NHTSA Complaint #734222 — 1998 DODGE RAM 1500

THIS VEHICLE HAS DISPLAYED FRONT END ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS, AND PARTS IN THE FRONT END KEEP LOOSENING, AFTER PURCHASE NOTICED LEFT FRONT WHEEL IS SHIMMED OUT FURTHER AWAY FROM VEHICLE THAN THE OTHER WHEELS. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A NORMAL PROCEDURE TO "BALANCE" THE VEHICLE AFTER MANUFACTURE. IN LIGHT OF ALL THE FRONT END PROBLEMS I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS TRUCK IS SAFE FOR MY FAMILY TO BE DRIVING. HAS TESTING BEEN DONE AFTER THE "BALANCING" PROCEEDURETO INSURE THIS VEHICLE COMPLIES TO HANDLING AND SAFETY SPECIFICATIONS? DO BOLTS LOOSENING IN THE FRONT END CONSTITUTE A SAFETY HAZARD? I HAVE NOTICED THE VEHICLE PULLS RIGHT AND SOMETIMES SEEMS TO REACT WITH A RAPID PULL RIGHT TO SOME ROAD SURFACE DEFECTS AND HAS ALMOST PULLED THE STEERING WHEEL FROM MY HANDS. I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH CHRYSLER AND THE DEALERSHIPS SINCE DAY 1 AND HAVE GONE THROUGH THEIR DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROCESS AND WAS TOLD MY DEFECTS TO NOT INFLICT ANY DETRIMENT TO THE VALUE, SAFETY OR USEFULNESS OF THE VEHICLE!*AK