2003 DODGE RAM 1500 Suspension Problems

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the steering wheel and the front wheels were uncontrollable. While driving from Georgia to Memphis, there was an unknown object loose by the wheel. The ball joint suspension was replaced by an independent mechanic. The low tire pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact was unable to control the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to an unstated location. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

Mileage: 180,000

Rear fenders are rusted such that wiring harness falls off from underside if fenders and rubs on tires. Middle of frame rusted through on right and left side and dealer's floor lift went about half-way through both sides when the technician. tried to raise truck to check wiring under truck. The lift only crunched about halfway through near the middle of the frame. That was the point when the technician noticed the truck was lifting unevenly and making a crunching sound when he started trying to lift it. He left the truck as it was - with two wheels on the floor and two wheels about an inch off the floor He hollered for th shop supervisor to look at, who came and got me in the waiting room to show me what happened. The dealership could not repair the frame, but said there was a welding shop a couple of miles away down a back road in Zachow, WI where I could safely drive to if I went really slow. I don't know when the frame started rusting or the date the dealer's hydraulic lift broke through the frame. The truck's rear fenders were starting to significantly rust when it was about 3-4 years old. It was purchased new. I don't know how badly the frame had rusted at that time. I'm fairly certain the truck had less that 100,000 miles on it when the dealer found that the frame was rusted through. It's 22 years old now and was bought new in 2003. It has 147,000 miles on it today. Assuming that the miles/year were roughly the same at 6,682, and the tail lights started acting "funny" (the reason we brought the truck to the dealership),happened the year after we bought our new 2013 Lund boat (2014), that would put the mileage on the truck at 73,502. This type of dangerous deterioration should not happen with a low-mileage vehicle like ours.

Frame damage where steering box separates

THE STEERING IS VERY LOOSE, WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP THE VEHICLE IS PULLED INTO ANOTHER DIRECTION AND YOU TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE 4X4 WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY, SO THE TRANSFER CASE WAS REPLACED. UPON REPLACING TRANSFER CASE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOCKED UP AND THE REAR WHEELS WON'T MOVE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. ALL OF THESE ISSUES ARE COMMON AMONG DODGE RAM 1500S OF THIS YEAR( 2003) THESE ISSUES SHOULD BE RECALLED!

Mileage: 160,000

MY TRUCK HAS HAD THE DEATH WOBBLE FROM DAY 1. COUNTLESS TRIPS TO FIX WHAT I NOW KNOW HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE. THE TRUCKS FRONT END GOES INTO MASSIVE SHAKING OUT OF THE BLUE

THE REAR END ON MY RAM 1500 HEMI 1500 GEAR IS MAKING A HUMMING SOUND CONSTANTLY, IT NEVER STOPS. I CALLED THE DEALER THEY NO LONGER HAVE THE PART AND I CAN'T FIND ONE, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ONE. PLEASE HELP!!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK ABNORMALLY AND A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL HUBS BECAME DETACHED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR GLASS SHATTERED AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A MINOR REAR END COLLISION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.

Mileage: 145,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE AN CLICKING NOISE AND THE REAR END SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PINION NUT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V796000 (POWER TRAIN), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PINION RING, CUP DIFFERENTIAL, AND SEVERAL OTHER COMPONENTS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE PINION NUT DETACHED AND CAUSED THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND GOT STUCK IN MUD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE CONTACT'S FAMILY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RUST WAS DISCOVERED ON THE TORSION BAR MOUNT UP TO THE FRONT OF THE LEAF SPRING MOUNT. IN ADDITION, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS MOUNTED ON JACK STANDS, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

Mileage: 81,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON DECELERATION THE GEAR SHIFT SHOOK RAPIDLY. WHILE PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE DRIVESHAFT FELL AND THE REAR DRIVESHAFT AXLE LIFTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE WHERE HE DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVESHAFT AXLE FAILED DUE TO A LOOSE REAR AXLE PINION NUT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, BLACK SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES, CALIPERS, AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HUB BEARING, WHEEL HUB, AXLE SHAFT ASSEMBLY, AND DRIVESHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. LASTLY, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED TO OPERATE. THE HEAD LAMP WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 201,281. UPDATED 06/29/16*LJ *TR

