NHTSA complaint: 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 — STRUCTURE
THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2001 RAM 1500 PICKUP RECENTLY STARTED CRACKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CRACKS WERE STRAIGHT LINE CRACKS FROM THE SCREW HOLES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND NOT THE SPIDERWEB TYPE THAT RESULT FROM EXPOSURE. YESTERDAY A PIECE BROKE OFF OVER THE VENTILATION INTAKE AND FELL INTO THE DASH AND SUDDENLY BLACK SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT OF THE VENTS. A TRAVEL FIRE EXTINGUISHER HAD TO BE EMPTIED INTO THE VENT SYSTEM TO KEEP THE CAB FROM BECOMING ENGULFED. CHRYSLER SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL EVEN THOUGH I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. IF ONE OF MY FRIENDS DID NOT HAVE THE EXTINGUISHER IN THEIR CAR THIS MIGHT HAVE ENDED WITH LOSS-OF-LIFE - MINE. THE VEHICLE SMELLS LIKE SMOKE WHENEVER IT IS STARTED AND I AM CONCERNED THAT IT WILL CATCH FIRE AGAIN IF I ATTEMPT TO DRIVE IT. *TR
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation