NHTSA Complaint #10053275 — 2000 DODGE RAM 2500

OCTOBER 28, 2003 DODGE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER P.O. BOX 21-8004 AUBURN HILLS, MI 48321-8004 DEAR MR. OR MS.: I WOULD LIKE TO ACQUAINT YOUR STAFF WITH THE PROBLEM MY 2000 DODGE RAM 2500 SERIES WITH 4WD EXPERIENCED LAST MONTH AT 128,000 MILES. THE VEHICLES VIN IS:[XXX]. THE PROBLEM CONCERNS AN EARLY STEERING BOX FAILURE WHICH MEANT LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING ASSIST DISAPPEARED. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE OR PERSON AND SINCE I WAS ON A QUIET RURAL HIGHWAY IT WAS A MATTER OF ROUTINE TO BRING THE TRUCK TO A STOP AND FIGURE OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED. YOUR DODGE DEALER IN VANCOUVER, WA DECLINED TO HELP SO THE TRUCK WENT TO MY TIRE AND SUSPENSION DEALER OF LONG STANDING IN CAMAS, WA AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING BOX, THE TRACK BAR AND THE TIE ROD ENDS. IM NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE TIE ROD PARTS AS THOSE ARE WEAR ITEMS. I DO BELIEVE THAT DODGE SHOULD HELP WITH MY EXPENSE OF THE GEAR BOX AND TRACK BAR REPLACEMENT ESPECIALLY SINCE I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEW EVEN THOUGH IT HAS RUN OUT. OBVIOUSLY GEAR BOX FAILURE SHOULD NOT OCCUR AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE. *CB *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)