Page 2 of 8 · complaints 51–100 of 398

1997 Dodge Ram complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1997 record →

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 22, 2002CA

THE CONSUMER HASN'T RECIEVED RECALL SERVICE TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE LINKAGE DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. (NHTSA#02V161000). *SCC

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 22, 2002AL

DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR RECALL 02V161000 THROTTLE LINKAGE. CONSUMER HAS MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH ANOTHER DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Cooling Unit and Lines
Filed Aug 9, 2002OH

DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO HONOR RECALL 97V084000 COCERNING TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A RECALL .*AK *JB

Steering
Filed Aug 6, 2002MD

INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK. AFTER CONTACTING DEALER.*AK CONSUMER HAD THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT REPLACED TWICE WITHIN 20,000 MILES. THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR WAS LOOSE. BECAUSE OF THE NOISE IN THE STEERING WHILE TURNING, THE CLOCK SPRING WAS REMOVED AND THE STEERING WHEEL REINSTALLED. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. REAR SPEAKER WAS INOPERATIVE AND REPLACED. *JG

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 29, 2002WA

WHILE DRIVING, THROTTLE LINKAGE HAS BROKEN IN HALF IN SAME LOCATION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. MECHANIC HAS REPAIRED THIS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS; HOWEVER UNABLE TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WAS COVERED UNDER RECALL 02V161. *SLC

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Jul 21, 2002MI

WHILE OPERATING BRAKE PEDAL, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL SUDDENLY INCREASED WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES. I STOPPED ALONG THE SHOULDER OF THE RURAL ROAD UPON WHICH I WAS TRAVELING AND CHECKED FOR A BRAKE PROBLEM. I DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE HOSE CONNECTING THE STEEL BRAKE LINE TO THE BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY HAD BURST WHERE VISIBLE WEAR INDICATED THE HOSE HAD REPEATEDLY MADE CONTACT WITH THE TRUCK FRAME DURING RIGHT TURNS. ON 07/20/2002 I SPOKE TO THE DEALER FROM WHOM I'D PURCHASED THE USED VEHICLE AND SUGGESTED WE CHECK THE RIGHT FRONT HOSES ON THE OTHER USED DODGE TRUCKS FOR SALE ON HIS LOT. ONE OF THE VEHICLES HAD WEAR ON ITS RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO MINE. HE SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE IT 07/22/2002 AND THANKED ME FOR INFORMING HIM OF THE PROBLEM. I REPLACED THE HOSE AND RETAINED THE FAILED HOSE. I CANNOT DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE FAILED HOSE IS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT .*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
Filed Jul 18, 2002CA

VEHICLE JUMPED INTO REVERSE WHILE IT WAS TURNED ON. CONSUMER WAS ON THE STANDING ON THE OUTSIDE. DEALER NOT INFORMED. PLEASE PROVIDE MOREE INFORMATION.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jul 18, 2002ME

CONTINUOUS TRANSMISSION TROUBLE:MINOR SLIPPING,SEARCHING FOR A GEAR,SURGING,NOT GOING INTO PASSING GEAR,WHEN IT DOES IT DOES NOT STAY THERE,CLUNKS HARD WHEN PUT IN REV. VIBRATION AT START UP(MOVING) HEAT SHIELD OR REAR-END,@TIME OF ORIGINAL TRADE,WHEN THEY CHANGED THE OIL THEY EITER DIDNT PUT ANY IN OR VERY LITTLE I HAD TO ADD 5QTS NOW THERE IS A TICKING NOISE ON THE PASS, SIDE OF ENGINE,THE SALESMAN LIED TO ME ABOUT THE TRUCK I ASKED HIM "HAS THIS EVER PLOWED OR TOWED ANYTHING BEFORE?" HE SAID "NO" AFTER TALKING TO PREV.OWNER THEY WERE TOWING A BIG BOAT WITH IT .AT THIS TIME I HAVE A COMPLAINT WITH THE ME. ATTY GEN,DODGE,FILE#9921927 ON 4-18-02,MAY I PLEASE HAVE A COPY OF THIS WITH YOUR LETTERHEAD AS WELL AS A REPLY SO I CAN FOWARD THIS TO THE ATTY GEN. THANK YOU!!!!*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Jul 15, 2002LA

