FaultScore

1997 Dodge RAM 2500 fuel system problems

22 of the 275 complaints about the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500 are about the fuel system — 8% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 72,500 miles.

A

22

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Tank Assembly 4 18.2%
Fuel System, Other 3 13.6%
Fuel System, Gasoline 2 9.1%
Fuel Injection System 2 9.1%
Fuel System, Diesel 2 9.1%
Delivery 1 4.5%
Mounting 1 4.5%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 1 4.5%
Fuel Rail 1 4.5%
Filler Pipe AND CAP 1 4.5%

Fuel & Propulsion across every Dodge RAM 2500 year

1994 13 3.5%
1995 28 7.5%
1996 23 6.1%
1997 22 5.9%
1998 20 5.3%
1999 35 9.4%
2000 17 4.5%
2001 33 8.8%
2002 26 7.0%
2004 33 8.8%
2005 20 5.3%
2006 21 5.6%
2007 18 4.8%
2010 10 2.7%
2011 21 5.6%
2012 34 9.1%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 6 miles Tuscon, AZ

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AND APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK OF GASOLINE EVAPORATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIFTEEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS BUT NEITHER COULD DETERMINE THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. FIFTEEN YEARS PASSED AND THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE. HE ALSO NOTICED GASOLINE FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING AND BASED ON THE COMPONENTS THAT WERE SURROUNDING THE FUEL PUMP, HAD BEEN LEAKING FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THE PRESSURE RELIEF ROLL OVER VALVE WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,385. UPDATED 6/14/13

NHTSA complaint #10507509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles Menasha, WI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE STRAPS BEING CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRAPS WERE BROKEN DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA complaint #10400618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles SAN Diego, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. HE LATER DISCOVERED A FUEL LEAK AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V199000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA complaint #10381143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles West Bend, WI

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

THROTTLE ON 1997 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL STICKS AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE AND WON,T COME BACK. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER FREED UP THE LINKAGE. THE SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THE LINKAGE. THE THIRD TIME THEY FREED UP THE NEW LIKAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10129946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles West Bend, WI

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

THROTTLE ON 1997 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL STICKS AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE AND WON,T COME BACK. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER FREED UP THE LINKAGE. THE SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THE LINKAGE. THE THIRD TIME THEY FREED UP THE NEW LIKAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10129946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sacramento, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

WHILE DRIVING,AND WHILE PARKED THE DRIVER NOTICED A FUEL SMELL COMING FROM THE VENTS AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE DRIVER GOT UNTO THE GROUND AND LOOK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A GASOLINE LEAK. THE DRIVER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10096990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Merrill, WI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

PROBLEMS WITH 1997 DODGE 2500 PICKUP.*MR THE CONSUMER NOTICED A FUEL SMELL, HE LEFT THE VEHICLE AT IDLE AND DISCOVERED FUEL ON THE GROUND. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED TWO METAL ELBOWS ONE WAS ATTACHED TO THE SENDING UNIT LOCATED ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AND THE OTHER WAS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL LINE, THE SECOND ELBOW DEVELOPED A CRACKED AND LEAKED WHICH WAS CAUSED BY SALT MATERIAL USED ON THE HIGHWAYS. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE THE ENTIRE SENDING UNIT JUST TO REPLACE THE TWO METAL ELBOWS. *JB

NHTSA complaint #10048565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 141,500 miles Boston, VA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

1997 DODGE DIESEL 2500: FUEL LINE DIRECTLY BEHIND DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL HAS A HOLE WORN IN IT BY WAY OF CONTACT WITH NEIGHBORING FUEL OR OTHER LINE. THE NEIGHBORING LINE HAS A CONNECTOR OR FITTING THAT THROUGH VIBRATION AND DIRECT CONTACT HAS WORN A HOLE IN THE METAL FUEL LINE. THE LINE IS PRESSURIZED ADN RELEASES DIESEL FUEL THROUGH THE HOLE ONTO THE VEHICLE FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE. RATE OF LEAKAGE IS SUFFUCIENT TO RELEASE APPROXIMATELY ONE GALLON OF FUEL IN A 20 MINUTE PERIOD. LINE IS ALSO CORRODED FROM YEARS OF WINTER ROAD SURFACE TREATMENT AND MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE WEAR OF THE LINE. HOWEVER THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT CONTACT BETWEEN TEH TWO LINES IS THE MAIN REASON FOR THE DAMAGE LINE AND FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED AT THE DODGE DEALER IN CULPEPER VIRGINIA, DURING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 15, 2003.

