IllustrationDT: CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER ROTATED TIRES AND TIGHTENED THE LUGS: NUTS IMPROPERLY AND CAUSED THE ROTORS TO WARP. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE DRIVER'S FAULT. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK
2004 Dodge RAM
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2004 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
825–50K
750–75K
275–100K
3100–150K
1150K+
33 reports with mileage · 25 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.
- Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Tires. 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.
9 crash reports0 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
58 reportsDT: ON JULY 6, 2005 THE TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO ROAD CONSTRUCTION OR ROAD DAMAGE. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED NEW ON JULY 1, 2005. THE TRAILER THAT THE TIRE WAS ON WAS CUSTOM MADE BY A MANUFACTURER. THE TRAILER IS A TWO WHEELED TRAILER. IT WAS THE TIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT BLEW …
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DT: ON JULY 6, 2005 THE TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO ROAD CONSTRUCTION OR ROAD DAMAGE. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED NEW ON JULY 1, 2005. THE TRAILER THAT THE TIRE WAS ON WAS CUSTOM MADE BY A MANUFACTURER. THE TRAILER IS A TWO WHEELED TRAILER. IT WAS THE TIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT BLEW OUT. IT IS AN ENCLOSED TOW TRAILER. *AK
I HAVE A 2003 CARAVAN AND A 2004 RAM AND HAVE HAD ONGOING ISSUES WITH MY BRAKES. I BELEIVE THAT THE FACTORY MUST HAVE USED FAULTY ROTORS. LAST AUGUST, TO MY AMAZEMENT I HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS TURNED WHEN THE DEALER PUT NEW PADS ON MY CARAVAN (26,000 MILES). I BEGRUDGINGLY PAID OVER 200 DOLLARS FOR THIS. 9 MONTHS LATER THE BR…
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I HAVE A 2003 CARAVAN AND A 2004 RAM AND HAVE HAD ONGOING ISSUES WITH MY BRAKES. I BELEIVE THAT THE FACTORY MUST HAVE USED FAULTY ROTORS. LAST AUGUST, TO MY AMAZEMENT I HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS TURNED WHEN THE DEALER PUT NEW PADS ON MY CARAVAN (26,000 MILES). I BEGRUDGINGLY PAID OVER 200 DOLLARS FOR THIS. 9 MONTHS LATER THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL ARE PULSING AGAIN AND THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THE ROTORS MUST BE TURNED AGAIN EVEN THOUGH THE PADS ARE FINE. I EXPECTED THAT THE DEALER WOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS SINCE THEY WERE JUST SERVICED 9 MONTHS AGO BUT THEY SAID I WAS 200 MILES OVER THE LIMIT. I ALSO HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY RAM AND EVEN THOUGH I HAD MORE THAN 50% OF MY PADS LEFT I HAD WARPED ROTORS AND HAD TO PAY THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM TURNED. I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AT LITHIA DODGE IN OMAHA, PREVIOUSLY JIMS DODGE, AND HE HAD THE AUDACITY TO TELL ME IF I REPLACE THE ROTORS THE NEW ONES WILL BE GUARANTEED FOR LIFE NOT TO WARP! WHY WOULD YOU GUARANTEE THE AFTERMARKET ROTORS BUT NOT THE ROTORS FROM THE FACTORY??!
DT: HANDLE ON INSIDE OF DRIVER'S SIDE FELL OFF. WHILE CALLER WAS TRYING TO GET INTO TRUCK THE HANDLE CAME OFF, AND THE CALLER FELL OUT ONTO THE BLACK TOP. CALLER WAS HURT AND BRUISED, AND EXPERIENCED A LOT OF DISCOMFORT. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT WILLING TO OFFER ANY HELP. DEALER WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE HANDLE AND THE HOLDER ON T…
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DT: HANDLE ON INSIDE OF DRIVER'S SIDE FELL OFF. WHILE CALLER WAS TRYING TO GET INTO TRUCK THE HANDLE CAME OFF, AND THE CALLER FELL OUT ONTO THE BLACK TOP. CALLER WAS HURT AND BRUISED, AND EXPERIENCED A LOT OF DISCOMFORT. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT WILLING TO OFFER ANY HELP. DEALER WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE HANDLE AND THE HOLDER ON THE DOOR. *AK
I PUT MY TRUCK INTO PARK TO RUN IN AND PICK UP MY DRY-CLEANING ( WAS INSIDE MAYBE 60 SECONDS) CAME OUT TO FIND MY TRUCK GONE AND AFTER LOOKING I FIND IT ACROSS THE PARKING LOT. IT HAD JUMPED THE CURB WENT THROUGH THEIR LANDSCAPING AND HIT A TREE DAMAGING THE REAR BUMPER,TAILGATE, BED SIDE AND DUALLY FENDER. AFTER GOING BACK IN T…
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I PUT MY TRUCK INTO PARK TO RUN IN AND PICK UP MY DRY-CLEANING ( WAS INSIDE MAYBE 60 SECONDS) CAME OUT TO FIND MY TRUCK GONE AND AFTER LOOKING I FIND IT ACROSS THE PARKING LOT. IT HAD JUMPED THE CURB WENT THROUGH THEIR LANDSCAPING AND HIT A TREE DAMAGING THE REAR BUMPER,TAILGATE, BED SIDE AND DUALLY FENDER. AFTER GOING BACK IN THE CLEANERS THE LADY THAT WORKS THERE INFORMED ME THAT HER NEW DODGE TRUCK HAS DONE THAT TO HER BEFORE. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THIS TRUCK HAS DONE THIS TO ME AND IT IS NOT A YEAR OLD. THE FIRST TIME I FIGURED IT WAS MY FAULT BUT I STARTED PAYING CLOSER ATTENTION, THE 2ND TIME IT WAS IN PARK WITH THE "P" LIT UP AND GOT ABOUT 2 STEPES FROM THE TRUCK WHEN IT STARTED GOING BACKWARDS BUT CAUGHT IT BEFORE ANYTHING HAPPENED AND NOW THIS. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE AND THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO SEND SOMEONE OUT TO LOOK AT MY TRUCK??? WE'LL SEE!!!
