1997 Dodge Ram

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Defect. K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Defect. CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy. AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES ONLY, THE THROTTLE LINKAGE JOINTS CAN CORRODE AND CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BIND OR STICK.

Risk. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ROD ENDS AND BALL STUDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 29, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.

Risk. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING "SALT BELT" STATES: MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WEST VIRGINIA, OHIO, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, AND MISSOURI. CORROSION OF THE RETURN SPRING ON THE HOOD SECONDARY LATCH COULD CAUSE THE MECHANISM TO BIND IN THE "RELEASE POSITION."

Risk. IF THE PRIMARY LATCH IS NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 17, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION, V10 ENGINES AND FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE TRANSFER CASES. UNDER SUSTAINED MAXIMUM RATED VEHICLE LOAD, WHILE DRIVING UP A STEEP GRADE IN FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE LOW RANGE IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE LOCAL EXHAUST TEMPERATURE PROXIMATE TO THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH LINE CAN GENERATE LINE TEMPERATURES THAT EXCEED THE TEMPERATURE LIMIT OF THE CLUTCH LINE MATERIAL. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS AND THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED, THE LINE COULD RUPTURE.

Risk. THE FLUID COULD IGNITE ON THE HOT EXHAUST POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VAN AND WAGON MODEL PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF WATER/ROAD SALT GETS ON THE INTERIOR FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE IN THE PROXIMITY OF THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (AECM), THE AECM CAN CORRODE. THE RESULTING CORROSION CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY INADVERTENTLY.

Risk. DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG WITHOUT WARNING COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH AND PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy. DEALERS WIL REPLACE THE AECM WITH AN AECM THAT IS SEALED FROM MOISTURE INTRUSION.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES. THE EXHAUST PIPE CONTACTS OR IS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE OUTER DASH PANEL SILENCER PAD.

Risk. IF THE EXHAUST PIPE GENERATES SUFFICIENT HEAT, THE PAD MATERIAL CAN SMOLDER AND IGNITE ADJACENT MATERIALS RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE DASH SILENCER PAD ADJACENT TO THE EXHAUST PIPE AND REPLACE THIS PAD WITH A THERMAL HEAT SHIELD ON THE EXHAUST PIPE.

CRACKED DASH.

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.

PARK POSITION WITH IGNITION KEY IN THE LOCK POSITION, VEHICLE SHIFTER MOVED OUT OF PARK , KNOCKED OWNER DOWN AND RAN OVER ME, CONTINUED TO ROLL BACK HIT SECOND CAR, CONTINUED TO KEEP GOING UNTIL IT HIT A CURB. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE CAUSED OTHER ACCIDENTS. CONSUMER SENT IN A FAX COPY OF THE INTERNET VOQ. *KB *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE AND OIL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE ON THREE OCCASIONS AND STATED THAT THE COMPRESSOR SENSORS WERE LOW AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO ADD TWO QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK. HOWEVER, THE OIL LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE HAD ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VIN WAS CONFIRMED, BUT APPEARS TO BE INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,400.

1997 DODGE RAM LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. *KB THE SEPARATION CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE VEHICLE. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *JB

97 DODGE RAM CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE DASH HAS MANY CRACKS AND THE FRONT SPEAKERS ARE NOT WORKING AND WITH SEVERAL UNEXPLAINED ELECTRICAL ISSUES**CC *TR

THE 1997 DOGE RAM DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING, AND NOW THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE IN THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD HAS BEGUN TO CRACK. THE CRACK TRAVELS FROM THE WINDSHIELD DOWN TO THE FRONT OF THE DASHBOARD. THE DASHBOARD HAS CONTINUED TO CRACK INTO TINY PIECES. THE ENGINE SIZE AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 169,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE DEALER CONTACT INFORMATION IS ALSO UNAVAILABLE.

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

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

DT: THE CONTACT STATED TWO OF CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TIRES HAVE DEFECTS. THE TIRE SIZE IS LT23585R16. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FENDER, DOOR, AND BUMPER. HE SENT THE TIRE TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR INSPECTION. THEY DENIED THE CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER INSISTED THAT THE TIRE DEFECT WAS CAUSED BY RUNNING OVER SOMETHING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS TIRE WAS REPLACED. ONE MONTH LATER,THE CONTACT WAS LOOKING AT THE FRONT OF DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AND A FOOT LONG AIR BUBBLE APPEARED, AND THE METAL CORD CAME OUT OF THE TIRE. THIS TIRE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND ASKED THE CONTACT TO SEND BACK THE FIRST TIRE. HE DID NOT TELL THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE DEFECT WITH THE SECOND TIRE. HE PLANNED ON TAKING BOTH TIRES TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE AXLE BROKE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A CHAIN LINK FENCE, THEN GO TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD AND JUMP A DITCH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO HIS HOUSE HIMSELF. THE AXLE SNAPPED OFF AT THE BEARING WHERE IT BOLTS TO THE HUB. THE WHEEL WAS NOT DAMAGED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED IF HE HAD HIT SOMETHING THE WHEEL WOULD BE DAMAGED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT YET BEEN TO A PHYSICIAN, BUT WAS EXPERIENCING BACK PAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

FRONT HOOD FLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING 40-50 MPH, CAUSING DAMAGES TO THE HOOD AND THE HOOD HINGES. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK

THE CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE FAILED COMPLETELY. THE DEALER STATES THE VEHICLE WAS RIDING ONLY ON THE CALIPER AND THE LEFT ROTOR HAS CRACKED. . PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HEADLAMPS WENT OUT, AND THEY WON'T COME BACK ON. HE CHECKED THE FUSES AND OTHER PARTS AND NOTHING WORKED. THIS HAPPENED ON FRIDAY. ALL THE INSIDE PANEL LIGHTS WERE ON. HE WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE AT NIGHT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER SMELLED A FUEL ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND SAW FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL RAIL. *AK THE FUEL LINES WERE CRACKED. THE ORIGINAL FUEL RAILS WERE PLASTIC AND THE REPLACEMENT RAILS WERE METAL WITH DIFFERENT CONNECTORS. *SC *JB

PASSENGER EXTERIOR MIRROR WILL NOT STAY LOCKED IN POSITION AND FOLDS BACK WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A STOP. *JB

BAD PLENUM GASKET. FUEL AND OIL MIX. AND STEERING OUTPUT SHAFT LEAKS A THE GEAR BOX. AND TRUCK WONT IDLE IN THE COLD

PAINT PEELING, OF COURSE

THE PAINT ON MY 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK TURNED A MILKY WHITE COLOR ON THE HOOD AND THE TOP OF THE CAB. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR TO PAINT THE TRUCK IS $3,400. MILEAGE ON THE TRUCK IS 138,400 MILES.