1997 DODGE RAM Power Train Problems

PARK POSITION WITH IGNITION KEY IN THE LOCK POSITION, VEHICLE SHIFTER MOVED OUT OF PARK , KNOCKED OWNER DOWN AND RAN OVER ME, CONTINUED TO ROLL BACK HIT SECOND CAR, CONTINUED TO KEEP GOING UNTIL IT HIT A CURB. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE CAUSED OTHER ACCIDENTS. CONSUMER SENT IN A FAX COPY OF THE INTERNET VOQ. *KB *JB

Mileage: 144,678

THE PAINT ON MY 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK TURNED A MILKY WHITE COLOR ON THE HOOD AND THE TOP OF THE CAB. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR TO PAINT THE TRUCK IS $3,400. MILEAGE ON THE TRUCK IS 138,400 MILES.

Mileage: 138,400

Mileage: 59,000

WOULD NOT SHIFT, SHIFTING ROUGHLY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON, HIGH RPMS

Mileage: 77,000

WHILE DRIVING AT 35-45 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. TRANSMISSION BURNED FLUID, CAUSING IT TO FAIL. A MECHANIC ANT THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE COOLANT NOT CIRCULATING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION WHEN VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN THE PARK GEAR. TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT.*AK CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS THAT REAR WHEEL DRIVE CHRYSLER VEHICLES IF IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, COOLANT DOESN'T CIRCULATE TO THE TRANSMISSION. CONSUMER PHONED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY ADVISED HER TO CONTACT NHTSA FOR A POSSIBLE RECALL. CONSUMER LEARNED OF THE TRANS COOLANT CONNECT RECALL. THEN SHE RECALLED THAT PART BEING REPLACED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FLUID WAS CHECKED BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND IT WAS THICK AND BROWN AS A RESULT OF BEING BURNT. THE CONSUMER FEELS A FAIR RESOLUTION WOULD BE FOR CHRYSLER TO REIMBURSE HER AT LEAST HALF THE COST OF THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRS. *PH *NLM

Mileage: 65,000

WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. DEALER STATED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED INTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *AK

Mileage: 80,000

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE 5TH GEAR TO THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. *AK IT WAS DISCOVERED THE NUT WHICH HELD THE 5TH GEAR INTO PLACE BECAME LOOSE. PH *JB

Mileage: 83,000

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR OF THE FUEL GAUGE, FIFTH GEAR AND RECALL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP TWO WEEKS LATER THE OTHER WORK WAS DONE BUT THE RECALL WORK WAS NOT PERFORMED. *PH *NLM

Mileage: 117,679

CONSUMER WAS TOLD VEHICLE HAD 4-WHEEL DRIVE, BUT SOON DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL AND RUINED THE TRANSMISSION.*JB

Mileage: 64,000

DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO HONOR RECALL 97V084000 COCERNING TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A RECALL .*AK *JB

VEHICLE JUMPED INTO REVERSE WHILE IT WAS TURNED ON. CONSUMER WAS ON THE STANDING ON THE OUTSIDE. DEALER NOT INFORMED. PLEASE PROVIDE MOREE INFORMATION.*AK

CONTINUOUS TRANSMISSION TROUBLE:MINOR SLIPPING,SEARCHING FOR A GEAR,SURGING,NOT GOING INTO PASSING GEAR,WHEN IT DOES IT DOES NOT STAY THERE,CLUNKS HARD WHEN PUT IN REV. VIBRATION AT START UP(MOVING) HEAT SHIELD OR REAR-END,@TIME OF ORIGINAL TRADE,WHEN THEY CHANGED THE OIL THEY EITER DIDNT PUT ANY IN OR VERY LITTLE I HAD TO ADD 5QTS NOW THERE IS A TICKING NOISE ON THE PASS, SIDE OF ENGINE,THE SALESMAN LIED TO ME ABOUT THE TRUCK I ASKED HIM "HAS THIS EVER PLOWED OR TOWED ANYTHING BEFORE?" HE SAID "NO" AFTER TALKING TO PREV.OWNER THEY WERE TOWING A BIG BOAT WITH IT .AT THIS TIME I HAVE A COMPLAINT WITH THE ME. ATTY GEN,DODGE,FILE#9921927 ON 4-18-02,MAY I PLEASE HAVE A COPY OF THIS WITH YOUR LETTERHEAD AS WELL AS A REPLY SO I CAN FOWARD THIS TO THE ATTY GEN. THANK YOU!!!!*AK