DT: THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WOULD TURN OFF WHILE BRAKING AROUND TURNS. AS A RESULT THE POWER BRAKES AND STEERING WENT OUT. *NM
THE VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY STALLED IN TRAFFIC. THE CONSUMER WAS RECENTLY DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. AFTER THE DEALER SERVICED THE VEHICLE WHICH INCLUDED REPLACING THE COMPUTER, THE VEHICLE'S PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. *AK THE LAST FIX AND THE THIRD TIME THE INCIDENT OCCURRED, …
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THE VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY STALLED IN TRAFFIC. THE CONSUMER WAS RECENTLY DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. AFTER THE DEALER SERVICED THE VEHICLE WHICH INCLUDED REPLACING THE COMPUTER, THE VEHICLE'S PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. *AK THE LAST FIX AND THE THIRD TIME THE INCIDENT OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE LOST OVER 3 MILES TO THE GALLON OF GAS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY PROGRAMMED THE SOFTWARE TO RUN RICH, WHICH IN RETURN, BURNS MORE GAS. *SC *JB
2004 DODGE RAM WAS HIT BY A TOUR BUS RESULTING IN THE TRUCK HITTING VEHICLE IN FRONT. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC WHEN A TOUR BUS REAR ENDED THE TRAILER HE WAS TOWING. THE TOUR BUS HIT THE TRUCK AT ABOUT 60 MPH WHICH CAUSED THE TRAILER TO COLLAPSE UNDER THE BUS AND CAUSED THE CONSU…
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2004 DODGE RAM WAS HIT BY A TOUR BUS RESULTING IN THE TRUCK HITTING VEHICLE IN FRONT. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC WHEN A TOUR BUS REAR ENDED THE TRAILER HE WAS TOWING. THE TOUR BUS HIT THE TRUCK AT ABOUT 60 MPH WHICH CAUSED THE TRAILER TO COLLAPSE UNDER THE BUS AND CAUSED THE CONSUMER'S TRUCK TO RUN ON TOP OF THE SUV STOPPED IN FRONT OF HIM. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED DOWN THE HIGHWAY UNTIL IT ROLLED OVER. THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK WAS KILLED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. *NM
THE LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY WHEN APPLIED. DRIVER NOTICED THAT WHILE APPLYING THE HIGH BEAM TO THE LOW BEAM THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD TURN ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM DIMMER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *…
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THE LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY WHEN APPLIED. DRIVER NOTICED THAT WHILE APPLYING THE HIGH BEAM TO THE LOW BEAM THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD TURN ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM DIMMER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
WHILE MAKING LEFT TURN THE LEFT REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP AND A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE CAME FROM THE REAR AS WELL. DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC STATED THAT A PROBLEM WAS DETECTED, BUT A SOLUTION WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. *AK
Official recalls
104V385000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator
Aug 3, 2004
ON CERTAIN PICK-UP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.7L ENGINES, THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS MAY SHORT CIRCUIT DUE TO CONTACT WITH A VALVE COVER STUD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE GENERATOR HARNESS CAN CAUSE AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ALTERNATOR WIRING INSULATION FOR DAMAGE AND REPAIR AND ADD A TIE-STRAP CLIP TO THE VALVE COVER STUD TO RETAIN THE WIRING. THIS RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2004. OWNERS 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
2EA05018 · Engine Stall
Opened Nov 2, 2005 · Closed Aug 29, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT, FIELD REPORT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOWS THAT THE MAJORITY OF STALLING INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO THE ENGINE CALIBRATION CONCERNS THAT DAIMLERCHRYSLER ADDRESSED WITH SERVICE BULLETINS RELEASING REVISED PCM SOFTWARE.ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINTS AND ODI'S SURVEY OF OWNERS OF VEHICLES THAT RECEIVED ENGINE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE UPDATES UNDER TSB #18-013-05 SHOW THAT THESE STALLING INCIDENTS HAVE THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS: - THEY OCCUR AT LOW SPEEDS, OFTEN DURING PARKING LOT ORDRIVEWAY MANEUVERS; - THEY OCCUR DURING DECELERATIONS, SUCH AS BRAKING FOR A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC SIGNAL; AND - THE OPERATOR IS ALMOST ALWAYS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESTART THE VEHICLE.WHEN COMPARED WITH OTHER SAFETY DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS AND RECALLS OF CONDITIONS THAT RESULT IN STALLING DURING LOW-SPEED DECELERATION WITH IMMEDIATE ENGINE RESTART POSSIBLE, THE FAILURE RATE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW.ANALYSES OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA ALSO SHOW A DECLINING TREND.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.
EA04025 · 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.