61 of the
468 complaints about the 1997 Dodge RAM 1500 are about the
transmission — 13% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
70,001 miles.
C
61
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Automatic Transmission
3862.3%
Power Train
69.8%
Cooling Unit AND Lines
46.6%
Manual Transmission
34.9%
Differential Unit
34.9%
Axle Assembly
23.3%
Axle Shaft
23.3%
Torque Converter
11.6%
Driveshaft
11.6%
Clutch Assembly
11.6%
Transmission & Drivetrain across every Dodge RAM 1500 year
NOTICED A HIGH PITCHED WHINE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ABOUT 30-40 SECONDS BEFORE THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY LOCKED UP. TRAVELING ON A SECONDARY TO A CITY STREET SLOWING TO 30 MPH. AXLE ASSEMBLY LOCKED UP AT 45 MPH CAUSING A SKID THAT WAS CONTROLLED. AXLE HOUSING SPLIT, DRIVE SHAFT DETACHED, GEAR LUBE DRAINED OUT AND TIRES ARE SEVERELY FLAT SPOTTED. SKID LENGTH WAS 115 FT.
NHTSA complaint #11365543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesRobinsville, NC
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SHAFT AND GEAR INADVERTENTLY DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
NHTSA complaint #10743338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesBeaumont, TX
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK, IT FAILED TO SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN UNSPECIFIED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10693409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesPawnee, IL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10412247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Savannah, TN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
LINES STARTING LEADING AN BURNED TRANSMISSION OUT DON'T PULL AT ALL ANYMORE 97 DODGE RAM 1500 SPORT.
NHTSA complaint #10364240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Savannah, TN
POWER TRAIN
LINES STARTING LEADING AN BURNED TRANSMISSION OUT DON'T PULL AT ALL ANYMORE 97 DODGE RAM 1500 SPORT.
NHTSA complaint #10364240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesNoblesville, IN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO HIGHER GEARS. WOULD NEVER GO FASTER THAN 40 MILES AND HOUR.
NHTSA complaint #10234932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,002 milesOsgood, IN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INSPECTION STATION AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED BY THE DEALER ON AUGUST 19, 1997 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V084000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES). THE DEALER FAILED TO USE A STAINLESS STEEL RETAINER FOR THE REPAIR AS STATED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. INSTEAD, THE ORIGINAL PLASTIC PART WAS STILL ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72000. UPDATED 05/06/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER DID NOT MAKE THE REPAIR AND THE TRANSMISSION EVENTUALLY FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10223001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesWashington Crossing, PW
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT THROUGH ALL GEARS APPROACHING 30MPH... IT WILL THEN NEED TO BE ALMOST FLOORED TO GET THE TRUCK TO DOWN SHIFT SO I CAN BEGIN TO MOVE AT A QUICKER RATE OF SPEED. OVERDRIVE SLIPS EVERYTIME YOU PRESS THE PEDAL AND SOMETIMES WON'T GO INTO OVERDRIVE. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAS FAULTY CLUTCHES CAUSING THEM TO BREAK DOWN. THE DEBRIS CLOG UP THE CHECK VALVE OUT OF THE COOLER BLOCKING FLOW OF FLUID TO THE TRANSMISSION... THEREFORE CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE AS EARLY AS 20MILES WITHIN CHECK VALVE CLOGGING. DODGE NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I'M GOING TO LOOSE A TRANS SOON AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE ALREADY HAVE. DODGE REPLACES THE TRANSMISSION LEAVING THE CLOGGED CHECK VALVE THIS CAUSES THE SECOND TRANSMISSION TO GO ETC. I BELIEVE YOU GET THIS GIST OF IT. SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS WHY IS OUR GOVERNMENT BLIND TO THE CHEAP, DANGEROUS AND FAULTY ASSEMBLY OF THIS VEHICLE. SOMEONE PLEASE FORCE A RECALL ON THESE POWERTRAINS!!! THE DODGE OWNING CITIZENS ARE TIRED OF BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF DAY AFTER DAY.
NHTSA complaint #10218148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lima, OH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY FIANCE IS THE OWNER OF A 1997 DODGE 1500 4X4 PICKUP. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED/CHANGE 4 TIMES SINCE WE HAVE TAKEN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE IN 2002. I CHECK THE DEFECTS FOR THAT VEHICLE ON YOUR "DEFECT INFORMATION" & SURE ENOUGH THERE IT IS. WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH THIS TRUCK SINCE WE PURCHASED IT. THE HOOD LATCH IS ALWAYS LOOSE & FINALLY CAUSE THE HOOD TO FLY UP WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH ME & MY 2 CHILDREN. THE TAIL GATE HAS FALLEN OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE DRIVERS DOOR HAS BEEN REPLACE BECAUSE THE IT SAGS. AND FINALLY, THE BUMPER HAS JUST ABOUT COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY SINCE WE'VE OWNED IT. I FEEL WE GOT THE BIGGEST LEMON. I EMAILED DODGE DIRECTLY WITH THIS SAME ISSUE & RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. HOPEFULLY, YOUR AGENCY CAN HELP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. ANGELA SAYRE.
NHTSA complaint #10176049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,200 milesEllijay, GA1 injured
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SEATS WILL NOT RECLINE NOR FLIP FORWARD. THIS HAS CAUSED A BACK SEAT PASSENGER TO FALL GETTING OUT OF THE 1997 DODGE RAM BECOMING INJURED. VEHICLE MISSES, STUTTERS AND ENGINE PULSES AT 50 MPH. HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE FIRST ONWER. TRANSMISSION REBUILT AND STILL DOES IT. DEALER CAN NOT FIND PROBLEM AFTER SPENDING $900.00 ON A TUNE-EP AND DIAGNOSTICS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. DOING SINCE FIRST OWNER. DEALER CHECKS, CHARGED HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS AND WITHIN 8 HOURS OF USE LIGHT COMES BACK ON AND STAYS LIGHT. OCCASIONALLY IT WILL BLINK THEN REMAIN ON. TAKEN TO DEALER AGAIN AND THEY STATED THIS VEHICLE IS SENSITIVE EVEN A GAS CAP NOT TIGHT WILL TRIGGER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THIS LIGHT REMAINS ON, WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY ENGINE - NOTHING!
NHTSA complaint #10161737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,800 milesClearfield, UT
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I OWN A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 W/93,000 ON IT THE PROBLEMS BEGAN THE RADIATOR $250 JUST FOR THE PART WENT BAD THEN TRANSMISSION WENT OUT DODGE IS INFAMOUS FOR THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS I HAD TO PAY $1900 TO GET IT FIXED AFTER THAT WAS DONE THE FUEL RAIL & O RING STARTED TO LEAK ANOTHER WELL KNOW DEFECT ON CHRYSLER VEHICLES MY TRUCK WAS VISIBLY LOSING GAS & OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS THERE IS NO WAY TO REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE CAP YOU HAVE TO BUY THE WHOLE FUEL RAIL FROM THE DEALER FOR $300 JUST FOR THE PART. I THINK THAT IS NOT ONLY RIDICULOUS BUT DANGEROUS & AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH OTHER CHYRSLER VEHICLES & YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE.
NHTSA complaint #10143795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesPonchatoula, LA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 62000. DEALERSHIP IN HAMMOND, LA WOULD NOT WORK WITH ME TO REPLACE. HAD IT REPLACED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AT THE COST $2300.00 .
NHTSA complaint #10112592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesPort Charlotte, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10074005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,600 milesFallon, NVCrash2 injured
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
RIGHT REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY SHEARED CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL/LOSS OF STEERING/CONTROL OF THE WEHICLE. TRUCK BED WAS EMPTY AND TRAVELING AT APPROX. 60MPH; UPON OCCURENCE VEHICLE ROLLED 3 TIMES ON BUSY HIGHWAY; BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER INJURED
NHTSA complaint #10066117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,823 milesMidlothian, VA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
EARLY TRANSMISSION FAILIER. 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT. MILEAGE: 62823. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DEALERSHIP REQUESTED TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK UP AND METAL IN FLUID PAN WAS DIAGNOSIS.