CONTINUOUS TRANSMISSION TROUBLE:MINOR SLIPPING,SEARCHING FOR A GEAR,SURGING,NOT GOING INTO PASSING GEAR,WHEN IT DOES IT DOES NOT STAY THERE,CLUNKS HARD WHEN PUT IN REV. VIBRATION AT START UP(MOVING) HEAT SHIELD OR REAR-END,@TIME OF ORIGINAL TRADE,WHEN THEY CHANGED THE OIL THEY EITER DIDNT PUT ANY IN OR VERY LITTLE I HAD TO ADD 5QTS NOW THERE IS A TICKING NOISE ON THE PASS, SIDE OF ENGINE,THE SALESMAN LIED TO ME ABOUT THE TRUCK I ASKED HIM "HAS THIS EVER PLOWED OR TOWED ANYTHING BEFORE?" HE SAID "NO" AFTER TALKING TO PREV.OWNER THEY WERE TOWING A BIG BOAT WITH IT .AT THIS TIME I HAVE A COMPLAINT WITH THE ME. ATTY GEN,DODGE,FILE#9921927 ON 4-18-02,MAY I PLEASE HAVE A COPY OF THIS WITH YOUR LETTERHEAD AS WELL AS A REPLY SO I CAN FOWARD THIS TO THE ATTY GEN. THANK YOU!!!!*AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED, ENGINE RUNNING AND ROLLED BACKWARD INTO GARAGE. DAMAGE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH IN 5 TH GEAR ENGINE REVVED, BUT VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. CONSUMER SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL, AND THEN TRIED TO SHIFT BACK, WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT BACK INTO GEAR. PLEASE ADD FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

MADE THREE TRIPS TO DEALER FOR ENGINE LIGHT OVER A PERIOD OF 45 DAYS. FIRST TRIP WAS ON 10/3/01WITH A CHARGE OF $132.25 TECH FOUND TORQUE CONVERTER NOT WORKING. CLEANED TORQUE CONVERTER SOLENOID. SECOND TRIP TO DEALER WAS MADE ON 10/30/01 WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN. TECH FOUND SAME PROBLEM AGAIN AND REPLACED TORQUE CONVERTER SOLINOID FOR CHARGE OF $246.58. THIRD TRIP WAS MADE ON 11/13/01 WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AGAIN ON. THIS TIME TECH SAID PROBABLY AN INTERNAL LEAK "SOMEWHERE" BUT DON'T KNOW WHERE. SAID OK TO DRIVE UNTIL TRANSMISSION STARTS SLIPPING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ON THE WAY HOME AND TRANS BEGAN SLIPPING NEXT DAY. RETURNING TO DEALER ON 11/15/01 THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT COMPLETELY AND HAD TO BE TOWED. DEALER CALLED ON 11/16/01 STATING THAT THE FRONT PLATE IN TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND PROBABLY COULD NEVER GET ALL THE METAL OUT OF TRANSMISSION. NOW COST WILL BE $2200 FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. *AK

