2016 Ram 1500: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed Jun 25, 2020 · Body · 49,300 miles · TX

The driver's side interior door latch has failed even though the vehicle has less than 50k miles. This occurred when the vehicle was stationary. I am a safety engineer. The interior latch function is a safety critical means of emergency egress akin to crash bars on buildings; no way should it fail in a vehicle this recently built and of such low mileage. Ram informed me it was a non-warranty item which in itself surprising. The repair bill is $521, which in some cases will be expensive enough that some will forgo getting it fixed, imperiling themselves should they need to quickly egress the vehicle in the even of a fire or submersion, for example. I asked them for information on how frequently this particular type of failure particular latch mechanism and they were most definitely not forthcoming. I asked them to elevate my case to someone more senior, given critical the nature of the failure from a safety standpoint. They refused. So, I guess the ball is in the federal safety agency's court. Someone should definitely reach out to fca and inquire about the failure rate of this particular mechanism.

Filed Jul 28, 2018 · Electrical, Transmission · 23,456 miles · OH · crash

My wife, dog and I pulled into a parking lot of a countertop supply store. It was approximately 80 degrease outside so I rolled down the windows to half and left the truck running in park to keep the A/C on for the dog. In this parking lot we were the only vehicle parked near by and there was no parking block in front of the truck. We were in the store approximately 20 min looking for a countertop then went to sit down with the sales specialist. About 5 min into that conversation the secretary in the front yelled "your truck is driving off". I immediately ran out the door to find my truck about 25 yards away and across the main road. The road did not have curbs but did have steep culverts on both sides (note: I would not think a truck at idle would make it up to the road) the truck "took off" per 3 workers that were near by in the lot moving a large slab of granite, and a simi driver was driving on the road stating that both my ram and his tractor hit tires and that's what got my truck to stop. Everyone that witnessed this stated the dog was in the back seat and no one got out of the vehicle. As I approached the truck it sounded to be running at idle and when I grabbed the door handle the locks unlocked as normal. I found the truck in drive and RPM at normal idle range. The truck allowed me to put it back in park. I then restarted the truck, moved it back to the parking lot. The business has security camera footage of this showing how my truck un tampered with went from idle and park for 25ish min to driving across the road and I am currently perusing a copy of the tape. Dealer was contacted and I was told to make an appointment late next week (earliest available) for an inspection, and until then to set the parking brake every time. Truck appears to be driving as normal. The store was around 15 miles away, truck was parked all night leading up to event.

Filed Jul 9, 2018 · Body · 25,000 miles · PA

Tailgate randomly opens when the vehicle hits 15 MPH and activates the door locks along with the tailgate lock. Contents spill out of the bed and into traffic. I cant find a safety bulletin but this appears to be a common issue. This should be recalled immediately. This has happened 15 times on my vehicle in the last month. The vehicle is approx 18 months old and has less than 30k miles on it. Example of the issue. Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uha6wuvqthg

Filed Oct 10, 2017 · Locks, Transmission · 56,000 miles · ND · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ram 1500. While the vehicle was idling and the gear shifter was placed in park, the contact walked away from the vehicle. Suddenly, the vehicle inadvertently rolled back in reverse. The contact proceeded to the driver's side to stop the vehicle; however, the vehicle crashed into another parked vehicle. The contact was smashed in between the lamp post and another vehicle. The contact sustained injuries to the legs that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated that previously, the vehicle experienced abnormal dysfunction. While the gear shifter was placed in reverse, the back up camera would remain on the drive screen. The contact then stated that all four door locks would lock then unlock without warning. On several occasions, the vehicle made a beeping noise. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Feb 2, 2017 · Transmission · 13,000 miles · MI · 1 injury

I had received this dodge ram as a rental while my truck was getting body work done. Before I picked up my son at school I stopped at my house to empty out some work tools to make room for him. I put the truck in park with the rotary dial on a slight incline on my laneway I shut the truck off and walked towards my front door. As I walked away from the truck I heard the snow compressing behind me. I turned around and seen the truck rolling backwards down my laneway. My reaction was to chase the truck thinking I must have forgot to put it in park. I caught up with the truck threw the door open and jumped in. I put the brake on and noticed it was in park. I turned the truck on and drove it back up the laneway. I then tried to put it in park again and let my foot off the brake. It rolled back again so I drove it forward again and tried park again with no response from the transmission and it rolled back again. I then turned the truck around and backed up the laneway and put it in park and let off the brake. The truck then engaged in park but would then chug its way down the laneway but in a slower manner. After picking up my boy at school I parked my truck in my shop and went in the house. After half an hour my adrenaline wore off and my hand, wrist and arm started to hurt. I went to the hospital and received x-rays, I ended up tearing my limb muscles from opening the door handle and jumping into the truck. I called the rental company to let them know and demanded a different vehicle. I do have pictures of the registration from the rental company and my doctors notes on my phone but I am having difficulties uploading them to my computer right now.