1997 Dodge Ram complaints

VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE STARTER AND WIRES WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE DEALER IS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. *AK

MY WIFE WAS TURNING VEHICLE AROUND IN DRIVEWAY WHEN STEERING BROKE LOOSE RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS. MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT CAUSE MIGHT HAVE BEEN, "A BAD BATCH OF LOCKTITE." SERVICE MANAGER LATER TOLD ME THE BOLT WAS TIGHT AND THAT THIS SORT OF THING SHOULD NOT HAPPEN.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 60 MPH STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES DID NOT PERFORM. *AK

THE PADS STILL HAD OVER 50% LEFT ON THEM WHEN THEY CAME APART. I STILL HAVE THE PADS!

TRANSMISSION LIGHT & THE ANTI-BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. *AK *YC

THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE SQUEAKING/GRINDING NOISES & NOT GRABBING TO STOP VEHICLE. ALSO, STRUCTURE SEAMS CAUSE LEAK OF WATER INSIDE OF VEHICLE/STEERING PUMP PIN HAD SHEARED OFF & THE POWER STEERING HAD SEIZED UP, AND WATER PUMP FAILED. *AK

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. SOMETIMES WILL ALSO PULL TO THE LEFT. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER AT LEAST 6 TIMES & PROBLEM STILL NOT SOLVED. WAS TOLD DESIGN FLAW. IN ADDITION, FRON T BRAKES ROTORS/PADS & TORSION BAR WERE REPLACED DUE TO SEVERE BRAKE PULLING. WAS TSB ON BRAKE PULLING. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN LOW SPEED. CONSUMER PUT TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE AND THEN INTO PARK, AND VEHICLE SIDESWIPED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 15 MPH0. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE AT HIGH SPEED, AND AND VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP. IT FISHTAILED. AND CONSUMER WIFE, WHO WAS PREGNANT, HAD TO JUMP OUT OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO VEHICLE VEERING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC . THEN DRIVER PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK, AND ENGINE CONTINUED RACING. TURNED KEY OFF AND JUMPED OUT AND RAN BEHIND HIS WIFE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ATTEMPTED TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND RAN INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK

NO SUMMARY

HEADLIGHTS COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. *AK

VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 60MPH, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS TRUCK,IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FOR REPAIR WORK AND OUT OF WARRANTY COAST EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ALL ONGOING FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT AND PAID CASH OF >36,000 TAX AND ALL. NO SAFETY DEFECT(S) MENTIONED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

VEHICLE DID NOT COME WITH A SHIFT INTERLOCK MECHANISM, CONSUMER SAYS THAT A 9- YEAR OLD CHILD GOT IN, AND PUT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR WITHOUT KEY OR APPLYING BRAKES, AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

FRONT BRAKES LOCKS UP ON ICE OR SNOW, ABS BRAKES ONLY ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

CONSUMER DOES NOT HAVE ANY BRAKES ON HER DODGE RAM TRUCK, AND DEALER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR BEFORE STOPPING VEHICLE. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THESE MATTER. *AK

THE PUSH/PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH SPARKED WHEN PULLED ON AND THE LOWBEAM HEADLIGHTS DID NOT FUNCTION.

DEALER STATED I NEED A NEW STEERING BOX. IS THIS COMMON FOR MY VEHICLE. DEALER STATED THE PART IS ON BACKORDER. I FEEL HE IS NOT ON THE LEVEL WITH ME. FOR A 30,000. VEHICLE, IT IS A SHAME THAT THE PART WENT TO BEGIN WITH. I HAVE BEEN WAITING 4 WEEKS AND THE DEALER STATES IT COULD TAKE UP TO 2-3 MO. OR ANYTIME. HOW CAN CUSTOMERS BE EXPECTED TO BE WITHOUT A VEHICLE THIS LONG? I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THE DEALER STATED THAT UNLESS THEY KEEP THE VEHICLE, I'M NOT ENTITLED TO A RENTAL. I AM UNABLE TO USE MY VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS ALL OVER THE ROAD. HOW CAN A DEALER SEND ME HOME WITH A VEHICLE THAT OPERATES THIS WAY?