MADE THREE TRIPS TO DEALER FOR ENGINE LIGHT OVER A PERIOD OF 45 DAYS. FIRST TRIP WAS ON 10/3/01WITH A CHARGE OF $132.25 TECH FOUND TORQUE CONVERTER NOT WORKING. CLEANED TORQUE CONVERTER SOLENOID. SECOND TRIP TO DEALER WAS MADE ON 10/30/01 WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN. TECH FOUND SAME PROBLEM AGAIN AND REPLACED TORQUE CONVERTER SOLINOID FOR CHARGE OF $246.58. THIRD TRIP WAS MADE ON 11/13/01 WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AGAIN ON. THIS TIME TECH SAID PROBABLY AN INTERNAL LEAK "SOMEWHERE" BUT DON'T KNOW WHERE. SAID OK TO DRIVE UNTIL TRANSMISSION STARTS SLIPPING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ON THE WAY HOME AND TRANS BEGAN SLIPPING NEXT DAY. RETURNING TO DEALER ON 11/15/01 THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT COMPLETELY AND HAD TO BE TOWED. DEALER CALLED ON 11/16/01 STATING THAT THE FRONT PLATE IN TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND PROBABLY COULD NEVER GET ALL THE METAL OUT OF TRANSMISSION. NOW COST WILL BE $2200 FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO TRANSMISSION FLUID NOT REACHING OVERDRIVE MECHANISM. IT STARTED SLIPPING AS I WAS DRIVING HOME LATE ONE NIGHT AND IT COMPLETELY WENT OUT TWO DAYS LATER. MECHANIC SAYS IT STARTED IN THE OVERDRIVE MECHANISM AND WENT FROM THERE. HE STATED DODGE KNOWS ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS AND WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AS FAR AS THE CUSTOMERS EXPENSES. MY HUSBANDS DODGE TRUCK IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE COMMON IN THESE TRUCKS FROM 80,000 - 100,000 MILES, AND DODGE REFUSES TO PAY FOR ANY OF IT, ALTHOUGH THEY APPARENTLY MADE AN UPGRADE KIT FOR IT. MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. TRANSMISSIONS ARE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO FIX, AND DODGE SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE/CHRYSLER, AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST ME IN MY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BECAUSE MY WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE TRUCK IS ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD, AND WE WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT TO BE MORE RELIABLE. I HAVE NOTICED ON THE COMPLAINT SCREEN ON NHTSA THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OF THESE COMPLAINTS REGARDING TRANSMISSIONS. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION OF DODGE'S DECLINATION, AS WELL AS MY EFFORTS TO HAVE THEM HELP ME. AT THIS TIME BOTH OUR DODGE TRUCKS ARE UNRELIABLE, AND BECOMING INCREASINGLY EXPENSIVE TO CONTINUE TO FIX. I HAVE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE U-JOINTS ALSO. ANY AMOUNT OF HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. IT'S EXPENSIVE ENOUGH TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLES WITHOUT CONTINUALLY PUTTING MONEY INTO THEM TO KEEP THEM RUNNING, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE TRUCKS ARE ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP AND YOUR INTERNET SITE. I WAS QUITE RELIEVED TO FIND IT. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY TRANSMISSION HESITATES AND THEN WILL KICK IN. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

DRIVING 45-55MPH, VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE, BUT CAN BE CONTROLLED. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR VIBRATION. HAD DRIVERSHAFT REPLACED TO CORRECT PROBLEM. ALSO BEEN TO TIRE RETAILER DUE TO POSSIBILITY OF TIRES CAUSING PROBLEM. TIRES WERE THE PROBLEM. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER , INFORMED CONSUMER NOTHING COULD BE DONE. IT WAS CHARACTERISTIC OF TRUCK, AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED.*AK CONSUMER STATES VIBRATION HAS EXISTED IN VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASED, CONSUMER ALSO STATES THE VIBRATION CAUSES HIM TO HAVE TO DRIVE UNDER 40 MPH OR OVER 50 MPH TO AVOID THE VIBRATION. *JB

THERE IS NO SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM PRESENT IN VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE CAN BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK WITHOUT USE OF A KEY. *AK

AT 60,000 TRANSMISSION REPLACED; 68,000 BOTH U-JOINS REPLACED; 75,000 DIFFERENTIAL REBUILT; 80,000 UNIVERSAL JOINT REPLACED; NOW DIFFERENTIAL SLIPS AFTER STOPPING

AT 60,000 TRANSMISSION REPLACED; 68,000 BOTH U-JOINS REPLACED; 75,000 DIFFERENTIAL REBUILT; 80,000 UNIVERSAL JOINT REPLACED; NOW DIFFERENTIAL SLIPS AFTER STOPPING

AT 60,000 TRANSMISSION REPLACED; 68,000 BOTH U-JOINS REPLACED; 75,000 DIFFERENTIAL REBUILT; 80,000 UNIVERSAL JOINT REPLACED; NOW DIFFERENTIAL SLIPS AFTER STOPPING

TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING, TRIED TO TAKE TO THE SHOP NEXT DAY. TRANS WOULD NOT SHIFT AND IT GROUND WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE. TOOK TRUCK TO AAMCO AND THEY SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY A CHECK VAULVE THAT WAS IN THE TRANSMISSION LINE THAT WAS REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL. THE REPAIR COSTED OVER $2,000.00. THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. I HAVE A COPPY OF THE REPAIR BILL WITH A LISTING OF PARTS REPLACED. THANK YOU. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION ONCE ALREADY, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK *JB

MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT OVERDRIVE FAILED, CAUSING COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF TRANSMISSION, TORQUE CONVERTER AND RELATED ELECTRONICS. MECHANIC ALSO MENTIONED MANY SIMILAR FAILURES IN NEWER PICKUP TRUCKS.*AK

MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT OVERDRIVE FAILED, CAUSING COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF TRANSMISSION, TORQUE CONVERTER AND RELATED ELECTRONICS. MECHANIC ALSO MENTIONED MANY SIMILAR FAILURES IN NEWER PICKUP TRUCKS.*AK

TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL TO FUNCTION DURING COLD WEATHER. HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR PROBLEM, AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK DEALER REPLACED VALVE BODY, HOWEVER THIS DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. *SLC

THE TORQUE CONVERTER SHREDDED ITSELF IT COST $2000 TO MAKE ALL NECESSARY REPAIRS TO TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE LATE OR NO SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR CAUSING ENGINE TO REV TO HIGH RPMS NOT ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO GO OVER 45 MPH. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS THE MECHANIC INFORMED US THAT THE MANFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, WHICH WAS CAUSED BY AN INNER SEAL GROOVE. HAS THERE EVER BEEN A RECALL OR HAS THE MANUFACTER OFFERED ANY COMPENSATION FOR THIS DEFECT?

WE HAVE CHANGED TIRE BRANDS. TRANSMISSION OR DRIVESHAFT IS STILL NOISY, BUT DOES NOT SEEM TO EFFECT ANYTHING. IT SHOULD BE ON RECALL BUT THE CAR PLACE SAID THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD EASILY BE MISTAKEN FOR LOSING THE REAR END. THE ONE BRAKE HAS CONTINUALLY NOT CLOSED PROPERLY AND THEREFOR DOES NOT WEAR LIKE THE OTHER 3. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

WE HAVE CHANGED TIRE BRANDS. TRANSMISSION OR DRIVESHAFT IS STILL NOISY, BUT DOES NOT SEEM TO EFFECT ANYTHING. IT SHOULD BE ON RECALL BUT THE CAR PLACE SAID THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD EASILY BE MISTAKEN FOR LOSING THE REAR END. THE ONE BRAKE HAS CONTINUALLY NOT CLOSED PROPERLY AND THEREFOR DOES NOT WEAR LIKE THE OTHER 3. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

