Problems with 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 AIR BAGS

Consumer fell asleep at the wheel and struck a telephone pole dead slightly away from the center of the vehicle. upon imact, airbags did not deploy. vehicle was drivable. dodge had not been contacted, nor had the vehicle been serviced.*ak

Purchased vehicle 2003 with 32,000 miles. at 45,000 miles motor had to be rebuilt.new crankshaft, rod bearings, main bearings, oil pump. 2 days after picking up the truck after work was done, main seal went out and lost oil on highway on my way to work. everything covered under warranty, but it's just the fact that the truck still has problems with such low mileage and year. ongoing electrical problem. fuse for climate control, air bags, abs brakes, power windows, mirror defrost and reverse lights keeps blowing. has blown 5 times in the past 3 months. dealer replaces the fuse, says there is nothing wrong with it. *ak

While driving 65 mph consumer's vehicle collided with a truck. upon impact, air bags did not deploy. driver sustained minor injuries, and was transported to the hospital. vehicle was towed to a body shop. the cause had not been determined. *ak

2001 dodge ram 1500 traveling 25 mph .driver lost control after hitting black ice and control was never regained. vehicle traveled ditch line and proceeded down 50+ foot embankment to hit on the nose of the truck at an estimated travel of 50 mph. vehicle stood on front end then fell on to the drivers side.driver was treated at hospital for neck,back and left shoulder injuries. air bags never deployed.manufacturer was notified of air bag failure and after several weeks we were notified that impact was not enough to activate sensors. when i called investigator, i was told that a letter would come about decision and no futher actions would be taken. vehicle was totalled and driver is still under going treatment for injuries to back.other calls were placed to manufacturer ,especially after we received a recall on the vehicle for the air bags 30 days after the incident. we were told this did not affect our vehicle. we are not satisfied with the report and results and are uncertain if anyone even looked at the vehicle since it was towed to a locked facitility and the owner of the facility had let insurance adjuster and owners only in to the secured site. facility owner stated he seen no one else requesting to view or test this vehicle for malfunctions. we would like to see the exact method and results of the manufacturers determination of no defect. we are still pursuing this investigation.

My 2001 dodge ram 1500 has had the dashboard disintegrating since 30,000 miles as i was informed by the previous owner. it only had cracks but since i have owned it the dash has literally disintegrated with sharp objects flying about the cab when windows are down. my research suggest that chrysler used inferior products as a cost reduction, did not acquire the proper manufacturing temperatures which results in cracking, and the dash is inadequately mounted causing flexing. this is a very dangerous situation.........and not a cosmetic issue as dodge has hidden behind!! when the dash breaks, sharp objects are in flight throughout the cab. when it breaks near the air bags, i believe they will deploy themselves and that alone is a serious event while driving in traffic! dodge has a history all the way back to my first purchase of a brand new 1973 dodge ram, ignoring warranty and making excuses of why things aren't their fault! it's high time this company assumes it's responsibility especially after tax payers bailed them out!!!! i have fought many battles with this company concerning warranty issues as well where a brand new 1976 dodge ram i purchased spun the races in the rears as a result of defective manufacturing!!! the time for making excuses is old, it's time for action and assuming responsibility for an inferior product!!! *tr

After about 11,000 miles the dash began to get cracks and fall apart. it gradually has gotten to the point that there are very large holes and pieces of the dash have gotten into the duct work of the vehicle. also have been having electrical problems with fuses blowing. that is when i took the vehicle to vann dodge in vineland nj and reported the problem. they took photos and later called me and said the determined that the dash was failing because of exposure to sun!!! the vehicle is garaged or parked in the shade for most of its early life and cracks and chunks happened for no apparent reason, but this is probably their way out of fixing the problem. now comes another problem or incident that happened to me because of this faulty plastic that was used to construct the dash. i was driving down the road and turned on my defroster and a piece of plastic blew out of the vent on the top of the dash or lack there of, and hit me in the face causing me to swerve and almost hit an oncoming car. i was lucky that the car avoided me or it could have been tragic. i went back to the dealership 2 months ago to have service on a different vehicle and questioned them on the status of any recall and they asked me for my vin # of my dodge ram pickup which i provided and they said there is no record of me taking the vehicle to them for a inspection, which is totally false!!! they conveniently lost my records on my pick up!!!!! something has got to be done to prevent someone from being killed due to this fault of chrysler corp. i have put a replacement skin on the dash but there was not much left to adhere the skin to at a cost of nearly $300 but the pieces continually fall into the vents. thank you *tr

2001 dodge 1500 4x4 total dashboard is cracked and big pieces falling out, started at 20,000 miles and would not fix. have 90,000 know and dodge can not tell me if it will effect my air-bag deployment on passenger side. joked to me saying have people ride in the back seat.

