IllustrationWHILE TRAVELING 65-70 MPH AND CHANGING LANES POWER STEERING BECAME HARD. THIS RESULTED IN A TRACTOR TRAILER REAR ENDING CONSUME'S VEHICLE AND PUSHING IT ON SIDE OF MOUNTAIN. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
2003 Dodge RAM
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Dodge RAM do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 27.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
120–25K
225–50K
550–75K
275–100K
3100–150K
2150K+
26 reports with mileage · 27 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
53 reportsROOF STRUCTURE CRACKED. *AK
CONSUMER STATES THERE ARE NO HEAD RESTRAINTS FOR THE REAR SEATS. THE CONSUMER IS ALSO CONCERENED THAT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S BEAD MAY GO THROUGH THE GLASS. *AK *NM
NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH 2003 DODGE RAM SINCE OWNERSHIP. *PH THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A STALLING PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A STOP OR IDLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED DUE TO FAULTY CLAMP. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMI…
Read full complaint
NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH 2003 DODGE RAM SINCE OWNERSHIP. *PH THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A STALLING PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A STOP OR IDLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED DUE TO FAULTY CLAMP. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO A FAULTY OUTPUT SEAL AT THE TRANSFER CASE. *NM
WHILE STARTING UP THE VEHICLE ENGINE IDLED ON ITS OWN. ALSO, WHEN COMING TO STOP VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART, AND WAS ABLE TO START VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THROTTLE CONTROL FAILED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK
THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON AN ICY ROAD BETWEEN 30 - 35 MPH. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE HIT A POLE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED SERIOUS HEAD INJURIES WHEN HIS HEAD HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE WIN…
Read full complaint
THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON AN ICY ROAD BETWEEN 30 - 35 MPH. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE HIT A POLE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED SERIOUS HEAD INJURIES WHEN HIS HEAD HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD. *AK ODI FOLLOWED UP WITH CONSUMER AND LEARNED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DID NOT RELEASE AS EARLIER STATED IN THE CRASH. THE COMPLAINT WAS ON THE PERFORMACE OF THE RETRACTOR. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT HAVE LOCKED UP DURING THE IMPACT. THE VEHCILE WAS TOTALED AND TAKEN AWAY. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT INSPECT THE RETRACTOR FOR ODI DURING THE FOLLOW UP CALL. CW *JB
AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE STALLING PROBLEM, THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO PURSUE THE LEMON LAW. *PH THE REAR PASSENGER OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS LOOSE. *JB
WE BOUGHT OUR 2003 DODGE 2500 DIESEL RAM PICKUP ON JANUARY 25, 2003 WITH 10 MILES ON IT. WE NOTICED IT PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND ONCE IN AWHILE WOULD SHAKE A LITTLE, WE THOUGHT IT WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. ON APRIL 27, 2003 WE WHERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 80 MILES PER HOUR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRUCK WAS VIOLENTLY SHAKIN…
Read full complaint
WE BOUGHT OUR 2003 DODGE 2500 DIESEL RAM PICKUP ON JANUARY 25, 2003 WITH 10 MILES ON IT. WE NOTICED IT PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND ONCE IN AWHILE WOULD SHAKE A LITTLE, WE THOUGHT IT WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. ON APRIL 27, 2003 WE WHERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 80 MILES PER HOUR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRUCK WAS VIOLENTLY SHAKING BACK AND FORTH. IT TOOK EVERYTHING MY HUSBAND HAD TO KEEP US ON THE ROAD. AFTER WHAT SEEMED LIKE AN ETERNITY HE WAS ABLE TO PULL ONTO THE SHOULDER AND GET IT STOPPED. WE DECIDED TO TRY TO GET TO THE NEXT TOWN THAT WAS 20 MILES AWAY. TRAVELING AT 40 M.P.H. WITH OUR FLASHERS ON, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. MY HUSBAND CALLED THE TOW TRUCK, AND WE HAVEN'T SEEN OUR TRUCK SINCE! THE MECHANIC SAID A BOLT ON THE TRACK BAR MOUNT HAD COME LOOSE AND FELL OUT AND THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRONT AXLE. SPOKE TO THE MECHANIC TODAY AND THEY RECEIVED THE FRONT AXLE TODAY. NOW THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS, THEY HAVE BEEN ORDERED AND WILL TAKE ANOTHER COUPLE OF DAYS. I HAVE SPOKEN TO A COUPLE OF MECHANICS TODAY AND NONE OF THEM CAN FIGURE OUT WHY THE FRONT AXLE ALONG WITH THE BALL JOINTS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACE BECAUSE OF THE LOOSE TRACK BAR MOUNT. YOU CAN FIND THIS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, SORRY I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT WEBSITE ADDRESS. WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV ONCE IN THE WEBSITE GO TO: COMPLAINT SEARCH CRITERIA: VEHICLE 2003 DODGE TRUCK