TRANSFER CASE SEAL FAILED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE REAR BEARINGS DUE TO LEAKAGE. MJS

TURCK WOULD NOT STOP WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *AK

WHEN PEDAL BRAKE IS DEPRESSED AT 55 MPH PEDAL VIBRATES. A VIBRATION IS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE.

RECALL REPAIR NOT ABLE TO BE COMPLETED PROPERLY DUE TO VEHICLE SEAT MODIFICATION, THE COVER TO AIR BAG MODULE WAS BOT INSTALLED (DID NOT FIT PROPERLY). MJS (99V-023)

SO FAR THIS HAS BEEN A VERY GOOD, COMFORTABLE VEHICLE, WITH LITTLE MAIN. PROBLEMS. MJS ( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

VEHICLE HAD A GRINDING NOISE IN REAR ASSEMBLY. DEALER CONTACTED AND DIAGNOSED THAT SEAL HOUSING OF REAR GEAR HAD WATER IN IT WHICH DESTROYED THE LUBRICATION OF THE OIL IN HOUSING. REPAIRWORK DONE AT OWNERS EXPENSE. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

VEHICLE SITTING IN DRIVEWAY AFTER BEING USED ALL DAY. OWNER WAS ALERTED TO PROBLEM WHEN THE HORN ON THE VEHICLE STARTED BLOWING. OWNER WENT OUTSIDE OF HOME TO SEE WHY THE HORN BLOWING AND FOUND THE VEHICLE ON FIRE. CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT. FIRE OF VEHICLE FULLY INVOLVED WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. *AK

CONSUMER HAS HAD A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH WIND/ROAD NOISE, SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS, HOWEVER PROBLEM CONTINUES. CONSUMER BELIEVES PROBLEM IS A 'KNOWN' DEFECT AND IS BEING CONCEALED BY MANUFACTURER.

THE THROTTLE BODY AND INJECTOR SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES.YH

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AN D WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE IS STALLING/GRINDING AND JERKING. ALSO, WHEN THERE IS ALOT OF PRESSURE WITHIN THE VEHICLE, THERE IS A VERY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE . *AK

FUEL LEVEL ACCORDING TO GAUGE DROPS TO BELOW EMPTY AFTER 50 TO 100 MILES. FUEL LIGHT COMES ON WHEN TANK IS 80% FULL. HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL OWNERS OF LIKE TRUCKS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT WITH OTHER VEHICLE, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAIN HEAD/SHOULDER & ARM INJURIES. REQUIRED HOSPITALIZATION. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.

THE DEALER HAS THE SAME BELIEF AS I, THAT THE DEFECT OCCURRED AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT DUE TO THE FACT THE REAR GEAR HOUSING IS SEALED AND NO MOISTURE COULD HAVE ENTERED, THE HOUSING ASSEMBLY FROM THE HIGHWAY. THIS VEHICLE HAS HIGHWAY DRIVING ONLY, TO ITS CREDIT. *AK

DRIVER'S SEAT LATCH REPAIRED.

NO SUMMARY

THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL STUDS BROKE OFF, CAUSING ALMOST ALL THE LUGS: NUTS TO FALL OFF, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER DOES NOT HAVE A STUD PART AVAILABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

THE FRONT CORNER POSTS ARE EXTREAMLY WIDE, TO THE POINT BLOCKING VISION. ALTHOUGH I HAVE TRAINED MYSELF TO MOVE MY BODY TO BE ABLE TO SEE AROUND THEM I HAVE COME CLOSE TO AN ACCIDENT A COUPLE OF TIMES. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM OR DESIGN FLAW. IF SOMEONE DRIVING ONE OF THESE TRUCKS SAYS "BUT I DIDN'T SEE THE OTHER CAR". IT MAY VERY WELL BE TRUE. I HAVE NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS WONDERFULL TRUCK.