While driving at 50 mph on a commercial street another vehicle turned directly in front of consumer's vehicle and the consumer's vehicle collided with the right front of the other vehicle that was making the turn. the consumer was wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision, but the air bags did not deploy. vehicle was totaled. consumer did suffer some lower back pain the next day, but did not have to be hospitalized.*ak *ts *jb

2001 dodge ram 1500, 45 mph direct frontal impact no airbag deployment. i was recently involved in an accident, the vehicle described took a direct blow to the frontal area. i contacted dodge and reported the failure, 08/20/03 as of 9/16/03 i've gotten no response from them. i am asking if there is any recourse that i can take. my truck was totaled, dodge took the truck to the dealer for testing, but nothing was said about their findings. *jb

While driving 40 mph consumer's vehicle had a rear end collision with another vehicle, and the drivers side airbag did not deploy. passenger side air bag had an on/off switch attached. no one was injured in either vehicle, and a police report is on file.*ak

Consumer states her husband was involved in an automobile accident today, and air bags on the driver side did not deploy. not only did the air bag not deploy but the steering column and the part where the gauges are all dropped down to the floor and the driver injuried his legs. his chest was also injured in the accident. she states that at this point he was unable to control the truck because he had no steering wheel. vehicle traveling at about 70 mph.*ak

Truck was traveling at approx 70 to 75 mph and slid causing lost controls. as truck hit head on into embankment and rolled at least once. neither airbag deployed. this is a very sorrowful event for anyone and could cause problems for others in such situations. please contact everyone and let them know of this type of incident. *nlm

The vehicle was involved in a collision and the air bags failed to deploy. *ts consumer believed the brakes may have locked up.*jb

the consumer was in a collision and the air bags did not deploy. dealer was contacted and stated that impact was not strong enough to activate the sensor for the air bags.

The rear passenger axle failed, however the manufacturer/dealer refused to honor the warranty. *jb this occurred while the consumer was going up a mountain when the vehicle suddenly went out of control, dropped to the ground and went into a right tail spin. the consumer struck another vehicle on the left rear side. *sc the consumer stated the air bags did not deploy. *jb

Air bag didn't deploy, seatbelt didn't lock up. ts

The consumer swerved to avoid hitting a deer, and consequently lost control of the vehicle and hit a tree, and the air bags failed to deploy. *mr *ph *jb

While driving at 30/45 mph in a frontal collision , none of the airbags deployed upon impact. vehicle was totaled. please provide more details. ts

Dash had began to crack and cracks have progressed to point of they reach the trim bezel. initially dealer said to just wait they felt dodge would recall because it was very common problem. they didn't advise to replace because it would just happen with new one as well. but nothing was ever done and after contacting dodge customer assistance i was told because of age of truck and mileage now (60,000) nothing could be done. my concerns are if involved in an accident the dash could just crumble and send sharp pieces flying throughout interior. as well as interior of dash being exposed and causing operational issues while driving. *tr

While traveling at 45 mph, another vehicle traveling at about 45 to 60 mph hit consumer's vehicle on front driver's side. driver's side air bag did not deploy. *ak vehicle was totaled and one person was injured in accident. *jb

Both frontal air bags did not deploy after a frontal collision with a guard rail and a phone pole at 35 mph. manufacturer was not notified at this time. feel free to provide any further information.*ak

This truck is owned by sacramento county. our driver proceeded from a green light into the intersection. another car travelling perpendicular to ours ran their red light. our truck impacted about at the passenger side door. we "t-boned" the other car. during this accident the car travelling beside ours collided with the side of our truck. two highway patrol officers actually witnessed the accident. they estimated the speed of collision for our truck at over 25 mph. the airbags in both of the other vehicles deployed. we did alert dodge to this event. they checked the electronic system and found no faults. we are still concerned because a short time later we had another front end collision with a tree in a 2001 dodge ram 1500 and the airbag did not deploy. i will report this accident on a separate questionaire. the report we got back from dodge was nearly identical to the first one which makes us wonder how thourough an investigation they perform. also the report for the accident in this questionaire stated that the force of the impact was dissipated through the perpendicular travel of the vehicle to our truck. the highway patrol at the accident have told me that there was no travel for our truck in the direction of the car it hit. this incomplete or untrue conclusion from dodge also makes me suspicious of the quality of their investigation. also, talking to a dodge rep. who investigates these events i was told that they rarely see the air bag go off when their car hits another as ours did (t-bone). one last comment, this form would be much easier if i could see all of my typed comments instead of just one line. thank you.*ak