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A DODGE QUAD-CAB PICKUP FROM EAST TULSA DODGE IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA. WE PURCHASED IT AT NIGHT, THE NEXT DAY WE NOTICED BLEMISHES/FLAWS IN THE PAINT. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP'S ATTENTION THEY ADMITTED THAT IT IS IN FACT A FACTORY DEFECTIVE PAINT JOB. THE DAIMLER CHRYSLER DISTRICT…
Read full complaint
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A DODGE QUAD-CAB PICKUP FROM EAST TULSA DODGE IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA. WE PURCHASED IT AT NIGHT, THE NEXT DAY WE NOTICED BLEMISHES/FLAWS IN THE PAINT. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP'S ATTENTION THEY ADMITTED THAT IT IS IN FACT A FACTORY DEFECTIVE PAINT JOB. THE DAIMLER CHRYSLER DISTRICT REP. LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND HE TOO ADMITTED THAT IT IS A FACTORY DEFECTIVE PAINT JOB BUT HE ONLY BELITTLED ME AND INSINUATED THAT I WAS ONLY BEING PICKY. HIS WORDS WERE THOSE BLEMISHES AREN'T GOING TO DO ANYTHING AS IF TO SAY WHY CAN'T YOU JUST LIVE IT?? IF YOU CAN DO ANYTHING AT ALL TO HELP US WE WOULD BE SO GRATEFUL! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ANY HELP, CLIFFORD B. RODGERS 329 N. DATE ST. JENKS, OKLAHOMA 74037 (918)-260-8645 (918)-299-6149 EMAIL ADDRESS KIPANDDEBBIE@AOL.COM
Official recalls
204V185000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
Apr 12, 2004
ON CERTAIN VAN AND WAGON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS), AFTERMARKET BATTERIES MAY LEAK ELECTROLYTE ONTO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR, WHICH CAN COMPROMISE SEALING INTEGRITY OF THE CONNECTOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR FOR ELECTROLYTE DAMAGE AND REPLACE THE CONNECTOR AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
03V033000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Feb 5, 2003
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINES AND MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELEVATED IDLE SPEED AFTER EXTENDED CRUISE CONTROL USE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND A REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SOFTWARE IN THE CUMMINS ENGINE CONTROLLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2003. 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
1EA04025 · False Park
Opened Aug 26, 2004 · Closed Dec 22, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL AND WORK PURPOSES.A COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER IS USED FOR GEAR SELECTION AND AN ELECTRONIC PRNDL ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PROVIDES GEAR POSITION INFORMATION TO THE DRIVER.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ALSO EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS THE SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING MOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION (WHEN THE ENGINE IS ON) UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND AN IGNITION-SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS KEY REMOVAL UNLESS THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARK POSITION.COMPLAINANTS GENERALLY REPORT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED IN A FORWARD GEAR AND BROUGHT TO A STOP THROUGH BRAKE APPLICATION ON ALEVEL SURFACE, AT WHICH TIME THE OPERATOR MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER TO ENGAGE THE PARK POSITION.THE OPERATOR THEN OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND, WITHOUT VERIFYING PARK ENGAGEMENT (E.G., PRNDL GEAR INDICATION), SECURING THE PARK BRAKE, OR TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, EXITED THE VEHICLE.INITIALLY, NO VEHICLE MOVEMENT WAS APPARENT, HOWEVER, A SHORT TIME LATER, TYPICALLY REPORTED AS 10 TO 30 SECONDS, THE VEHICLE MOVED REARWARD UNDER ENGINE POWER.THE INCIDENT OFTEN ENDED IN A VEHICLE CRASH, AND SOMETIMES INVOLVED SERIOUS INJURY.TWO FATALITIES ARE ALLEGED.ODI?S ANALYSIS OF TEST VEHICLES AND SOME INCIDENT VEHICLES FOUND NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT A SHIFT LEVER PROPERLY PLACED IN PARK COULD UNINTENTIONALLY (I.E., WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT) DISENGAGE FROM THAT POSITION.HOWEVER, ODI DID FIND THAT THE SHIFT LEVER COULD BE INADVERTENTLY PLACED, AND REMAIN AT REST, WITHIN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION BETWEEN THE PARK AND REVERSE GEAR POSITIONS.WHEN PLACED IN SUCH AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION, THE VEHICLE CAN EXPERIENCE A DELAYED PRESSURIZATION OF THE REVERSE HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT THAT IS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL REARWARD UNDER POWER.THE DELAY PERIOD ALLOWS SUFFICIENT TIME FOR OPERATORS TO EXIT THE STATIONARY VEHICLE WITHOUT PERCEIVING THAT THE SHIFTER IS NOT IN PARK.THE SUMMARY REPORT DISCUSSES THE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THIS ISSUE IN GREATER DETAIL AND COMPARES THE FREQUENCY OF THESE INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO OTHER PEER VEHICLES THAT ODI EXAMINED.AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR OCTOBER 4, 2005 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-462, DCC NO. E17) TO INSTALL AN OUT-OF-PARK ALARM SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE ALARM WILL PROVIDE AUDIBLE AND VISUAL FEEDBACK TO ALERT THE DRIVER, AND OTHERS, IF THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE SHIFT LEVER IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION.THE TIMING OF DCC?S ACTION HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Power Train:automatic Transmission
