I would like to make a complaint in reference to my 2003 dodge ram 15 quad cab that caused injury to myself by jumping out of gear. Brief description of incident that happened on the date of nov28 wile in a convenient store parking lot I have two of my vehicles that were running at the time and the gear selector was in park position. I hopped out of my truck to go in store but to my surprise I felt a sharp pain in the lower right leg when I looked at what was going on to my surprise I was hit by my own vehicle I was stunned my truck which was in park hit me and there was noone else in my truck lucky for me that store had a big concrete curb to stop the truck or I might not be the one writing to you so I hurried in to my truck to see to my surprise the truck shift indicator was in park. So my compliant is that my truck is now a fearful thing to drive my wife wont even drive in the truck which only has 18000 miles on it I bought it in june of,2007 with 4800 miles I tried to get dodge to handle this issue but I never got a response so I feel its my duty as humanbeing to inform everyone of the issue that dodge wants to keep ignoring this safety concern. I wrote emails to them and get nothing in response. I feel they owe me atleast a response to the issue and am very fearful of driving this vehicle that I will be making monthly payments on for the next 48 months. I hope this letter falls into the right hands and someone who can help me with this new truck. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter mr edward riding. If you have any questions feel free to call me .
2003 Dodge RAM 1500 transmission complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 125, newest first, as owners wrote them.
This complaint is being filed on behalf of the 2003 dodge ram pickup truck 1500 mr. Jp waters by his stepson. Mr. Waters was severely injured on october 22, 2008 after placing the aforesaid vehicle in park on an incline, turning off the engine, and exiting the truck. As he went around to the passenger side to retrieve some items the truck rolled, knocking him down and dragging him across a curb into a neighbors yard. He sustained a fractured hip/ numerous lacerations/ contusions all over his body and consequently suffered heart failure and had to be air lifted to a heart hospital. His recall is that he definitely placed the truck in park position (it is an automatic)/ turned off the engine and noticed no movement of the vehicle when he exited--it was parked on a steep incline. The rear movement of the vehicle did not occur until he had come around to the passenger side of the vehicle.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge ram 1500. The vehicle would immediately stall and restart when it was initially started. While driving at an unknown speed on the highway, the vehicle would also stall without warning to the point that the contact would be unaware that the vehicle had shut off. The dealer replaced several sensors; however, the failure still persists. The failure mileage was 68,000 and current mileage was 120,000.
The 9.25 lsd rear end on my 2003 dodge ram 1500 has keeper springs that are notorious for failing and damaging the rear end. The dealer is replacing it but with the same parts. So in all likelihood it will fail again. There are pages and pages of people with this same problem going back to at least 2001 year vehicles.
Has happened numerous times! When parked on any kind of incline, the truck running or not (has happened both ways) has rolled backwards and is very difficult to stop with the brakes. Luckily no one has been run over, and it hasn't hit anything, but next time may not be so lucky! I now use the parking brake at all times when truck is parked. This is a very dangerous problem that needs addressed by chrysler!
Just had a warranty repair made to a somewhat notorious problem with the 2003 dodge ram 1500. The retainer clips broke and came out of the trac loc differential, causing failure in differential bearings and driveshaft. The dodge dealer was aware of the many problems, but has yet to recall the notoriously defective part and continued to replace faulty parts with the same faulty parts.
I put my truck into park and started to get out with the engine running and the truck rolled backwards, catching me with one leg on the ground and one leg still in the vehicle. The driver's side door hit me in the chest, knocking me to the ground. The above events took place extremely quickly, and I had no time to react. Luckily, someone was nearby and stopped the truck before it hit me or anything else. *ak unfortunately, my leg was still in the vehicle, even while I was on the ground. I was dragged about 5 feet and received some lacerations on my shoulder.
On the way to work one morning, both the brake and ABS lamps came on at the instrument panel on the dash. At the same time I noticed that the speedometer readings began to oscillate 5-10 MPH from true vehicle speed. Truck seemed to drive just fine otherwise but dropped it off at a local dealer just in case. Dealer confirmed that the rear wheel speed sensor has been "destroyed" by debris accumulated in the tone or exciter ring in the differential housing. Dealer also found the remains of numerous "keepers" used to align the clutch packs in the dodge 9.25" anti-spin differential housing and noted substantial scoring of the bearing caps. Faulty retainer clips have rendered the anti-lock braking system inoperative and made the speedometer unreliable.
Large metal pieces found in differential housing, while changing lube, big enough to jam gears and cause real axles to lock up. Still under warranty, dealer will fix.
