1997 Dodge Dodge Truck problems

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

FOR SEVERAL YEARS I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A SUDDEN LOSS OF MY HEADLIGHTS WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 WITH 82000 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED THAT I EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM MUCH MORE OFTEN WHEN OPERATING THE HIGH BEAMS FOR 10-15 MINUTES. I TOOK IT IN TO A SERVICE SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS BUT THEY COULD NEVER DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. ON 12/28/08, I BEGAN SMELLING AN ELECTRICAL SMELL IN THE CAB AND THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE TRUCK OFF. AFTER 10-15 MINUTES, THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED AGAIN. THE NEXT DAY I DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ISSUED (#819) FOR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM 3500 SERIES FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. HOWEVER, BECAUSE MY TRUCK IS A 1997 RAM 1500, THE DEALER SAYS THE RECALL DOESN'T APPLY AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. THE RECALL NOTICE DESCRIBES THE EXACT PROBLEM AND THE FACT THAT IT IS SAFETY AND FIRE HAZARD. THE DEALER SAYS THAT SINCE IT IS NOT IN THERE RECALL DATABASE THEY ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO REPAIR IT AND THAT I MUST FIX IT AND THEY WILL NOTIFY ME LATER IF IT DOES GET RECALLED. THEY TOLD ME TO KEEP MY RECEIPTS. THE COST IS ONE THING BUT WHAT REALLY UPSETS ME IS THE HAZARD THIS PROBLEM CREATES AND THEIR RESPONSE TO IT!

NHTSA complaint #10253113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FOR SEVERAL YEARS I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A SUDDEN LOSS OF MY HEADLIGHTS WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 WITH 82000 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED THAT I EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM MUCH MORE OFTEN WHEN OPERATING THE HIGH BEAMS FOR 10-15 MINUTES. I TOOK IT IN TO A SERVICE SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS BUT THEY COULD NEVER DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. ON 12/28/08, I BEGAN SMELLING AN ELECTRICAL SMELL IN THE CAB AND THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE TRUCK OFF. AFTER 10-15 MINUTES, THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED AGAIN. THE NEXT DAY I DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ISSUED (#819) FOR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM 3500 SERIES FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. HOWEVER, BECAUSE MY TRUCK IS A 1997 RAM 1500, THE DEALER SAYS THE RECALL DOESN'T APPLY AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. THE RECALL NOTICE DESCRIBES THE EXACT PROBLEM AND THE FACT THAT IT IS SAFETY AND FIRE HAZARD. THE DEALER SAYS THAT SINCE IT IS NOT IN THERE RECALL DATABASE THEY ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO REPAIR IT AND THAT I MUST FIX IT AND THEY WILL NOTIFY ME LATER IF IT DOES GET RECALLED. THEY TOLD ME TO KEEP MY RECEIPTS. THE COST IS ONE THING BUT WHAT REALLY UPSETS ME IS THE HAZARD THIS PROBLEM CREATES AND THEIR RESPONSE TO IT!

NHTSA complaint #10253113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

1997 DODGE RAM HAS DASHBOARD COVER CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. PIECES HAVE FALLEN DOWN INTO THE DASH AMONG THE INTERNAL WIRING. THIS IS NOT JUST A COSMETIC PROBLEM. IF THE PIECES THEMSELVES DO NOT SHORT OUT THE WIRING AND CAUSE A FIRE, THE JAGGED EDGES COULD POTENTIALLY CUT OPEN AN AIRBAG UPON DEPLOYMENT CAUSING A BAG FAILURE DURING A CRASH.

NHTSA complaint #10227226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

IT WAS REQUESTED THAT DODGE DAKOTA OWNERS LOG INFORMATION AS TO IF THEY HAVE EXCESSIVELY WORN BALL JOINTS AND / OR FAILURES. I AM AN ENGINEER AT AN EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER AND BELIEVE THIS IS A FAILURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR AT LOW MILEAGE. MY 1997 DAKOTA SLT HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND SINCE I DO NOT DRIVE IT MUCH I WAS HOPING THERE WOULD BE RECALL BEFORE IT WAS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE JOINTS.A NUMBER OF CAB PLASTIC ISSUES WHICH WERE DESIGN CHANGED (YEAR OR TWO LATER) AND NOT RECALLED, MISC ITEMS BREAKING - DRIVERS WINDOW SWITCH PLATE, AUTOMATIC GEAR SELECTOR HANDLE CRACKING, ASH TRY PIVOT POINT (NON-SMOKER - BROKE WHEN I TRIED TO CLEAN IT!). NOT TO MENTION THE 3.9 L ISSUES OF POOR ACCELERATION / RESPONSE DUE TO WHAT IT SOUNDS IS A PRODUCTION TOLERANCE ISSUE WITH THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS. FINALLY THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT POINTS AND CLUTCH FILL TIMES DO NOT SEEM TO HAVE MUCH TIME SPENT ON THEM. THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE GRADING OF THE TRUCK IS HORRIBLE DUE TO NUMEROUS SHIFTS, NO (OR NOT ENOUGH) ANTI-HUNTING TIME FOR HOLDING A DOWNSHIFT. I AM PROVIDING MY INFORMATION AS TO FURTHER ADD TO THE DATABASE OF CONSUMERS THAT FEEL SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THESE POOR DESIGN ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #10096268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

