| Components - Details | |
|---|---|
| NHTSA Complaint Number: 005046207 | Incident Date: Sep, 30 2005 |
| Consumer's City: PLAINFIELD | Consumer's State: IN |
| Vehicle Transmission Type: AUTO | Manufacturers Name: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
| Model Name: RAM 3500 | Model Year: 1999 |
| Vehicle Involved in a Crash: No | Component's Description: Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings |
| Vehicle Involved in a Fire: No | Persons Injured: 0 |
| Vehicle's VIN#: 1B7MF3364XJ | Date added to File: May, 23 2021 |
| Date Complaint Received: Nov, 11 2005 | Complaint Type: IVOQ |
| Incident Reported To Police: No | Purchase Date: Dec, 31 1997 |
| Was Original Owner: Yes | Anti-lock Brakes: Yes |
| Number of Cylinders: 6 | Date of Manufacturer: - |
| Was Vehicle Towed: - | Description of the Complaints: Two primary safety related issues and many less important quality issues have plagued this vehicle. the problems began to mount immediately after the warranty lapsed. the most critical issue has been the corrosion and subsequent failure of the brake line that supplies the pressure needed for the rear brakes to operate. this issue rendered the rear brakes on the vehicle useless. dodge corporate and two local dodge dealerships refused to address the issue, except by offering to sell a replacement brake line. the failure of the metal after only 5 years is unacceptable. the second major safety issue is that the nipples on the original fuel sending unit were made of metal and corroded through and began to spray fuel onto the exhaust system and the entire underside of the vehicle. this results is very poor mileage and a potentially fatal fuel leak. between these two safety issues and the blatant dismissal of any responsibility of the dodge corporation i think something needs to be done. i have corrected the issue on my vehicle, but what if someone was towing a large trailer with a similar vehicle and the brakes failed? people could be killed. additionally the fuel leak doesn't seem to be an issue that should ever happen. i believe that in systems as critical as fuel and brakes the material should be designed to last longer than 4 or 5 years regardless of the warranty. we have the technology to prevent this, its a simple material choice issue. the brakes and fuel lines could have easily and inexpensively been made of stainless steel or brass or any number of other non corrosive materials. *jb |