TRUCK IS BURNING A LOT OF OIL. MECHANIC IS SAYING THAT IT IS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD BOLT AND GASKET PROBLEM.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline1 injured
Filed Jul 2, 2002IL

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE RODS WENT THROUGH ENGINE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LEAK OIL AND LOSE POWER. CONTACTED DEALER AND DEALER WASN'T WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT HE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR DAMAGES DUE TO POOR EQUIPMENT. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES, AS HE WALKED UNDER AN OVERPASS, HE HAD FELL ON CONCRETE/STEEL. *SCC

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Jun 19, 2002IL

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, ONLY HALF OF BRAKES WERE APPYLING PRESSURE TO ROTORS. CONSUMER PERFORMED REPAIRS TO VEHICLE. *AK THE RIDGE IN CASTING KEEPS THE CALIPER FROM FLOATING FREELY APPLYING PRESSURE ONLY TO THE PISTON SIDE OF THE CALIPER. *JG

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Jun 17, 2002IL

WHILE DRIVING IN RAINING WEATHER OR DRIVING IN FAST SPEED THERE IS A CONSTANT LEAK THROUGH WEATHER STRIPS OF BOTH DOORS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 5, 2002TN

AFTER STARTING VEHICLE CONSUMER SHIFTED TO REVERSE, SUDDENLY VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND ENGINE REVVED. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, WHICH DID NOT STOP VEHICLE. AFTER ABOUT 100 FEET CONSUMER SHUT OFF ENGINE, AND PASSENGER SHIFTED TO PARK. *AK WHILE ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN, THE VEHICLE DAMAGED THE GARAGE DOORS AND PART OF THE HOUSE. *YH

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › PadsCrash
Filed May 23, 2002TX

APPLIED THE BRAKES AND FELT NO RESPONSE NOR ANY DECREASE IN SPEED OTHER THAN RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR, RESULTING IN HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. AFTER APPLYNING THE PARKING BRAKE ONLY THE LEFT FRONT LOCKED AS I SWERVED TO THE LEFT, REPLACE PADS AND CHANGED THE BRAKE FLUID.

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior
Filed May 23, 2002CA

CONSUMER STATES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY, THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS TURN INWARD FACING THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE, AND WILL NOT REMAIN IN THE SET POSITION. WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRS THE DRIVER CAN NOT DETERMINE THE DISTANCE OF ON COMING TRAFFIC AND CAN NOT SAFELY CHANGE LANES. *JB *YH

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
Filed May 6, 2002NM

VEHICLE WAS PARKED, ENGINE RUNNING AND ROLLED BACKWARD INTO GARAGE. DAMAGE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel PumpFire
Filed Apr 13, 2002NC

TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE PARKED IN DRIVE WAY. TOTALLY BURNED THE TRUCK AND BURNED OUR CAR PARKED NEXT TO IT, THE CORNER OF OUR HOME AND THE REAR OF A CAR PARKED IN OUR GURAGE. THE FIRE HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED BY SEVERAL PROFESSIONALS AND THE CONSENSUS IS THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WHERE A ELECTRICAL PUMP IS LOCATED. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO DODGE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. RECORD #9848741. I AM AVAILABLE TO FURTHER EXPLAIN OR PROVIDE DETAILS.*AK

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Apr 11, 2002CA

CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE, FRAME ON PASSENGER'S SIDE CRACKED WHERE FRONT COIL SPRING WERE ATTACHED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Mar 12, 2002GA

CATALYIC CONVERTER WAS CLOGGED UP, TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND HAD IT REPLACED. CURRENTLY, PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Mar 7, 2002KY

