1996 DODGE RAM Electrical System Problems

The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Ram. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 97V068000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), 01V037000 (Vehicle Speed Control), and 00V135000 (Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was 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. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CHEMICAL ODOR COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD AND THE HEATER. THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING SUDDENLY DIMMED. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY DIM. THE CONTACT TURNED EVERYTHING BACK ON, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS ONLY ILLUMINATED FOR A FEW MINUTES. AFTER DRIVING WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS, HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. HE PULLED INTO HIS RESIDENCE AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SMOKE FILLED THE VEHICLE AND PRODUCED AN AWFUL ODOR. HE REMOVED THE LAMP FUSE, BUT THE BUZZING NOISE STILL INDICATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. HE REINSERTED THE FUSE AND THE BUZZING SOUND CONTINUED. HE NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND IS PARKED AT HIS RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 180,000.

Mileage: 180,000

RECALL 00 V 135 000/IGNITION SWITCH CH/WIRING: RECALL REPAIRED AT EFIRD JEEP EAGLE PONTIAC; FLORENCE, SC; PHONE# 843/679-5031. AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE IGNITION SWTICH STARTED TO OVERHEAT. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE TRYINNG TO START ENGINE IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED. DEALER GOT CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

VEHICLE WAS BEING USED TO PLOW SNOW. VEHICLE WAS MOVING FORWARD AT A VERY SLOW RATE ( APPROX 1 MPH) AND VEHICLE ERUPTED IN FLAMES. DRIVER HAD TO EXIT THROUGH A WALL OF FLAME AND WITHIN LESS THAN A MINUTE, CAB WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FIRE. VEHICLE COMPLETELY DESTROYED IN LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES. FIRE APPEARED TO ORIGINATE FROM BENEATH THE CAB, EXACT ORIGIN UNKNOWN. VEHICLE WILL BE KEPT ON THE PREMISES UNTIL WE HEAR FROM YOU. OUR INSURANCE ADJUSTER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES BUT WE HAVE MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THERE WAS NO SERVICE RECENTLY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN ROUTINE OIL CHANGES ETC. THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE RUNNING NORMALLY RIGHT UP TO THE TIME THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE.*AK

DEALER REFUSES TO DO RECALL 00V135000 REPAIRS ON IGNITION WIRING BECAUSE CONSUMER HAD A SECURITY SYSTEM INSTALLED, THIS WAS DONE AT TIME OF PURCHASE AT DEALERSHIP. *AK *SLC

THERE WAS AN IGNITION FIRE, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH AND OTHER PARTS. AFTERWARDS WHEN STARTING VEHICLE STARTER STAYED ENGAGED, AND UNABLE TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE WHEN TURNING KEY IN OFF POSITION. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER BUT DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

THERE WAS AN IGNITION FIRE, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH AND OTHER PARTS. AFTERWARDS WHEN STARTING VEHICLE STARTER STAYED ENGAGED, AND UNABLE TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE WHEN TURNING KEY IN OFF POSITION. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER BUT DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS IN A DOWNWARD DRIVING POSITION. IF STEERING WHEEL IS PUSHED ALL THE WAY UP HEADLIGHTS COME ON. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL 00V135000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 875. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP, DEALER WASN'T SURE IF RECALL WAS FOR THAT SPECIFIC PROBLEM. DEALER DIDN'T FIX IT UNDER RECALL.*AK

CIRCUIT BREAKER HAD BURNED WHILE DRIVING. PRIOR TO PROBLEM GENERATOR LIGHT HAD CAME ON, AND VOLTAGE REGULATOR WENT VERY LOW. VEHICLE HAD STOPPED DEAD.*AK

CIRCUIT BREAKER HAD BURNED WHILE DRIVING. PRIOR TO PROBLEM GENERATOR LIGHT HAD CAME ON, AND VOLTAGE REGULATOR WENT VERY LOW. VEHICLE HAD STOPPED DEAD.*AK

THE J2 WIRE FROM IGNITION CAUSED A POWER SPIKE,CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO BURN. A TSB HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

THE J2 WIRE FROM IGNITION CAUSED A POWER SPIKE,CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO BURN. A TSB HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT 50MPH. CONSUMER IS ABLE TO RESTART IT AGAIN. CONSUMER RECEIVED 10 RECALL LETTERS FOR SAME PROBLEM. *AK

TRUCK STARTED WITH NO KEY-JUMPED A BARRIER-RAMMED A BUILDING-CAUGHT ON FIRE;

HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR IGNITION SWITCH ON 7/19/00 & CONTACTED DEALER. INDICATION WAS REPAIRS WILL NOT BE TAKE PLACE FOR 6 WEEKS. OWNER WAS UPSET. TIME FRAME WAS NOT REASONABLE. VEHICLE COULD CATCH FIRE.*AK

