NHTSA Complaint #717571 — 1996 DODGE RAM 3500

TRANSMISSION: FOUND A LARGE PUDDLE OF WHAT I THOUGHT WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID UNDER THE TRUCK. CHECKED LEVEL AND FOUND IT APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 1 1/2 QUARTS LOW. WE USE THE TRUCK TO TOW A LARGE FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER PERIODICALLY. DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 97V08400 WHICH DEALT WITH HIGH LOAD CONDITIONS AND SUBSTANDARD CONNECTORS. CALLED CHRYSLER (800-853-1403) AND WAS INFORMED THIS RECALL WAS ONLY FOR GAS ENGINE VEHICLES. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPUTABLE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THEY CONTACTED DODGE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE REPLACEMENT SEALS ARE NO LONGER OFFERED. THEY THEN CONTACTED THE DEALER REP AND WAS TOLD THE PREFERRED METHOD OF REPAIR WAS TO REPLACE THE TUBES COMPLETELY WITH AN UPDATE KIT ($451.05). THEY REPLACED THE SEALS WHICH LEAKED, THE SPEED SENSOR WHICH LEAKED, AND AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SERVICE. THE COST OF THIS TRANSMISSION SERVICE WAS $260.28. FRONT BRAKES: AT 31487 MILES THE FRONT BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS NOT DISCOVERED BY THE NORMAL SQUEAL BARS BUT BY THE METAL OF THE PAD COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE ROTOR. THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP STATED THE SQUEAL BARS HAD BEEN BENT BACK. THE REAR BRAKE SHOES STILL HAD MORE THAN 50 PERCENT LIFE LEFT. THE COST OF REPLACING THE PADS, TURNING THE ROTORS, AND GREASE SEALS WAS $189.02.