This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph with the accelerator pedal engaged, the vehicle failed to accelerate without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,000.
Rear end locked up while driving on highway at appox. 35mph, no warning truck was jumping all over because rear tires would not move in forward, looked and noted: Drive shaft was on street broke off at pinion and differential not at universal as I expected I'm almost 80yrs old never had anything like this happen to me, even when flat bed towing company tried to load it, it broke his cable and freewheeled backwards lucky no one got hurt something about clutch in diff locked up in forward only, all this I have documented by licensed mechanic's and repair shop that rebuilt differential, also jonesville Michigan police were on scene and made out a report
I brought my truck in for a routine transmission service, and alerted the service guy about a loud growling noise coming from the trans/ rear end. This had been becoming more frequent and louder every time I took my foot off the gas, upon deceleration. After inspection, it was discovered that the pinion nut was coming off. This caused a lot of damage inside the differential. After learning this, I was frustrated and researched online to see if there was a recall, there is a recall for the 2005 model year, but mine is a 2003... but it's the exact same problem! I can't be the only one who's had this happen in this model year, mine and my families lives could've been in jeopardy! the 2005 recall specifically says - "consequence: If the pinion nut loosens, the rear axle may seize, and/or the driveshaft may detach resulting in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash." I want to know if there will be any accountabilty for this from anyone? I have an unexpected bill now of a pretty substantial amount...
While driving on the expressway at approximately 60 mph the rear axle pinion bolt vibrated off, causing the driveshaft to drop from the rear, the wheels locked up and the truck swerved to the left, luckily it swerved into a grassy median and not into another vehicle. The 2005 Dodge Ram was recalled for the same issue, no adhesive on the bolt to stop it from vibrating off. Its the same truck with the same rear and the same problem, and it should also be recalled before someone is killed!
While driving home from work I started hearing this noise coming from the rear end at 81,000 I know it cant be the rear end, but yes its the rear end going out never pulled anything with the truck, fluids are changed on time and oil and rear end al ways change at the same time. The other problem is the steering I notice when I hit a dip in the hwy its hard too control but every time I take it buy the dealer ship they say its normal, never thought ill be giving up on Dodge but now I see they just wont your money and they wont stand be hind there product. I am sure I'm wasting my time writing this but gotta know if Dodge will respond back.
- Meridian, MS, USA
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The rear end grinds and has been for many years or is grinding little metal pieces off truck is unsafe to drive any longer until rear end gets replaced.
Had the rear end fail going close to 70 mph, drive shaft broke off the pinion gear shaft at the rear end causing the rear end to momentarily lock-up, before it broke free. This damaged the rear end! was lucky it didn't stay locked up! drive line ruined as well !
While driving down the road I felt my entire truck shudder. Pulled over as soon as possible and saw driveshaft laying on the ground. Had truck towed back to my residence, where I inspected threat end and saw that the pinion but had backed off and cause driveshaft to come undone from rear differential my entire rear end is locked up and needs to be rebuilt. There is currently a recall for 2004 and 2005 for this same issue. However the recall states this could happen. Unfortunately it did happen to me and currently my vehicle is not on the list. 2003 Ram 1500 has 9.25 rear end, same as the recalled vehicles. I've been told by Chrysler that I should get vehicle repaired and hold onto receipt in case a recall arises with my vehicle. However this doesn't seem right since it's almost exactly the same truck with same equipment and this equipment failure isn't a potential issue, it's already ruined my rear end that I now have to pay myself due to faulty equipment, recall that should cover my vehicle.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, there was a loud abnormal noise. In addition, the tires seized and the drive shaft fractured. The vehicle was not able to be driven due to the failure. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
My wife, kids and mother in law were driving North in miami heading to fort lauderdale the truck made a loud whining noise and then suddenly the rear wheels locked up and there was a huge bang and smoke rose from the rear of the truck. The aluminum driveshaft was split in 2 and there was oil all over the underside of the truck and on the ground. The truck would not roll at all and a flat bed needed to be used to bring the truck back to potamkin planet Dodge. The mechanic that did the tear down on the rear axel said he initially thought it could be rebuilt but I was contacted later and I was told that it was so frozen they couldn't free up the gears, I had to buy a new axel. The rebuilt replacement axel cost me $4334.01. The reason I'm now sending this in is because I just saw the recall notice that went out for the 2004 and up trucks and when I read the descriptions from the people that had submitted all of the complaints I realized how similar everyone's story was and that my situation may not have been just dumb luck due to a simple mechanical failure. The mechanics that worked on my truck were not surprised at all and made it seem like this is a pretty common failure on these trucks and I didn't even think at the time that it may have been a manufacturing or assembly defect. If my 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 axel had the same lot number or series serial number or came from the same factory then this recall should be expanded further back to cover all impacted parties. I owned the truck since it was brand new and it was not used as a work truck or any tough duty truck, it was our daily driving truck and I still own it today. I take care of my vehicles and people don't believe the truck is 12 years old when I tell them.
Driving down interstate 60 mph, drive shaft fell out from under truck, rear wheels locked up. Mechanic said the pinion broke off. Truck rear wheels would not turn. Couldn't roll the vehicle off the interstate. Some one pulled it off with a chain.
Rear axle pinion became loose and dropped to the bottom of the case. The U-joints on the drive shaft broke and the drive shaft separated from the vehicle. The back end locked up. Dodge made no previous attempt to notify me of a problem with the pinion in my 4 wheel drive truck nor did they do anything to fix it prior to the vehicle breaking down. It is now an expensive repair. Would like to be reimbursed for the repair.
Rear axle locked up while driving and snapped bolts to the drive shaft then drive shaft fell off onto the road. Truck came skidding to a stop. Rear axle will not turn at all.
There was not an accident but could have been. The clips in the differential fall out and could cause axles to lock up which could be very dangerous at speed. When changing my fluid I found these clips in the bottom of the case. This is a very common and dangerous problem. If these clips were to get caught in the ring and pinion gears it would have been scary. Dodge should be recalling these.
The contact stated 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, the vehicle made a loud thumping sound and immediately after the check engine light illuminated. The contact was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the clutch assembly and transmission would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 33,000 and the current mileage was 36,000.
When I was pulling on the highway from entry I was depending on my cars engine when I was trying to accelerate car first jump then shut of completely and as a busy highway route 80 I was almost got run over by a trailer good thing I'm experience driver car stall out and didn't start for easy 1 minuet at this time I was on side of the road after that day car randomly stalls out I try to understand what's the problem it doesn't give me any related code also cruise control is when U set a speed and you slow down with the button but sometimes car will take off faster engine has multiple design errors that makes the engine fail out of nowhere.
Rear pinion nut came off of rear end causing the rear end to lock up completely. Driveshaft broke off and rear tires locked up causing a total loss of control....updated 01/07/15 updated 06/2/2015
I had just stopped my truck in front of my garage and, with my foot on the brake, shifted into the park gear position. Suddenly the engine began to race and my foot on the brake peddle went to the floor as if I had no brakes at all. I took my foot off of the brake peddle and the engine leaped forward through my garage door. I hit the brakes immediately and came to a screeching stop. I put the truck in reverse but it would not engage. A neighbor came and asked if I needed help. I asked him to try backing out of the garage for me. He took my place behind the wheel and shifted into reverse with the same result. He asked me if I had the emergency brakes on because the truck would not move. I told him no and when he attempted to use reverse again the gears engaged and he backed the truck out of the garage for me.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Tallassee, AL, USA