NHTSA complaint #10038734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Yorktown, VA

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

FUEL GUAGE IS BROKEN FOR THE SECOND TIME. FIRST WAS UNDER WARRANTY IN 1999. THE SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED. NOW IT IS BROKEN AGAIN BUT THE DEALER SAYS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WILL COST $$$. AFTER SPEAKING WITH OTHER OWNERS AND SOME MECHANICS I FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND FEEL IT SOULD BE A RECALL ITEM.

NHTSA complaint #10004964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Yorktown, VA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

FUEL GUAGE IS BROKEN FOR THE SECOND TIME. FIRST WAS UNDER WARRANTY IN 1999. THE SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED. NOW IT IS BROKEN AGAIN BUT THE DEALER SAYS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WILL COST $$$. AFTER SPEAKING WITH OTHER OWNERS AND SOME MECHANICS I FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND FEEL IT SOULD BE A RECALL ITEM.

NHTSA complaint #10004964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jackson, WY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

CONSUMER MADE SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS FOR RECALL REPAIRS, BUT EVERYTIME CONSUMER ARRIVED FOR APPOINTMENT PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. DEALER SHIP WAS NOT AWARE OF CONSUMER HAVING AN APPOINTMENT.

NHTSA complaint #8018107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Luis Obispo, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

WHILE DRIVING DOWN DRIVEWAY HEARD AS LOUD NOISE. CONSUMER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE, AND NOTICE A TRAIL OF FUEL ON GROUND. FUEL TANK HAD DROPPED UNDER VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8017544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Broadus, MT

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

ONE OF THE STRAPS THAT HOLD THE TANK UP TO VEHICLE BROKE AND CAUSED REAR OF TANK TO HANG DOWN. CONSUMER COULD HEAR METAL SHIELD OF DRIVELINE HITTING GROND. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8011190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Colfax, IA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

THERE IS A CONSTANT LEAK IN THE GAS TANK WHICH STRONG FUMES ARE IN AIR, AS WELL AS IN INTERIOR OF VEHICLE.*AK. CONSUMER SATED FUEL TANK FILLER WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #8010671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Taylorsville, NC

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

FUEL GAUGE IS ERRATIC. GAGE READS FULL WHEN TANK IS FULL. 50 MILES LATER IT READS EMPTY AND THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT COMES ON.

NHTSA complaint #761688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Austin, TX

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

GAS GUAGE DOES NOT WORK. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE DODGE TRUCKS, DODGE SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL THE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEFT IN THE TANK.

NHTSA complaint #744149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST Augustine, FL

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

GASOLINE GAUGE NEEDLE DOESN'T WORK. NEEDLE OF THE GAUGE DOESN'T SHOW CORRECT AMOUT OF GASOLINE.

NHTSA complaint #866516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Black Hawk, CO

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

THE FRONT FUEL TANK STRAP BROKE, CAUSING THE FRONT END OF THE FUEL TANK TO DROP DOWN TO THE ROAD SURFACE. FRICTION AGAINST THE ROAD SURFACE CAUSED A HOLE TO FORM IN THE TANK, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK OUT. LOOKING AT THE FUEL TANK STRAP, IT APPEARS THAT THERE HAD BEEN A CRACK ACROSS APPROX. 50% OF THE WIDTH FOR SOME TIME DUE TO THE FORMATION OF RUST SEEN IN THE CROSS SECTION.

NHTSA complaint #723752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lakewood, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

FUEL LINES. VAPOR LOCK FUEL SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #609718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lakewood, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLING/CHARGING

FUEL LINES. VAPOR LOCK FUEL SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #609718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntington Beach, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

FUEL INJECTION PUMP WENT OUT, CAUSING FUEL A LEAKAGE.

NHTSA complaint #845952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

RIO, NV

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

REAR RETAINER STRAP THAT HOLDS THE FUEL TANK BROKE, CAUSING FUEL TANK TO DROP, WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #834254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Dodge RAM 2500 problems

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