1995 Dodge RAM 1500: engine overheating

Filed Mar 10, 2006 · Electrical · 88,000 miles · AZ · fire · 1 injury

My 1995 dodge ram 1500 burnt up-totaled-2 years ago. Dealer did not, would not, do the recall in 3 years of access. Not finding any reference from chrysler or you, I suggest having talked to a mechanic 2 days ago, there are still many trucks burning up, with or without the recall, therefore there needs a new campaign, but also check into the toxicity of the situation. It is melting and burning pvc's and other plastics, very toxic and cancer causing. I am fighting terminal cancer also, proven to be linked to the dioxins, heavy metals,and vinyl chlorides found in melting and incinerating pvc's. While it might not be considered your function, the proper agency needs to be informed since these are controlled substances when incinerated or burned, and per the toxic substance control act and the sara laws and the 'public's right to know', chrysler should have informed of the dangers and risk factors associated with the melting and incinerating of the pvc's and other plastics when using the blower on high, and/or the steering wheel column or the wiring in the dash is overheating grossly.

Filed Dec 6, 2005 · Transmission · 86,500 miles · MI · fire

Transmission failure due to faulty transmission cooler and lines. Transmission overheated and fluid leaked out and caught fire on highway. The selling dealership was contacted and they stated that there were no known defects with trans or cooler. Replaced transmission at a garage. That trans melted down after fifty miles. Bought second trans in the next town. It melted down after 150 miles. Third reansmission shop went to a local dealer and replaced the defective cooler assembly and the third transmission operated without problem. Dodge never notified me of the recall, resulting in thousands of dollars of loss. I only discovered the recall when a canadian dealership asked if I had the recall performed. Something must be done about these dishonest dodge dealers.

Filed Jul 8, 2005 · Electrical · 140,000 miles · NY · fire

On 3/09/05 we bought a 1995 dodge ram 1500 pickup from lee dodge in farmingdale, ny. On 7/01/05 the vehicle began to have smoke come out of the steering column and then proceeded to ignite into flames. The entire truck was engulfed in minutes and this truck was totalled. After this incident we found out that there was a recall back in the year 2000 for ignition wires that were overheating! The dodge manufacturer informed us that the recalls were never done and it was very possible that this problem caused the fire and is sending an inspector on 7/10/05 to determine this fact. According to the manufacturer lee dodge was responsible to have done all the recalls before they sold the vehicle. Lee dodge has been unresponsive to date. This truck is a total loss and our neighbor's tree went up in flames as well. It could have been our homes as well as family members inside the vehicle. This is a very serious safety issue that must be addressed and lee dodge needs to be held responsible for ignoring these recalls before someone else is injured or dies. Who knows how many other trucks/cars they sell with safety issues!

Filed Jul 8, 2005 · Electrical · 140,000 miles · NY · fire

On 3/09/05 we bought a 1995 dodge ram 1500 pickup from lee dodge in farmingdale, ny. On 7/01/05 the vehicle began to have smoke come out of the steering column and then proceeded to ignite into flames. The entire truck was engulfed in minutes and this truck was totalled. After this incident we found out that there was a recall back in the year 2000 for ignition wires that were overheating! The dodge manufacturer informed us that the recalls were never done and it was very possible that this problem caused the fire and is sending an inspector on 7/10/05 to determine this fact. According to the manufacturer lee dodge was responsible to have done all the recalls before they sold the vehicle. Lee dodge has been unresponsive to date. This truck is a total loss and our neighbor's tree went up in flames as well. It could have been our homes as well as family members inside the vehicle. This is a very serious safety issue that must be addressed and lee dodge needs to be held responsible for ignoring these recalls before someone else is injured or dies. Who knows how many other trucks/cars they sell with safety issues!

Filed Jan 4, 2005 · Electrical · 45,000 miles · IL

1995 dodge ram 1500 pickup truck, VIN [xxx]. When dropping the tilt wheel to it's lowest position the radio/tape player would shut off and then restart as if the power was cut off. *ak power for the radio came from battery positive, fuse # 3 (40 amps) to the ignition switch connector c212 position 1 wire (a1 12 red) where it is switched in run and accessory to fuse #7 (10 amps) to the radio and other fuses to other systems. Recall # 875 performed on 8/8/2000 involved the blower motor, a relay was added for power switching using the relay controlled by the ignition switch rather than feeding the power through the ignition switch. I observed the motion of all the wires going to all the switches on the steering wheel as it was moved. Clearly observable was the connector c212 position 1 wire (a1 12 red) moving out of the connector accompanied by the radio momentarily losing power. Observation showed the stripped wire being held only by the insulation crimp part of the metal connector, the wire did not fray away from the connector because it was clean cut and the original smaller gauge wire was still in the crimp part of the connector. Note I have pictures of the problem. I removed the smaller crimped wires, spread the crimp wings and soldered the red wire to the metal connector. Most likely the damage was done as part of recall #875, as the wiring diagram indicates a 12-gauge wire and the wire I reconnected was at a minimum of an 8 or a 6 gauge. Thank god this did not feed a critical system like the antilock breaks or cause overheating and or a fire. Updated 07/2012 07/24/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Dec 8, 2004 · Transmission · MO

The hoses in the transmission are blowing off, causing fluid to spill. This results in transmission failure and vehicle overheating. Consumer will take vehicle to dealer for repairs for the second time due to this problem.

Filed Jun 16, 1999 · Electrical · TX

Wiring harness in the dash failed, overheated and caused discoloring in steering column. Mjs

Filed May 3, 1999 · Electrical · MI

Shorted ignition wiring due to poor engineering of wire size and amp draw from HVAC fan. While backing out of a parking space, the truck stalled. The truck could not be restarted. After discussing the failure with the dealer, I was able to retain the damaged ignition switch and the cause of the failure. There technician stated that due to an undersizing of the wire which feeds power to the HVAC fan, through the ignition no less, the insulation heats up and detiorates to the point at which it shorts with the surrounding the wires. The technician had cut the worst wires away for obvious reasons but the remaining wires show signs of overheating. I have read a couple of incidents like this exact one on the federal safety agency trouble page. I was very lucky that I was only traveling at 5mph because at a high rate of speed in heavy traffic, this could have been a much bigger incident. Chrysler has no intention on reimbursing this or fixing other owners which will ultimately have this failure. They need to reassess the possible safety issue this failure could create. Thanks craig dixon.