Mileage: 201,281

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND IT STOPPED ABRUPTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE PINION NUT LOOSENED AND CAUSED THE DRIVESHAFT TO FRACTURE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

Mileage: 175,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE WHEEL BEARING DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE. ON SEPT 14, 2015 I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG. MY TRUCK STOP MOVING CAUSING ME TO APPLY THE BRAKE. WHEN I TRIED TO PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THERE WAS A PERSON WALKING IN THE PARKING LOT AND INFORMED ME THAT MY REAR END WAS LEAKING FLUID. I WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE SO I WAS ABLE TO COAST IN A PARKING SPACE AND APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK I SEEN THE FLUID POURING OUT. AT THIS TIME I CALLED AAA AND HAD A TOW TRUCK SENT TO THIS AREA. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED THE DRIVER WAS LOADING THE TRUCK ONTO THE FLAT BED AND THAT'S WHEN MYSELF AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SEEN A SILVER DOLLAR SIZE HOLE ON THE FRONT SIDE OF THE PUMPKIN JUST BELOW THE DRIVE SHAFT. I CONTACTED MY MECHANIC AND TOLD HIM ABOUT THIS INCIDENT AND LET HIM KNOW I WOULD BE SENDING THE TRUCK TO HIM FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. MY MECHANIC CONTACTED ME ON SEPT 15, 2015 AND INFORMED ME THAT THE PINION SHAFT SNAPPED OFF THE GEAR AND THE HOLE I SEEN WAS THE SHAFT TRYING TO COME THROUGH THE HOUSING. MY MECHANIC STATED IN HIS PROFESSIONAL OPINION THIS WAS A FACTORY DEFECT THE WAY THIS SHAFT SNAPPED OFF CLEAN. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS (KILLED). I WAS ONLY DRIVING ABOUT 7MPH THROUGH THE PARKING LOT., HAD I BEEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS COULD HAVE ENDED FATAL FOR ME OR ANYONE TRAVELING NEXT TOO ME. BEING THAT THIS SHAFT WAS ABLE TO DO THIS KIND OF DAMAGE TO A STEEL HOUSING MOVING AT THIS LOW RATE OF SPEED.

Mileage: 120,119

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR TIRES SEIZED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

Mileage: 190,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, ABNORMAL NOISES WERE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE REAR PINION BOLT VIBRATING OFF THE REAR AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. MA 10/23/15 UPDATED 12/8/2017*CN

Mileage: 140,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REAR PINION NUT LOOSENED AND DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

Mileage: 106,000

THE REAR END GRINDS AND HAS BEEN FOR MANY YEARS OR IS GRINDING LITTLE METAL PIECES OFF TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ANY LONGER UNTIL REAR END GETS REPLACED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I FELT MY ENTIRE TRUCK SHUDDER. PULLED OVER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND SAW DRIVESHAFT LAYING ON THE GROUND. HAD TRUCK TOWED BACK TO MY RESIDENCE, WHERE I INSPECTED THREAT END AND SAW THAT THE PINION BUT HAD BACKED OFF AND CAUSE DRIVESHAFT TO COME UNDONE FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL MY ENTIRE REAR END IS LOCKED UP AND NEEDS TO BE REBUILT. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL FOR 2004 AND 2005 FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. HOWEVER THE RECALL STATES THIS COULD HAPPEN. UNFORTUNATELY IT DID HAPPEN TO ME AND CURRENTLY MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE LIST. 2003 RAM 1500 HAS 9.25 REAR END, SAME AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY CHRYSLER THAT I SHOULD GET VEHICLE REPAIRED AND HOLD ONTO RECEIPT IN CASE A RECALL ARISES WITH MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER THIS DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT SINCE IT'S ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME TRUCK WITH SAME EQUIPMENT AND THIS EQUIPMENT FAILURE ISN'T A POTENTIAL ISSUE, IT'S ALREADY RUINED MY REAR END THAT I NOW HAVE TO PAY MYSELF DUE TO FAULTY EQUIPMENT, RECALL THAT SHOULD COVER MY VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 126,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE REAR WHEELS SUDDENLY SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVESHAFT AXLE FAILED DUE TO A LOOSE REAR AXLE PINION NUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 259,000.

