NHTSA Complaint #10838429 — 2003 DODGE RAM 2500

THE MECHANISM (HVAC) THAT DIRECTS HOT AND COLD AIR AMONG THE WINDSHIELD, DASH, AND FLOOR FAILED. IT WAS A VERY COLD DAY IN DECEMBER AND I WAS ATTENDING A FUNERAL 150 MILES FROM HOME. IT WAS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE THE WINDSHIELD KEPT FROSTING UP AND MY FEET BECAME VERY COLD BECAUSE ALL THE HEAT WAS COMING OUT OF THE DASH. THE HVAC COULD NOT BE FIXED EN ROUTE BECAUSE (1) IT TOOK THREE WEEKS TO GET A NEW HVAC HOUSING, (2) IT WAS A SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND REPAIR STATIONS WERE CLOSED, AND (3) THE REPAIR TAKES ABOUT 8 HOURS BECAUSE THE ENTIRE DASH HAS TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE THE HVAC HOUSING AND DOORS. IT COST $1,417.45 TO FIX. (I CAN FURNISH A COPY OF THE INVOICE IF YOU LIKE.) I HAVE LEARNED THAT THE FAILURE OF THIS HARD-TO-GET-AT PLASTIC HOUSING IS NOT UNCOMMON AMONG DODGE TRUCKS. IN FACT IN THIS SMALL TOWN OF 2,500 PEOPLE ANOTHER 2003 DODGE TRUCK CAME IN FOR REPAIRS TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE SAME WEEK. DODGE IS OBVIOUSLY USING FAULTY MATERIALS.