1999 DODGE RAM 3500 Power Train Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 3500. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF, SMOKE ENGULFED THE FRONT-END OF THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED A SMALL ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE OCCURRED THE SECOND TIME. HE WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL FACILITY, AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE REPAIR COST APPROXIMATELY $1,000. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 230,000. UPDATED 12/18/09 *CN THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH LINE FAILED TWICE. THE CONSUMER LEARNED OF A RECALL. THE CLUTCH LINE FAILED A SECOND TIME BECAUSE A PLASTIC PRESSURE LINE WAS USED. UPDATED 12/22/09 UPDATED 02/1710 *BF THE HYDRAULIC LINE FROM THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER TO THE CLUTCH SLAVE DEVELOPED A HOLE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO FLAMMABLE LIQUID LEAKING ONTO THE FIREWALL AND EXHAUST. THE CONSUMER LEARNED THAT A STEEL LINE WAS NOW BEING USED WITH A HEATED SHIELD. UPDATED 02/19/10

Mileage: 230,000

CONTINUOUS AT SPEEDS OF 40 TO 60 MPH, AUTO TRANS SHIFTS BETWEEN GEARS HIGH/LOW, HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED THAT THEY SAID WAS THE PROBLEM IE: $2,400.00, DID NOT FIX IT, STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. ITS WELL KNOWN IN THE TRANSMISSION AND DEALER SHOPS THAT ITS A ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE FROM THE PUMPS OR ALTERNATOR THAT INTERRUPTS THE SHIFTING SIGNAL TO THE COMPUTER, YET THEY CHARGE US TO FIX A DESIGN PROBLEM ! *TR

Mileage: 51,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO FIFTH GEAR AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 40 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRESENT. THE MECHANIC AT THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT A NUT ON THE FIFTH GEAR FAILED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 182,240 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,140.

Mileage: 182,140

WAS SHIFTING GEARS ON I-44 ON RAMP TO GET UP TO SPEED SO I COULD MERGE WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. WHEN I PUT THE TRUCK INTO FIFTH GEAR IT FELT AS IF I HAD SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. WAS ABLE TO GO TO NEXT EXIT DRIVING IN FOURTH GEAR SO I COULD GET THE TRUCK BACK HOME. COULDN'T GO OVER 55 MPH IN FOURTH GEAR PLUS DIDN'T KNOW IF DRIVING THE TRUCK LIKE THIS WAS GOING TO CAUSE MORE PROBLEMS. CALLED A FEW PEOPLE I KNEW THAT HAD HEARD OTHERS SAY THAT THE NUT THAT GOES ONTO THE FIFTH GEAR SHIFT ROD WOULD OFTEN BACK OFF. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A MECHANIC AND HAD THEM TAKE THE TRANSMISSION APART TO SEE IF THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED. SURE ENOUGH WHEN HE SPLIT THE TAIL SHAFT OFF THE NUT WAS JUST HANGING ON THE SHIFT ROD. I WENT TO A LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP AND PURCHASED THE NEW AND IMPROVED LOCK NUT THAT DODGE CAME OUT WITH TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS COST ME ABOUT 65 DOLLARS AND ANOTHER 530 DOLLARS TO PAY FOR THE LABOR INVOLVED. THE OLD NUT WAS LEFT IN THE SCRAP METAL PILE AT THE MECHANIC'S SHOP. *JB

Mileage: 122,153

TWO PRIMARY SAFETY RELATED ISSUES AND MANY LESS IMPORTANT QUALITY ISSUES HAVE PLAGUED THIS VEHICLE. THE PROBLEMS BEGAN TO MOUNT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE WARRANTY LAPSED. THE MOST CRITICAL ISSUE HAS BEEN THE CORROSION AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LINE THAT SUPPLIES THE PRESSURE NEEDED FOR THE REAR BRAKES TO OPERATE. THIS ISSUE RENDERED THE REAR BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE USELESS. DODGE CORPORATE AND TWO LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIPS REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, EXCEPT BY OFFERING TO SELL A REPLACEMENT BRAKE LINE. THE FAILURE OF THE METAL AFTER ONLY 5 YEARS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THE SECOND MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT THE NIPPLES ON THE ORIGINAL FUEL SENDING UNIT WERE MADE OF METAL AND CORRODED THROUGH AND BEGAN TO SPRAY FUEL ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THE ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS RESULTS IS VERY POOR MILEAGE AND A POTENTIALLY FATAL FUEL LEAK. BETWEEN THESE TWO SAFETY ISSUES AND THE BLATANT DISMISSAL OF ANY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DODGE CORPORATION I THINK SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. I HAVE CORRECTED THE ISSUE ON MY VEHICLE, BUT WHAT IF SOMEONE WAS TOWING A LARGE TRAILER WITH A SIMILAR VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES FAILED? PEOPLE COULD BE KILLED. ADDITIONALLY THE FUEL LEAK DOESN'T SEEM TO BE AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD EVER HAPPEN. I BELIEVE THAT IN SYSTEMS AS CRITICAL AS FUEL AND BRAKES THE MATERIAL SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO LAST LONGER THAN 4 OR 5 YEARS REGARDLESS OF THE WARRANTY. WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY TO PREVENT THIS, ITS A SIMPLE MATERIAL CHOICE ISSUE. THE BRAKES AND FUEL LINES COULD HAVE EASILY AND INEXPENSIVELY BEEN MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL OR BRASS OR ANY NUMBER OF OTHER NON CORROSIVE MATERIALS. *JB