NHTSA complaint #10051027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bahama, NC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS HEADLIGHT SWITCH PROBLEMS FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY OXYGEN SENSORS PAINT CHIPPING AND FADING BURNS OIL WORST THAN ADVERTISED FUEL MILEAGE EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR PREMATURELY EXCESSIVE BRAKE WEAR PREMATURELY
NHTSA complaint #10036777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bahama, NC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS HEADLIGHT SWITCH PROBLEMS FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY OXYGEN SENSORS PAINT CHIPPING AND FADING BURNS OIL WORST THAN ADVERTISED FUEL MILEAGE EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR PREMATURELY EXCESSIVE BRAKE WEAR PREMATURELY
NHTSA complaint #10036777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,165 milesMansfield, OH
POWER TRAIN
CONSUMER CALLED ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR END THAT NEEDS THE RTP REBUILT. MANUFACTURE STATED THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. DEALER STATED THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REBUILT. *PH THE REAR PINION SEAL LEAKED DIFFERENTIAL FLUID AND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS VERY NOISY. THE DEALER NOTICED THAT THE CARRIER BEARINGS AND RING AND PINION WERE WORN. *SCC *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10031766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seymour, MO
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
WHEELS WERE LOCKING UP AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. HE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC, HAD TO HAVE AXLE BEARING S REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10024046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,000 milesReno, NV
POWER TRAIN
DODGE HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHEN THE MANUFACTURER SENT OUT A BULLETIN STATING SINCE APRIL ALL TRANSTEC GASKET SETS AND OVER HAUL KITS HAVE CONTAINED AN UPDATED SEAL FOR THE DIRECT(FRONT) CLUTCH. THIS SEAL HAS A WIDER BASE THAN PREVIOUS SEAL THIS IS TO COMPENSATE FOR THE GROOVE THAT HAS POSSIBLY BEEN MACHINED INCORRECTLY FROM THE FACTORY IT HAS BEEN PROVEN IN EXTENSIVE FIELD TESTING TO CORRECT DELAY IN REVERSE SLIPPING 2-3 AND NO 2-3 COMPLAINTS TRANSTEC #28313 IS MADE OF VITON TO RESIST WEAR AND HEAT DETERIORATION ALL TRANSTEC KITS WITH THE DATE CODE OF E99 OR LATER CONTAIN THE NEW PART. *TS *NLM *DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***769353
NHTSA complaint #10009395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Texarkana, AR
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REBUILT THREE TIMES SINCE BUYING NEW. HAS 85000 MILES ON IT. DODGE WILL NOT RESPOND TO EMAILS
NHTSA complaint #10005611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35 milesWest Memphis, AR
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTO. TRANSMISSION GOING OUT AT 51,000 MILES
NHTSA complaint #10005360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vancouver, WA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED TWO WEEKS AFTER ROUTINE SERVICE (FLUID CHANGE, NEW FILTER, BAND ADJUSTMENT). HAD NO PREVIOUS DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS BEFORE SERVICE. FLUID LEVEL AND CONDITION CHECKED MONTHLY SINCE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED (NEW) IN MARCH, 1997. MR
NHTSA complaint #768066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cabool, MO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS AT 66174 MILES. SO THE FACTORY REPLACEMENT LASTED ONLY 1335 MILES. THIS TRUCK IS USED PRIMARILY FOR TRANSPORTATION AND DRIVEN PRIMARILY ON THE HIGHWAY. IT HAS RARELY BEEN USED FOR OTHER THAN VERY LIGHT DUTY USE AND EVEN THEN THE MANUFACTURES RECOMMENDED LIMITS HAVE NEVER BEEN EXCEEDED. THE FIRST INCIDENCE OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS REPORTED DUE TO THE INABILITY OF THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AFTER FOUR REPAIR TRIPS AND UNTIL CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION ALSO COMPLETELY FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN 1335 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #766509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brookfield, WI
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS BROKEN DOWN THREE TIMES, TWO OF WHICH THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT, CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THERE IS GRINDING IN THE DRIVESHAFT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #566423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brookfield, WI
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS BROKEN DOWN THREE TIMES, TWO OF WHICH THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT, CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THERE IS GRINDING IN THE DRIVESHAFT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #566423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brookfield, WI
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
CONSUMER WAS INFORMED NOT TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOCKING UP. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #566423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wheeling, WV
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
WHILE PULLING ONTO A RAMP REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP. VEHICLE TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PINION GEAR SHEARED OFF IN REAR END. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK THE VEHICLE MADE A NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING UPHILL, THE HEAT SHIELD BROKE AND WAS FIXED. THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP.
NHTSA complaint #8013979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wheeling, WV
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE PULLING ONTO A RAMP REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP. VEHICLE TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PINION GEAR SHEARED OFF IN REAR END. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK THE VEHICLE MADE A NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING UPHILL, THE HEAT SHIELD BROKE AND WAS FIXED. THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP.
NHTSA complaint #8013979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.