGE DENIES THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM AND BLAMES THIS DEFECT ON ROAD SALT AND CONDITIONS. THIS WOULD BE A VALID ASSERTION IF THE REST OF THE VEHICLE HAD ROT PROBLEMS ELSEWHERE ON THE VEHICLE. INCLUDING THE MUCH MORE VOLATILE BODY PARTS, WHICH ARE IN SOME CASES, STILL SOLID AND IN GOOD CONDITION. THIS PROBLEM IS PREVALENT IN SEVERAL YEARS OF THIS MODEL TRUCK. THIS PROBLEM IS EASY TO CHECK FOR AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY DODGE SIMPLY BECAUSE THE VANS ARE GETTING OLDER AND THIS PROBLEM WILL BE OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #10525871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM B1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED HOLES IN THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA complaint #10513825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I BOUGHT A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500 VAN WITH APPROXIMATELY 88,000. AFTER DRIVING ON SEVERAL TRIPS WE TOOK IT TO THE SHOP BECAUSE THE STEERING WAS LOOSE AND WOULD OCCASIONALLY MAKE NOISE. THE FIRST MECHANIC WE TALKED TO SAID THE FRONT OF THE FRAME IS ALMOST 80% RUSTED THROUGH ON ONE SIDE AND WHERE THE STEERING BOX WAS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME WAS RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT HE THOUGHT IT WAS UNREPAIRABLE AND HE WAS CONCERNED WITH US EVEN DRIVING IT HOME. WE CONTACTED A SECOND BUSINESS THAT DEALS WITH FRAME ISSUES AMONG OTHER THINGS. THEY WERE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN MORE THAN A FEW MILES. HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH METAL TO WELD TO MAKE IT SAFE AND THE ONLY WAY HE SAW TO FIX IT WAS TO GET ANOTHER FRAME AND BASICALLY REMOVE THE FRAME FROM MY VEHICLE AND ATTACH THE NEW FRAME BUT HE THOUGHT THAT WE WOULD HAVE PROBLEMS FINDING A FRAME THAT WASN'T RUSTED AND IT WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR EVEN IF THEY DID. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS PROBLEM IT APPEARS THAT THE FRAME RUSTING IS COMMON. WE PURCHASE THE VEHICLE FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER THAT HAS ALWAYS LIVED IN MISSOURI AND HE RECEIVED FREE OIL CHANGES FOR AS LONG AS HE OWNED THE VEHICLE FROM ROYAL GATE DODGE. I RECENTLY CALLED THE PAST OWNER ABOUT THE VEHICLE WHEN WE FOUND OUT IT WAS UNSAFE AND HE SAID THEY NEVER EVEN MENTIONED IT. I BELIEVE THAT DODGE KNEW OF THE PROBLEM AND THE DANGEROUS FRAME BUT HAVE YET TO DO ANYTHING. PLEASE HELP ME WITH BOTH MY VEHICLE ISSUE AND MAKE SURE THEY ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX, COMPENSATE OR WHATEVER TO GET THESE DANGEROUS VEHICLES OFF THE STREET.

NHTSA complaint #10489551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE B-VAN STATION WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND HAD BEEN EATEN AWAY BY CORROSION. IN ADDITION THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL A FULL 360 DEGREES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN COLLAPSED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,000.

NHTSA complaint #10467615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO SEVERE FRAME ROT, WHICH LED TO THE DETACHMENT OF THE STEERING MOUNTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED AT A SLOW SPEED, AT THAT POINT HAD TO BE TOWED. HAD JUST EXITED HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH. I INFORMED DODGE OF THIS PROBLEM APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO, BASICALLY THEY DON'T CARE. VEHICLE IS ONLY 8 YEARS OLD. IF IT IS HAPPENING TO MY VAN IT IS HAPPENING TO ALL VANS. ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN QUICKLY IN ORDER TO SAVE LIVES.

NHTSA complaint #10397262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE RAM VAN. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT FELT A HARD VIBRATION AND HEARD A LOUD BANG. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE TO LOCATE THE ORIGIN OF THE SOUND, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. HE RE-ENTERED THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE TO PARK WHEN ANOTHER LOUD SOUND OCCURRED. THE STEERING DID NOT RESPOND. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND LOCATED A FAILURE WITH THE STEERING CONTROL ARM AND ITS COMPONENTS. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. HE CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE BODY SHOP WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LIABILITY. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT THEY MAY BE ABLE TO LOCATE A COLLISION REPAIR SHOP TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WORK. THE CONTACT HAS NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE A SHOP TO PERFORM THE NEEDED REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

NHTSA complaint #10230374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

FRAME FAILURE. RUSTED HOLES IN FRAME. FRONT SUSPENSION NOT SECURE. UNSAFE TO DRIVE. HOLE SIZE OF FIST. HOLES COVERED BY RUBBER TYPE FLAP THAT PREVENTS SPLASHING.

NHTSA complaint #10174038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.