NHTSA Complaint #10128154 — 1995 DODGE RAM 1500

ON 3/09/05 WE BOUGHT A 1995 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP FROM LEE DODGE IN FARMINGDALE, NY. ON 7/01/05 THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HAVE SMOKE COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND THEN PROCEEDED TO IGNITE INTO FLAMES. THE ENTIRE TRUCK WAS ENGULFED IN MINUTES AND THIS TRUCK WAS TOTALLED. AFTER THIS INCIDENT WE FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BACK IN THE YEAR 2000 FOR IGNITION WIRES THAT WERE OVERHEATING! THE DODGE MANUFACTURER INFORMED US THAT THE RECALLS WERE NEVER DONE AND IT WAS VERY POSSIBLE THAT THIS PROBLEM CAUSED THE FIRE AND IS SENDING AN INSPECTOR ON 7/10/05 TO DETERMINE THIS FACT. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER LEE DODGE WAS RESPONSIBLE TO HAVE DONE ALL THE RECALLS BEFORE THEY SOLD THE VEHICLE. LEE DODGE HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE TO DATE. THIS TRUCK IS A TOTAL LOSS AND OUR NEIGHBOR'S TREE WENT UP IN FLAMES AS WELL. IT COULD HAVE BEEN OUR HOMES AS WELL AS FAMILY MEMBERS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED AND LEE DODGE NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR IGNORING THESE RECALLS BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE IS INJURED OR DIES. WHO KNOWS HOW MANY OTHER TRUCKS/CARS THEY SELL WITH SAFETY ISSUES!