From today's edition of AutoBeat Daily:

NHTSA BOOSTS PROBE INTO DODGE PICKUP
TRUCK TRANSMISSIONS.

The National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration has escalated its investigation into
complaints that Dodge pickup trucks may roll backward if
shifted into “park” while the engine is running.
NHTSA reports 50 complaints and 42 crashes involving
trucks rolling after being shifted into park. The
agency’s engineering analysis is focusing upon 2003-
2004 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. About
183,000 vehicles would be affected if a recall results.

 

How about that? Where have we seen this before?
42 crashes and 3 injuries have occurred according to NHTSA. NHTSA apparently has escallated their inquiry after DC closed their investigation as "operator error" on August 26. They (NHTSA) want consumers that have experienced the problem to file a complaint with them. Instructions are on their web site.
NHTSA Action Number : PE04039
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...fectsearch.cfm

 

Hunh! The NHTSA ought to be investigating the poor steering on ALL of Dodges' second gen 4x4 trucks.

Wonder how many got killed because of that crummy track bar setup??

Edited by Admin

 

This happened to me and the dealer replaced the shifter sensorin the trans. works fine now.

 

...reading all 20 documents on the NHTSA website I find something curious; NHTSA is including problems with "Park/Neutral start switch" issues on the watch list. It includes model years 2003 & 2004 2500/3500 trucks with autos. Does that include complaints with not being able to shift from park even though the brake pedal is pressed? It does if it's a false Park condition reported to the vehicle electronics, say the NHTSA. You DTR guys who chimed in on Lessica Jake's "Stuck in Park" thread might ought to consider reporting it if you're still having a problem.
Nat

 

That does sound like it could be a related problem. We haven't had a problem with it since we got the interlock cable replaced, but we'll keep a watch out for it nonetheless.

 

this is indeed a scary issue, at least for the unprepared. i didnt have any idea this was even a possibility before today. two scraped knees, a busted lip, and a minor loss of blood later ive learned my lesson. please see http://inlinediesel.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=17 for details.

 

Man you are a blessed man! That was a close call! Thank the good Lord above you had the stamina to get back up and catch that truck before a tragedy occurred.
Nat

 

I am not try to be an <edit> or imply there is not a major issue here, but, the owners manual directs the operator to always use the parking brake. Failing to stay in park is an item that has to have 0 failures during the R&D process (at least at GM. I assume this is a federal requirement). The P/B becomes more of an issue as autos age and they can become difficult to impossible to get out of park. Even in my 5-speed I use the P/B. It is not any effort to use and it is another line of safety.

IMHO,
Randy

 

indeed! i still get chills up my back when i think of how close we came to potential tragedy. to top it off, my little one is now afraid to ride in my truck. :-(

my right knee is scraped up pretty good, and im thinking my left knee is splintered (going to get xrays on monday) but i really dont care. im just thankful i got into that truck to stop it when i did.

 

agreed. however, the owners manual also states that you should check your oil, windshield washer fluid level, and drain the water from your fuel filter at every fill up. sounds simple enough but does anybody do that? i think it boils down to what is "reasonable". now that im aware of this issue i will always use the parking brake but i dont feel that stating this in an owners manual should release d/c liability in owning up to and finding a fix for this documented issue. im not suggesting anything litiguous, but i do have a lot of anger inside right now. theres just no way to describe how it feels to see your truck take off towards cross traffic with your child inside. because i sat there for several minutes before exiting my truck im satisfied that it was indeed in park. i look at my injuries as the price i paid to learn a very important lesson but i fear for the parent who (like me at that time) is not aware of this issue.....maybe they wont be so lucky as to catch their truck. :-(

 

I'm not trying to be coy here Randy, but I hope you're saying when the engine is turned off? Kinda hard to leave the AC running and you out of the truck while it's still in gear. (Just lightly yanking your chain.)
Nat

 

it happened to me once also,,it was early on a cold morning, was packing up the truck for a 700 mile trip,,stated it up and moved it back alittle so i could more easily load up,,left the engine running to warm it up,,got out of the tuck and walked around the back of it,,the back up lights were on but it wasn"t moving,, i thought that is strange, but i wrote it off to a glitch cause in the past i had trouble with the dome light turning off when i got out of the truck,,any ways,,went into the house for another load , about tw0o minutes later i came out and the truck was headed across the 1 acre yard towards the woods,,i ran after it,,yes and i to was on a adrenaline sprint,,it was still dark out so i didn"t see the dip in the ground untill after i pulled a muscle in my leg and fell,,laying there in great pain i heard my truck go crunch,,all kinds of scenerios were going thro my head,,but it turned out it hit a small tree with some give to it so i only had to replace the rear bumper ,,,,,,u know,,i always thougth i for got to but it in park untill i read the threads,,thought that the tranny was cold ,,that"s why it wasn"t moving with the backup lights on,,,after i read these threads i went out and started it and put it in reverse,,that truck moved right away,,,so it seems mine slipped out of park also,,i wonder how many people this happened to that thought it was thier fault for leaving it in reverse?????

 

I had mine roll back wards once also. Parking brake was on good thing for the concrete barrier and the trailor hitch. No damage besides my ego.

 

i have never in my life used a parking brake on level ground,,on inclines i do,,i have never ever had a problem with that untill this truck