03 quad cab 4.7 with 20" wheels rear end growling. Dealer repaired it 1 time and told us to drive it and if it still made noise that they would replace the complete rear end. Took it back a second time they took it apart and put more new parts in it ,took the vehicle and drove it and it still made the growling sound, took it back and was told they were having some problem's with those rear ends and they drove it and said (could not duplicate complaint) the truck still has a growl in the rear end now they say it is a tire problem, the dates in this report are a guess, but the vehicle was still under the factory warranty at the time of both complaints. Vehicle was purchased at east tulsa dodge in tulsa ok. And all services have been by them.
Keeper failure (clips) in 2003 dodge ram 1500 pickup, replacement of rearend by the dealer (under warranty) out of pocket costs of $239.00, what happens after warranty is up?? This is a huge problem with this rearend, have heard from many owners with same problem
From 2002 to 2005 dodge ram 1500 pickups fitted with a 9.25" corporate rear end differential complete with lsd. "c clips" which locate the clutch packs within the lsd, over time, slip out of place causing major damage to the carrier bearings usually leading up to a complete replacement of the entire axle assembly. Also, these clips can and do, foul the differential causing catastrophic damage to the ring and pinion gears etc ultimately leading to the locking of both wheels as the vehicle is moving. The potential for both wheels to suddenly become locked whilst at speed/moving in the truck, is lethal. Please note well I have filed this complaint using incorrect zip code/state information as you don't have the ability to submit a complaint from overseas, namely england. My full address is:- mr allan barmby. 7 stanhope gardens, belle-vue, middlesbrough, cleveland, ts4 2qa england. I'm submitting this complaint to you, as there is no one here in england who can help and in support of the many american friend I have in the us who have the same issues over this lsd c clip failure. Daimler chrysler must be held accountable for this potentially disastrous defect and it should be dealt with free of charge on a recall basis.
9.25 lsd rear differential in 02-2005 dodge rams.
2003 dodge ram 1500 quad cab-lsd clip/differential/ rear axle assembly failure. Clips fell out twice with rebuild twice in warranty. First incident around 12000 miles. Currently at 96000 miles. Both times at highway speed with accompanying bang and jolt. Clip runs up in ring and pinion, damaging same along with bearings/races/housing. Noise followed by failure each time. Currently out of warranty, making noise, and found partial clip on differential magnet during oil change. Failure imminent soon. Rear axle assembly now requires third complete rebuild. The truck is used in a light duty manner generally hauling people at highway speeds. This is an inferior part/assembly and have not been able to remedy through daimler chrysler. This problem is experienced eventually with all ram 1500 owners that have a limited slip differential in the rear axle assembly.
I placed the truck in park and exited the vehicle. The truck then began to roll backwards in reverse. I was knocked down by the open door before I could reenter the truck and rolled away to avoid being run over. The truck backed into a fence post damaging the drivers door and right front fender. The fence post was also bent over.
Dt*: the contact stated after the engine was started, the gear lever did not come off the park position, and the engine warning light illuminated. After several attempts, the lever shifted to the drive position but the transmission went to third gear and remained in it. The vehicle was taken to the dealership seven times, and the diagnosis machine indicated the defect in control module (p700). The control module was replaced seven times. The manufacturer was contacted, and coincided with the dealership diagnosis. The contact expressed concern because the lack of enough power while the vehicle was loaded presented a serious risk to safety while driving up or down a hill.
Dt*: the contact stated the rear axle flange detached and the wheel separated from the vehicle. The dealership was contacted. *ak updated 10/25/2006 - as a result the consumer lost control of the vehicle and collided with a concrete wall.
Upon taking my vehicle in to have maintenance performed, I was notified of a problem with the clutch retainer clip in the rear differential. I was told the part would not be covered under warranty as I had not performed the service therefore they would not cover the replacement. The problem was that the clip broke inside the axle housing did not affect the performance and wore away the housing inside. There is no timeline to pinpoint how long this has been broken. The dealership stated that if not repaired the part would break and cause the rear end to lock up.
Dt*: the contact stated that the clutch retaining clip on the rear differential became detached, resulting in part of the axle to be worn away. The vehicle was taken to both a private mechanic shop, and a service dealer. The private mechanic informed the contact that that specific part should not have broken, and that a design flaw would be the cause of the problem. The service dealer expressed that it was a lack of maintenance on the vehicle causing the piece to become detached.
I was driving my 2003 dodge ram 1500 truck and my transmission went out. I was able to get it to my service dealership where they repaired it. I only had 37,000 miles on my vehicle at the time. I didn't have the extended warranty on my vehicle. I had to use a rental car. Then on top of everything, chrysler damler would not pay for my rental. The real issue here is that my transmission should not have gone out under 40,000 miles.
