Dodge Ram Complaints (1997)

1,130 consumer complaints on file.

#10421360August 24, 2011
STRUCTURE
1997 DODGE RAM 2500 WITH DASH DISINTEGRATION. I BELIEVE THE MATERIAL USED IN THIS PART TO BE DEFECTIVE AND NOW POSES SAFETY ISSUES! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10419341August 14, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING 97 DODGE RAM MY DAUGHTER ALMOST WRECKED DUE TO VEHICLE SUDDEN SURGE, STALL AND SHUT DOWN CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND OTHER CONTROL OF VEHICLE. ALSO HAPPENED TO ME MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN I TEST DROVE IT. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS FOUND TO INCLUDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION, CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ON STEERING WHEEL COMES ON AND VEHICLE SURGES WITH RPM'S UP TO @ 2,000 BEFORE FULL STALL. CODE P0123 ON OBDII SCANNER. SENSOR REPLACED AND STILL HAPPENING. STOPPED PROBLEM COMPLETELY BY DISCONNECTING THE CLOCK SPRING CONNECTIONS. RESEARCHED OTHER COMPLAINTS AND FOUND MANY LISTED UNDER VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, CLOCK SPRING, AIRBAG, ELECTRICAL ETC COVERING MANY YEARS AND INCLUDING INJURIES. NHTSA NEEDS TO CROSS REFERENCE THESE COMPLAINTS AND CONNECT THE DOTS AS THERE IS NO PLACE I CAN FIND TO TYPE IN THE ACTUAL COMPONENT NAME "CLOCK SPRING" WHICH IS AN EXTREMELY POOR SETUP FOR A COMPLAINT SITE. ALSO LIMITING MILEAGE TO 3 NUMBERS IS RIDICULOUS. SPEED RANGED FROM BARELY MOVING @ 2MPH TO 45MPH. SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET KILLED IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10417160August 5, 2011
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
OWNER/DRIVER WAS MAKING A RIGHTHAND TURN INTO A PARKING LOT AND WAS GOING ABOUT THREE MILES PER HOUR. AS HE WAS TURNING WITH HIS ARM ACROSS THE STEERING WHEEL, THE AIRBAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. DRIVER'S ARMS WERE PUSHED TO THE BACK WINDOW BY THE IMPACT. THE TRUCK FILLED WITH SMOKE. DRIVER'S RIGHT WRIST WAS FRACTURED AND OWNER SUFFERED TEAR IN RIGHT ROTATOR CUFF THAT REQUIRED SURGERY TO CORRECT. HE WILL NOW NEED PHYSICAL THERAPY. DRIVER IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING PAIN IN LEFT ROTATOR CUFF AND WANTS TO HAVE IT EXAMINED. DODGE WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10415212July 26, 2011
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 EQUIPPED WITH TOYO NETO ALL TERRAIN TIRES SIZE 285/75/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED ON ALL FOUR TIRES. WHIE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND ONE INJURY WAS REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO SEND IN ONE OF THE TIRES FOR INSPECTION. THE DOT NUMER AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 54,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 8/30/11 *CN
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10413380July 18, 2011
STRUCTURE
DASHBOARD CRACKED IN TWO PLACES. THIS CRACKING WAS APPARENTLY SPONTANEOUS. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10412247July 14, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 AND IT IS STILL SCREWING UP. TRUCK ONLY HAD 12000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10407114June 16, 2011
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I HAVE OWNED A 1995 DODGE 2500 AND A 1997 DODGE 3500. I HAVE SOME CONCERNS WITH A STEERING PROBLEM WITH THESE MODELS. IF A POTHOLE OR RAILROAD TRACKS ARE HIT AT A SPEED OF AT LEAST 55 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. WHEN THIS HAPPENED WITH MY 1995 I SPENT OVER $400.00 IN JUST PARTS REPLACING ALMOST ALL OF THE STEERING PARTS. NOW THIS IS HAPPENING WITH THE 1997. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE PUBLIC AND IN MY OPINION IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD END UP RESULTING IN DEATH IF NOT CORRECTED. I HAVE YET TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT YET ON THE 1997. WHILE I UNDERSTAND THAT PARTS WEAR OUT ON TRUCKS IT SHOULD NOT PEOPLES LIVES IN DANGER WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE ONLY TIME THIS HAPPENS IS WHEN A BUMP OF SOME SORT STARTS THE PROCESS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10400579May 12, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO CORRODED STRAPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10400618May 12, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE STRAPS BEING CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRAPS WERE BROKEN DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10400036May 11, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD HAVE PAID MORE ATTENTION TO THE STRAPS BECAUSE THEY ARE DESIGNED TO EVENTUALLY WEAR OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399494May 8, 2011
