I HAVE A 2001 DODGE 2500 CUMMINS DIESEL 4X4 THAT I TAKE IMMACULATE CARE OF, AND HAVE THE SERVICE RECORDS TO PROVE IT. I BACKED OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE THIS WEEK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I REALIZE I HAVE NO STEERING. I LOOKED UNDER MY TRUCK AT THE STEERING LINKAGE TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THE STEERING GEAR BOX HAD BROKEN OFF THE…
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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE 2500 CUMMINS DIESEL 4X4 THAT I TAKE IMMACULATE CARE OF, AND HAVE THE SERVICE RECORDS TO PROVE IT. I BACKED OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE THIS WEEK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I REALIZE I HAVE NO STEERING. I LOOKED UNDER MY TRUCK AT THE STEERING LINKAGE TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THE STEERING GEAR BOX HAD BROKEN OFF THE FRAME. THE BOLTS THAT HOLD IT ON HAD BOTH SHEERED OFF AND CRACKED THE MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE GEAR BOX AS WELL. MY FAMILY AND I ARE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. I CONTACTED LITHIA MOTORS AND TOLD THEM MY SITUATION AND SHE INSISTED THAT I HAVE IT TOWED TO THEM BEFORE ANY WARRANTY WOULD BE CONSIDERED. I TOWED IT OUT THERE. I SHOWED THE SERVICE MANAGER BECKY BRINKA ONE OF THE BOLTS THAT SHEERED OFF (THE OTHER IS STILL STUCK IN THE FRAME). WHEN I SHOWED HER THE BOLT, SHE SAID SHE WOULD NEED THE BOLT FOR HER DIAGNOSIS. I TOLD HER THAT SHE COULD LOOK AT IT BUT I WAS GOING TO KEEP THE BOLT IN MY POSSESSION. SHE IMMEDIATELY BECAME RUDE AND UNHELPFUL. THE MECHANIC WENT OUT TO LOOK AT MY TRUCK AND CAME BACK IN WITH THE DIAGNOSIS THAT THE BOLTS HAD SHEERED OFF. THE SERVICE MANAGER THEN CONTACTED THE DISTRICT MANAGER ABOUT THE SITUATION. SHE CALLED ME BACK TO INFORM ME THAT IT WAS MY FAULT. I MUST NOT SERVICE THE VEHICLE VERY WELL. AT THIS TIME I POINTED OUT THAT SHE HAS MY SERVICE RECORDS ON FILE FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS AND TO SHOW ME WHERE I HAD MISSED ANYTHING. SHE THEN TELLS ME THAT THE DISTRICT MANAGER SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE FOR A LONG TIME BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. SO, I'M TOWING OUT OF THEIR FACILITY. I'LL HAVE SOMEONE ELSE FIX IT. MEANWHILE DODGE GETS AWAY WITH MURDER AND ISN'T HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR SAFETY ISSUES. HOW CAN SOMEONE LIKE ME FIGHT DODGE? I CAN'T GET ANYWHERE AT THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE PHONE#, AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE ME THE PHONE# OF THE DISTRICT MANAGER. WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO? TAKE THEM TO COURT? I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT AND THEY KNOW THIS. THEY FIGURE I'LL JUST GO AWAY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10131751
171,000 miles · Jul 7, 2005
SteeringCrash
DT: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING EARLY IN THE MORNING WITH A FULLY LOADED TRAILER WHEN HE LOST STEERING CONTROL AND WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD AND WENT RIGHT THROUGH A FENCE CAUSING LOTS OF DAMAGE TOTHE VEHICLE AND DESTROYING THE FENCE. VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING WHEN CONSUMER LOST STEERING. CONSUMER FOUN…
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DT: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING EARLY IN THE MORNING WITH A FULLY LOADED TRAILER WHEN HE LOST STEERING CONTROL AND WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD AND WENT RIGHT THROUGH A FENCE CAUSING LOTS OF DAMAGE TOTHE VEHICLE AND DESTROYING THE FENCE. VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING WHEN CONSUMER LOST STEERING. CONSUMER FOUND THAT STEERING COLUMN HAD FALLEN APART. THE SHAFT GOING FROM THE GEAR BOX TO THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT CAME APART. THE BOLT LOOSENED AND ALLOWED FOR SHAFT TO SEPARATE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT THE SHAFT BACK TOGETHER AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A GARAGE. THE CONSUMER PUT LOCK TIGHT ON BOLT AND MARKED SHAFT TO SEE IF IT WOULD MOVE AGAIN. CONSUMER HAS AN ACCIDENT REPORT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10127812
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2005
Steering
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT, AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10117487
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2005
SteeringSuspension
DODGE RAM 2500 SERIES 2001, NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STEERING MECHANISMS. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS CONSTANTLY OVERCORRECTING THE VEHICLE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CONSUMER HAD MANY ALIGNMENTS DONE BUT TO NO AVAIL. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ALL THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST AND NO LUBRICATION, THE STEER…
