12 of the
153 complaints about the 1997 Dodge RAM 3500 are about the
steering — 8% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
198,000 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, IT FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #10745392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 198,000 milesValley Springs, CA
STEERING
POWER STEER/BRAKE FLUID MASTER CYLINDER LEAKED INTO CAB OF TRUCK SATURATING THE CARPETS BEFORE IT COULD BE DISCOVERED. SAFETY FEAR OF CARPET SOAKED WITH POWER STEERING FLUID.
NHTSA complaint #10608223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 225,000 milesChesapeake, VA
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND CHANGING LANES WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL CLICKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE WITHIN THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, WHICH WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,700.
NHTSA complaint #10370570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 204,000 milesClaxton, GA1 injured
STEERING
INCIDENT OCCURRED AT HOME/VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION. GOT IN DRIVER SEAT TO MOVE VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON/. NO ACCIDENT HAD OCCURRED. OWNER WAS INJURED BY BLOW TO THE HEAD, CAUSING BRUISING AND HEADACHES. NO PARTS REPLACED DUE TO INSURANCE COMPANY AND MANUFACTURER NOT FEELING RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROBLEM. AIRBAG) NO LONGER IN USE, AND ALL FUNCTIONS ON STEERING WHEEL DID NOT WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10195429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,000 milesMurrells Inlet, SC
STEERING
THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TOO MUCH PLAY IN IT, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STEER WHILE DRIVING, ALSO THE FRONT END SWAYED. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE 3 TIMES, IN WHICH THEY TIGHTENED THE STEERING BOX AND ADJUSTED THE TIE RODS, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10079467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Menifee, CA
STEERING
CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF VEHICLE SHUDDERING VIOLENTLY AS THE CLUTCH AND FLY WHEEL BECOME INOPERABLE, VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT, DEALER ROTATED TIRES AND VEHICLE STILL SHAKES VIOLENTLY, DEALER REPLACED DAMPENING SHOCK, PITMAN ARM, TIE ROD, AND STEERING BOX. POSSIBLE STEERING OR SUSPENSION PROBLEM, DEALER COULDN'T REMEDY PROBLEM. *JADA
NHTSA complaint #781961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Menifee, CA
STEERING
CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF VEHICLE SHUDDERING VIOLENTLY AS THE CLUTCH AND FLY WHEEL BECOME INOPERABLE, VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT, DEALER ROTATED TIRES AND VEHICLE STILL SHAKES VIOLENTLY, DEALER REPLACED DAMPENING SHOCK, PITMAN ARM, TIE ROD, AND STEERING BOX. POSSIBLE STEERING OR SUSPENSION PROBLEM, DEALER COULDN'T REMEDY PROBLEM. *JADA
NHTSA complaint #781961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kendal Park, NJCrash1 injured
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING UNDER 50 MPH, ANOTHER DRIVER CUT CONSUMER OFF, AND CONSUMER HIT A POLE, AND SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES. VEHICLE'S FRAME BENT UP LIKE A PIECE OF ALUMINUM FOIL. CONSUMER FELT FRAME WAS TOO THIN. *AK CONSUMER STATES CAB OF TRUCK AND FLOOR PANELS BUCKELED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #891784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Germantown, NY
STEERING:LINKAGES
ONE END OF THE TRACK BAR,WHICH ALLOWS THE FRONT AXLE TO MOVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE,HAS WORN OUT CAUSING VEHICLE TO WANDER. ALSO A COUPLE OF TIE RODS ARE WEARING OUT.
NHTSA complaint #837248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williamsport, PA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #534484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williamsport, PA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:PINION SHAFT
STEERING SHAFT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #534484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OAK Park, IL
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING JAMS DUE TO COTTER PIN SEPARATING FROM THE NUT. DILEMMA, PINS FELL OUT AND STEERING TEMPORARILY LOCKED UP.
NHTSA complaint #813513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.