Mileage: 259,000

PULLING BOAT AND REAR END BROKE LEAVING ME WITH NO STEERING. THE TRAILOR JACKKNIFED AND THE BOAT ENDED UP NEXT TO THE TRUCK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD, CONTINUAL NOISE FROM THE REAR AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

THE DASH STARTED TO CRACK ON MY 2003 RAM 1500 PICKUP, THE CRACKS JUST GET WORSE,AND A PIEACE FLEW OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AND HIT ME IN THE EYE, ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY TRUCK, DODGE NEEDS TO RECALL AND FIX THESE DASHBOARDS BEFORE SOME ONE IS HURT OR KILLED, AFRAID TO LET ANY ONE RIDE IN THE FRONT SEAT. *TR

Mileage: 3,000

PASSENGER SIDE STEERING SUSPENSION BRACKET BROKE AWAY FROM RUSTED OUT FRAME, ON MY HANDICAPPED VAN. DRIVERS SIDE BADLY CRACKED, ABOUT TO BREAK. WE WERE LUCKY IT WAS NOT A FATAL ACCIDENT. CHRYSLER CORP. REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE IT BECOMES A FATAL ACCIDENT. I HAVE A NOTE FROM MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER, THAT I CAN FORWARD INSURANCE DOES NOT COVER. *TR

Mileage: 77,575

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 CLUB CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THERE WAS A ROARING NOISE COMING FROM THE TIRES AND THE REAR TIRES FAILED TO MOVE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, WHO STATED A PIN IN THE REAR AXLE HAD FRACTURED. THE REAR AXLE WAS REBUILT AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACT NOTICED GROWLING NOISES COMING FROM THE REAR AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE, HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 240,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A SLIGHT GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE REAR BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED A MUCH LOUDER GRINDING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE TIRE AND THE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO A DITCH. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE DRIVER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HUB WAS FRACTURED, CAUSING THE TIRE TO DETACH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD ON THE VEHICLE WAS CRACKED OPEN. THE CONTACT STATED THE GAUGES ARE CURRENTLY WORKING, BUT THE DASHBOARD AND INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS BROKEN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHICH WAS WEARING OUT THE GEAR, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE CAUSE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

Mileage: 61,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON A GRAVEL ROAD THE REAR SUSPENSION BOUNCED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH IN AN EMBANKMENT AND ROLL OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE TWO OTHER OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE WHO WERE BRUISED AND SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES. EVERYONE IN THE VEHICLE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER HAD AN ADJUSTER INSPECT THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ADVISE HIM OF THE RESULTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,004. UPDATED 06/16/11*LJ UPDATED 06/24/11

Mileage: 58,004

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED HE PURCHASED A SET OF GABRIEL ULTRA SHOCKS, MODEL NUMBER 1290-0875-40, THAT WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A ROAD BUMP AND THE SHOCK BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLTS NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED YET THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE AUTO PARTS RETAILER IN WHICH HE PURCHASED THE SHOCKS WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE INCORRECT BOLTS WERE PLACED IN THE BOX HE PURCHASED. THE CONTACT STATED THE LAST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, TIRES AND STABILIZER LINK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/15/11*LJ UPDATED 08/17/11

Mileage: 95,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, HE NOTICED THAT THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE WHEEL BEARING. THE TECHNICIAN ADDED THAT IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $3,000 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 69,000.

Mileage: 69,000

I HAVE A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 THAT HAS SEVERAL PROBLEMS SINCE I GOT IT. THE MOST RECENT IS WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. IT ONLY HAS 33,000 MILES ON. I HAD TO SEARCH FOR A TO FIND A REPLACEMENT. EVERYBODY KEPT TELLING ME THEY WERE OUT DO TO THE MANY OTHER FAILURES WITH THIS COMPONENT. LUCKILY I WASN'T GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT A HIGHER SPEED WHEN THE WHEEL STOPPED TURNING, COULD OF BEEN A WHOLE LOT WORSE. TRUCK WAS DOWN FOR ALMOST A WEEK BECAUSE OF THE BACKORDER ON THIS PART. *TR

Mileage: 33,000

BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ON MY 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 FAILED AT 59,000 MILES. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER AND CHRYSLER THAT THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER WHEEL BEARINGS / HUB ASSEMBLIES. THE 2006 VERSION OF THIS VEHICLE HAS A NATIONAL RECALL ON THE SAME ASSEMBLY / PART DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION. I WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE PARTS ARE ON NATIONAL BACKORDER DUE TO THE NUMBER OF FAILURES. *NM