TRANSMISSION CEASED TO WORK WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. NO FORWARD MOVEMENT. HAD TRUCK TOWED HOME. DROVE THE NEXT DAY, BUT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 2ND. GEAR. SCRANTON DODGE PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TEST (REVEALED CODE 37: OVERDRIVE LOCKUP SOLENOID MALFUNCTION) , SAID TRANS. WAS BAD AND WANTED $2,456.00 FOR REPLACEMENT. NO WARRANTY HELP BECAUSE TRUCK WAS OVER WARRANTY COVERAGE BY 2,950 MILES. MECHANIC SAID FLUID WAS BURNT AND THERE WAS "METAL IN THE PAN AND IT RUINED THE SOLENOIDS." (INSPECTION LATER REVEALED NO METAL IN PAN OR BURNT FLUID). CALLED CHRYSLER (1-800-992-1997) SPOKE TO DON GRIESBAUM, EXT. 7088 GAVE AUTHORIZATION NO. 7934794. HE SAID THAT CHRYSLER WOULD "HELP" WITH THE COST, BUT WOULD NOT GIVE A HINT AS TO WHAT "HELP" MIGHT BE. SCRANTON DODGE WOULD HAVE TO DISASSEMBLE THE TRANS. TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM, AND THEN CHRYSLER WOULD DEEM IF IT WAS "DRIVER NEGLECT" WHICH WOULD GET NO "HELP" FROM CHRYSLER. ALSO ONCE TRANS IS DISASSEMBLED, IT CANNOT LEAVE THE DEALER UNTIL IT HAS BEEN FULLY REPAIRED. I WOULD HAVE OK'D THE TEARDOWN BUT $2,456.00 FOR A TRANS WITH A 36K MILE WARRANTY SEEMED USELESS WHEN MINE FAILED AT 38,950 AND I PUT 22K MILES ON IN 19MOS. I ASKED DON GRIESBAUM IF THE TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE WITH NO FAULT ON MY PART, HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST ME. HE REPLIED THAT HE COULD NOT DISCLOSE ANY INFORMATION TO ME UNTIL MY TRUCK WAS DISASSEMBLED AT A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. I HAVE BEEN MAKING PAYMENTS ON A TRUCK THAT HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY SINCE NOVEMBER . I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH CHRYSLER'S AUTO TRANS. AAMCO TRANSMISSIONS (SCRANTON) SAID THAT IF DODGE HAD TO RECALL EVERY FAULTY TRANS. THEY BUILT, THEY WOULD BE BANKRUPT. CARAVANS AND RAMS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR EARLY TRANS. FAILURE. THE NEWSGROUPS ON THE NET ARE FILLED WITH COMPLAINTS AND PEOPLE REQUESTING INFO ON CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS. I FEEL THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM AND TAKE SOME ACTION TO CORRECT IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, WILLIAM R. MOORE.

TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL WHEN GOING UP AN INCLINE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR IT. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED A LEAK AROUND TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE THAT SPILLED INTO RADIATOR. THIS WAS SAME EXACT PROBLEM AS STATED IN MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 722 FOR TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE. *AK

TORQUE CONVERTER BURNED, TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING, BUT DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *SLC

NUT ON TRANSMISSION IS SLOWLY LOOSENING WHEN SHIFTING. WHEN THE NUT FALLS OFF, 5TH GEAR IS NO LONGER WORKING. DEALER WILL NOT AUTHORIZE REPAIRS OF TRANSMISSION UNTIL THE BOLT IS COMPLETELY OFF TRANSMISSION, AND 5TH GEAR FAILS. *AK THIS PICK UP IS USED FOR PULLING BOAT AND CARRING A CAMPER. EVENTHOUGH THE LOOSE PARTS WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER, THE CUSTOMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE DEFECT POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *YH

WAITING AT STOP LIGHT & PEDESTRIAN NOTICED LEAKAGE UNDER VEHICLE. PULLED AWAY FROM STOP LIGHT & VEHICLE STARTED JERKING & LURCHING. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD, STOPPED VEHICLE & GOT OUT TO CHECK. LIFTED HOOD & NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT. CHECKED CLOSER AND SAW TRANSMISSION HOSE HAD PULLED AWAY FROM CONNECTION. IT WAS CLAMPED ON, BUT HAD PULLED AWAY. HOSE LINE WAS DIFFERENT THAN RECALL #97V084000. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS.*AK *JB

MANUFACTURER REPLACED PART FREE OF CHARGE, HOWEVER, I HAD TO PAY FOR 12 HOURS OF LABOR. HAVING AN OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE PART IN A THREE YEAR OLD VEHICLE, SHOULD NOT WARRANT A PENALTY OF PAYMENT BY ME.

DIFFERENTIAL BEARING ARE DEFECTIVE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