RECALL # 00V135000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/IGINITION SWITCH/WIRING: AFTER MAKING AN APPOINTMENT AND LEAVING TRUCK AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DAY, OWNER WAS TOLD THAT RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS NOT COMPLETED. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT NO ONE WAS ON STAFF TO COMPLETE THE CAMPAIGN. DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHEN CAMPAIGN WILL BE COMPLETED. OWNER FEELS THAT IS JUST ANOTHER WAY FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO GET PAID. *AK

CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AT HEART OF TEXAS DODGE FOR RECALL 00V135000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 875 IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. WAS TOLD THAT DEALER COULD NOT MAKE APPOINTMENT UNTIL THE END OF OCTOBER. CONSUMER IS NOW EXPERIENCING DEFECT. *AK

RECEIVED RECALL 00V135000 & CONTACTED DEALER. INFORMED REPAIRS CAN BE DONE ON IGNITION SWITCH. TOOK VEHICLE IN & WAS TOLD IT WILL TAKE OVER 2 HOURS. TALKED TO GENERAL MANAGER OF DEALERSHIP JERRY, AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE MUST TAKE CARE OF EMPLOYEES. HE URGED CONSUMER TO TAKE VEHICLE ELSEWHERE. THIS HAPPENED AFTER REQUESTING SERVICE MANAGER TO GIVE $20 FOR FUEL & TIME. TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED TO COME BACK IN 4 WEEKS. PROBLEM MIGHT CAUSE FIRE IF WAITING 4 WEEKS FOR REPAIRS. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL #00V13500 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. CONTACTED PERFORMANCE DODGE IN GLENDALE, AZ. DEALER CLAIMED THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE , DID NOT SET UP APPOINTMENT FOR CONSUMER . CONSUMER HAS BEEN WAITING FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, AND HAS ALSO CONTACTED OTHER DEALERS. BUT, CAN NOT GET RECALL REPAIRS DONE.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 00V135000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 875 FOR IGNITION SWITCH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO BE REPAIRED, THE JOB WAS NOT COMPLETE. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THE REMAINING PROBLEM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL.*AK

CONSUMER DECLINED RECALL REPAIR (00V-135) DUE TO DEALERSHIP SCHEDULING PROBLEM. *MJS

RECALL # 00V135000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/IGNITION SWITCH; AFTER ARRIVING FOR SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT, OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO CORRECT CAMPAIGN. OWNER CALLED 6 OTHER DEALERSHIPS. NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE TO CORRECT CAMPAIGN. PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR OTHER 3 WEEKS.*AK

NHTSA RECALL 00V135000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 875/ IGNITION WIRING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACT DEALER. DEALER CLAIMED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH VEHICLE EVERYTIME CONSUMER HAS A PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA RECALL 00V135000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 875. EVERY TIME CONSUMER BRINGS VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS WHILE UNDER WARRANTY DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE UNLESS CONSUMER PAYS FOR IT UP FRONT. THEY CLAIM THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.*AK

CONSUMER STATES HENDERSON CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO HONOR RECALL NHTSA 00V135000/MANUFACTURER RECALL 875 CONCERNING IGNITION PROBLEMS. DUE TO PAST DIFFERENCES. CONSUMER FEELS THAT SINCE IT IS A SAFETY DEFECT RECALL DONE BY MANUFACTURER AND NOT BY THE CONSUMER, DEALER MUST HONOR IT. BECAUSE OF DEALER'S REFUSAL, CONSUMER MUST TRAVEL INTO ANOTHER TOWN TO THE NEXT CLOSET DEALER, WHICH IS 35 MILES ONE WAY. WORK HAS BEEN PERFORMED. *AK *ML

AFTER HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE STARTER COULD HEAR NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT A WARNING. *AK

THE IGNITION SWITCH MELTED THE PLASTIC SHROUD UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN. THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS RUNNING WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE RADIO WAS ON ALSO. AFTER THIS OCCURRED, THE RADIO NO LONGER WORKS RIGHT EITHER. THE DEALER SAID THERE IS A REPLACEMENT SWITCH, BUT DID NOT COVER IT UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER SAID THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SWITCH, THAT'S WHY THERE WAS A NEW REPLACEMENT SWITCH. COST OVER $350, INCLUDING INSTALLATION. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE REPLACING THE RADIO. THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY THE RADIO WENT BAD. THE DEALER WAS FRED BEANS IN DOYLESTOWN, PA. THE ORIGINAL BALL JOINTS AND FRONT AXLE WERE NEVER GREASED AT THE FACTORY. THERE ARE NO GREASE FITTINGS TO ADD GREASE. THE DEALER WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. THE MECHANIC SAID HE COULD TELL THAT THEY WERE BONE DRY & NEVER GREASED AT THE FACTORY.*AK

DOG ELECTROCUTED DUE TO POSSIBLE FAULTY WIRING HARNESS, NOTICE RECEIVED AFTER INCIDENT ABOUT POTENTIAL HAZARD. *MJS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

