1998 Dodge RAM equipment problems

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

MY HUSBAND ORDERED THIS TRUCK IN LATE 1997. WE PURCHASED IT NEW AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WE HAVE FACED IS THE TRANSMISSION. MID-APRIL 1998 THE FIRST PROBLEMS OCCURED WITH SLIPPAGE, THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES WERE REPLACED, ONE MONTH LATER THE TORQUE CONVERTER WENT AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. NOW AT 51,000 MILES AND VERY LITTLE DRIVING FOR THE LAST 2 YRS (SINCE MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN SICK WITH CANCER) IT HAS BLOWN AGAIN. THE FRONT SEALS ARE LEAKING PROFUSELY. THE REAR WINDOW WAS LEAKING SO BADLY AT ONE POINT THE ENTIRE CEILING INSIDE WAS SOADED. THE ABS COMPUTER WENT WACKY ON US EARLY ON ALSO. THE SEATBELT HAS BEEN TWISTED SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WE HAVE NOT SUCCESSFULLY FIXED IT. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WE PURCHASED HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. I WILL NOT LIKELY BUY ANOTHER DODGE EVER AGAIN. MERCEDES TAKES THE CAKE.

NHTSA complaint #10070595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRAILER HITCHES

THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET THE RECALL PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE TRAILER HITCHES. THE DEALER STATED THE TECHNICIAN WAS SICK AND THE PART WHICH WAS NEEDED WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TS

NHTSA complaint #10011443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRAILER HITCHES

PRIOR TO THE RECALL, THE TRAILER HITCH ATTACHMENT WAS CRACKED AND DETERIORATED, THE DEALER REPLACED TRAILER HITCH.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITION WAS NOT BLOWING COLD.

NHTSA complaint #8002718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

PRIOR TO THE RECALL, THE TRAILER HITCH ATTACHMENT WAS CRACKED AND DETERIORATED, THE DEALER REPLACED TRAILER HITCH.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITION WAS NOT BLOWING COLD.

NHTSA complaint #8002718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRAILER HITCHES

RECALL 00 V 105 000/TRAILER HITCH BRACKET: CONSUMER RECEIVED SECOND NOTICE CONCERNING RECALL. DEALER (BEAMAN DODGE, MURFREESBORO, TN; PHONE# 615/895-5092) REFUSED TO HONOR RECALLS UNTIL CONSUMER AGREED TO PAY COST OF REMOVING AND REPLACING DOUBLE EXHAUST TO COMPLETE RECALL REPAIRS. ASKING NHTSA TO ASSIST IN THIS MATTER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER .

NHTSA complaint #889930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRAILER HITCHES

THE TRAILER HITCH FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00V-107, THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM

NHTSA complaint #560497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRAILER HITCHES

THE TRAILER HITCH FAILED PER RECALL NOTICE 00V-107, THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A BRAND NEW REPLACEMENT BUT WAS DENIED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #559116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRAILER HITCHES

TRAILER HITCH IS CRACKING/COMING APART WITHOUT BEEN RUSTED. DEALER AGREED TO REPAIR VEHICLE, BUT THEY NEED TO ADOPT A SUPPORT ON BUMPER, AND NEED TO WORK THE PIPE. CONSUMER WILL BE CHARGED FOR IT.