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL AND WORK PURPOSES.A COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER IS USED FOR GEAR SELECTION AND AN ELECTRONIC PRNDL ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PROVIDES GEAR POSITION INFORMATION TO THE DRIVER.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ALSO EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS THE SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING MOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION (WHEN THE ENGINE IS ON) UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND AN IGNITION-SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS KEY REMOVAL UNLESS THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARK POSITION.COMPLAINANTS GENERALLY REPORT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED IN A FORWARD GEAR AND BROUGHT TO A STOP THROUGH BRAKE APPLICATION ON ALEVEL SURFACE, AT WHICH TIME THE OPERATOR MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER TO ENGAGE THE PARK POSITION.THE OPERATOR THEN OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND, WITHOUT VERIFYING PARK ENGAGEMENT (E.G., PRNDL GEAR INDICATION), SECURING THE PARK BRAKE, OR TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, EXITED THE VEHICLE.INITIALLY, NO VEHICLE MOVEMENT WAS APPARENT, HOWEVER, A SHORT TIME LATER, TYPICALLY REPORTED AS 10 TO 30 SECONDS, THE VEHICLE MOVED REARWARD UNDER ENGINE POWER.THE INCIDENT OFTEN ENDED IN A VEHICLE CRASH, AND SOMETIMES INVOLVED SERIOUS INJURY.TWO FATALITIES ARE ALLEGED.ODI?S ANALYSIS OF TEST VEHICLES AND SOME INCIDENT VEHICLES FOUND NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT A SHIFT LEVER PROPERLY PLACED IN PARK COULD UNINTENTIONALLY (I.E., WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT) DISENGAGE FROM THAT POSITION.HOWEVER, ODI DID FIND THAT THE SHIFT LEVER COULD BE INADVERTENTLY PLACED, AND REMAIN AT REST, WITHIN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION BETWEEN THE PARK AND REVERSE GEAR POSITIONS.WHEN PLACED IN SUCH AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION, THE VEHICLE CAN EXPERIENCE A DELAYED PRESSURIZATION OF THE REVERSE HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT THAT IS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL REARWARD UNDER POWER.THE DELAY PERIOD ALLOWS SUFFICIENT TIME FOR OPERATORS TO EXIT THE STATIONARY VEHICLE WITHOUT PERCEIVING THAT THE SHIFTER IS NOT IN PARK.THE SUMMARY REPORT DISCUSSES THE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THIS ISSUE IN GREATER DETAIL AND COMPARES THE FREQUENCY OF THESE INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO OTHER PEER VEHICLES THAT ODI EXAMINED.AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR OCTOBER 4, 2005 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-462, DCC NO. E17) TO INSTALL AN OUT-OF-PARK ALARM SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE ALARM WILL PROVIDE AUDIBLE AND VISUAL FEEDBACK TO ALERT THE DRIVER, AND OTHERS, IF THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE SHIFT LEVER IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION.THE TIMING OF DCC?S ACTION HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL AND WORK PURPOSES.A COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER IS USED FOR GEAR SELECTION AND AN ELECTRONIC PRNDL ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PROVIDES GEAR POSITION INFORMATION TO THE DRIVER.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ALSO EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS THE SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING MOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION (WHEN THE ENGINE IS ON) UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND AN IGNITION-SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS KEY REMOVAL UNLESS THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARK POSITION.COMPLAINANTS GENERALLY REPORT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED IN A FORWARD GEAR AND BROUGHT TO A STOP THROUGH BRAKE APPLICATION ON ALEVEL SURFACE, AT WHICH TIME THE OPERATOR MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER TO ENGAGE THE PARK POSITION.THE OPERATOR THEN OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND, WITHOUT VERIFYING PARK ENGAGEMENT (E.G., PRNDL GEAR INDICATION), SECURING THE PARK BRAKE, OR TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, EXITED THE VEHICLE.INITIALLY, NO VEHICLE