Dodge Ram Complaints (1997)

1,130 consumer complaints on file.

#10608223July 4, 2014
STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
POWER STEER/BRAKE FLUID MASTER CYLINDER LEAKED INTO CAB OF TRUCK SATURATING THE CARPETS BEFORE IT COULD BE DISCOVERED. SAFETY FEAR OF CARPET SOAKED WITH POWER STEERING FLUID. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10597580June 11, 2014
STEERING
STEERING WHEEL MECHANISM LOCKED IN PLACE AT 50MPH CRASHING INTO A TELEPHONE/ELECTRICAL POLE WITH LIVE WIRES COMING DOWN AROUND VEHICLE. INJURIES SIGNIFICANT. CHP AGREED MECHANISM LOCKED. DODGE/CHRYSLER CORPORATION SAID THEY HAD NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP WHILE AT 50MPH. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10596929June 8, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THIS VAN WAS A GREAT RUNNING VEHICLE, AND HAD NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS OTHER THAN THE NORMAL FOR A VAN OF THIS YEAR. MY GRANDSON AND I WERE HEADED OUT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND I STARTED SMELLING GAS. I THOUGHT MAYBE ONE OF THE NEIGHBORS HAD SOME GAS POURED OUT OR SOMETHING. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE ABOUT 2 BLOCKS AND NOTICED THAT I STILL SMELLED THE STRONG ODOR OF GAS. I LOOKED INTO MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW THAT FLAMES WERE POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE VAN FROM UNDER THE FRONT AREA WHERE MY GRANDSON AND I WERE SITTING. WE JUMPED OUT OF THE VAN AND CALLED 911. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP MY VAN WAS COMPLETELY BURNT UP. THE FIREMEN SAID THAT EVIDENTLY THE FUEL LINE HAD FELL OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10574460March 24, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 225,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566561February 28, 2014
STRUCTURE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY REPORT IS NOT NECESSARILY CONCERNING A SPECIFIC INCIDENT. APPROXIMATELY THE DATE AND TIME SPECIFIED ABOVE I NOTICED MY DASH CRACKING, SINCE THAT TIME THE ENTIRE DASH OF MY TRUCK HAS CRACKED AND BROKEN. I HAVE HAD THE CUPHOLDERS BREAK AND SPILL ON ME AND NOW MY DASH BACKLIGHT HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL IT COMPLETELY FALLS APART. I HAVE APPLIED ADHESIVE TO A DASH COVER TO PREVENT FURTHER DEGRADATION OF THE PLASTIC. FROM WHAT I SEE ON MY TRUCK AND MY FATHER-IN-LAWS 2003 DODGE RAM IT IS A FUNDAMENTAL FLAW IN THE MATERIAL THE DASH COMPONENTS ARE MADE FROM. I FEAR IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE SINCE I DON'T KNOW WHEN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WILL OCCUR. NUMEROUS OTHER DODGE TRUCKS THAT BELONG TO FRIENDS AND COWORKERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. ANY ATTENTION YOU CAN GIVE TO THIS ISSUE WILL BE APPRECIATED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566121February 26, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
DRIVING TRUCK IN TOWN AT APP 30MPH WHEN FUEL TANK FELL FROM TRUCK STRIKING PAVEMENT. OPENED A 5INCH HOLE IN TANK LETTING FUEL ESCAPE ONTO ROAD & VEHICLE. TANK FELL BETWEEN TRUCK FRAME AT ANGLE MAKING CONTACT WITH ROAD. FUEL SPRAY ON ROAD & TRUCK UNTIL ABLE TO STOP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564760February 18, 2014
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A SERVICE BAY, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ERRONEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT SENSOR CIRCUIT FAILED HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ERRONEOUS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10555084December 6, 2013
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND TRAVELING OVER A ROAD BUMP OR POTHOLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FRONT END TRACKING BAR SEVERAL TIMES HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF IN ORDER TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,600. UPDATED 1/14/14*CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10554389December 2, 2013
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 EQUIPPED WITH A FIRESTONE DESTINATION TIRES, SIZE P265/75/16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE FAILED AND CAUSED THE RIM AND ROTORS TO BECOME DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,088.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10545142September 24, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINE BURST BEHIND FUEL TANK ON DRIVER'S SIDE, LEADING TO LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, AND LOSS OF BRAKE USE. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10542538September 8, 2013
