1998 Dodge RAM 1500

THE DODGE TRUCKS HAVE A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THEIR HORN SYSTEM. IMPROPER PACKING OF THE DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAGS RENDERS THE HORN INOPERABLE. I PURCHASED MY 1998 DODGE 1500 NEW IN 1998. I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GET THE HORN TO WORK. DODGE DEALER IN WASHINGTON SAID IT NEEDED REPACKED BUT I WAS LEAVING FOR TEXAS AND TIME WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO WAIT FOR THE PARTS. UPON ARRIVAL AT BEAUMONT, TEXAS I TOOK THE TRUCK TO MIKE SMITH AUTOPLEX DODGE. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE COULD NOT BLOW THE HORN AND SAID SHE WOULD ORDER A REPACK AND CALL ME WHEN IT CAME IN. TWO MONTHS LATER I FOUND OUT FROM HER THAT THE MANAGER CANCELED IT AND REFUSED TO FIX THE HORN UNDER THE WARRANTY. EVERY YEAR I WIRE A MICKY MOUSE RIG ON THE COLUMN WIRED DIRECTLY TO THE HORN TO PASS INSPECTIONS. RECENTLY HAD SERVICE AT MIKE SMITH AND THE SAME SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE HORN NEEDED REPACKED, SAID CRYSLER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE HORNS AND DID NOT KNOW WHY THE MANAGER HAD REFUSED TO FIX IT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS UNSAFE TRUCK SINCE 1998 AND HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS AND NEVER ABLE TO USE THE HORN TO WARN VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS OF DANGER. THE MANAGER THAT REFUSED TO FIX IT ADMITTED THAT DODGE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE HORNS ON THESE TRUCKS. AFTER FOOLING WITH IT FOR A WHILE HE DID GET IT TO BLOW, ONLY TIME ANYONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO BLOW THE HORN AND IT TOOK HIM TWO HANDS AND A LOT OF PRESSURE. THESE TRUCKS ARE DANGEROUS. *NLM

ON JULY 22ND 2002 I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, A FORD TRUCK HIT ME FROM BEHIND DOING 35MPH. THE IMPACT PUSHED ME INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME IT ENDED UP BEING A 5 CAR PILE UP. IN WHICH MY TRUCK FRONT AND REAR BUMPER WAS SMASHED IN. I WAS THROWN FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING SEVERE PAIN DAYS LATER. I WAS REALLY SURPRISED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE REAR DRIVERS PANEL BENT AND ALSO THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT RADIATOR WAS SMASHED IN.. IT CAUSED 3700.00 DAMAGES TO MY TRUCK AND 2500.00 TO THE CAR(HONDA) IN FRONT OF ME.*AK

I HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN AND COCKSPRING AT 62237 MILES IN OCT 2000. MY FIRST INDICATION SOMETHING WAS WRONG WAS DRIFTING AT SPEED AND A GRINDING NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. MY CHOICE THE FIRST TIME ACCORDING TO THE DODGE DEALER WAS TO LET IT GO AND RISK COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE STEERING OR REPLACE IT. I REPLACED IT. NOW 17 MONTHS LATER IN MAR 2002 THE GRINDING HAS RETURNED. WHILE I FACE THE PROSPECT OF REPLACING THE STEERING ONCE AGAIN IT IS NOT NORMAL FOR FREQUENT WEAR AND TEAR OF A STEERING SYSTEM. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN SC, BUT HAVE SINCE MOVED TO UTAH. I DO NOT USE THE VEHICLE FOR OFF-ROAD RECREATION OR FOR HEAVY LOADS. I HAVE ONLY USED THE VEHICLE ON 3 OCCASIONS FOR TOWING. ANY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *AK