NHTSA complaint #878054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

I BOUGHT THE DODGE JUNE 1998, FROM THE FIRST MONTH I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS.I HAD BOTH FRONT SIDE WINDOWS FALL DOWN, WIPER BLADE LINKAGE BREAKS, ENGINE SURGES, DOOR LIGHTS WON'T COME ON, THE AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER/MOTOR SHORTED OUT, AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS/TV/VCP/CD PLAYER WILL SHUT OFF AT TIMES. EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE INTERIOR EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN CORRECTED, THEY STILL SHORT OUT. THE PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL SHORTS HAS EXPANDED. ON THE WAY HOME FROM VACATION JUST OUTSIDE OF ST. LOUIS ON INTERSTATE 44, WE WERE PASSING A DIESEL TRUCK GOING ABOUT 70 MPH WITH ANOTHER DIESEL TRUCK FOLLOWING US WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. LUCKY FOR US THE TRUCK BEHIND US WAS PAYING ATTENTION. THE TRUCK CAME WITHIN INCHES OF HITTING US, IF IT DID MY WHOLE FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. MY SON MANAGED TO PULL THE VAN OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE HAD AAA TOW THE VAN TO A DODGE DEALER IN BOURBON, MO. THE NEXT DAY THE MACHANIC FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE ASD 20AMP FUSE BLEW, THE ASD FUSE IS LOCATED UDER THE HOOD IN THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER. THE ASD FUSE HANDLES ENGINE CONTROLS/FUEL PUMP. THE DEALERSHIP IN BURBON COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT HE DID GIVE US EXTRA FUSES TO GET US HOME. WE HAD TO STOP AT WALMARKS TO BUY EXTRA FUSES. ON THE WAY HOME THE ASD FUSE BLEW OUT 4 TIMES. WHEN WE GOT BACK HOME, I TOOK THE VAN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT FOR REPAIR, CUMBERLAND VALLEY MOTORS, THEY ANSWERED WITH THEIR STOCK QUOTE, UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AT THIS TIME. I DON'T KNOW IF THE ASD FUSE BLEW OUT DUE TO ENGINE HEAT, BAD WIRING, OR IF THE INTERIOR CONTROL PANEL WHICH HANDLES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS/TV/VCP HAS A SHORT IN IT. THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND IF I HAVE THIS PROBLEM, THEN THEIR MIGHT BE OTHER DODGE VANS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAPPENED ALREADY OR WILL HAPPEN?

NHTSA complaint #730790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

I BOUGHT THE DODGE JUNE 1998, FROM THE FIRST MONTH I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS.I HAD BOTH FRONT SIDE WINDOWS FALL DOWN, WIPER BLADE LINKAGE BREAKS, ENGINE SURGES, DOOR LIGHTS WON'T COME ON, THE AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER/MOTOR SHORTED OUT, AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS/TV/VCP/CD PLAYER WILL SHUT OFF AT TIMES. EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE INTERIOR EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN CORRECTED, THEY STILL SHORT OUT. THE PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL SHORTS HAS EXPANDED. ON THE WAY HOME FROM VACATION JUST OUTSIDE OF ST. LOUIS ON INTERSTATE 44, WE WERE PASSING A DIESEL TRUCK GOING ABOUT 70 MPH WITH ANOTHER DIESEL TRUCK FOLLOWING US WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. LUCKY FOR US THE TRUCK BEHIND US WAS PAYING ATTENTION. THE TRUCK CAME WITHIN INCHES OF HITTING US, IF IT DID MY WHOLE FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. MY SON MANAGED TO PULL THE VAN OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE HAD AAA TOW THE VAN TO A DODGE DEALER IN BOURBON, MO. THE NEXT DAY THE MACHANIC FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE ASD 20AMP FUSE BLEW, THE ASD FUSE IS LOCATED UDER THE HOOD IN THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER. THE ASD FUSE HANDLES ENGINE CONTROLS/FUEL PUMP. THE DEALERSHIP IN BURBON COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT HE DID GIVE US EXTRA FUSES TO GET US HOME. WE HAD TO STOP AT WALMARKS TO BUY EXTRA FUSES. ON THE WAY HOME THE ASD FUSE BLEW OUT 4 TIMES. WHEN WE GOT BACK HOME, I TOOK THE VAN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT FOR REPAIR, CUMBERLAND VALLEY MOTORS, THEY ANSWERED WITH THEIR STOCK QUOTE, UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AT THIS TIME. I DON'T KNOW IF THE ASD FUSE BLEW OUT DUE TO ENGINE HEAT, BAD WIRING, OR IF THE INTERIOR CONTROL PANEL WHICH HANDLES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS/TV/VCP HAS A SHORT IN IT. THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND IF I HAVE THIS PROBLEM, THEN THEIR MIGHT BE OTHER DODGE VANS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAPPENED ALREADY OR WILL HAPPEN?