RELAY HARNESS DID NOT COME WITH TRUCK WHEN BROUGHT. WITHOUT RELAY HARNESS, VEHICKE WOULD OVERHEAT & ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD FAIL, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. ONLY VEHICLE WITH TOWING PACKAGE EQUIPPED. *AK

TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS AT 45 MPH, DOES NOT SHIFT AND SHAKES WHEN GOING INTO 3RD OR OVERDIRVE, AND JERKS AND SLIPS, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE VALVE BODY AND RECONDITIONED TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED CONVERTOR, TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO LOCK UP AND JERK. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE MIRRORS WERE BOTH REPLACED DUE TO BEING LOOSE. EMERGENCY BRAKE HANDLE CAME OFF AND WAS REPLACED. FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY WITH 12 GALLONS IN TANK, DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP MODULE. WIPER BLADES WEREN'T CLEANING WINDSHIELD, DEALER REPLACED BOTH WIPER BLADES, WINDSHIELD WASHER WAS INOPERABLE, DEALER REPLACED WASHER MOTOR. VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE INTERIOR AND DOME LIGHTS FAILING, DOME LIGHT KEEPS BLOWING FUSE AND DEALER HAS REPLACED THE STRIP LIGHTING AND FUSE BOX DOOR AND REPAIRED THE OPEN CIRCUIT TO JUNCTION BLOCK. RADIATOR CAP WAS REPLACED DUE TO LOW COOLANT. THERE WAS A BRAKE FLUID LEAK, DEALER REPLACED CAPS FOR THE MASTER CYLINDER, THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED, DEALER REPLACED REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND WIRING. PASSENGER SIDE VENT WINDOW WOULD NOT OPEN AND LEAKED AIR. VEHICLE ONLY GETS 13MPH ON HIGHWAY, CONSUMER STATES THIS IS POOR GAS MILEAGE. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER SAYS IT WAS DUE TO A SHORT IN WIRING HARNESS. *AK

WHENEVER AIR CONDITIONING & HEATER SWITCH IS TURNED ON IT CAUSES THE IGNITION SWITCH TO OVERHEAT DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

WHILE TRUCK IS IDLING OR MOVING..IF THE HORNS ARE USED , THE FUSE UNDER THE HOOD BLOWS. THIS IS ALSO PREVALENT WHILE THE A/C IS RUNNING. THE A/C SHUTS DOWN AT THIS POINT, THE COMPRESSOR DOESN'T WORK UNTIL THE FUSE IS REPLACED. THE CIRCIUIT FROM THE HORNS AND THE A/C ARE TWO DIFFERENT CIRCUITS UNDER HOOD <RELAY BOX>CANNOT USE THE HORNS TO ALERT OTHERS FUSES KEEP BLOWING.SAFETY ISSUE WILL NOT PASS NH STATE INSPECTION THIS WAY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE ABS BRAKES FAILED. ON 4-3-98, DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT, LEAVING THE DRIVER WITH NO BRAKES. OWNER HAS TAKEN THE TRUCK INTO DEALER THREE TIMES, AND THEY REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS, SUCH AS THE FUEL PUMP, SPARK PLUG WIRE, AND ETC. THE TRUCK STILL IS HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS. *AK

HORN FELL OFF.

STARTER FAILED.

FUSE BOX DOOR FAILED.

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED 3 HOURS, FIRE STARTED IN DASHBOARD IN AREA OF LIGHT SWITCH HARNESS. ACCORDING TO FIRE DEPARTMENT, ELECTRICAL FIRE, LEASED VEHICLE, REPORTED BY MICHELLE MACHOR, MOTORIST INS CO, 800-876-2538. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE STARTED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE UNDER THE HOOD, NEAR ELECTRICAL HARNESS. FIRE WAS 3 FEET HIGH. OWNER WAS SLIGHTLY HURT. *AK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTER SOLENOID FAILED 4 TIMES.

COMPUTER BOARD REPLACED.

LIGHT FUSES CONTINUOUSLY BLOW OUT.

SMOKE NOTICED DURING OPERATION COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, RESULTING IN THE BURNING OF THE PADDING UNDER THE HOOD.*AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND SMELLED FUMES, PULLED OVER, THE ENGINE ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE THIS IS THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED IN THE ELECTRICAL RECALL # 95V237000, DEALER SAID CONSUMER NOT IN RECALL . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

IGNITION SWITCH FAIULURE, THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE SWITCH AND CAN NOT GET THE KEY OUT. *AK

WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE HOOD CAUGHT FIRE.

INSULATION FROM UNDER THE HOOD BURNT. DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.*AK

EPA STANDARD. ONBOARD COMPUTER REDESIGNED FOR 1999, DOESN'T PROVIDE PROPER READING TO ENGINE, RESULTING IN HESITATION AND STALLING. *AK