MOVEMENT WAS APPARENT, HOWEVER, A SHORT TIME LATER, TYPICALLY REPORTED AS 10 TO 30 SECONDS, THE VEHICLE MOVED REARWARD UNDER ENGINE POWER.THE INCIDENT OFTEN ENDED IN A VEHICLE CRASH, AND SOMETIMES INVOLVED SERIOUS INJURY.TWO FATALITIES ARE ALLEGED.ODI?S ANALYSIS OF TEST VEHICLES AND SOME INCIDENT VEHICLES FOUND NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT A SHIFT LEVER PROPERLY PLACED IN PARK COULD UNINTENTIONALLY (I.E., WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT) DISENGAGE FROM THAT POSITION.HOWEVER, ODI DID FIND THAT THE SHIFT LEVER COULD BE INADVERTENTLY PLACED, AND REMAIN AT REST, WITHIN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION BETWEEN THE PARK AND REVERSE GEAR POSITIONS.WHEN PLACED IN SUCH AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION, THE VEHICLE CAN EXPERIENCE A DELAYED PRESSURIZATION OF THE REVERSE HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT THAT IS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL REARWARD UNDER POWER.THE DELAY PERIOD ALLOWS SUFFICIENT TIME FOR OPERATORS TO EXIT THE STATIONARY VEHICLE WITHOUT PERCEIVING THAT THE SHIFTER IS NOT IN PARK.THE SUMMARY REPORT DISCUSSES THE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THIS ISSUE IN GREATER DETAIL AND COMPARES THE FREQUENCY OF THESE INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO OTHER PEER VEHICLES THAT ODI EXAMINED.AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR OCTOBER 4, 2005 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-462, DCC NO. E17) TO INSTALL AN OUT-OF-PARK ALARM SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE ALARM WILL PROVIDE AUDIBLE AND VISUAL FEEDBACK TO ALERT THE DRIVER, AND OTHERS, IF THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE SHIFT LEVER IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION.THE TIMING OF DCC?S ACTION HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS WITH DIESEL ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL AND WORK PURPOSES.A COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFT LEVER IS USED FOR GEAR SELECTION AND AN ELECTRONIC PRNDL ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PROVIDES GEAR POSITION INFORMATION TO THE DRIVER.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ALSO EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS THE SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING MOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION (WHEN THE ENGINE IS ON) UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND AN IGNITION-SHIFT INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS KEY REMOVAL UNLESS THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARK POSITION.COMPLAINANTS GENERALLY REPORT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED IN A FORWARD GEAR AND BROUGHT TO A STOP THROUGH BRAKE APPLICATION ON ALEVEL SURFACE, AT WHICH TIME THE OPERATOR MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER TO ENGAGE THE PARK POSITION.THE OPERATOR THEN OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND, WITHOUT VERIFYING PARK ENGAGEMENT (E.G., PRNDL GEAR INDICATION), SECURING THE PARK BRAKE, OR TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, EXITED THE VEHICLE.INITIALLY, NO VEHICLE MOVEMENT WAS APPARENT, HOWEVER, A SHORT TIME LATER, TYPICALLY REPORTED AS 10 TO 30 SECONDS, THE VEHICLE MOVED REARWARD UNDER ENGINE POWER.THE INCIDENT OFTEN ENDED IN A VEHICLE CRASH, AND SOMETIMES INVOLVED SERIOUS INJURY.TWO FATALITIES ARE ALLEGED.ODI?S ANALYSIS OF TEST VEHICLES AND SOME INCIDENT VEHICLES FOUND NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT A SHIFT LEVER PROPERLY PLACED IN PARK COULD UNINTENTIONALLY (I.E., WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT) DISENGAGE FROM THAT POSITION.HOWEVER, ODI DID FIND THAT THE SHIFT LEVER COULD BE INADVERTENTLY PLACED, AND REMAIN AT REST, WITHIN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION BETWEEN THE PARK AND REVERSE GEAR POSITIONS.WHEN PLACED IN SUCH AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION, THE VEHICLE CAN EXPERIENCE A DELAYED PRESSURIZATION OF THE REVERSE HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT THAT IS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL REARWARD UNDER POWER.THE DELAY PERIOD ALLOWS SUFFICIENT TIME FOR OPERATORS TO EXIT THE STATIONARY VEHICLE WITHOUT PERCEIVING THAT THE SHIFTER IS NOT IN PARK.THE SUMMARY REPORT DISCUSSES THE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THIS ISSUE IN GREATER DETAIL AND COMPARES THE FREQUENCY OF THESE INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO OTHER PEER VEHICLES THAT ODI EXAMINED.AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR OCTOBER 4, 2005 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-462, DCC NO. E17) TO INSTALL AN OUT-OF-PARK ALARM SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE ALARM WILL PROVIDE AUDIBLE AND VISUAL FEEDBACK TO ALERT THE DRIVER, AND OTHERS, IF THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE SHIFT LEVER IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION.THE TIMING OF DCC?S ACTION HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.