IT WAS REQUESTED THAT DODGE DAKOTA OWNERS LOG INFORMATION AS TO IF THEY HAVE EXCESSIVELY WORN BALL JOINTS AND / OR FAILURES. I AM AN ENGINEER AT AN EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER AND BELIEVE THIS IS A FAILURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR AT LOW MILEAGE. MY 1997 DAKOTA SLT HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND SINCE I DO NOT DRIVE IT MUCH I WAS HOPING THERE WOULD BE RECALL BEFORE IT WAS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE JOINTS.A NUMBER OF CAB PLASTIC ISSUES WHICH WERE DESIGN CHANGED (YEAR OR TWO LATER) AND NOT RECALLED, MISC ITEMS BREAKING - DRIVERS WINDOW SWITCH PLATE, AUTOMATIC GEAR SELECTOR HANDLE CRACKING, ASH TRY PIVOT POINT (NON-SMOKER - BROKE WHEN I TRIED TO CLEAN IT!). NOT TO MENTION THE 3.9 L ISSUES OF POOR ACCELERATION / RESPONSE DUE TO WHAT IT SOUNDS IS A PRODUCTION TOLERANCE ISSUE WITH THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS. FINALLY THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT POINTS AND CLUTCH FILL TIMES DO NOT SEEM TO HAVE MUCH TIME SPENT ON THEM. THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE GRADING OF THE TRUCK IS HORRIBLE DUE TO NUMEROUS SHIFTS, NO (OR NOT ENOUGH) ANTI-HUNTING TIME FOR HOLDING A DOWNSHIFT. I AM PROVIDING MY INFORMATION AS TO FURTHER ADD TO THE DATABASE OF CONSUMERS THAT FEEL SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THESE POOR DESIGN ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #10096268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

BALL JOINTS ARE TOTALLY WORN OUT AND COULD HAVE FAILED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. THIS TRUCK HAS HAD VERY GOOD CARE TAKEN OF IT AND SHOULD NOT HAVE WORN THIS BAD ON A VEHICLE WITH THIS FEW MILES ON IT AND WITH THE CARE TAKEN OF IT.

NHTSA complaint #10086838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES

BALL JOINTS ARE TOTALLY WORN OUT AND COULD HAVE FAILED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. THIS TRUCK HAS HAD VERY GOOD CARE TAKEN OF IT AND SHOULD NOT HAVE WORN THIS BAD ON A VEHICLE WITH THIS FEW MILES ON IT AND WITH THE CARE TAKEN OF IT.

NHTSA complaint #10086838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

BALL JOINTS ARE TOTALLY WORN OUT AND COULD HAVE FAILED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. THIS TRUCK HAS HAD VERY GOOD CARE TAKEN OF IT AND SHOULD NOT HAVE WORN THIS BAD ON A VEHICLE WITH THIS FEW MILES ON IT AND WITH THE CARE TAKEN OF IT.

NHTSA complaint #10086838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

BALL JOINTS ARE TOTALLY WORN OUT AND COULD HAVE FAILED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. THIS TRUCK HAS HAD VERY GOOD CARE TAKEN OF IT AND SHOULD NOT HAVE WORN THIS BAD ON A VEHICLE WITH THIS FEW MILES ON IT AND WITH THE CARE TAKEN OF IT.

NHTSA complaint #10086838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, 3.3L ENGINE. SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT CONSISTENTLY SLIPS OFF OR SHREDS WHILE DRIVING ON WET ROADS CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND EVENTUALLY ALL POWER TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER, 2" DEEP PUDDLES, CAN CAUSE THIS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. SO FAR, BELT HAS COME OFF AND/OR SHREDDED 7 TIMES FROM 8/02 - 1/04. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE. WE HAVE REPLACED THE TENSIONER PULLEY 3 TIMES AFTER IT HAD EITHER BROKEN OR SUDDENLY BECAME MISALIGNED. NO ONE CAN EXPLAIN WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH OCCURS. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10052573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE WILL RANDOMLY STALL. ONLY DISCERNIBLE PATTERN IS THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED MORE THAN 45 MINUTES, HOWEVER EPISODES ARE VERY SPORADIC. ENGINE WILL RESTART ONLY AFTER A WAIT PERIOD OF 20-30 MINUTES (THEN RUNS FINE). ENGINE CODE IS A MISFIRE, HOWEVER AFTER DIAGNOSTICS MULTIPLE SHOPS AND DEALER UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. WILL CONTINUE TO TROUBLE SHOOT, AS SPORADIC ENGINE STALLS ARE DISCONCERTING DUE TO ITS SAFETY IMPACT.

NHTSA complaint #10018326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

MIRRORS SIMPLY FOLDS BACK TO THE VEHICLE BODY AT HWY SPEED. THE REARVIEW SIDE MIRRORS ARE NOT USABLE ON HIGHWAY DRIVING. REPLACE BOTH MIRRORS STILL DO THE SAME THING.

