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Dodge Truck Fires

Leslie of Humboldt KS (5/28/03):
I bought a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 in January of 2000. On Febuary 25 2001 my truck caught fire and burned to the ground in my driveway; the worst part my insurance had lapsed three days earlier so insurnace won't help. I called the dealer, they gave me a claim number and I was told everything would be fine, I would get a new truck and just to be quiet about it, they knew something was wrong.

Dodge Trucks • Braking Problems • Fires • Engine Problems • Transmission • Air Conditioning --- • The Durango

I did everything these people told me and nothing is resoved yet. Yesterday I got a letter from Chrysler Financial saying they were going to take me to court for the remainder of the payments. I guess I'im probably screwed except for the recall notices they keep sending me saying I need to get it fixed so it DOESN'T catch fire.

They have ruined my credit. I lost $4,235 in tools in the truck and still don't have a truck because they messed up my credit so I can't get another.

Dana of Ponca City OK (2/23/03):
I purchased a new 2001 Dodge 1500 truck from the Davis-Moore Dodge dealership in Ponca City, OK. The vehicle caught fire in my driveway. It had been at least 10 hours since it was last driven. The fire was so hot it ignited my wife's vehicle also. I did not receive a recall notice about the loose alternator/starter wire problem. I am a police officer and was without a vehicle for almost two months. My insurance premiums were raised because of this incident.

To reiterate, the recall was sent out AFTER my vehicle fire. I was not made aware of the possible fire problem by the dealer. I think I am due some monetary compensation due to this oversight. We had to be cleared after an arson investigation. My insurance company initially accused me of fraud which caused me to hire an attorney.

My insurance company finally settled, but the arson accusations embarassed me because of my profession. I have been in a law enforcement officer for ten years after being Honorably Discharged from the Marine Corps in 1993.

Lynn of St. Robert, MO, writes:
My truck exploded on the way into work. It has been deemed totaled of course. A fire ball had ripped through the vents and caught myself on fire. No damages to me. I dove out of the vehicle and then it exploded. Fire investigator concluded it as a battery exploded and with minor fuel leak it sparked.

The problem I have with this is it is a 2001 Dodge Ram with only 5000 miles. Dodge is telling me that there is nothing they can do. I am in the Army. I am a captain in the Military Police Corps. I am very dependent on my vehicle. I have no mode of transportation. Geico is my insurance company and no resolution has been met. I cannot get to work unless I have someone that works for me come and get me in the morning at 0430hrs. This in my eyes is not right.

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