Mileage: 115,000

TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEED VEHICLE ENGINE BEGAN TO SURGE 200 TO 500 RPM. TOOK TO CHRYS GARAGE AND FOUND "INTERMIT VOLT SPIKES IN A.P.P. SENSOR" SENSOR REPLACED. 10/20/03. ON 9/13/05 SAME THING HAPPENED AND THE A.P.P. SENSOR WAS AGAIN REPLACED. VEHICLE RAN FINE AFTER A.P.P. SENSOR REPLACED. *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE THE FIFTH GEAR TWICE SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS REPLACED AT AROUND 30000 MILES. THE SECOND TIME IT WAS REPLACED AROUND 60000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS MOSTLY DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING TO THE GEAR FAILURE. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE VEHICLE IN FIFTH GEAR WHEN IT FAILED. THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL SO THE CONSUMER HAD TO DOWN SHIFT TO FOURTH GEAR. ALL OF THE OTHER GEARS WORKED EXCEPT FOR THE FIFTH GEAR. *NM

5TH GEAR FAILED IN MY 1999 DODGE MODEL 3500.*AK

Mileage: 77,425

1999 DODGE RAM 3500. FRONT END STEERING FAILURE DEATH WOBBLE, $550 REPAIR, AC EVAPORATOR, $800 REPAIR, PRESENTLY ENGINE CONTROL MODULE $300 FOR TROUBLESHOOTING BY THE DEALER, $730 FOR PART AND ADDITIONAL DOLLARS FOR LABOR. ESTIMATE OF $1000+. ASKED DODGE FOR ASSISTANCE, TRUCK IS 6 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY AND ONLY HAS 68830 MILES ON IT. THE ENGINE (CUMMINS DIESEL) WAS WARRANTED FOR 5 YEARS, 100K, AND THE SAME WITH EMMISSIONS CONTROL 5/100. THE ECM COULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY DODGE UNDER EITHER OF THESE WARRANTIES.*AK

1999 DODGE RAM 3500. FRONT END STEERING FAILURE DEATH WOBBLE, $550 REPAIR, AC EVAPORATOR, $800 REPAIR, PRESENTLY ENGINE CONTROL MODULE $300 FOR TROUBLESHOOTING BY THE DEALER, $730 FOR PART AND ADDITIONAL DOLLARS FOR LABOR. ESTIMATE OF $1000+. ASKED DODGE FOR ASSISTANCE, TRUCK IS 6 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY AND ONLY HAS 68830 MILES ON IT. THE ENGINE (CUMMINS DIESEL) WAS WARRANTED FOR 5 YEARS, 100K, AND THE SAME WITH EMMISSIONS CONTROL 5/100. THE ECM COULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY DODGE UNDER EITHER OF THESE WARRANTIES.*AK

CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, AN ANIMAL JUMPED INTO THE ROAD AND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE SWERVED OFF THE ROAD ONTO SANDY LAND TO AVOID HITTING THE ANIMAL. CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THAT FRONT AXLE BROKE AND THE FRAME BENT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. *AK *LA

Mileage: 63,000

VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK GEAR WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING WHEN IT POPPED OUT OF THE PARK INTO DRIVE BY ITSELF. WHEN THIS OCCURRED VEHICLE WENT THROUGH TWO STREETS AND A DITCH BEFORE STOPPING WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER DIDN'T LOCK IN THE PARK POSITION. *AK

DEFECTIVE LIFT PUMP IN MOTOR - SHOULD BE AT 12% AND DODGE LOWERED THE STANDARD TO 7% BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT'S A PROBLEM! THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS FAULTY, CAUSING TOTAL DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION

Mileage: 30,000

MY VEHICLE FAILED BY SHIFTING ERRATICALLY WHILE PULLING OUT ONTO THE FREEWAY IN HOUSTON, TX DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC AND IF NOT HANDLED IN A QUICK RESPONSIVE MANNER, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT CAUSING INJURIES OR DEATHS TO MANY PEOPLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADRESSED PROMPT AND STRAIGHT FORWARD. NATURALLY THE WARRANT HAD JUST GONE OUT ON THE VEHICLE AND AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM MYSELF, THIS IS A PROBLEM OF WIDESPREAD PROPORTION AND A POOR DESIGN ON THE PART OF DODGE MOTOR COMPANY KNOWING THESE VEHICLES WERE MASS PRODUCED WITH THIS PROBLEM AND NOT CARING.*AK

Mileage: 50,000

THERE WAS A NUT IN THE BACK OF THE STANDARD TRANSMISSION. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE NUT FELL OFF INTO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FREE WHEEL IN FIFTH GEAR. *AK *CB *NLM

Mileage: 70,645

WHILE DRIVING WITH VEHICLE IN FIFTH GEAR. DRIVER APPLIED GAS TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE,THE ENGINE JUST CONTINUE TO RAVV UP. VEHICLE HAS A STANDARD TRANSMISSION. MR

THE WELD IN 6TH GEAR BROKE CAUSING 6TH GEAR TO BE UNUSABLE. CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS TAKEN APART, THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE WELD WAS FAULTY. THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM HAD LEAKS. *YH

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING, APPLIED ON BRAKES AND VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. DEALER HAS SERVICED VEHICLE BEFORE FOR SAME PROBLEM; HOWEVER HAS NOT FOUND REMEDY FOR MALFUNCTION.*AK CONSUMER ADDS AFTER FRONT PADS WERE REPLACED FRONT/REAR BRAKES CONTINUE TO LOCK UP. WHILE OPPOSITE END WHEELS ROLL FREE. MANY ATTEMPTS MADE TO CORRECT PROBLEM, BUT LOCK UP STILL HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. STEERING SEEMS VERY LOOSE AND IS HARD TO KEEP VEHICLE STRAIGHT. POWER STEERING GEAR AND STEERING GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED HOWEVER TRUCK CONTINUES TO WANDER. DRIVER SIDE SEAT CUSHION SAGGS. SEAT BOTTOM CUSHION REPLACED. CAB SQWAKS ON UNEVEN GROUND. BLACK SMOKE FROM EXHAUST WHEN COLD OR WARM. CLUTCH SLIPS. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE. DIMMER ON DASH LIGHTS BURNS FINGERS. WHEN TURNING ON TURN SIGNALS, WIPERS WILL ACTIVATE AND RAPID FLASH IS HEARD. DIFFICULTY GETTING INTO FIRST GEAR. ABS JAMS WHEN UNDER A HARD STOP AND DURING COLD START. LUMBAR IS INOPERATIVE. TRANMSISSION LEAKING OIL. REPLACED OUTPUT SHAFT SEAL. MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED. MOST GEARS DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE. REVERSE IS VERY STIFF. SHIFTING 2-3RD WILL CAUSE SHIFTER TO LOCK UP AND WON'T MOVE AT ALL. NO PROBLEM FOUND. OVERHEAD CONSOLE INOPERATIVE AND REPLACED. *TT

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING, APPLIED ON BRAKES AND VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. DEALER HAS SERVICED VEHICLE BEFORE FOR SAME PROBLEM; HOWEVER HAS NOT FOUND REMEDY FOR MALFUNCTION.*AK CONSUMER ADDS AFTER FRONT PADS WERE REPLACED FRONT/REAR BRAKES CONTINUE TO LOCK UP. WHILE OPPOSITE END WHEELS ROLL FREE. MANY ATTEMPTS MADE TO CORRECT PROBLEM, BUT LOCK UP STILL HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. STEERING SEEMS VERY LOOSE AND IS HARD TO KEEP VEHICLE STRAIGHT. POWER STEERING GEAR AND STEERING GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED HOWEVER TRUCK CONTINUES TO WANDER. DRIVER SIDE SEAT CUSHION SAGGS. SEAT BOTTOM CUSHION REPLACED. CAB SQWAKS ON UNEVEN GROUND. BLACK SMOKE FROM EXHAUST WHEN COLD OR WARM. CLUTCH SLIPS. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE. DIMMER ON DASH LIGHTS BURNS FINGERS. WHEN TURNING ON TURN SIGNALS, WIPERS WILL ACTIVATE AND RAPID FLASH IS HEARD. DIFFICULTY GETTING INTO FIRST GEAR. ABS JAMS WHEN UNDER A HARD STOP AND DURING COLD START. LUMBAR IS INOPERATIVE. TRANMSISSION LEAKING OIL. REPLACED OUTPUT SHAFT SEAL. MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED. MOST GEARS DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE. REVERSE IS VERY STIFF. SHIFTING 2-3RD WILL CAUSE SHIFTER TO LOCK UP AND WON'T MOVE AT ALL. NO PROBLEM FOUND. OVERHEAD CONSOLE INOPERATIVE AND REPLACED. *TT

