2003 DODGE RAM 3500 Complaints

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED ON A BOAT RAMP FOR 10 TO 15 MINUTES WITH THE ENGINE OFF, AFTER THE BOAT WAS LOADED THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO THE WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS SUBMERGED IN THE WATER OVER THE FRONT TIRES. IT WAS DRIVEN OUT OF THE WATER AND TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE 2 MILES AWAY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V462000, REGARDING THE POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, BOTH REFUSE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER IS SENDING A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE.

AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN A COLLISION. ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN, I T-BONED THE OTHER VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK, YET AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE POWER TRAIN; AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, RECALL NUMBER: 05V462000. PRIOR TO RECEIVING THIS RECALL, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DONE TO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DOES NOT AGREE WITH THE REMEDY LISTED IN THE RECALL. IN ADDITION TO THE OUT OF PARK ALARM LISTED AS THE REMEDY TO THIS RECALL, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED A SHIFTER CABLE NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE VEHICLE ENGAGED INTO REVERSE GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THEY REPLACED THE TRANSFER CASE BECAUSE OF THE CALIBRATION SET POINTS. THE VEHICLE NOW OPERATES CORRECTLY.

STEERING BOX GEARS DISINTEGRATED DUE TO MISALIGNMENT CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK AND FAILURE OF RELATED SYSTEMS. POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ARE TIED TO SAME PUMP SYSTEM. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN PARKING LOT RATHER THAN TRAVELING DOWN FREEWAY WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE 3500. WHEN HE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE HE WAS TOLD THIS TRUCK WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE RUNNING BOARDS PUT ON AND THE MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT THE TWO BOLTS THAT HOLD THE CAB ON THE FRAME WERE MISSING. *AK UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 3500 ONE TON. THE WARNING LIGHTS KEPT COMING ON. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND OFF. THE CONTACT CITED A RECALL ON MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, AND HIS VEHICLE HAD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. HE NOTICED THIS ON 9-13-05. *AK

I DRIVE A 2003 DODGE 3500 DRW AND PULL A 5TH WHEEL ONCE A MONTH. TIRES ARE GOODYEAR, WRANGLER SRA, SIZE: LT235/80R17 LOAD RATE E. I NOTICED AN OPEN CRACK ON THE SIDEWALL OF MY FRONT LEFT TIRE AND TOOK MY TRUCK INTO A GOODYEAR SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THEY INSPECTED IT AND SAID THAT ALL 6 TIRES SHOULD BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF SHOWING SIGNS OF CRACKING (ON THE SIDEWALLS). TO ME THIS IS AN UNSAFE PROBLEM AND I EXPECTED GOODYEAR TO REPLACE THEM. NO, I HAVE TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES (THEY ARE PRORATING THE BAD ONES). THE TIRES HAD TO BE FOUND IN TWO DIFFERENT STATES BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THEM IN STOCK. I ASKED THE SERVICE PERSON IF THEY SEE THIS A LOT. HIS ANSWER WAS HE HAS SEEN IT BEFORE. I CONTACTED GOODYEAR CONSUMER RELATIONS AND GOT THE SAME ANSWER. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND THESE TIRES HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SIDEWALLS. SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH KNOWN QUALITY TIRES. NO INCIDENT OCCURRED, SAW PROBLEM BEFORE HAND.*JB

I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING THAT THE LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER CANNOT FIGURE OUT. I'VE RECENTLY STARTED GETTING A WHINING NOISE FROM THE STEERING WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE LAST TIME THAT I NOTICED THIS NOISE I LATER NOTICED FLUID UNDER THE TRUCK COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING LOCATION. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHERE IT WAS LEAKING FROM AND PLACED DYE IN THE RESEVOIR AND RAN THE TRUCK FOR TWO HOURS. THEY DID NOT NOTICE A LEAK OR THE WHINE. THEY WANT ME TO DRIVE THE TRUCK AND BRING IN BACK AFTER 200 MILES OR SO. I DID A SEARCH OF THE FORUMS ON WWW.TURBODIESELREGISTRY.COM AND NOTICED THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A METAL SCREEN "FILTER" INSIDE THE PUMP THAT IS CLOGGING. AFTER THEY DRAIN THE PUMP, CLEAN THE SCREEN AND REFILL/REPRIME THE PUMP THE LOW SPEED CONDITION GOES AWAY. THIS CONCERNS ME VERY MUCH AS MY FAMILY LIVES COULD BE IN JEOPARDY IF THIS SHOULD CAUSE A POWER STEERING / POWER BRAKE FAILURE. WE LIVE IN COLORADO AND TOW ON THE MOUNTAIN PASSES HERE VERY FREQUENTLY. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS "FILTER" IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM WHETHER IT IS TO REMOVE THIS "FILTER" OR REPLACE IT WITH AN EXTERNAL FILTER THAT CAN BE SERVICED.

LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD. FRONT LEFT WHEEL FELL OFF, LEADING ME INTO A ROCK. VEHICLE IS TOTAL LOSS AND I HAVE HAD PHYSICAL DAMAGE ON MY FACE FROM IT GOING THROUGH THE DRIVER DOOR WINDOW ON IMPACT. DODGE HAS DENIED MY CLAIM EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL ON DAKOTA'S FOR SAME PROBLEM.