Mileage: 59,024

ON FRIDAY THE 9TH OF FEBRUARY 2007 I NOTICED A LOUD SCRUBBING SOUND WHEN I MOVED MY STEERING WHEEL ANY. A WEEK PRIOR WE HAD NOTICED A LITTLE SQUEAK COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT END SO WHEN I HEARD THE SCRUBBING NOISE ALSO I CALLED THE LOCAL DODGE SERVICE CENTER. ON THURSDAY FEB. 15TH 2007 I TOOK IT IN TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS THINKING MAYBE POWER STEERING PUMP OR SOMETHING SIMPLE. LOWER BALL JOINT BOOTS BUSTED AT 61K ON MY 2003 RAM 1500 4X4 QC. LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINTS AND ASSEMBLIES NEED TO BE REPLACED. MY TRUCK IS IN PRISTINE CONDITION OTHERWISE, THIS CAME AS QUITE A SHOCK AND WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. PRICE TO FIX? $1,600.00. I WAS TOLD THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THE DODGE DURANGO AND JEEP LIBERTY HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR AND THAT QUITE A FEW RAM 1500'S ARE COMING IN TO DEALERS, SO MUCH SO THAT THE PARTS TO FIX THIS ARE ON BACK ORDER. I NOW KNOW THIS IS THE REASON WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME UNEVEN TIRE WEAR IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS ONCE IT FAILS THE FRONT END WILL FALL APART. I WOULD LIKE TO DOCUMENT THIS IN THE PROPER PLACE SO THAT RESTITUTION CAN POSSIBLY BE MADE TO US CONSUMERS IN THE NEAR FUTURE. AUTOMOBILE COMPANIES SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO MANUFACTURE AND SELL BALL JOINTS AS "SEALED" THERE IS NO WAY TO MAINTAIN THEM AND ONCE THE BOOTS BUST THE BALL JOINTS FAIL - DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES INCUR. *JB

Mileage: 62,200

DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAULING AN 8 FOOT BY 16 FOOT TRAILER IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE SWAY TO THE LEFT THEN TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE AND THE TRAILER SHOOK. THE CONTACT PRESSED ON THE CLUTCH AND IT CAUSED THE TIRES TO LOSE TRACTION. THE VEHICLE SWERVED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AND ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL BROKE OFF FROM THE AXLE WHILE DRIVING AT A 38-40 MPH. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY WHEN THE REAR END SLID TO THE RIGHT AND OUT UNDERNEATH, AND ENDED UP ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE GRASS, TRAVELED EAST BOUND AND ENDED UP WEST BOUND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MEDIAN. THE TRUCK HAD NOT BEEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP, AND HAS NOT BEEN REMOVED FROM THE IMPOUND YARD. CONSUMER HAD A SET OF NEW TIRES PUT ON THE VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS AGO. THEY WERE GOODYEAR EAGLE LS. TIRES. CONSUMER S HAD NOT CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER. *AK

Mileage: 34,400

LEFT BALL JOINT STARTED SQUEAKING, I TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR INVESTIGATION ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT RIGHT BALL JOINT WAS ALSO WEARING OUT. VEHICLE HAD ONLY 45,345 MILES ON IT, AND COST ME $460.07. MOST OF THE MILES WERE HIGHWAY MILES, AND NEVER USED OFF THE ROAD.*AK

Mileage: 45,200

2003 DODGE 1500 DROPPED DOWN ON THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING FROM PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR AXLE HOUSING.*MR THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT SPUN AROUND 5-6 TIMES INN THE ROAD. THE TIRE, RIM, AXLE AND HOUSING ENDED UP UNDER THE TRUCK. *NM

THE FRONT ALIGNMENT MALFUNCTIONED PREMATURELY, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO PULL TO THE LEFT. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM FIVE TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Mileage: 38,700

CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE SHIMMIED, AND THERE WAS BAD SQUEAKING IN THE FRONT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE TIRES. CONSUMER HAD THE TIRES BALANCED AND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Mileage: 12,000