STRUCTURE
THE DASH IN MY 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 IS COMPLETELY CAVED IN AND IN THOUSANDS OF PIECES. THIS DASH PIECE IS WHAT HOLDS THE VIN IN PLACE, I NOW HAVE IT STORED IN THE VEHICLES GLOVE COMPARTMENT. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY MANY DODGE OWNERS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT JUST MINE BUT MANY OF THEIR PRODUCTS. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT CONTACTING DODGE DIRECTLY WOULD GET ME NOWHERE. IM HERE ASKING FOR HELP IN RIGHTING THIS SITUATION, IM A DISABLED VETERAN AND CANT AFFORD TO BUY A DASH FOR MY TRUCK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399253May 5, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
1997 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCK DASH BOARD IS CRACKING AND FALLING APART. STARTED SUMMER OF 2010. NOW WHOLE SECTION HAS CAVED IN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10396861April 19, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
HARD BRAKE LINE FOR REAR BRAKES BROKE WHERE CORRODED WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL CAUSING ME TO LOOSE BRAKE PRESSURE AND CAUSED MY BRAKES NOT TO WORK NARROWLY AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10392750March 24, 2011
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE BUT COULD FIND NO REASON FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS ADVISED TO LUBRICATE THE STABILIZER BAR, DRAG LINK, TRACK BARS AND ANY COMPONENT THAT COULD BE LUBRICATED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHEN DRIVING 50-70 MPH OVER ANY UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386689March 7, 2011
CHILD SEAT, CHILD SEAT:LATCH CONNECTOR/CLIP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 3500 THAT SECURES A COSCO TOURIVA OVERHEAD SHIELD CHILD RESTRAINT, MODEL NUMBER UNKNOWN, MANUFACTURED JUNE 1, 2009. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A METAL COMPONENT OF THE RESTRAINT HARNESS FRACTURED AND THE CHILD WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386324March 3, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ABNORMALLY DIM. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED AN UNUSUAL YELLOW FILM ON THE HEADLIGHTS LENS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381143February 8, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. HE LATER DISCOVERED A FUEL LEAK AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V199000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380160February 3, 2011
STRUCTURE
I HAVE A 1997 DODGE 2500 DODGE RAM PICKUP. THE DASHBOARD BEGAN CRACKING IN 2008. THE PROBLEM BEGAN AS HAIR LINE CRACKS AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD. OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS THE DASHBOARD HAS INCREASINGLY GOTTEN WORSE. NOW THE ENTIRE DASH HAS CRACKED WITH LARGE GAPING HOLES. A SECTION APPROXIMATELY 6" X 11" HAS COMPLETELY BROKEN LOOSE AND IS LYING INSIDE THE PANEL. MANY OF THE OTHER SEGMENTS HAVE CRACKED AND SEPARATED CREATING KNIFE LIKE POINTS. THE FAILURE OF THE DASH CREATES A SAFETY CONCERN DURING A COLLISION AS WELL AS A FIRE HAZARD DUE TO WIRING BECOMING EXPOSED TO THE SUNLIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378324January 23, 2011
SUSPENSION:FRONT
ON ALL DODGE RAM TRUCKS, SPECIFICALLY 2500 MODELS, HAVE A DEATH WOBBLE THAT OCCURS ALL THE TIME. WHAT HAPPENS IS, WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP OR A CRACK IN THE ROAD, THE TRUCK STARTS WOBBLING OUT OF CONTROL. IT HAS TO DO WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND THERE'S NO WAY TO FIX IT. IT'S HORRIBLE BECAUSE IT USUALLY OCCURS WHEN YOU'RE ON HIGHWAYS AT HIGH SPEEDS AND IT CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. MORE DETAILS INCLUDE SEVERE TRUCK SHAKING AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. TO SEE THIS HAPPEN ON CAMERA, PLEASE GO TO HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=Z6H5EH261GW. MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM!! IT HAS EVEN BEEN REPORTED WITH JEEP WRANGLERS. PLEASE SENT OUT A RECALL FOR ALL DODGE RAM TRUCKS AND JEEP WRANGLERS!!! *LN
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10376730January 14, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
WHILE DRIVING, MOUNTED SPARE TIRE DROPPED FROM UNDER THE PICKUP TRUCK ONTO THE HIGHWAY THE CABLE STORAGE SUSPENSION FAILED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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