THE METAL PLATE INSIDE THE SEAT CLOSEST TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR THAT ALLOWS THE BACK OF THE SEAT TO PIVOT FORWARD PROTRUDES THROUGH THE SEAT FABRIC EXPOSING A SHARP POINT THAT HAS RIPPED 6 PAIRS OF MY PANTS ON THE LEFT REAR POCKET (AND CUT INTO A LEATHER WALLET) WHEN SITTING DOWN IN THE SEAT. THE REASON I HAD SO MANY PAIRS OF PANTS RIPPED IS THAT IT TOOK SEVERAL MONTHS FOR ME TO REALIZE EXACTLY "WHAT" WAS CAUSING THE RIPS. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR HAVING MY WALLET IN MY LEFT POCKET I WOULD HAVE SURELY SUSTAINED A LACERATION ON MY LEFT BUTTOCK. I CURRENTLY HAVE ABOUT 12 LAYERS OF DUCT TAPE COVERING THE HOLE THAT THE POINT PROTRUDES THROUGH. WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE MANUFACTURER REPLACE THE SEAT AND $300 WORTH OF PANTS.

SINCE JULY OF 1997, I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ALSO, A THUMP IN THE FRONT END INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN ALL TYPES OF ROAD, A SPARK KNOCKED SO LOUD I SOMETIMES WONDER IF THE MOTOR IS GOING TO LAST. THERE IS OFTEN THE SMELL OF BURNING WIRES AND BURNING FLUID AND SOMETIMES THE CAB FILLS WITH SMOKE. IN ADDITION, CRUISE CONTROL GAINS SPEED (SOMETIMES 5 TO 8 MPH OVER WHAT IT IS SET AT). THE ODOMETER GAINS MILES. *AK

EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE,INTERMITTANTLY. BRAKE PEDAL GOES RIGHT TO FLOOR AND DOESN'T STOP ANY FASTER. *AK

3 TIMES I HAVE BEEN SLOWING DOWN TO TURN A CORNER AND THE REAR PORTION OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES BOUNCE LIKE A BALL. I COULD NOT SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO MAKE THE TURN. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND BROUGHT IT IN. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH MY TRUCK. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P223/17R )

CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. YH

BRACKET HANGS DOWN UNDER TRUCK. WHEN TRYING TO GO OVER CURB IT HOOKS THE CURB CAUSING FAILURE. POOR DESIGN OF THE BRACKET. *YC

WINDSHIELD WASHER COMPARTMENT FAILED. *YC

THE VEHICLE WOULD WANDER. WHEN CORRECTING IT, WOULD OVER CORRECT. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE. WAS HOOKING TO FIFTH WHEEL, VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT ALL OVER THE ROAD. TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC NOTICED CRACKS IN STEERING BOX. HAD IT REPAIRED. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKES CAUSES THEM TO OVERHEAT, AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

SEAT BELTS ARE UNCOMFORTABLY TIGHT. EXCESSIVE TENSION ON BELT REWIND MECHANISM.

WHILE WARMING THE VEHICLE UP ODORS FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM IS GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHEN SITTING IN THE VEHICLE CONSUMER CAN SMELL THE FUMES GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING THE EXHAUST SMELLS DO NOT GET IN THE VEHICLE. *AK

THE TRUCK HAS HAD CHRONIC BRAKE PULL PROBLEMS - EITHER TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT SIDE. THE DEALER HASN'T BEEN RESPONSIVE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM IN QUESTION. NO PARTS WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER; CHRYSLER HAS BEEN VERY UNRESPONSIVE TO THE PROBLEM. THE PULL IS SO BAD THAT THE TRUCK WILL ACTUALLY CHANGE LANES WHILE BRAKING. I AM NOT SURE IF NHTSA REALLY DOES ANYTHING, BUT IF THEY STAND FOR SAFETY, THEN THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE VERY SERIOUSLY LOOKED INTO. MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BRAKE PULL PROBLEMS, PLEASE REFER TO: HTTP://WWW.CARTRACKERS.COM/FORUMS/MESSAGES/164.MECHGOBLINS.HTML. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THERE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 245/75 )