EXPERIENCED REAR AXLE SHEAR WITH TIRE STILL INTACT TO THE AXLE HUB ON 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAL CAB. VEHICLE HAS APPROX 22,000 MILES ON IT AND HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED (AXLES AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS REPLACED) BY A DODGE/CHRYLSER FACILITY. TURNING LEFT INTO A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SHEARED OFF AT THE AXLE HUB AND THE RESULT WAS LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NO PERSONAL INJURY AS IT WAS A LOW SPEED TURN BUT IT DID RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. CHRYSLER HAS NOT AGREED THAT IT WAS A DEFECT, WORKMANSHIP ISSUE ALTHOUGH THEY ADMIT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF SIDE IMPACT TO THAT WHEEL. *AK

Mileage: 22,000

WHEN BRAKING AT 15 MPH STEERING PULLED TO THE RIGHT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 18,000

LEVEL SMOOTH STRAIGHT ROAD TORSION BAR FELL OUT THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED DRASTICLY THE DEALER REPLACED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM,TORSIN BAR AND ADJUSTING BRACKET. *AK

Mileage: 11,878

WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE REAR LEFT AXLE SNAPPED, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL TO DISCONNECT FROM VEHICLE. CONSUMER INDICATED ODI 10007842 DEALT WITH THIS ISSUE. *AK SEE VOQ 10058633, SAME INCIDENT. *SC *JB

I OWN A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 2W/D. I HAVE BEEN IN DISCUSIONS WITH ENGINEERS FROM DODGE WHO TOLD ME THE LEAF SPRING VENDOR PRODUCED THE WRONG SPRING RATE BUT DODGE PUT THE SPRINGS ON ANYWAY. THE DEALER CALLS THE BOUNCE AT 65 MPH "NORMAL". I INFORMED THEM THAT THE 2 TIMES I HAVE TAKEN MY SON ON THE FREEWAY IN THE TRUCK HE HAS THROWN UP... THEY SAID "NORMAL"! KNOW THIS; THE ENGINEERS KNOW WHAT THE COMPANY DID, THE COMPANY KNOWS, I KNOW, AND NOW YOU KNOW. GO AND COMPLAIN TO YOUR DEALER, IT'S THE ONLY WAY THIS WILL GO TO A SERVICE BULLETIN. ON ANOTHER NOTE, THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN TO GET YOUR ROTORS REPLACED FOR FREE, THEY GRAB INCORRECTLY AND CAUSE THE SHUTTERING THAT WARPS ROTORS.*AK

Mileage: 2,000

WHEN REACHING 60 MPH VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. *AK

Mileage: 22,000

UPPER BALL JOINTS ON 1-YR OLD TRUCK ARE JUNK. "SEALED" JUST MEANS THEY HAVE TO BE REPLACED MORE OFTEN, ANOTHER SCAM TO CHARGE EXTRA DOLLARS. MY WIFE'S LIBERTY HAS FAILING BALL JOINTS ALSO, THOUGH HERS HAS AN "UNISSUED RECALL." I KNOW A FEW OTHER RAM OWNERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. I HAD A 1972 CHEVY P/U WITH ALMOST 200,000 MILES BEFORE NEEDING BALL JOINTS, WHY? BECAUSE I COULD GREASE THEM!! *LA

Mileage: 40,000

WENT TO HAVE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO REREGISTER. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS AND BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. BASED ON SEVERAL ESTIMATES, IT WILL COST ME ANYWHERE FROM $500.-$700. TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 61,010 MILES ON IT AND MOST OF THOSE ARE HIGHWAY MILES. WE HAVE NOT TAKEN THIS TRUCK "OFF-ROAD". THIS DEFECT COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS IF NOT FATAL ACCIDENT IF IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN FOUND. *AK

Mileage: 61,010

WENT TO HAVE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO REREGISTER. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS AND BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. BASED ON SEVERAL ESTIMATES, IT WILL COST ME ANYWHERE FROM $500.-$700. TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 61,010 MILES ON IT AND MOST OF THOSE ARE HIGHWAY MILES. WE HAVE NOT TAKEN THIS TRUCK "OFF-ROAD". THIS DEFECT COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS IF NOT FATAL ACCIDENT IF IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN FOUND. *AK