HAD TO MAKE A ACCIDENT AVOIDENCE MANUEVER. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE TRUCK, HAD TO RUN OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID IMPACT. RESULTING IN DAMAGING A FRONT LAWN IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. THE NEXT EPISODE WAS PULLING A SMALL 8' TRAILER WITH A HONDA 4-WHEELER. LIGHT TURNED RED AND WHEN I WENT TO STOP, I ENDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOOK IT IN FOR INSPECTION. NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. THE SERVICE MANAGER MR. WEB ( I BELIEVE THAT'S HIS NAME) DROVE MY TRUCK AND AGREED IT SEEMED TO TAKE LONGER TO STOP, BUT UPON INSPECTION NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. AFTER 3 MORE INCIDENTS OF THE SAME NATURE, THE DEALERSHIP DID REPLACE ALL THE BRAKES, TELLING ME THERE WAS AN UPDATE TO A DIFFERENT PAD FOR THE REAR BRAKES. THE TRUCK AT THE TIME HAD APPROXIMATELY19000 MILES. I THEN WAS TOLS IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE BRAKES TO WEAR OUT AT 19000 MILES. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT. I STILL HAVE THE STOPPING PROBLEM, AND I AM EXTREMELY CAREFUL WHEN I TOW MY 17' BOAT AND TRAILER. THE WEIGHT IS LESS THAN 3000 LBS. THE TRUCK NOW HAS BARELY OVER 40000 MILES. I HAD THE BRAKES CHECK BY A QUALIFIED MECHANIC, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES HAVE ABOUT 75% OF PAD LEFT. ARE THER ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE 1997 DODGE 4X4 RAM 1500 TRUCKS?*AK

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior
Filed Feb 28, 2002NM

SIDE MIRROR MOTIONS BACK AND FORTH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Wheels › Hub
Filed Feb 22, 2002MO

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH LEFT FRONT WHEEL COMPLETELY CAME OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER REPLACED WHEEL HUB/ BRAKE ROTORS. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 21, 2002TN

WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH IN 5 TH GEAR ENGINE REVVED, BUT VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. CONSUMER SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL, AND THEN TRIED TO SHIFT BACK, WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT BACK INTO GEAR. PLEASE ADD FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Air Bags
Filed Feb 14, 2002TX

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ILLUMINATING ON DASHBOARD. *AK

Tires
Filed Feb 5, 2002HI

TRUCK MANUFACTURED WITH TIRE SIZE STANDARD LT225/75R16, BUT SOLD WITH SPORT PKG. TIRES P265/75R16. BRAKING SYSTEM UNDERSIZED FOR TIRE SIZE. IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP TRUCK SAFELY. LARGER BRAKES NEED TO BE INSTALLED. SMALLER TIRES WILL MAKE TRUCK LOOK DISPROPORT

Structure › Body › Bumpers
Filed Dec 12, 2001NV

FRONT BUMPER FELL OFF VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE. PART ON PASSENGER SIDE IS LOOSE. BOLTS FELL OUT OF BUMPER MOUNTING BRACKETS. CONTACTED DEALER AND DEALER TOLD CONSUMER TO CALL NHTSA. *AK *JB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 28, 2001NV

FRONT END ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HAD NOT CONTACTED A DEALER AS OF YET. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 18, 2001MO

MADE THREE TRIPS TO DEALER FOR ENGINE LIGHT OVER A PERIOD OF 45 DAYS. FIRST TRIP WAS ON 10/3/01WITH A CHARGE OF $132.25 TECH FOUND TORQUE CONVERTER NOT WORKING. CLEANED TORQUE CONVERTER SOLENOID. SECOND TRIP TO DEALER WAS MADE ON 10/30/01 WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN. TECH FOUND SAME PROBLEM AGAIN AND REPLACED TORQUE CONVERTER SOLINOID FOR CHARGE OF $246.58. THIRD TRIP WAS MADE ON 11/13/01 WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AGAIN ON. THIS TIME TECH SAID PROBABLY AN INTERNAL LEAK "SOMEWHERE" BUT DON'T KNOW WHERE. SAID OK TO DRIVE UNTIL TRANSMISSION STARTS SLIPPING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ON THE WAY HOME AND TRANS BEGAN SLIPPING NEXT DAY. RETURNING TO DEALER ON 11/15/01 THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT COMPLETELY AND HAD TO BE TOWED. DEALER CALLED ON 11/16/01 STATING THAT THE FRONT PLATE IN TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND PROBABLY COULD NEVER GET ALL THE METAL OUT OF TRANSMISSION. NOW COST WILL BE $2200 FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. *AK

