1994 DODGE RAM Suspension Problems

The contact owns a 1994 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 01V037000 (Vehicle Speed Control) and 99V214000 (Suspension); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer and a second dealer, Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (5401 I-30 Frontage Rd, Greenville, TX 75402), were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that they were not required to perform the recall repair because the vehicle was more than 10 years old. However, the vehicle was not more than 10 years old on the date the defect or noncompliance was determined. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

WHEN DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE, THE FRONTEND SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND IT'S DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER.*JB

WHILE DRIVING AND HITTING A RAILROAD TRACK FRONT WHEELS OF VEHICLE WILL START JUMPING. LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEELS WILL JUMP TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT JERKING STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING CONSUMER LOSS OF VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER, AND HAD REPAIRS DONE, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXITS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED STEERING WILL START TO SHAKE, AND VEHICLE WILL BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO STOP THE SHAKING. *AK

TRACK BAR ON THE FRONT BROKE OFF WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *AK CONSUMER STATES TRACK BAR SEPARATED FROM FRAME BRACKET. THREADED PORTION BROKE AT THE RADIUS. ALSO THE SERPENTINE BELT AND WATER PUMP FAILED AND WERE REPLACED. *YH

VEHICLE NEEDS A STABILIZER BAR, AND CHRYSLER REFUSES TO PUT ONE ON UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE PART IS CALLED A TRACK BAR, AND MANUFACTURER HAS NEVER UPDATED THE BAR AND IT KEEPS GOING BAD.*JB

TRACK BARS FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO WONDER.*AK CONSUMER STATES IF THE THROTTLE POSITION SWITCH FAILS THERE IS NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED.*JB

WHEN TRAVELING OVER BUMPS AT 45 MPH VEHICLE WOULD JUMP ACROSS LANES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

CONSUMER CONTACTED DANVILLE CHRYSLER DEALER TO PERFORM RECALL 99V21400/ SUSPENSION REPAIRS. DEALER CLAIMED THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY ONE QUALIFIED TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS. CONSUMER MUST TRAVEL TO ANOTHER DEALER IN AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. *AK

FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED, SEALED UNITS WITH NO GREASE FITTINGS. *SLC

CONSUMER CONTACTED DANVILLE CHRYSLER IN DANVILLE TO PERFORM RECALL 99V214000/ SUSPENSION REPAIRS. DEALER CLAIMED THEY HAD NO ONE QUALIFIED TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS. CONSUMER MUST TRAVEL TO ANOTHER DEALER. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK WHEN SWITCH WAS TURNED ON. POWER WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS NOT WORKING AT ALL IF BUTTON WAS PUSHED. VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE & RATTLE WHEN GOING PASS 50MPH. BEEN TO DEALER EACH TIME. *AK

VEHICLE WAS PULLING, A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WAS DONE. *SLC

UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE,NEW OEM BALL JOINT WOULD NOT FIT-TOO SMALL,REPLACE ENTIRE A-FRAME

FRONT SUSPENSION HITS A BUMP ABOVE 65 MPH AND STARTS A UNCONTROLLED SHAKING THAT IS SELF SUSTANING AND WILL NOT STOP UNTIL BELOW 35 MPH (THIS CAN BE REPLICATED). COMPLETE LOSS OF STERING OCCURS. THERE IS A TSB FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY HAZARDOUS CONDITION.

WITHOUT WARNING SWAY BAR LINKAGE BROKE WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, CAUSING PART OF THE FRONT END TO FALL, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.*AK

RECALL 99V214000 CONCERNING CRACKED FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING/SHOCK TOWER. AFTER CONTACTING DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE WELDING MACHINE WAS BROKEN. *AK

WHILE AVOIDING A ACCIDENT, I LOCKED UP MY BRAKES AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS FAILED AND BENT APPROXIMATLEY 60 DEGREES. CAUSING THE FRONT WHEELS TO RUB THE BACK OF THE FENDER WELLS. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MGR. AT BERG CHRYSLER ADDITIONAL DAMAGES OCCURRED: BENT SHOCKS , STABILIZER BAR, AND SHEARED OFF BOLTS ON DRIVE SHAFT. APPROXIMATE COSTS $1700+. CHRYSLER CUSTOMER CENTER TOOK MY COMPLAINT ON MAY 22 GIVING ME FILE NO. 7194767. ACCORDING TO BERG`S SERVICE MGR., THE TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND CLAIM IS DENIED. I CANNOT GET CHRYSLER TO RETURN MY PHONE CALLS. *AK

CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 99V214000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 835/ SUSPENSION. DEALER CORRECTED THE RECALL WORK, BUT FAILED TO REPLACE THE BOLTS WITHIN THE BRAKE LINE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

RECALL # 99V214000 DAIMLER/CHRYSLER FRONT SUSPENSION; DEALER DOES NOT HAVE EQUIPMENT OR MECHANIC TO CORRECT RECALL DEFECT. *AK *ML

FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING TOWER BROKE. CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE IT WELDED. OTHER TOWER MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. *AK.ET.

DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE CERTIFIED TOOL TO REPAIR THIS RECALL #99V214000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 835. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED SEVERAL DEALERS IN THE AREA. *AK

LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO SWERVE VIOLENTLY INTO OTHER TRAFFIC. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS WAS $800 DUE TO OVERHEATING OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND BRAKE COMPONENTS. *AK

UPPER CONTROL ARM HAD BROKEN OFF THE FRAME. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING 30MPH IN A SCHOOL ZONE. HAD CONTROL OF VEHICLE AT THE TIME. HAD NO PRIOR WARNING ALSO, ALIGNMENT WAS DONE PRIOR TO THIS. HAD CONTACTED MFG & DEALER. WAS INFORMED PROBLEM HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. *AK

HAD FRONT ALIGNMENT IN JANUARY 1999 ,REPALCED TRACK BAR IN FEBUARY 1999 .IN JUNE OF 1999 TOOK TO DEALER TO ADJUST STEERING BOX.WAS TOLD STEERING BOX HAD TO BE REPLACED. STEERING BOX ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. HAD TO MUCH PLAY IN STEERING TRUCK. TRUCK IS 4 YEARS OLD . *AK

FRONT SUSPENSION PROBLEM, CAUSING HART TO HOLD IN THE ROAD, WEARING ON 3 SET OF TIRES AND BRAKE LAST ABOUT 4 MONTHS.

WHEN VEHICLE REACHES SPEEDS OF 45 MPH AND OVER THE WHEELS BOUNCE, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE . THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

SUSPENSION FAILED.

VEHICLE SHAKES VERY BAD, POSSIBLE RECALL RELATED, IF IT IS RECALL DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

WORN TRACK BAR AND COMPONENTS CAUSED VEHICLE TO SHAKE INTERMITTENTLY. NLM

THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT ALLOW DRIVER TO STEER STRAIGHT, TENDS TO DRIFT. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER DODGE TOLD CONSUMER THAT IF THE FACTORY REP. COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR HIM, THAT HE IS ON HIS OWN. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED AND OWNER DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE. *AK

REAR SPRING FAILED.

REAR SHOCKS FAILED.

FRONT END FAILED.

FRONT AXLE U-JOINTS FAILED.

REAR SPRINGS AND SHOCKS FAILED.

REAR SPRINGS AND SHOCKS FAILED.

FRONT END SUSPENSION PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED.

THE BACKET ON TOP OF THE COIL SPRING BROKE OFF THE FRAME . *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT MAKES A CLUNKING /RATTLING NOISE UNDER THE FRONT END; ALSO, WHEN STOPPING THERE IS SLAPPING/MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*JB

BECAUSE THE WHEEL BEARING ON THE TRUCK WENT OUT THERE WAS NO BREAKING ABILITY. *AK

FRONT END OF VEHICLE SHIMMIES VIOLENTLY.

SEVERE SHIMMY IN FRONT SUSPENSION.

FRONT END PULLING TO THE LEFT. *SD

AT STEADY SPEEDS DRIVER COMES TO A STOP VEHICLE BEGINS TO WOBBLE, DLR HAS NOT DETERMINED THE CAUSE. *AK

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE FRONT END SHAKES, WEARING THE TIRES OFFTEN AND THE VHEICLE PULLS, CONSUMER CAN NOT KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE CORRECT LANE. *AK

LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED.

UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. *DSH

REAR AXLE SEALS FAILED, CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE. *DSH

VEHICLE RIDES VERY ROUGH; WHEN TURN WHEELS TO RIGHT OR LEFT, CAN HEAR NOISE, CAN FEEL IN HANDS/ARMS WHEN DRIVING OVER UNEVEN SURFACE; ENTIRE REPLACEMENT NEEDED.

MISALIGNMENT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE. *AK

AUTO PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF SOMEONE IS DRIVING CLOSE. TT

FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER BROKE. *AK

FRONT STABILZER BAR CLUNKS, RATTLES AND INTERFERES WITH STEERING ABILITY. TT

VEHICLE SHIMMIES AND LEAKS. IF STRUCK FROM THE REAR COULD RESULT IN VEHICLE FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE AND EXPLAIN OTHER PROBLEMS IN MORE DETAIL.