NHTSA Complaint #10447148 — 2006 DODGE RAM 2500

IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR THE BLEND AND MODE CONTROL DOORS FAILED ON MY 2006 DODGE RAM. WHEN THESE COMPONENTS FAIL, THE DRIVER IS EITHER UNABLE TO ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE OF THE HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM, THEY ARE UNABLE TO CONTROL THE AIR FLOW (IE: FLOOR, DASH, WINDSHIELD), OR IN MY CASE- BOTH. LIVING IN A NORTHERN CLIMATE, IT IS AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY TO HAVE A FUNCTIONING DEFROST SYSTEM. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AS DRIVER VISIBILITY CAN BE GREATLY LIMITED. AFTER THE FAILURE, I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND MANY CASES OF THE SAME FAILURE BEING EXPERIENCED BY OTHER RAM OWNERS. THE FAILURE IS SO COMMON THAT YOU CAN EASILY FIND SEVERAL WRITE UPS ON THE ISSUE AND DETAILS ABOUT HOW SOMEONE CAN FIX THE PROBLEM WHEN IT HAPPENS IF THEY CANNOT AFFORD THE OBSCENE PRICE THAT DODGE DEALERSHIPS WANT TO CHARGE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE IS SO COMMON THAT THERE EVEN ARE IMPROVED 3RD PARTY PARTS THAT ARE UPGRADED IN DESIGN AND QUALITY SO THE PROBLEM IS NOT AS LIKELY TO REPEAT ITSELF. THIS IS NOT ONLY A FAILURE THAT IS ANNOYING, BUT IT ALSO A FAILURE THAT IS VERY MUCH A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR