Dodge Ram Complaints (1997)

1,130 consumer complaints on file.

#11420515June 10, 2021
AIR BAGS
While driving truck down road air bag exploded for no apparent reason , no large bumps or impacts to vehicle..Cab filled with dust and smoke Luckily was able to stop although my hearing is greatly impaired now..
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11365543October 21, 2020
POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION
NOTICED A HIGH PITCHED WHINE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ABOUT 30-40 SECONDS BEFORE THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY LOCKED UP. TRAVELING ON A SECONDARY TO A CITY STREET SLOWING TO 30 MPH. AXLE ASSEMBLY LOCKED UP AT 45 MPH CAUSING A SKID THAT WAS CONTROLLED. AXLE HOUSING SPLIT, DRIVE SHAFT DETACHED, GEAR LUBE DRAINED OUT AND TIRES ARE SEVERELY FLAT SPOTTED. SKID LENGTH WAS 115 FT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11309624February 17, 2020
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY 97 RAM HAS ABOUT 95% OF THE DASH MISSING. I HAVE SAVED PIECES OF IT AND PARTS IF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS BROKEN OFF. I CAN BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD,, HIT A BUMP, AND DASH PIECES WILL FALL ON THE FLOOR. DODGE NEEDS TO FIX THIS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11282903November 29, 2019
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL
WHILE DRIVING A DODGE RAM 2500, WITHOUT ANY LOAD AND AT A SPEED OF 35 MPH ON A STRAIGHT SMOOTH ROAD THE REAR RIGHT TIRE BURST FOR NO APPARENT REASON. A LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER BELIEVES THAT THE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED AND AT A LOW PRESSURE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT AS A VISUAL INSPECTION PRIOR TO THE TRIP WHICH RESULTED IN THE BLOWOUT DID NOT INDICATE A LOW PRESSURE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11192086March 27, 2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FRAME RUSTING THROUGH AND CRACKED NEAR STARRING GEAR BOX AND STABILIZER BAR BUSHING MOUNTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11191481March 25, 2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. CALLAWAY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (809 S WESTMINSTER AVE, FULTON, MO 65251, (855) 486-1440) DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 253,363.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11065790January 30, 2018
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THERE IS NO RELAY TO HEADLIGHT SWITCH CAUSING PIGTAIL TO MELT MULTIPLE TIMES. COULD CAUSE FIRE WHILE DRIVING.... PIGTAIL MELTS AND HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF DURING DRIVE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11058073January 2, 2018
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE CABIN SPONTANEOUSLY FILLED WITH SMOKE AND CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 250,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10985563May 13, 2017
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE DASH IS COMPLETELY BUSTED AND I THINK THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE REASON WHY IS IF I GET INTO A WRECK WHO AM I GOING TO BLAME WHENEVER IT SHORT OF MY PLASTIC DASH COMES TO HIT SOMEBODY IN THE FACE THE NECK OR ANY OTHER PART OF THEIR BODY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10971257April 8, 2017
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CLIP ATTACHING THE ACCELERATOR CABLE TO THE THROTTLE BODY SNAPPED CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING AND EFFECTIVNESS OF THE BRAKE. I HAD A 2 MONTH OLD AND MY 3 YEAR OLD IN THE TRUCK AS WELL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10936778December 21, 2016
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED APPROX IN 2007 BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTICE ON RECALLS. THERE WAS SOMETHING ONE TIME I TOOK INTO FEAR LET ABOUT WINDOW I THINK. RECENTLY I WAS TALKING WITH PREVIOUS OWNER AND FOUND OUT THEY WERE STILL GETTING INFO ON TRUCK OCCASIONAL BUT THREW AWAY AS THEY'D SOLD AND ASSUME I WAS GETTING SAME RECALL NOTICES. I'VE HAD REPLACE TRANSMISSION CAUSE BURN OUT ON LONG TRIP FROM FAIRBANKS APPROX 1 1/2 YEAR AGO LOST MOST FLUID JUST AS I PULL IN TO WASILLA. PAINT HAS PEAKED IN AREA OR TWO AND MY HEADLIGHTS STARTED WORKING INTERMITTENT YESTERDAY. HAD ISSUES WITH POWER BOAST AS WELL IN PAST ALONG WITH LACK OF HEAT IN WINTER. REPLACED INJECTORS SAME YEAR I PURCHASED
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10926336November 16, 2016
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A PASSENGER SAT AN ITEM ON THE DASH, THE DASH SHATTERED AND PIECE FLEW IN MY EYE WHILE DRIVING, I ALMOST WRECKED THE TRUCK ON BUSY INTERSTATE 75. ITEM WASN'T VERY HEAVY AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN THE DASH, IT'S LIKE THE WHOLE DASH ROTTED AT ONCE & CAME APART, VERY DANGEROUS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10893883August 8, 2016