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior
Filed Nov 13, 2001CO

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR WOULD FOLD IN, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY WHEN CHANGING LANES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Oct 27, 2001CT

THIS IS 2ND TIME FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED. LUCKILY TRUCK WAS NOT MOVING EITHER TIME. THIS LAST FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A SHORT CIRCUIT. ISN'T THIS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS FUEL PUMP IS LOCATED IN THE GAS TANK. I KNOW OTHER DODGE RAM OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMPS IN THESE TRUCKS?. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Oct 25, 2001PA

WHILE BACKING UP HEARD A NOISE, NOTICED THAT FRONT RIGHT ROTORS HAD BROKEN IN HALF. CONSUMER REPLACED BOTH FRONT ROTORS.*AK WHILE CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, HE HEARD A METALIC NOISE AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, CONSUMER HAD TO PUMP IT TO BRING THE PEDAL UP.*YD

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 24, 2001WI

THE THOTTLE STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION AND WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE. THE BRAKES WERE JUST ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL CAUSED THE ENGINE TO GO WELL INTO THE REDLINE ON THE RPM INDICATOR. PULLING UP ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOTHING. THE DEALER SAID THE LINKAGE WAS RUSTED TIGHT. THEY DON'T HAVE NEW PARTS SO THEY SCRAPPED THE RUST OFF, OILED IT AND PUT IT BACK TOGETHER. THEY SAID THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS NOT THE PROBLEM AS IN THE RECALL OF "95-96 VEHICLES. THIS IS A HARD TRUCK TO GET STOPPED WHEN THE THROTTLE IS STUCK WIDE OPEN. GOOD THING MY WIFE WASN'T DRIVING IT.*AK

Fuel System, Other
Filed Sep 18, 2001NY

GAS GUAGE ON DASHBOARD GAVE FALSE READINGS. CONSUMER RAN OUT OF GASOLINE MORE THAN ONCE ALTHOUGH GAS GAUGE SHOWED AMPLE GAS LEFT IN GAS TANK. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
Filed Sep 12, 2001WA

A SOLID STEEL ADJUSTING ROD IN THROTTLE LINKAGE HAS BROKEN THREE TIMES. EACH INCIDENT CAUSES VEHICLE TO FALL INTO AN IDLING GEAR DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE, AND HAS OCCURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO EXAMINE VEHICLE ON THE THIRD INCIDENT BECAUSE IT TOOK PLACE IN THAT AREA. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Sep 7, 2001TX

LINE RUBBED AGAINST FRAME, AND RUBBED HOLE INTO BRAKE LINE. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Aug 28, 2001KY

A RAPID WEAR OF PADS AND ROTORS.

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Aug 26, 2001TN

DAMAGE FROM RAIN LEAKAGE OF BACK GLASS TO VEHICAL'S INTERIOR HEADLINER AND CARPET. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 24, 2001GA

WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY Z WINK WITHIN THROTTLE LINKAGE BROKE WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Steering
Filed Aug 20, 2001RI

THERE IS TOO MUCH PLAY IN STEERING, VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES. DEALER SAID THIS WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF VEHICLE.*AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 13, 2001TX

TWO ORIGINAL GOODYEAR WRANGLER TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, ANOTHER TIRE LOOKED BAD, SO GOODYEAR PRORATED ALL FIVE, ONE OF THE REPLACEMENT TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION AND TWO OF THOSE DID NOT LOOK GOOD, ONE OF THE FAILED TIRES ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER IS WAITING FOR GOODYEAR TO REIMBURSE HIM FOR THE TIRES AND FOR THE DAMAGES ON VEHICLE, TIRE SIZE IS LT245/75R16 DOT NUMBERS MKII. *SLC

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Aug 9, 2001MT

LUGS: NUTS SHEARED OFF RIGHT REAR WHEEL. ALL 5 HAVE SHEARED OFF AT DIFFERENT TIMES. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED LUGS: NUTS WERE EITHER TOO TIGHT OR TOO LOOSE.*AK

