I'm thinking both of the problems that you listed are related to one another...the former causing the latter; and since I never heard of the first problem I'd chalk it up as a fluke. You prolly got a real good truck...just be patient with it.
As for other known problems:
- If you got air bags I hear the older ones are sometimes 'problematic'...coil spring swap will fix that
- The trim on the side of the windshield may start to rattle...3M tape will fix that
- If you plan on off-roading - and I'm not talking about driving down a dirt stretch to visit the swimming hole...I'm talking about articulating over rocks, forcing the truck onto weird angles, generally just throwing its weight around going over stuff - then you prolly wanna get some stronger tie rods (Kryptonite would be my suggestion)
- I haven't seen this reported on the forum, but I've been suspecting that mine's had a gas leak since the day I bought it...but I just can't track it down...so keep an eye on your gas gauge. LOL.