My husband & I recently purchased a 2003 dodge ram 1500 from gossett motor cars located at 1900 covington pike rd. In memphis, tn. While my husband was making a left hand turn traveling 3 to 5 MPH, the rear right wheel sheared off at the axle. The wheel still had the brake assembly attached to the rim. The dealer stated that an investigator/engineer from chrysler came to inspect the truck and in the report indicated that the axle break was caused by an impact and that the axle would not be covered under the 7 year 70,000 mile warranty which we were informed by a rep at chrysler corp was transferable. The dealership & chrysler corp refused to release the report to us. There was no impact that caused this and upon reviewing several other complaints it appears that there are several other owners of the same truck who have experienced the same problem. One in particular stands out odi # 10147823. In addition, there is a report from an engineer at the chrysler axle plant, report # 10007842 that acknowledges that chrysler is aware of a problem in manufacturing and the heat currying. See odi case # 10058633 and voq 10059475.
While making a u-turn traveling 3 to 5 MPH, the rear right wheel sheared off at the axle leaving the truck sitting on the back side of the 20" rim. The wheel still had the brake assembly attached to the rim. The dealer had an investigator inspect the truck and in the report they said there was impact damage and they would not warranty the axle. I know the report has to be false. Besides the axle shearing the only other damage is scratches to the face of the rim, caliper bracket, and brake line. The wheel and tire are still usable. The truck only has 30,000 mile.
Dt: contact stated while driving on the highway and hauling an 8 foot by 16 foot trailer it caused the vehicle sway to the left then to the right. The vehicle and the trailer shook. The contact pressed on the clutch and it caused the tires to lose traction. The vehicle swerved into oncoming traffic, and another vehicle hit the contact's vehicle on the passenger's side. Upon impact, the driver's side air bag did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries, and the vehicle was totaled.
Rear pinion seal went out at approximately 47000. Began hearing noise in rear differential at 57000. Took it into dealer. Tech was very helpful. Dismantled rear differential. Showed me appx 3/16" groove worn into differential housing and carrier from limited slip differential clutch retaining clip which broke off and was grinding differential housing. Tech says this is a common occurrence with the limited slip differential and could lead to catastrophic read differential failure during driving conditions. Read various internet forums with numerous dodge ram 1500 owners having the same problems. Some of these same owner have experienced catastrophic failures.
On friday, nov. 28, 2003 my husband died as the result of our 2003 dodge ram jumping from park into reverse, the drivers door hit him from behind and rolled him over forward, penning him under the drivers door and pavement. This incidnet was reported to and investigated by the birmingham police dept.
I have a 2003 dodge ram 1500 series, 4.7 litre engine and am experiencing a stall out problem when I go to turn a corner . This has happened to me several time. It's a very dangerous and scary situation to lose complete power, steering and braking power. Thank god this has never happened at an intersection or I might not be typing this complaint too you at this time. I thought I was crazy until my husband showed me an article from the toledo blade on may 21, 2005 in regards too the government investigating this same problem with the 2004 and 2005 dodge rams. Sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Dodge ram 1500 was brought into local 5 star dealer and repaired 3 times prior to the accident for 4-wheel drive "popping out of gear". Vehicle was parked, 3 hours later rolled back and hit a building with significant damage to the left rear quarter panel, undercarriage, possibly frame and right and rear bumper. Vehicle was found in park, documented in police report as being found in park. Brought into same 5star dealer who let it sit on the lot, never looked at it. I initiated an investigation via chrysler. An investigator came out, looked at the transfer case with a flashlight, never put the vehicle in four wheel drive, and left. We now own a wrecked vehicle with a defective transfer case and nobody will repair it. We have 17k on this engine and all components are supposedly on a full and extended warranty. Chrysler will do nothing!!!!
I own a 2003 dodge ram 1500 laramie 4x2 with 17000 miles. I purchased it from my local dodge dealer with 2300 miles on it. Around 15000 miles, my vehicle engine light turned on, and a strong burning odor began to come from the cab. I thought the error was serious, and immediately scheduled an appointment with an appropriate five star dodge dealer herb gordon dodge in silver spring, md. Kevin with the orange team, at herb gordon, verified that one issue with this vehicle is the powertrain control module. Unfortunately, the burning smell cannot be identified at this time. As the vehicle is under warranty, the PCM is currently being replaced. While herb gordon has done an excellent job providing me with service, dodge has scarred me and encumbered my time. I have had to rent while my vehicle is in the shop, my truck smells really bad inside (due to the burning PCM,) and I really do not trust the safety of my vehicle. Why would a PCM go bad after 17000 miles? Is the burning smell going to cause a fire in the future? Am I at risk in this vehicle?
After the light turned green, I began to make a left turn. The back of the truck dropped. After I came to a stop I got out and found my truck was sitting on my right rear rim. The inner axle and outer axle brackets had broken. I didn't hit anything or go in a pot hole. The dealer attempted to convince me that I hit something. It was snowing and I was not going more than 15 miles on hour, so even if I did hit the curb, which I didn't, it shouldn't shear my axle.
Left rear axle broke while backing up. *ak.
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