Air Bags
Filed Aug 6, 2001MI

WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED IS SOUNDED LIKE IT MAY BE THE CLOCK SPRING. CONSUMER FELT THAT AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.*AK

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Aug 2, 2001WI

AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASHBOARD CAME ON. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED THAT RECALL 99V023000 REPAIRS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED. DEALER HAS NOT MADE A DETERMINATION AS TO THE REASON FOR LIGHT COMING ON. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Jul 26, 2001CA

WHAT I REALLY WANT TO KNOW IF THESE PEOPLE SOLD ME A LEMON! NOW I WENT TO GET A SMOG CHECK AND THEY TELL ME WITH A GRIN IN THEIR FACES THAT MY TRUCK DOESN'T PASS THE SMOG TEST. I WAS VERY EMBARRASED BECAUSE MY TRUCK IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. WHAT CAN I DO?*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jul 17, 2001FL

DODGE SAID THEIR IS A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS TANK BUT WOULD NOT REPAIR IT AND THE SAME GOES WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING, THEY SAID THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR SYSTEM AND I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS WITH SEVERAL OWNERS AND MECHANICS BUT THEY AGAIN WILL NOT FIX THIS. *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Jul 3, 2001MN

VEHICLE WAS GOING 35MPH AND HOOD FLEW UP. VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE BECAUSE LATCHES WILL NOT CATCH. DEALER WILL NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jun 23, 2001PA

THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS A NON-WARRENTED PART AND THAT I MUST PURCHASE A NEW VACUUM PUMP FROM DODGE AT A COST OF $800 PLUS INSTLATION. I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK IN TO CALKINS FOR 3 OTHER OIL LEAKS IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER SAID THAT I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO THEY EVER HAD WHO HAS OIL LEAKS IN THE CUMMING DIESEL. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WERE ANY NOTICES ON THIS PART. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 22, 2001CO

TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO TRANSMISSION FLUID NOT REACHING OVERDRIVE MECHANISM. IT STARTED SLIPPING AS I WAS DRIVING HOME LATE ONE NIGHT AND IT COMPLETELY WENT OUT TWO DAYS LATER. MECHANIC SAYS IT STARTED IN THE OVERDRIVE MECHANISM AND WENT FROM THERE. HE STATED DODGE KNOWS ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS AND WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AS FAR AS THE CUSTOMERS EXPENSES. MY HUSBANDS DODGE TRUCK IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE COMMON IN THESE TRUCKS FROM 80,000 - 100,000 MILES, AND DODGE REFUSES TO PAY FOR ANY OF IT, ALTHOUGH THEY APPARENTLY MADE AN UPGRADE KIT FOR IT. MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. TRANSMISSIONS ARE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO FIX, AND DODGE SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE/CHRYSLER, AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST ME IN MY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BECAUSE MY WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE TRUCK IS ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD, AND WE WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT TO BE MORE RELIABLE. I HAVE NOTICED ON THE COMPLAINT SCREEN ON NHTSA THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OF THESE COMPLAINTS REGARDING TRANSMISSIONS. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION OF DODGE'S DECLINATION, AS WELL AS MY EFFORTS TO HAVE THEM HELP ME. AT THIS TIME BOTH OUR DODGE TRUCKS ARE UNRELIABLE, AND BECOMING INCREASINGLY EXPENSIVE TO CONTINUE TO FIX. I HAVE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE U-JOINTS ALSO. ANY AMOUNT OF HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. IT'S EXPENSIVE ENOUGH TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLES WITHOUT CONTINUALLY PUTTING MONEY INTO THEM TO KEEP THEM RUNNING, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE TRUCKS AR

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 20, 2001MA

VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM SIDE AT 35 MPH AND WAS FORCED INTO A WALL HEAD-ON AT 35 MPH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURIES TO DRIVER'S NECK. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices
Filed Jun 19, 2001MO

MIRRORS FLOP BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT VERY HARD TO SEE & USE THEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS STATED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THE DODGE RAM BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE A VERY BAD ACCIDENT -NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE OUT OF THEM CORRECTLY .*AK

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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