ON 9/14/2000 THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEGAIN TO MAKE A MOANING NOISE DURING DEACCELERATING. WITH IN 10 MILES DRIVING DISTANCE AT 30 MPH DURING DEACCELERATION THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL MADE A LOUD BANG WHILE THE VEHICAL JERKED VIOLENTLY. AFTER THE LOUD NOISE I HEARD THE DRIVE SHAFT OF THE VEHICAL DRAGING ON THE PAVEMENT. I PROCEEDED TO ATTEMPT TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SLOW DOWN WHEN THE VEHICAL JERKED VIOLENTLY AGIAN. AT THIS POINT I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP AND BEGAIN TO SLIDE. I RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE SLIDING CONTINUED DUE TO A MAJOR FAILURE IN THE DIFFERENTIAL. LUCKILY I DID NOT LOOSE COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK DURING WHEEL LOCKUP. WHEN THE TRUCK STOPPED I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND OBSERVED THE REAR END OF THE DRIVE SHAFT ON THE PAVEMENT. I COULD NOT MOVE THE VEHICAL DUE TO THE JAMMED DIFFERENTIAL, THE VEHICAL WAS TOWED TO TO A LOCAL DODGE DEALER SHIP. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS IT IS VERY POSSIBLE THAT A SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURED. THE BIGGEST ISSUE I HAVE WITH DODGE IS THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL FAILED THE FIRST TIME WHEN THE VEHICAL WAS ALMOST NEW AT 13000 MILES. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURED APPROXIMATELY ON 3/98. LUCKLY THE FAILING DIFFERENTIAL MADE VERY PRONOUNCED HUMMING NOISES BEFORE ANY CATASTROPHIC FALUIRE OCCURED. AT THAT TIME I TOOK THE VEHICAL TO ALLEN SAMUEL DODGE IN FORT WORTH TEXAS FOR REPAIR. ALLEN SAMUEL DODGE TECHNITIONS IDENTIFIED THAT THE BEARINGS IN THE DIFFERENTIAL HAD FAILED AND CAUSED THE RING AND PINION GEAR TO SEVERLY WEAR. DUE TO THE HISTORY DEMONSTRATED WITH MY EXPERINCES I AM CONCERNED THAT DODGE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN AND OR METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE REAR ENDS OF THEIR 1/2 TON PICKUPS.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THE REAREND IN THE DODGE TRUCK MAKES A CLUNK WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND DRIVE TO REVERSE IT WILL MAKE THE SAME CLUNK (RING) WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE TRANS. SHIFTS THROUGH THE SHIFT PATTERN. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED OUT THEY SAID PLAY IN THE REAR END WAS NORMAL BUT TEY REPROGRAMED THE POWER CONTROL MODULE TO LOWER THE RPMS SO THAT THE CLUNK WOULD NOT BE HEARD, THEY PUT A $1.65 STICKER ON THE TRUCK SOME WHERE . THE CLUNK IS STILL THERE AND SOUNDS LOUDER . I KNOW OF THREE OTHER DODGE TRUCKS WITH THE SAME NOISE.

THE REAREND IN THE DODGE TRUCK MAKES A CLUNK WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND DRIVE TO REVERSE IT WILL MAKE THE SAME CLUNK (RING) WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE TRANS. SHIFTS THROUGH THE SHIFT PATTERN. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED OUT THEY SAID PLAY IN THE REAR END WAS NORMAL BUT TEY REPROGRAMED THE POWER CONTROL MODULE TO LOWER THE RPMS SO THAT THE CLUNK WOULD NOT BE HEARD, THEY PUT A $1.65 STICKER ON THE TRUCK SOME WHERE . THE CLUNK IS STILL THERE AND SOUNDS LOUDER . I KNOW OF THREE OTHER DODGE TRUCKS WITH THE SAME NOISE.

WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED GEAR SLIPPING, AND SENSOR INDICATOR LIGHT COMING ON. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AND STATED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING/MELTING PARTS WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT 55-60 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED LOSS OF ACCELERATION. VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER LINKED THE PROBLEM TO THE TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. NLM

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY KIND OF WARNING. TRUCK WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ON FEB 4, 2000, IT FAILED ON THE NEXT DAY, FEB 5, 200O, WITH 46 MILES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SLC

TRANSMISSION HAD GRINDING NOISE ON REVERSE,THE AIR CONDITIONER BLEW WARM AIR AND MADE A WEIRD NOISE BEHIND DASH. HORRENDOUS NOISE IN REAR ,TURNED OUT TO BE THE REAREND (MECHANIC STATED IT HAD FROZE AND EXPLODED) NO EXTENDED WARRANTY, AM HAVING IT WORKED ON NOW. *AK

