Dodge Ram Complaints (1997)

1,130 consumer complaints on file.

#10189603May 2, 2007
STRUCTURE
CRACKS IN DASHBOARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10189475May 2, 2007
STRUCTURE
I OWN A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. THE DASH STARTED CRACKING BY ITSELF AND IS CAVING IN. MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND RESEARCH BY LOCAL TV (WKMG) INDICATE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING ALL OVER- EVERY DASH ON A DODGE PICKUP WILL CRACK AND FALL APART. THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD WITH THE WIRING. DODGE REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10189481May 2, 2007
STRUCTURE
THE DASH ON THE PICK UP HAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL AREAS. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IT MAY COLLAPSE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10189489May 2, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH, STRUCTURE
CRACKING OF DASHBOARD AND SHORT IN HEADLIGHTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10189415May 1, 2007
STRUCTURE
WE OWN A 1997 DODGE RAM. THE DASHBOARD IN THE VEHICLE HAS BROKEN APART IN MANY LOCATIONS INCLUDING THE VIN NUMBER PLATE, WHICH IS NO LONGER VISIBLE. ON MANY OCCASIONS THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185454March 18, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
THE GAS TANK STRAP RUSTED OUT ON THE 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 EXTENDED CAB THAT WE OWN. IT WAS BEING HELD UP BY ONLY ONE STRAP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10179273January 21, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178560January 12, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS:SWITCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
STRONG SMELL IN CAB SEEMINGLY ONLY AT NIGHT. GOT PULLED OVER FOR NO TAIL OR RUNNING LIGHTS BEHIND THE CAB. THEY WERE WORKING EARLIER. HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS MELTING CAUSING NASTY SMELL WHICH RESULTED IN A BAD HEADACHE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178459January 11, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS 1997 DODGE RAM 3500, HAS HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 1997. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE ONE IT COMES TO A STOP, AND IF HE APPLIES TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE ENGINE ENGAGES TOO QUICKLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN 1999 HE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BY ROLAND CHEVROLET FREE OF CHARGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT 2 MONTHS AFTER THE NEW TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACE IT CONTINUED TO EXHIBIT THE SAME FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP NOW INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IF HE WANTS ANY REPAIRS DONE TO THE TRANSMISSION HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE IT WON'T MOVE, UNTIL HE PRESSES ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS HAPPENS EVERYDAY, AND HAS PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION AFTER COMING TO A STOP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178311January 10, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY 2- 3 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE HAD DIFFICULTIES INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY BECAME STUCK ,AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME . THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DID NOT GET THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE REPAIR SHOP BETWEEN THE SECOND AND THIRD REPLACEMENT. THE REPAIR SHOP PUT THE STEERING COLUMN IN WRONG POSITION , AND ADVISED HER THEY WOULD NEED TO ORDER A NEW ONE. ALSO, THEY CUT THE AIR BAG WHEN REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLEWAS A 1997 DODGE RAM . *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177842January 5, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS BURNED OUT TWICE WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. THE DEALER HAS TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE REASON HE HAS TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS BECAUSE HE TOWED A TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NOT A FACTOR IN THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH HIMSELF. THE WIRING WAS MELTED TO THE SWITCH. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177643January 3, 2007
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
TL*- THE CONTACT HAS A 1997 DODGE RAM WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 70000. ON 12-18-06 WHILE DRIVING IN DRY WEATHER CONDITIONS AT 25 MPH THE HOOD UNLATCHED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT A CRASH. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THERE WAS RECALL (01V040000). HE THEN TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TOOK PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AND SENT THEM TO THE MANUFACTURER. THEY TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NO LONGER LIABLE FOR THE RECALL BECAUSE THEY NOTIFIED HIM, AND HE DID NOT HAVE IT REPAIRED.*AK UPDATED 1/29/2007 -*NM THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE TO HIS COMPLAINT. UPDATED 04/19/07. *JB UPDATED 05/23/07
