general problems of the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500

Tl the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 35 mph, the frame around the steering box disconnected from the steering due to excessive rust. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

The fcm and pdc are extremely bad on the 2002 Dodge. They corrode causing your brake lights, blinkers, headlights and emergency flasher not to work. Dodge should have been mandated to recall and replace both parts on every truck. The corrosion is do to the poor design of the pdc "fuse box" with holes in the bottom allowing water and moisture to enter the pdc and start to corrode. This in turn causing the fcm " front control module" to short out. This is a severe danger to the truck owner as well as other motorists and pedestrians on the road. This is a very serious matter and needs to be looked in to and fixed. I have personally experience this and have almost been hit several times by motorists behind me do to the fact my taillights quit working and my blinkers did as well. I have replaced my fcm and pdc 4 times already and each one shorts out after a year. That's $600-$1200 each time. Dodge is responsible for this problem.

Vehicle problem first started when turning steering wheel to the right entirely. Currently vehicle airbag light comes on and of through all ranges of steering.

Vehicle has severe dash cracking. Power windows are not working and lamp indicator will not shut off causing ongoing beeping. Concerned that dash parts are stuck inside causing driving conditions to be unsafe. Would like to be notified if an investigation has been done to remedy the problems at dealer cost.

Complete loss of power steering fluid resulting in severe difficulty in steering vehicle. This is a 2nd occurrence after having replaced the steering gear on the same vehicle approximately 20,000 miles earlier. I had the steering gear replaced new for a 2nd time.

Lost all steering capability while driving: almost ran into a house. There is power steering fluid all over the engine compartment. No collisions in this vehicle other than a minor rear end fender bender. Previously I had the high pressure pwr steering hose replaced and the system flushed.

I had a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at approximately 40 mph I heard a low humming noise. Suddenly the truck veered to the left. I was now in incoming traffic and narrowly missed one car. I tried to get the truck back to the right. The steering wheel had a lot of play in it. The truck fishtailed back to the right only to veer again to the left. I had no control of the vehicle. I was hit by a car, ran up a lawn, hit a tree and flipped the truck. Both myself and the driver of the car suffered minimal physical injuries. Both vehicles were totaled. It is my understanding that there is a class-action lawsuit against daimler Chrysler involving this same problem with the Dodge durangos. I believe that my vehicle had the same problem.

Dt: contact states: when water is splashed under the under carriage of his truck, the steering goes out. He cannot turn the steering wheel at all. He says he is going approx. 25-30 mph when it happens. It has happened twice when it has been raining. The dealer said that they would look at but at the consumer's cost. The manufacturer told him the same thing. The consumer says the warranty has run out. The consumer says he does not know exactly where the water is splashing, just the under carriage of the vehicle.

While driving the steering wheel locked up and made it impossible to steer the vehicle. This happened three times in one day nearly causing a collision in each instance. The dealer and the manufacturer have been notified of this problem.

While driving the steering bolt became lose and caused the steering wheel to jump around. This made it difficult for the driver to control the vehicle. Nlm.

I have an alignment problem with my new body style 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. It pulls right dangerously, and puts everyone on the road at risk. I have had independent alignment shops verify and check my alignment, and they have found no problem but identify the symptoms. Dodge is not being very helpful in solving the problem. The local reps are waiting for the regional reps and so on, I get told to sit tight, while nothing happens. I have an appt on 5/6 for another inspection.

Regarding the new body style Dodge 1500 ram pickup. My truck is less than a year old and about 15000 miles. It has a steering problem. Generally, it pulls to the right, dangerously! the second day of my ownership, went to the dealer and they aligned it. Told me if I still had a problem, it was a tire problem. The alignment did not help. I had the tires rotated at the appropriate time and this did not help. The steering problem is worse now. If I travel over a bump or a seam in the road, the vehicle will vere to the right or left or both directions in an uncontrolable and violent manner. I must come to a complete stop to regain control of the vehicle. Yes, it is very scary. So much so, that I again returned to the dealer, they aligned it again. The problem seems worse now. I was told, if the alignment did not help to bring it back and they would order/instal a new rack. I did so and was put off. Today, 5-30-03 I returned to the dealer to ask about the fix for my steering problem. I again was put off and I asked to call Chrysler. I did, the nice and efficient lady new what I was talking about with the steering problem. I asked if there were alot of complaints like mine and without saying "yes", she indicated there are many complaints. While on hold with her, she called my dealer. I later called the dealer as instructed. The service advisor I have been working with for three weeks said "there is a problem with the steering, Chrysler is aware and has re-designed parts for the fix, however they are not yet available. " I am to take my truck in on Monday, 6-2-03 for a couple of hours so they can "look at it again. " sad to say, but I am afraid to drive my new Dodge truck. You never know when it will vere violently out of control. What does a consumer do? how long before parts are available? how many people must die or their lives changed forever before the problem is addressed on a large scale?.