2003 Dodge RAM 1500: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Feb 16, 2015 · Suspension, Transmission · 126,000 miles · MI

While driving down the road I felt my entire truck shudder. Pulled over as soon as possible and saw driveshaft laying on the ground. Had truck towed back to my residence, where I inspected threat end and saw that the pinion but had backed off and cause driveshaft to come undone from rear differential my entire rear end is locked up and needs to be rebuilt. There is currently a recall for 2004 and 2005 for this same issue. However the recall states this could happen. Unfortunately it did happen to me and currently my vehicle is not on the list. 2003 ram 1500 has 9.25 rear end, same as the recalled vehicles. I've been told by chrysler that I should get vehicle repaired and hold onto receipt in case a recall arises with my vehicle. However this doesn't seem right since it's almost exactly the same truck with same equipment and this equipment failure isn't a potential issue, it's already ruined my rear end that I now have to pay myself due to faulty equipment, recall that should cover my vehicle.

Filed Apr 19, 2005 · Engine · 69,000 miles · AR

Having driven 120 miles, I was 4 miles from home; turning a corner, the motor shut down and started missing. It was missing so bad that I thought if I let off the gas pedal, the motor would shut down. My truck was loaded with tools so I proceeded to go on the next 4 miles and risk it and not lose my tools. Earlier as I was in a passing lane, I felt the motor shudder as if a spark plug was fouling or I had bad gas or a bad plug wire. If I was passing in a serious passing situation earlier in the day, and this motor shut down as it did, I wouldn't be writing this e-mail. This truck is equipped with a dodge hemi and is expected to pass with ease. This is a serious safety problem. I was told there are 115 people in line for this par,t and if I paid an extra $80 I would be bumped to #6 because they classified me as vehicle off road. I'm told by the dealer that number is growing. The part has yet to be received by the service dealer, and I am completely without transportation.

Filed Oct 26, 2004 · Brakes · 6,000 miles · PA

Brake rotors warp every 7000 miles or so. Rotors replaced by dealer 12/29/2003 at approximately 8k miles. Now have 15k miles and steering wheel shakes and shudders when stopping, just like before. There is a safety defect here.

Filed Aug 26, 2004 · Brakes · 17,883 miles · TX

2003 dodge ram 1500 quad cab w/17" wheels. Taken in at 17,883 miles for brake shudder or vibration. They gave a free brake inspection and resurfaced the front rotors. It was taken in again at 25,506 miles for the same brake shudder or vibration. They replaced caliper's, washer br, pad kit, and resurfaced rotors. Now at 34,000 miles I have the same brake shudder or vibration.

Filed Feb 26, 2004 · Brakes · 9,525 miles · CA

Vehicle shudders under braking at all speeds. (warped rotors)first occurance @ about 9000 miles. Dealer turned rotors. Second occurance @ about 19000 miles. Dealer did not want to repair under warranty. Relented to repairing front only even though rear is also warped per their inspection. Also indicated a recall on front calipers and pads but not rotors. It appears that this vehicle will continue to warp the rotors at a regular interval. To me,this indicates defective rotor design/materials and should be seriously addressed as a safety concern. I am still trying to get the dealer to concede to repair the front and rear under warranty. The issue has yet to be resolved. In addition to the decreased capacityof the vehicle to stop safely, this warpage and consequent repeated turning of the rotors will obviously lead to eventual replacement of the rotors themselves at considerable expense.