Dodge RAM 1500 coil spring problems

Filed Mar 18, 2018 · Suspension · 227,000 miles · GA

Coil spring towers reinforcements - as per the recall for the 1994 and 1995 dodge ram 1500 pickups (safety recall 835) the coil spring towers of a 1998 has developed cracks in the left side tower. This vehicle has not been off road, strictly on highway and street. This was found during another repair of said vehicle.

Filed Aug 22, 2015 · Airbags, Steering · NY

I have never been notified the federal safety agency recall id 14v‑795-broken springs in clutch assembly. Never notified of the federal safety agency recall id 13v‑528-faulty left tie rod assembly. The left side does make a clunking sound. I was just notified (late) of the federal safety agency recall id 15v‑313- faulty air bags. It's been a month, I was informed they had no parts and I had to wait until notified again when parts are available. My son and his children ride in my truck with such a great hazard and I'm told to wait until they have parts? I cannot afford to wait nor can I afford to buy another vehicle while I own this one. I work for a non-profit company and have limited resources. What about the recalls I was never notified of? I would like fca to buy my vehicle back.

Filed Jun 23, 2015 · Airbags · 134,000 miles · ID

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the air bag light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician determined that the air bag clock spring failed and would need to be replaced. The contact was made aware that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 01v153000 (air bags). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,000. Ma 08/13/15

Filed Apr 2, 2015 · Brakes, Engine · 172,000 miles · UT · crash

As I was driving on the freeway at 70 MPH, I heard a loud "smack!" before the engine stalled and I lost power steering and power brakes. Luckily, I'm pretty strong and was able to pull off to the shoulder. The engine would start but not turn over with 4 or 5 attempts. It started on the fifth or sixth try but would not idle. I was finally able to get it to start and on my way to the mechanic, I could tell something was broken in the engine. After inspecting the engine and looking into it, it's been determined that a valve spring broke and sent the valve through the piston and into the cylinder, effectively ceasing the engine while the vehicle traveled at freeway speeds.

Filed Feb 9, 2015 · Airbags · 80,120 miles · OK

The clock spring broke and mechanic says it happens all the time on chryslers! Of course chrysler has never heard of it! Was told at chrysler dealership that they have never heard of a problem but it is all over the internet! Vehicle is driven by woman with small baby, chrysler doesn't care! Not paid for but out of warranty! I understand chrysler puts off reporting so they won't have to fix anything with 70000 miles or more! Chrysler is negligent, next vehicle will be a ford! Hope someone sues chrysler and their obama union that they stole from the stockholders!

Filed May 6, 2014 · Suspension · 240,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while performing maintenance on the vehicle, he noticed that the coil spring bracket on both sides was excessively corroded. The contact did not take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 240,000.

Filed Feb 21, 2014 · Body, Suspension · 160,000 miles · CT

My 1998 dodge ram 1500 quad cab is located in new england where road salt is used in the winter. The undercarriage is rusting because of this, the most dangerous aspect, however is the coil spring front mounts, or buckets that hold the bottom springs to the front axel assembly. Dodge hasn't offered to recall dodge trucks to repair this dangerous design flaw, whereby the coil mounts were insufficiently coated, and improperly designed to trap salty water in them to accelerate the oxidation process. This is not unlike the safety issue ford windstar minivans had with their axles that trapped salty water during winter and caused them to rot out and snap causing injury and death. My close friend who owns a mid 1990's dodge ram truck, who had his coil spring bucket actually fail causing his front end to lunge forward, he was driving slowly when it happened so he wasn't injured. I haven't been able to find any data on injuries related to failure of the coil spring mounts, that doesn't mean they haven't occurred. Dodge should be required to at the very least, provide a kit to truck owners that repairs this problem free of charge.

Filed Jun 25, 2013 · Suspension, Transmission · 4,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the rear passenger side tire buckled and folded under the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the axle, coil springs, brake caliper, rim, brake line, splash shield, and the hub would all need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle would sit lower to the ground on the passenger's side and appeared to drive at an angle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been further repaired. The failure and current mileage was 4,000.

Filed Mar 10, 2013 · Electrical, Suspension · 75,500 miles · CA

I was driving at freeway speed, around 70 MPH. Suddenly, I heard a noise from the rear of the truck and I noticed my speedometer went to zero. I was still moving at the same speed. The fault code identified a failure in the speed sensor in the rear differential. I was out of warranty, so I pulled the differential cover off and found what was left of the speed sensor in the bottom of the housing. I also found pieces of what was later identified as c clips from my lsd clutch assembly. The inductive portion of the speed sensor protrudes into the differential housing and was hit by the flying pieces of c clips. The carrier bearing also had a grove cut into it by these clips as they worked their way out. I am told that if I had not caught this, it would have resulted in carrier bearing failure and lock up of my rear axle. I removed all of the metal c clip pieces and removed the remaining c clips that had not yet fallen out. I don't know if there is any connection, but my left rear leaf spring cracked in half on the lower main leaf. I had to replace the spring assembly at my cost. I now have a permanent whine at low speeds and currently have 125,000 miles on my truck. I am certainly glad that I found these metal pieces when I did! There appears to be many complaints regarding this failure in my truck model, ranging from model years 2003 through 2006 ram 1500 equipped with the 5.7 hemi. At this time, chrysler has not acknowledged the patterned failures in these rear differentials.

Filed Nov 13, 2012 · Engine · 110,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, she heard a loud thud as the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home where an independent mechanic inspected the vehicle. The mechanic discovered that the retainer of the valve spring failed and caused the piston to penetrate the wall of the cylinder, causing a hole in the side of the engine block where coolant had flown into the oil. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified. The failure and current mileage was 110,000.