NHTSA complaint #9005868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 36000 MILES. WATER PUMP SEAL FAILED AT 47000 DUE TO PITTING AND CORROSION OF ALUMINUM HOUSING. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT AND NORMALLY OCCURS AFTER EXTENDED DRIVING - TRANSMISSION "CLUNKS" WHEN DOWNSHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 1ST GEAR. HAS HESTITATED WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN COMMON AND INCREASING - UNEXPECTED WINDSHIELD WIPER ACTIVATION, UNEXPECTED ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK AND CAR ALARM ACTIVATION, MOST RECENTLY IGNITION FAILURE DURING INITIAL ATTEMPTS TO START IN THE MORNING.

NHTSA complaint #758057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 36000 MILES. WATER PUMP SEAL FAILED AT 47000 DUE TO PITTING AND CORROSION OF ALUMINUM HOUSING. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT AND NORMALLY OCCURS AFTER EXTENDED DRIVING - TRANSMISSION "CLUNKS" WHEN DOWNSHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 1ST GEAR. HAS HESTITATED WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN COMMON AND INCREASING - UNEXPECTED WINDSHIELD WIPER ACTIVATION, UNEXPECTED ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK AND CAR ALARM ACTIVATION, MOST RECENTLY IGNITION FAILURE DURING INITIAL ATTEMPTS TO START IN THE MORNING.

NHTSA complaint #758057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 36000 MILES. WATER PUMP SEAL FAILED AT 47000 DUE TO PITTING AND CORROSION OF ALUMINUM HOUSING. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT AND NORMALLY OCCURS AFTER EXTENDED DRIVING - TRANSMISSION "CLUNKS" WHEN DOWNSHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 1ST GEAR. HAS HESTITATED WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN COMMON AND INCREASING - UNEXPECTED WINDSHIELD WIPER ACTIVATION, UNEXPECTED ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK AND CAR ALARM ACTIVATION, MOST RECENTLY IGNITION FAILURE DURING INITIAL ATTEMPTS TO START IN THE MORNING.

NHTSA complaint #758057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 36000 MILES. WATER PUMP SEAL FAILED AT 47000 DUE TO PITTING AND CORROSION OF ALUMINUM HOUSING. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT AND NORMALLY OCCURS AFTER EXTENDED DRIVING - TRANSMISSION "CLUNKS" WHEN DOWNSHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 1ST GEAR. HAS HESTITATED WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN COMMON AND INCREASING - UNEXPECTED WINDSHIELD WIPER ACTIVATION, UNEXPECTED ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK AND CAR ALARM ACTIVATION, MOST RECENTLY IGNITION FAILURE DURING INITIAL ATTEMPTS TO START IN THE MORNING.

NHTSA complaint #758057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

WHEN DRIVING THE VAN THE STEERING RANDOMLY VEERS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND REQUIRES CONSTANT CORRECTING. IT IS DIFFICULT TO KEEP IN ONE LANE. THE CHRYSLER DEALER HAS ADJUSTED THE STEERING GEAR BOX AS CLOSE AS IT CAN AND THE CONDITIONS STILL EXISTS. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RELIEVE THE PROBLEM BUT ACKNOWLED THAT THE CONDITION EXISTS EVEN THOUGH THE PARTS ARE TO SPECIFICATION. MY WIFE AND CHILDREN FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND I AM UNDER GREAT STRESS WHILE DRIVING. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT WITH PASSING OR ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

NHTSA complaint #743260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

WHEN DRIVING THE VAN THE STEERING RANDOMLY VEERS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND REQUIRES CONSTANT CORRECTING. IT IS DIFFICULT TO KEEP IN ONE LANE. THE CHRYSLER DEALER HAS ADJUSTED THE STEERING GEAR BOX AS CLOSE AS IT CAN AND THE CONDITIONS STILL EXISTS. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RELIEVE THE PROBLEM BUT ACKNOWLED THAT THE CONDITION EXISTS EVEN THOUGH THE PARTS ARE TO SPECIFICATION. MY WIFE AND CHILDREN FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND I AM UNDER GREAT STRESS WHILE DRIVING. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT WITH PASSING OR ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

NHTSA complaint #743260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

CHANGED TIRES(REAR) 84XXXX MILES/ THREE STUDS BROKE ON EACH SIDE. NUTS NOT CROSS/THREADED. RETIRE ENGR. SAID THAT IT LOOKED LIKE METAL FAT.

NHTSA complaint #742866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST. WHEN IT IS REVERSE IT IDLES ROUGH AND TRIES TO DIE. WHEN IT IS IN REVERSE IT WHINES.

NHTSA complaint #742629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OF CONNECTOR/WIRING FAILURE RESULTING IN MELTDOWN.

NHTSA complaint #734933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TOTAL TREAD SEPARATION FROM TIRE. *AK (TIRESIZE: LT245/75R1)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT245/75R1 )

NHTSA complaint #733986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES

2 TIRES - TREADS STRIPED OFF: CAUSING $3200 DAMAGE, DIDNOT BLOW OUT TIRES( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT245R7516 )

NHTSA complaint #729179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.