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE DASHBOARD IS FALLING APART. THERE ARE NUMEROUS CRACKS AND SEVERAL PIECES HAVE BROKEN OFF OF IT. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER MOTOR COMPANY. THEY HAVE REFUSED TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD. THEY WILL NOT RECALL THE DASHBOARDS ON ANY RAM PICKUP EVEN THOUGH THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 20 YEARS. IF A PIECE COMES OFF THE DASH AND HITS YOU IN THE FACE, IT COULD CAUSE YOU TO SWERVE YOU TRUCK AND CRASH. THERE IN LIES THE POSSIBILITY FOR BODILY INJURY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10862332April 30, 2016
AIR BAGS, ENGINE, STEERING
"TAKATA RECALL" TODAYS DATE 4-29-2016,I HAVE A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ALL THE RECALLS ON THIS TRUCK.I HAVE A FEW PROBLEMS COMING ON WITH MY TRUCK.IM NEEDING A REPLACEMENT AIR INTAKE SYSTEM ITS CALLED ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. SUDDENLY I FELT SOME SHAKING IN FRONT TIRES.I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS BUT MY STEERING PUMP WITH OUT AND NOW THE STEERING GEAR BOX.EVERYTIME IM FINISH WORKING ON ONE PROBLEM THE NEXT IS RIGHT BEHIND.MY DASH BOARD IS FALL APART.DASH BOARD IS ALL IN PIECES.GETTING WORST AND WORST EVERYDAY.LAST PROBLEM MY AIR BAG BLEW OUT AND BUSTED IN MY FACE.MY TRUCK WAS PARKED WHEN IT HAPPENED WITH THE AIR BAGS,BUT I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE POWER STEERING WITH OUT. PLEASE HELP ME GET MY RECALLS ON MY TRUCK AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10845958March 10, 2016
WHEELS
IN 3/8/2006 I WAS DRIVING MY 97 DODGE RAM AND SUDDENLY I FELT A SHAKING IN REAR TIRES AND AFTER THAT I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN BRAKING BUT I LOST THE CONTROL OF MY TRUCK AND I SAW MY LEFT REAR TIRE PASSING BESIDE ME. THE NUTS WERE MISSING . I CAN SEE NOW THAT IT'S A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. HOW IT CAN BE CORRECTED?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10822731January 28, 2016
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS
THE HUB WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE AND WAS REPLACED IMMEDIATELY WITH A NEW ONE. DROVE APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AND THE BRAND NEW HUB DID THE SAME EXACT THING. I CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT KEEPS CAUSING THE ISSUE NOR CAN I AFFORD TO KEEP REPLACING THEM. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL DODGE RAMS OVER THE YEARS AND WHILE THE HUB DOES GO OUT ON THEM I HAVE NEVER HAD ONE GO OUT RIGHT AFTER PUTTING IT ON. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND NOTICED THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS YEAR MODEL TRUCK. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10819532January 11, 2016
SUSPENSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED, TO THE POINT THAT PIECES DETACH WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT-END SUSPENSION WAS FRACTURED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/09/16*LJ *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10812008December 24, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN DRIVING OR SOMETIMES FLICKERS ON/OFF WHEN DRIVING, TRACED WIRING AND NOTICED THAT WIRING WAS BURNT AT PIG TAIL CONNECTOR WHICH IS THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH AT THE PART CALLED BEZEL... NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE WITH IT UNTIL THIS YEAR AND COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY WIRE BURNT, THE PLASTIC/BEZEL MELTED FIRST RATHER THAN FUSE TRIPPING. THIS OCCURS WHEN DRIVING ANYWHERE BUT IT OCCURRED FIRST WHEN I WAS HEADED TO WORK AT 3AM IN HIGHWAY 74 WHICH IS MOUNTAINOUS AND VERY CURVY ROAD... EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND IS SAFETY RISK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10811460December 21, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS CUT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT TO THE STORE A MOTORIST FLASHED THEIR LIGHTS AT ME WHILE I WAS AT A LIGHT.. CHECKED ALL FUSES AND HAD MECHANIC LOOK IT OVER. THEY NARROWED IT DOWN TO THE STEERING COLUMN IT WILL BE 400$ TO FIX. THE WIRE HARNESS PIN PLUG HAD OVERHEATED AND MELTED. ALMOST CAUSED A FIRE. I HAD SMELLED BURNING ELECTRIC SMELL. WAS ONLY ABLE TO HOLD HI BEAM LEVER TO KEEP HI BEAMS ENGAGED TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE WITH LIGHTS TILL PROBLEM IS FIXED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10776400September 24, 2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, WATER ENTERED AND NEARLY FILLED THE HEADLAMP ENCLOSURE CAUSING THE HALOGEN LAMP TO BURST.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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