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY, STEERING
THE FRONT FRAMES ROT OUT ON STEERING SIDE AND IT ISN'T 1 OF THEM IT IS ALMOST ALL OF THEM. TOYOTA RECALLED TACOMAS FOR THIS AND I WANT MY FRAME FIXED OR REPLACED. THIS HAPPENS EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLES. THEY HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN AWAY WITH IT . BUT THESE ARE STILL ON THE ROAD AND COULD KILL PEOPLE .THEY NEED TO BUY THE ONES THAT ARE STILL ON THE ROAD OR TRADE FOR SAFE VANS OR TRUCKS. THE SERVICE LIFE OF THESE WERE CUT SHORT AND ALMOST EVERY JUNKYARD HAS THESE AND THEY ALL LOOK GOOD BUT THEY AREN'T SAFE. THEY NEED TO CLEAN UP THEIR MESS AND TAKE THEM BACK TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AS THEY CANT BE REPAIRED .I THINK THE DRAIN HOLES IN THE FRAMES WERE IN THE WRONG PLACE OR NOT THERE AT ALL. *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10526129July 22, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS SEVERELY CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10520556June 18, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE PEDAL REMAINED DEPRESSED EVEN AFTER CONTACT REMOVED THEIR FOOT. THE CONTACT HAD TO OPEN THE HOOD AND PHYSICALLY ENGAGE THE THROTTLE CABLE IN ORDER FOR THE PEDAL TO RETURN TO NORMAL POSITION. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS FRAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10512947May 21, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKE LINE ALONG FRAME RAIL BEHIND THE FUEL TANK RUSTED AND BURSTED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10507509April 8, 2013
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AND APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK OF GASOLINE EVAPORATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIFTEEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS BUT NEITHER COULD DETERMINE THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. FIFTEEN YEARS PASSED AND THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE. HE ALSO NOTICED GASOLINE FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING AND BASED ON THE COMPONENTS THAT WERE SURROUNDING THE FUEL PUMP, HAD BEEN LEAKING FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THE PRESSURE RELIEF ROLL OVER VALVE WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,385. UPDATED 6/14/13 *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10501032March 2, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE THE NIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT IT I REPOSITIONED THE STEERING WHEEL CLOSER TO MY LAP AND THE HEADLAMPS WENT OUT CAUSING ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO SEE I FLICKED ON THE HIGH BEAMS AND WAS ABLE TO SEE AGAIN. BUT IF I HADN'T DONE THAT I COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10495320January 31, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT BECAME SPONGY AND EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND HE WAS FORCED TO TAP THE PEDAL CONTINUOUSLY. THE FRONT AND REAR DISC PADS WERE REPLACED. THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE CALIPERS WERE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS WERE BLED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10493027January 15, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK COLLAPSED TWICE WITHIN A NINE YEAR TIME FRAME. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER EACH TIME. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS SETUP LIKE A VACUUM AND THE FUEL CAP ALLOWED AIR TO ENTER INTO THE TANK, CAUSING IT TO COLLAPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS MANUFACTURED WITH PLASTIC AND DID NOT HAVE A VENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 175,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490448December 29, 2012
STRUCTURE
THE ENTIRE DASH PANEL HAS CRACKED AND SHATTERED. THE ENTIRE TOP PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL IS MISSING, EXPOSING THE GAUGES AND WIRES. THE BEZEL AROUND THE GAUGES AND CUP HOLDER IS CRACKED. THE REMAINING PART OF THE DASH PANEL IS LOOSE AND VIBRATES, MAKING NOISES DURING TRAVEL. DASH CONTINUES TO CRACK AND FALL APART DURING TRAVEL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490001December 22, 2012
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE DASH IN 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS MULTIPLE CRACKS ACROSS IT. THE CRACKS ARE BECOMING MORE NUMEROUS AS TIME GOES ALONG. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS I FEAR THE DASH WILL BRAKE APART IN NUMEROUS SHARP PIECES IF A CRASH OCCURS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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