TRANSMISSION HAD GRINDING NOISE ON REVERSE,THE AIR CONDITIONER BLEW WARM AIR AND MADE A WEIRD NOISE BEHIND DASH. HORRENDOUS NOISE IN REAR ,TURNED OUT TO BE THE REAREND (MECHANIC STATED IT HAD FROZE AND EXPLODED) NO EXTENDED WARRANTY, AM HAVING IT WORKED ON NOW. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

TRANSMISSION WILL NOT DOWNSHIFT/ UPSHIFT, CAUSING STALLING OR HESITATION USUALLY AT AN INTERSECTION. 4 REPAIR ATTEMPTS THIS YEAR. *AK

1. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE. AFTER KEEPING THE TRUCK FOR 34 DAYS, DEALERSHIP FINALLY PUT IN A REBUILT TRANNY. 2. DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, RENDERING IT USELESS. DEALER BLAMED IT ON THE BUG SHIELD. 3. BATTERY COMPLETELY DIED RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. 4. FRONT WHEELS MAKE CONSTANT CLICKING NOISE...SUSPECT FAILED BEARINGS. 5. STEERING WHEEL MADE CRACKING SOUND WHEN TURNING TO LEFT OR RIGHT...TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX IT. TRUCK IS TOTAL PIECE OF JUNK!

SLIGHT JERKINESS BETWEEN 45 - 50 MPH, LESS NOTICABLE JERKINESS AT HIGHER SPEEDS. DEALER STATED THAT DODGE DOES NOT HAVE AN ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM. THE COMPONENT HAS NOT FAILED, BUT IT IS VERY IRRITATING TO SAY THE LEAST. THERE WAS ONE OCCASION WHERE I HAD 2 SUDDEN JERKS WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH. THE DEALER WHERE I HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED DIDN'T HAVE AN ANSWER. I AM SURPRISED THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED BEFORE. I KNOW OF A 1998 RAM 1500 THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM.

BRAKES DON'T STOP AT LOW SPEEDS AND LOCK UP UNDER WET CONDITIONS, RING AND PINION DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR AT 19500, DEAD BATTERY (H.D.) AFTER 2 YEARS

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN ACCELERATING TRANSMISSION WILL SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

TRANSMISSION LIGHT & THE ANTI-BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. *AK *YC

VEHICLE DID NOT COME WITH A SHIFT INTERLOCK MECHANISM, CONSUMER SAYS THAT A 9- YEAR OLD CHILD GOT IN, AND PUT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR WITHOUT KEY OR APPLYING BRAKES, AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

TRANSFER CASE SEAL FAILED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE REAR BEARINGS DUE TO LEAKAGE. MJS

VEHICLE HAD A GRINDING NOISE IN REAR ASSEMBLY. DEALER CONTACTED AND DIAGNOSED THAT SEAL HOUSING OF REAR GEAR HAD WATER IN IT WHICH DESTROYED THE LUBRICATION OF THE OIL IN HOUSING. REPAIRWORK DONE AT OWNERS EXPENSE. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AN D WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE IS STALLING/GRINDING AND JERKING. ALSO, WHEN THERE IS ALOT OF PRESSURE WITHIN THE VEHICLE, THERE IS A VERY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE . *AK

THE DEALER HAS THE SAME BELIEF AS I, THAT THE DEFECT OCCURRED AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT DUE TO THE FACT THE REAR GEAR HOUSING IS SEALED AND NO MOISTURE COULD HAVE ENTERED, THE HOUSING ASSEMBLY FROM THE HIGHWAY. THIS VEHICLE HAS HIGHWAY DRIVING ONLY, TO ITS CREDIT. *AK

SINCE JULY OF 1997, I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ALSO, A THUMP IN THE FRONT END INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN ALL TYPES OF ROAD, A SPARK KNOCKED SO LOUD I SOMETIMES WONDER IF THE MOTOR IS GOING TO LAST. THERE IS OFTEN THE SMELL OF BURNING WIRES AND BURNING FLUID AND SOMETIMES THE CAB FILLS WITH SMOKE. IN ADDITION, CRUISE CONTROL GAINS SPEED (SOMETIMES 5 TO 8 MPH OVER WHAT IT IS SET AT). THE ODOMETER GAINS MILES. *AK

AT SPEED ABOVE 50MPH, TRANSMISSION/ENGINE SURGES UP APPROXIMATELY 150 RPM. THIS GENERALLY OCCURS WHEN LOAD IS PLACED ON ENGINE, AS IN GOING UP A LONG SHALLOW GRADE. DEALER SAYS IT IS JUST THE WAY THE TRUCK DRIVES, BUT IT IS BEYOND THAT. THE TRANNY IS A FOUR SPEED AUTOMATIC, AND LIMITING IT TO 3RD GEAR DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. HELP.