After traveling approximately 50 mph and rear-ending another vehicle both frontal air bags failed to deploy. no determination has been made as to the reason for failure of the airbags to deploy. driver suffered a cut on head and bruises. please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak

While making a slow right turn at about 5-10 mph steering wheel became very hard to turn. consumer then heard a loud popping sound and airbag light came on. vehicle not taken to dealer yet. please add further comments. *ak

This is the second clockspring that has failed in this truck. the first obi# is 742727. *ak

Airbag light came on and there was a noise when steering. vehicle taken to dealer 5 times, replaced clock spring assembly. did not remedy problem. consumer is returning vehicle under lemon law.*ak

My truck has an engine miss, that is confirmed by the manufactures own engineers who say there is no known solution. dc refuses to honor their comittment and has failed in their so called attempts at repair. the clockspring has twice been replaced, first after it broke two days after the dc rep inspected my truck but refused to do anything with the concerns. second time was the recall 982 which was performed on 7/9/01. the noise in the steering wheel has since returned and the steering at times gets tight while turning right. the first clockspring that broke was also after the vehicle steering wheel was turned to the right. the brakes will shudder when coming to a stop, and the dealer replaced the rear drums at one point but refused to procede further. on 5/13/01 coming to an intersection the trucks rear tires locked up and the truck entered the intersection approx. 1/3 to 1/2 the length of the truck, on 11/17/01while returning home i noticed a burnt odor at the rear of the truck, a further inspection showed smoke coming from the wheels, touching the rear wheel it was extremely hot to the touch. so hot in fact i pulled my hand away before i was burnt. front tires still show extreme signs of wear , dealer has refused to do anything further. in fact dependable dodge of vero beach on 5/14/01 told me dc ordered that no further work be done on my truck. they in fact stated they will breach their warranty. *ak

After many visits to the selling dealer, and a meeting with the chrysler rep. my truck still exhibits problems such as sat.4/28/01 while driving i turned the truck right and noticed the steering was extremely tight, when the steering wheel was turned back to the straight position, something inside cracked, almost immediately the (air bag) light came on and remainred on, truck was brought to dealer and was set for an appointment for monday, 4/30/01. the ownersmanual states ( warning ignoring the air bag light in your instrument panel could mean you won't have the air bags to protect you in a collision) the dealer failed in attempt after attempt to investigate my complaints, and now caused me to have to drive this defective truck. the brakes at times while comming to a stop shudder, or do you call it wheel hop , 3/15/01 dependable dodge replaced the brake drums on the rear after the service director drove the truck on 3/9/01. the truck now three times is exhibiting front tire wear, first time they match mounted the tires as well as took one of the front tires off the rim and exchanged it with the spare tire under the truck, second time they aligned the frontend and rotated the tires, 200 miles later the tires showed signs of wear again, truck was taken to 2 different michelin tire dealers and they informed me that the tires are wearing prematurely, to soon with only 1000 miles on them since the alignment. the truck ehibits what the service director says is a ping, i was informed to increase the octane from 87 to 89, which has done nothing. i am in the process of entering into the lemon law process and am very dissapointed with the response i have received from the dealer as well as the manufacturer. thank you. *ak

Damage $ 12000.00 , front crash at 55 mph, neither airbag deployed. *ak

There is vibration when hitting a bump at 60-65 mph. dealer has replaced front tie rod.but, it has not remedied the problem.*akconsumer adds that this is not just vibrations but intense ascillations that alternate left to right. the bouncing makes the vehicle difficult to control and will not subside until broughtr to a complete stop. upon checking several times, the tires were choppy and needed replacing, the track bar needed replacing, and a special part for the tie rod was ordered, also the left mirror was not heating, also the clock spring was replaced, also tires were showing wear.. *jg