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DODGE RAM 2500 SERIES 2001, NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STEERING MECHANISMS. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS CONSTANTLY OVERCORRECTING THE VEHICLE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CONSUMER HAD MANY ALIGNMENTS DONE BUT TO NO AVAIL. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ALL THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST AND NO LUBRICATION, THE STEERING SHAFT AND TRAC BAR WAS REPLACED AND THE STEERING BOX WAS ADJUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND IN HIS OPINION ALTERNATE VALVE LOCATED IN THE STEERING WAS NOT PERFORMING AS IT SHOULD, WHEN THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE VALVE IT EXTREMELY BURNT FROM OVERHEATING. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NO LONGER HAS ANY PROBLEMS STEERING THE VEHICLE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10115597
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2005
SteeringSuspension
DODGE RAM 2500 SERIES 2001, NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STEERING MECHANISMS. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE TAKING A 2 MILE DRIVE, HE NOTICE HE HAD TO CONSTANTLY OVERCORRECT TO THE LEFT AND THEN THE RIGHT. THE DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL COMPONETS ON THE VEHICLE TO TRY AND RESOLVE THE STEERING PROBLEM, THE REPLACED ALL THE BALL…
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DODGE RAM 2500 SERIES 2001, NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STEERING MECHANISMS. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE TAKING A 2 MILE DRIVE, HE NOTICE HE HAD TO CONSTANTLY OVERCORRECT TO THE LEFT AND THEN THE RIGHT. THE DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL COMPONETS ON THE VEHICLE TO TRY AND RESOLVE THE STEERING PROBLEM, THE REPLACED ALL THE BALL JOINTS WHICH WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND HAD NO GREASE, THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED, THE TRAC BAR WAS REPLACED DUE TO SEVERE MOVEMENT. IT WAS FINALLY DETERMINED THAT A ALTERNATE VALVE IN THE STEERING BOX WAS NOT PERFORMING AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO, WHEN THE MECHANIC TOOK THE VALVE OUT IT WAS BURNED FROM OVERHEATING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10115204
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2004
Steering
THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS ALSO THE POWER ASSIST FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER HAD NO STEERING AND NO BRAKES. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10109065
85,000 miles · Dec 13, 2004
SteeringSuspension
FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE WORN OUT AND NEED REPLACING. TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN USED OFF ROAD AND MOST MILES ARE HIGHWAY MILES. DEALER SUGGESTED I CONTACT DODGE BUT WHEN I DID THEY REFUSED ANY HELP. LATER THAT EVENING ISAW AN ARTICLE IN THE PAPER ABOUT DODGE HAVING BALL JOINT RECALLS ON DURANGOS AND DAKOTAS.THIS COULD BE RELATE…
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FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE WORN OUT AND NEED REPLACING. TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN USED OFF ROAD AND MOST MILES ARE HIGHWAY MILES. DEALER SUGGESTED I CONTACT DODGE BUT WHEN I DID THEY REFUSED ANY HELP. LATER THAT EVENING ISAW AN ARTICLE IN THE PAPER ABOUT DODGE HAVING BALL JOINT RECALLS ON DURANGOS AND DAKOTAS.THIS COULD BE RELATED AND REPORTED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10102880
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2004
Steering
DODGE RAM 2500 SERIES 2001, NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STEERING MECHANISMS. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD STEER IN THE DIRECTION OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10115331
60,000 miles · Oct 15, 2004
Steering
WHILE DRIVING, SUDDENLY THE TRUCK STARTS DRIFTING FROM SIDE TO SIDE, WITHOUT WARNING. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE SHAFT THAT COMES OUT OF THE STEERING BOX IS LOSE WHERE THE BEARING IS WEARING OUT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10096930
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2004
Steering
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONTAL TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE GREASED. *AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE08047 · 2000-2001 Dodge RAM Pickup Hood Latch
Opened Jul 25, 2008 · Closed Dec 17, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch; Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments
THE AGENCY OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 30 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE HOODS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS FLEW UP AND BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VISION.THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PRIMARY HOOD LATCH AND A SECONDARY (BACKUP) HOOD LATCH.THE SECONDARY LATCH IS DESIGNED TO SECURE THE HOOD IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED OR OTHERWISE MALFUNCTIONS.IN THESE COMPLAINTS, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION, AND DID NOT LATCH.DODGE CONDUCTED RECALL 01V-040 IN 1999 TO ADDRESS SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.THE INFORMATION CHRYSLER PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER INDICATED THAT THE MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES WITH STAINLESS STEEL RETURN SPRINGS, AS OPPOSED TO THE EARLIER RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAD ZINC COATED CARBON STEEL RETURN SPRINGS.THE RECALLED COMPONENTS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION-INDUCED FAILURE DUE TO THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, WHEREAS THE CORROSION FAILURES IN THE NEWER MODELS APPEAR TO BE DUE TO LUBRICATION LOSS OVER TIME (REGULAR APPLICATION OF GREASE IS ADVISED PER INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). ODI'S REVIEW OF CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY, COMPLAINT, AND INJURY DATA FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES INDICATES THAT THE RATES FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE LOW AND ARE DECLINING.A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
THE AGENCY OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 30 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE HOODS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS FLEW UP AND BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VISION.THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PRIMARY HOOD LATCH AND A SECONDARY (BACKUP) HOOD LATCH.THE SECONDARY LATCH IS DESIGNED TO SECURE THE HOOD IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED OR OTHERWISE MALFUNCTIONS.IN THESE COMPLAINTS, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION, AND DID NOT LATCH.DODGE CONDUCTED RECALL 01V-040 IN 1999 TO ADDRESS SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.THE INFORMATION CHRYSLER PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER INDICATED THAT THE MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES WITH STAINLESS STEEL RETURN SPRINGS, AS OPPOSED TO THE EARLIER RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAD ZINC COATED CARBON STEEL RETURN SPRINGS.THE RECALLED COMPONENTS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION-INDUCED FAILURE DUE TO THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, WHEREAS THE CORROSION FAILURES IN THE NEWER MODELS APPEAR TO BE DUE TO LUBRICATION LOSS OVER TIME (REGULAR APPLICATION OF GREASE IS ADVISED PER INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). ODI'S REVIEW OF CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY, COMPLAINT, AND INJURY DATA FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES INDICATES THAT THE RATES FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE LOW AND ARE DECLINING.A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments
THE AGENCY OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 30 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE HOODS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS FLEW UP AND BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VISION.THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PRIMARY HOOD LATCH AND A SECONDARY (BACKUP) HOOD LATCH.THE SECONDARY LATCH IS DESIGNED TO SECURE THE HOOD IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED OR OTHERWISE MALFUNCTIONS.IN THESE COMPLAINTS, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION, AND DID NOT LATCH.DODGE CONDUCTED RECALL 01V-040 IN 1999 TO ADDRESS SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.THE INFORMATION CHRYSLER PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER INDICATED THAT THE MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES WITH STAINLESS STEEL RETURN SPRINGS, AS OPPOSED TO THE EARLIER RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAD ZINC COATED CARBON STEEL RETURN SPRINGS.THE RECALLED COMPONENTS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION-INDUCED FAILURE DUE TO THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, WHEREAS THE CORROSION FAILURES IN THE NEWER MODELS APPEAR TO BE DUE TO LUBRICATION LOSS OVER TIME (REGULAR APPLICATION OF GREASE IS ADVISED PER INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). ODI'S REVIEW OF CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY, COMPLAINT, AND INJURY DATA FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES INDICATES THAT THE RATES FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE LOW AND ARE DECLINING.A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
2001 Dodge RAM 2500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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