general problems of the 2001 Dodge Ram 2500

I own a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 with the 5. 9l cummins diesel, manufactured in September 2000, with approximately 197,000 miles. The airbag warning light now remains illuminated continuously, and the steering-wheel cruise-control buttons are completely inoperative. The horn still works. I performed the instrument-cluster self-test, and the cruise indicator illuminates during that test, confirming the indicator itself functions. I suspect a failure in the steering-wheel clockspring or related airbag circuit because these symptoms are similar to the condition addressed by Chrysler safety recall 982 / NHTSA recall 01v153000. The vehicle has not yet been repaired or disassembled for this issue, so the original component remains installed and would be available for inspection if requested. My safety concern is that a clockspring or airbag-circuit failure could prevent the driver’s frontal airbag from deploying properly in a crash. The illuminated airbag warning lamp indicates that the supplemental restraint system has detected a fault. The problem has not yet been diagnosed or confirmed by a dealer or independent repair facility. I contacted the Dodge/ram recall assistance team and reported the condition. They opened a customer-assistance case, but told me that my VIN was not included in recall 982. My Dodge/ram case number is 97895685. My truck was manufactured in September 2000, and the 11th character of the VIN is “g. ” because the vehicle is experiencing an airbag warning condition and loss of steering-wheel cruise-control functions similar to symptoms associated with clockspring failure, I am requesting that NHTSA review whether vehicles outside the original recall population may be experiencing the same safety-related defect. The airbag warning light and cruise-control failure are the current symptoms. I do not know the exact date the underlying component began to fail. No crash or airbag deployment has occurred.

The contact replaced the accelerator position sensor twice. While driving, the engine light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle idled, but he had no control over the accelerator pedal. The first time this happened the vehicle had about 50,000 miles on it. At approximately 101,000 miles the consumer started experiencing the same problems again. Updated 12/27/05.