Mileage: 61,010

I OWN A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500, 2WD, 4 DR. AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 60 AND 70 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO BOUNCE, ENOUGH SO THAT A CONVERSATION CANNOT BE CARRIED ON BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER(S). THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD WITH THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

EXCESSIVE WHEEL HOP AT 65 -75 MPH. *LA

WHEEL AND HUB WAS DAMAGED AND BROKEN OFF DURING A 10 MPH CURB HIT. *LA

Mileage: 12,300

CONSUMER STATES ON CERTAIN PARTS OF THE HIGHWAY THE TRUCK JUMPS AND VIBRATES UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER HAS TO REDUCE SPEED SO DRASTICALLY THAT IT COULD CAUSE A REAR END COLLISION.*AK

Mileage: 3,384

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE SIDE WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM

NOTE: I HAD TO WRITE DOWN FLORIDA FOR THE STATE, BECAUSE THERE IS NO OPTION FOR PUERTO RICO. WHILE DRIVING IN A MOUNTANOUS AREA WITH CURVES(ASPHALTED ROAD), AFTER A CURVE AT APPROXIMATELY 10-20 MPH, I FELT THE TRUCK LOST THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT TIRE, WHEN I CHECKED I HAD LOST THE PART OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION THAT HOLDS THE DISC, CALIPER BEARING, TIRE, BALL JOINTS AND ALL OTHER RELATED PARTS. I RECOVERED THE ASSEMBLY THAT INCLUDED THE ABOVE PARTS. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD TO WAIT FOR A CHRYSLER ENGINEER TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS A DEFECT( THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW AND HAD ABOUT 1700 MILES AND THREE WEEKS OLD). THE ENGINEER ARRIVED TO PUERTO RICO LAST THURSDAY MARCH 20 2003, AND IN A COUPLE OF HOURS (2-3 HOURS) DETERMINED THAT IT WAS ALL AN ACCIDENT( I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER). I ASKED FOR THIS INFORMATION IN WRITING- I STILL HAVEN'T RECEIVED IT). SINCE THE FIRST WEEK I HAD THE RAM, I FELT A NOISE THAT REALLY SOUNDED LIKE A LOOSE PART UNDER THE DASH, OTHER THAN THAT I DID NOT FEEL ANYTHING ABNORMAL IN THE DRIVING CHARACTERISTICS, I HAD SPOKE WITH THE SALESMAN AND ASKED HIM ABOUT THE WARRANTY PROCEDURE, TO TAKE THE RAM IN FOR THIS NOISE.

Mileage: 1,700

NOTE: I HAD TO WRITE DOWN FLORIDA FOR THE STATE, BECAUSE THERE IS NO OPTION FOR PUERTO RICO. WHILE DRIVING IN A MOUNTANOUS AREA WITH CURVES(ASPHALTED ROAD), AFTER A CURVE AT APPROXIMATELY 10-20 MPH, I FELT THE TRUCK LOST THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT TIRE, WHEN I CHECKED I HAD LOST THE PART OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION THAT HOLDS THE DISC, CALIPER BEARING, TIRE, BALL JOINTS AND ALL OTHER RELATED PARTS. I RECOVERED THE ASSEMBLY THAT INCLUDED THE ABOVE PARTS. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD TO WAIT FOR A CHRYSLER ENGINEER TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS A DEFECT( THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW AND HAD ABOUT 1700 MILES AND THREE WEEKS OLD). THE ENGINEER ARRIVED TO PUERTO RICO LAST THURSDAY MARCH 20 2003, AND IN A COUPLE OF HOURS (2-3 HOURS) DETERMINED THAT IT WAS ALL AN ACCIDENT( I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER). I ASKED FOR THIS INFORMATION IN WRITING- I STILL HAVEN'T RECEIVED IT). SINCE THE FIRST WEEK I HAD THE RAM, I FELT A NOISE THAT REALLY SOUNDED LIKE A LOOSE PART UNDER THE DASH, OTHER THAN THAT I DID NOT FEEL ANYTHING ABNORMAL IN THE DRIVING CHARACTERISTICS, I HAD SPOKE WITH THE SALESMAN AND ASKED HIM ABOUT THE WARRANTY PROCEDURE, TO TAKE THE RAM IN FOR THIS NOISE.

Mileage: 1,700