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176535December 19, 2006
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
AIR CONDITIONING VENT ALWAYS SWITCHES TO THE DEFROSTER AND BACK TO THE AC VENT. WHILE DRIVING IN THE SNOW AND ICE THE HEATER WAS ON, THE DEFROSTER VENT AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHES TO THE VENT ON THE FLOOR AND THE AC VENT CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO ICE UP CAUSING NO VISIBILITY THROUGH THE WINDOW. DID RUN OFF THE ROAD. IT'S BEEN DOING THIS EVER SINCE THAT DAY. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE THAT THE GARAGE ATTENDANT SAID. HAVE DEALT WITH THIS FOR ALONG TIME. TRUCK IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. SHARP!! THE REASON I AM REPORTING THIS TIME IS THAT I NEARLY ESCAPED FROM HITTING A TREE THIS LAST ICE STORM. DON'T WANT TO BE A STATISTIC. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176049December 13, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH, STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS, EQUIPMENT
MY FIANCE IS THE OWNER OF A 1997 DODGE 1500 4X4 PICKUP. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED/CHANGE 4 TIMES SINCE WE HAVE TAKEN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE IN 2002. I CHECK THE DEFECTS FOR THAT VEHICLE ON YOUR "DEFECT INFORMATION" & SURE ENOUGH THERE IT IS. WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH THIS TRUCK SINCE WE PURCHASED IT. THE HOOD LATCH IS ALWAYS LOOSE & FINALLY CAUSE THE HOOD TO FLY UP WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH ME & MY 2 CHILDREN. THE TAIL GATE HAS FALLEN OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE DRIVERS DOOR HAS BEEN REPLACE BECAUSE THE IT SAGS. AND FINALLY, THE BUMPER HAS JUST ABOUT COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY SINCE WE'VE OWNED IT. I FEEL WE GOT THE BIGGEST LEMON. I EMAILED DODGE DIRECTLY WITH THIS SAME ISSUE & RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. HOPEFULLY, YOUR AGENCY CAN HELP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. ANGELA SAYRE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175530December 7, 2006
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SEVERELY CRACKED DASH THAT COULD PUNCTURE AIR BAG UPON DEPLOYMENT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172475November 2, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
GASOLINE TANK STARTED LEAKING DUE TO STRESS CRACK FAILURE. NO INDICATION OF MECHANICAL WEAR AT THE FAILURE POINT, APPEARS TO BE A FAILURE OF THE PLASTIC. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172425November 1, 2006
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
BOTH EXTERIOR MIRRORS GET OUT OF ADJUSTMENT WHILE DRIVING OR CLOSING DOORS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AS A LONE DRIVER NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE RIGHT-HAND MIRROR. ALSO WHEN CHANGING LANES TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, DISCOVERING THE LEFT-HAND MIRROR IS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE LANES BLINDLY. THE MIRRORS HAVE BEEN FALLING OUT OF ADJUSTMENT SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THEY FELL OUT OF ADJUSTMENT WHEN I WAS DOING A TEST DRIVE. THE SALESMAN SAID THEY WOULD BE TIGHTENED, BUT THEY HAVE NOT STAYED IN PLACE. I AM INQUIRING IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL NOTICE? I HAVE HEARD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM AND NO ONE HAS COME UP WITH A SOLUTION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167369September 5, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH FOR 30 MINUTES ON THE HIGHWAY, HEAT AND A BURNING SMELL WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ON INSPECTION, THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE SWITCH WAS HOT TO THE TOUCH AND A BURNED RUBBER SMELL WAS NOTICEABLE. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND RECOMMENDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR AS THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHT; HEADLIGHT SWITCH (99V024000). WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166275August 22, 2006
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, EQUIPMENT
1997 DODGE RAM 1500 5.2L V8 SINGLE CAB(LARAMIE) DASH IS CRACKED RIGHT DOWN THE CENTER, CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT WORKING ANYMORE AND AIR CONDITIONING GOES IN AND OUT WITH ACCELERATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10165315August 12, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
I HAVE A 1997 DODGE RAM TRUCK 3500 WITH 5.9 LITER 6 CYLINDER DIESEL LARAMIE SLT. THE FUEL GAUGE HASN'T WORKED FOR 5 YEARS NOW AND THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS DEFECTIVE. I WOULD PURCHASE A NEW ONE, BUT COST TO ME FOR THE FUEL SENDING UNIT PART IS $198.00. CURRENTLY, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE THAT SEEMS TO HAVE FAULTY FUEL SENDING UNITS, I SET THE TRIPMETER AND GO 300-350 MILES AND THEN FILL UP THE TANK. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WITH GAS AND DIESEL ENGINES AND I'M WONDERING WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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