NHTSA complaint #730790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRAILER HITCHES

TRAILER HITCH WAS CRACKED AND HAD TO BE WELDED BACK TOGETHER. THEIR IS A CURRENT RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #865951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRAILER HITCHES

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO HAVE RECALL 00V-107 OF THE TRAILER BRACKETS REPAIR/REPLACED BUT THE DEALER HAD NOT PARTS AVAILABLE. NLM

NHTSA complaint #552444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRAILER HITCHES

THE TRAILER HITCH IS TEARING AWAY FROM UNDER THE TRUCK. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA complaint #862432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRAILER HITCHES

MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 872 SOLUTION FOR TRAILER HITCH WAS UNACCEPTABLE.

NHTSA complaint #861792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRAILER HITCHES

CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY DEALER'S SERVICE ADVISOR THAT SHE WILL BE CHARGED TO PERFORM RECALL 00V107000 REPAIRS/ OTHER PIECES: TRAILER, HITCHES AND ATTACHMENTS. CONSUMER DID NOT RECEIVE AN EXPLAINATION OR REASON WHY SHE IS BEING CHARGED FOR RECALL REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #861511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRAILER HITCHES

THE TRAILER HITCH BALL WAS NOT THE CORRECT SIZE FOR THE NEW TRAILER, RESULTING IN THE TRAILER DETACHING AND CHAINS BREAKING, TRAILER CAME OFF AND WENT INTO DITCH (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS

NHTSA complaint #551720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

RADIO IS NOT WORKING. YH

NHTSA complaint #606338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS LATE ON CERTAIN OCCASIONS JUMPING INTO GEAR, DIAGNOSTICS' WERE PERFORMED BY DEALERSHIP RESULTING IN A NEGATIVE RESULT, THE TRUCK STILL PERSIST'S WITH THE PROBLEM USUALLY AT SPEEDS' 35 MPH AND UNDER. THE TRUCK HAS PULLED RIGHT UPON DELIVERY, DEALERSHIP REPLACED CALIPERS STATING THAT THE O.E.M. CALIPERS WERE SEIZED FROM FACTORY, THREE DAYS LATER THE PROBLEM WAS BACK, DEALERSHIP PERFORMED ALIGNMENT, PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED AND CONTINUES TO DO SO. THE REASON I PUT POWER STEERING DOWN UNDER THE COMMENTS SECTION IS BECAUSE OF MY BELIEF THAT THE PROBLEM RESIDES IN THE STEERING GEAR-BOX, WHICH HAS NOT BEEN CHECKED. THE BACK-UP LIGHTS DID NOT WORK UPON DELIVERY BUT WERE FIXED IMMEDIATELY AND HAVE BEEN FINE EVER-SINCE. THE DRVER-SIDE WINDOW MOLDING LEAKS AND ON CERTAIN DAYS CAUSES FOGGING OF THE WINDOW RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VISION AND AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. O.E.M. JACKSTAND IS ALSO TO SHORT TO REPLACE TIRE ON INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION.

NHTSA complaint #705725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

A/C PERFORMANCE MARGINAL SINCE NEW. EXTREMELY POOR COOLING AT IDLE AND LOW ENGINE SPEED. DEALER REPLACED EVAPORATOR & CONDENSOR EVIDENTLY DUE TO REFRIGERANT LEAKS. ALSO REPLACED FAN CLUTCH PERFORMANCE SLIGHTLY IMPROVED BUT STILL RELATIVELY POOR.

NHTSA complaint #540217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.