WHEN MY TRUCK GOES INTO OVERDRIVE, THERE IS A GRINDING, VIBERATING NOISE THAT SEEMS TO COME FROM THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER THE TRANNY FLUID WARMS UP THERES A SLIGHT NOISE ACCOMPANIED WITH A REAL BAD LOSS OF FOWARD SPEED. I HAVE TO MAKE IT DOWNSHIFT TO GO JUST A LITTLE FASTER WHILE IN OVERDRIVE

1500 TRUCK TAKEN TO DEALER PREVIOUSLY FOR FRONT END VIBRATION. DEALER SAID TIRE PROBLEM. TIRE MAKER REPLACED TIRES. ON DAY OF INCIDENT, AT SPEED OF 10 MPH, DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT WHILE TRUCK JUMPED UP/DOWN ON STREET. TRUCK TOWED TO DEALER LOCATION. OWNER TERRIFIED BY EXPERIENCE. IF HAD BEEN DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN CRASH.

THE DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED AND THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR PROBLEM AND THAT IT HAPPENS ON HOT DAYS. SINCE THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM WHEN THEY TEST DROVE MY VEHICLE THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO PIN POINT THE PROBLEM TO ATTEND TO. THEY DIDN'T THINK IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. I DISAGREE! HERE IS THE PROBLEM. AFTER A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES WOULD HESITATE TO ACCEL WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS PEDDLE. I HEAR THE RPM GOING UP AS I PRESS THE GAS BUT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T RESPOND ACCORDINGLY. I SEE THE SAFETY ISSUE IN THESE POSSIBLE SITUATIONS: WHEN I AM MAKING A LEFT TURN AFTER A COMPLETE STOP IF MY VEHICLE DOESN'T GET OUT OF THE INTERSECTION AS I EXPECT IT TO, IT COULD TURN INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME AND THE ON COMING TRAFFIC. ANOTHER SITUATION WOULD BE WHEN I ENTER THE FREEWAY AFTER A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE MUST ACCELERATE ADAQUATELY IN ORDER FOR IT TO JOIN THE ON COMING TRAFFIC. I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICES. I'M GLAD THAT I CAN TURN TO SOMEONE WHO WILL LISTEN TO MY CONCERNS. MY ENCOUNTERS WITH THE DEALERS WERE NOT PLEASANT SOON AFTER THEY SOLD ME THE CAR. THANK YOU AGAIN. I HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON.

TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING. DEALER REFUSING TO REPAIR VEHICLE ON WARRANTY. *AK

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION FAILING TO OPERATE PROPERLY. VEHICLE HAS HAD TWO TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENTS, AND PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE UNRESOLVED AT THIS TIME. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

TRANMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE EXCEEDED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE, MELTING EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT TO PUT OUT THE FIRE OUT AND FOUND OUT THAT THE TRANMISSION COOLING LINES CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

U-JOINTS FAILED.

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

TRUCK WAS IN PARK POSITION AND THE TRUCK SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND WENT FORWARD AND WENT INTO SOMEONES YARD. THEN THE TRUCK FINALLY HIT A TREE WHICH CAUSED THE TRUCK TO COME TO A STOP. *AK

TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES.

TRANS-COOLER QUICK CONNECT FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO GO INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE.

WHILE SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO REVERSE VEHICLE WILL STALL. DEALERS DID CHECK VEHICLE AND REPLACED VARIOUS SENSORS, BUT PROBLEM REMAINS. OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY. *AK

TRANSMISSION OVERDRIVE DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY IN COLD TEMPERATURES.