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THE FAILURE OF THESE ITEMS OCCURED ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS AT MAXIMUM LEGAL SPEED AND HAD I NOT BEEN A SKILLED PROFESSIONAL DRIVER 8 TO 10 PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER DRIVERS WITH THIS PROBLEM MANY OF US HAVE BEEN KEPT QUIET BY HAVING OUR TRUCKS REPOSSESED AND SUED OUT OF BUSINESS. SOME OF THE OTHER DRIVERS WERE NOT AS LUCKY AS I AND HAD NASTY ACCIDENTS. NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED. *AK

THE 5TH GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION HAS A RETAINING NUT THAT BACKS OFF AND ALLOWS THE 5TH GEAR ASSEMBLY TO BECOME DISENGAGED WHILE RIDING DOWN THE ROAD. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS FROM TOWING WITH THE VEHICLE IN 5TH GEAR. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL ABOUT THIS BEING AN ISSUE. I ALSO CONTACTED SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE AND THEY HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. ALSO THE DEALER WANTED $1200 DOLLARS TO MAKE THE REPAIR AND I SAID NO THAT WAS TOO HIGH. THEY CALLED ME BACK LATER AND SAID IT WOULD BE $760 DOLLARS. I STILL SAID NO AND THAT I WAS COMING TO INSPECT THE BAD PARTS. UPON ARRIVAL THEY SHOWED ME SEVERAL PARTS AND SAID THAT DODGE MADE THEM REPLACE CERTAIN PARTS TO COVER ANY OTHER WARRANTY CLAIMS. THE ONLY PART DAMAGED WAS THE RETAINING NUT FOR THE 5TH GEAR AND THAT IS ALL THAT I WOULD ALLOW THEM TO REPLACE. THE FINAL COST FOR MY REPAIR WAS $460, MOST BEING LABOR. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT DODGE HAS HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS THAT THEY NOW HAVE REDESIGNED THE RETAINING NUT TO ELIMINATE THIS PROBLEM. TO ME FOR THIS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT HAS REQUIRED PART REDESIGN, IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A SAFETY RECALL. IF SOME ONE HAD BEEN BEHIND ME THE NIGHT MINE FAILED THEY WOULD HAVE REAR-ENDED ME. DODGE IS MAKING MONEY ON REPAIRS THAT THEY CAUSED FROM USE OF FAULTY PARTS.*AK

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING FM DT OF PURCHASE. REQUESTED TRANS.INSPECTION AUG 3,2000, DEALER DID. SEPT 27 2000, TRANS FAILURE, DEALER REBUILT. NOV 3,2000, LESS THAN 2000 MILES AFTER REBUILD, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.TOOK TO DEALER,THEIR DIAGNOSIS WAS INCONCLUSIVE. NOV. 27 2000,TRANS FAILURE , TRANS REPLACED FOR SECOND TIME. JAN 2001, TOOK TRUCK TO DEALER,TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, FAILING TO REACH NEXT GEAR, TOOK TO DEALER, THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG,FEB 2001 (CURRENT) VIBRATION, PLAN TO TAKE BACK TO DEALER.FOR 5TH TIME. *AK

TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED IN 5 GEAR. CONSUMER HAS TO STAY AT 55 MPH, THIS WAS 3RD TIME THIS HAPPENED.*AK WHEN TRANSMISSION WENT OUT FOR 4TH TIME CAUSING CLUTCH TO GO OUT ALSO. *YH

TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED IN 5 GEAR. CONSUMER HAS TO STAY AT 55 MPH, THIS WAS 3RD TIME THIS HAPPENED.*AK WHEN TRANSMISSION WENT OUT FOR 4TH TIME CAUSING CLUTCH TO GO OUT ALSO. *YH