Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Dodge 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 30 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 30, in the owner's own words
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CLIP ATTACHING THE ACCELERATOR CABLE TO THE THROTTLE BODY SNAPPED CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING AND EFFECTIVNESS OF THE BRAKE. I HAD A 2 MONTH OLD AND MY 3 YEAR OLD IN THE TRUCK AS WELL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A STRONG FUEL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE CABIN. AN INDEPENDENT TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK IN HOUSE FUEL LINE FRACTURED PREMATURELY CAUSING THE FUEL TO LEAK ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AND ONTO THE GROUND. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FUEL LINE NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,000. UPDATED 5/29/15*CN UPDATED 9/28/2017*CN
UPON EXITING VEHICLE AFTER SHORT TRIP (2 MILES), NOTICED STRONG FUEL ODOR. LOOKED UNDER TRUCK AND OBSERVED FUEL STREAMING DOWN OVER HOT EXHAUST PIPE BENEATH ENGINE COMPARTMENT. INSPECTION OF ENGINE REVEALED BURST LINE CONNECTING FUEL RAILS, CAUSING FUEL TO SPRAY OVER HOT ENGINE/EXHAUST, EXTREME FIRE HAZARD. CANNOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO FIRE HAZARD. LINE IS NOT RUBBING ON ANYTHING OR FLEXING TO CAUSE FAILURE. *TR
DRIVING TRUCK IN TOWN AT APP 30MPH WHEN FUEL TANK FELL FROM TRUCK STRIKING PAVEMENT. OPENED A 5INCH HOLE IN TANK LETTING FUEL ESCAPE ONTO ROAD & VEHICLE. TANK FELL BETWEEN TRUCK FRAME AT ANGLE MAKING CONTACT WITH ROAD. FUEL SPRAY ON ROAD & TRUCK UNTIL ABLE TO STOP. *TR
THE VEHICLE LEAKS FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK. I HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED ONCE BY A DODGE DEALERSHIP BUT IT HAS STARTED LEAKING AGAIN AROUND THE FUEL PUMP. I HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED AND IT HAS STARTED LEAKING AGAIN. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED BY ANOTHER DEALER AND THE TANK ITSELF IS CRACKING. THEY NOTED NO DAMAGE AROUND TANK OR TO OTHER COMPONENTS. THEY TESTED THE ORIGINAL PUMP AND IT DID NOT LEAK. THE LEAK CAME BACK ONCE THE FUEL PUMP SEAL BEGAN TO DRY OUT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO CORRODED STRAPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
THE GAS TANK STRAP RUSTED OUT ON THE 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 EXTENDED CAB THAT WE OWN. IT WAS BEING HELD UP BY ONLY ONE STRAP.
GASOLINE TANK STARTED LEAKING DUE TO STRESS CRACK FAILURE. NO INDICATION OF MECHANICAL WEAR AT THE FAILURE POINT, APPEARS TO BE A FAILURE OF THE PLASTIC. *NM
FUEL PUMP FAILURE. *JB
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. *JB
A LONG LIST IS AVAILABLE AT HUMES OF WATERFORD,PA. THE MOST AMAZING FAILURE OF THE VEHICHLE WAS WHEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR FLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING AROUND THE BEND AND I WAS LUCKY THAAT NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS COMING. HUMES(DEALER) FIXED IT BY A HORRIBLE WELD ON THE LATCH.*AK
STARTED SMELLING STRONG GAS FUMES. HAD CHECKED AND FOUND GAS TANK WAS CRACKED ON TOP AND RUNNING DOWN BOTH SIDES VERY CLOSE TO EXHAUST PIPES. FIRE HAZARD. HAD TO HAVE GAS TANK AND FUEL PUMP REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. SEEMS TO ME A GAS TANK SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 7 YEARS OR BE A FACTORY DEFECT.*AK
I HAVE A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. I NOTICED A STRONG GAS SMELL AND FOUND THAT THE PLASTICS FUEL RAIL WAS SPRAYING GAS ONTO THE INTACT MANIFOLD. THIS WAS LOCATED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BY THE FIREWALL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS SUPERSEDED BY A NEW DESIGN AND IT WOULD TAKE A WEEK TO GET THE PARTS. *JB
PASSENGER SIDE EXTERIOR MIRROR IS DEFECTIVE. IT WILL NOT REMAIN STATIONARY AND MOVE AROUND IN THE WIND. WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP, A SMELL OF FUEL BECAME INCREASING STRONGER AND A WHINING SOUND UPON TAKEOFF BECAME LOUDER. I FOUND THE LEAK AT THE END OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE PLASTIC! FUEL RAIL NEXT TO THE FIRE WALL ABOVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS STARTED AFTER OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE REACHED 1 DEGREE FAHRENHEIT. FUEL FALLS DIRECTLY ONTO A REALLY HOT MOTOR. FOG LIGHTS, CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN DOES NOT WORK. *LA
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THE DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP AT 39,000 MILES, 44,000 MILES AND 63,000 MILES. *AK
I OWN A DODGE RAM 1500 PICK UP, 1997, 4-WD, AUTOMATIC. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP THIS WEEK. THE COST INCLUDING LABOR WAS $750.00. I FEEL THAT WITH ONLY 67,000 MILES ON A 1997 VEHICLE, THE FUEL PUMP SHOULD NOT NEED REPLACING.*AK THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER'S FIRST REACTION WAS THAT HE FELT I NEEDED ON OF "THOSE LOUSY DODGE FUEL PUMPS". I HAVE A FRIEND WHO ALSO NEEDED ONE REPLACED LAST WEEK, AGAIN A DODGE RAM P/U. I HAD MY WORK DONE AT NEIGHBORHOOD AUTO, IN NEW BEDFORD, MA. WHEN I FOUND OUT THE COST OF THE JOB, I FELT IT WAS ON THE HIGH SIDE. I CALLED CENTRAL DODGE, IN RAYNHAM, MA, WHERE I PURCHSED THE TRUCK USED IN MARCH, 2002. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE PART WOULD NEED TO BE ORDERED, DUE TOO OVERWHELMING DEMAND ON THIS PART. ALL OF THIS ADDS UP TO MY SUSPICIONS THAT THIS PART MAY BE FAULTY, AND A RECALL, AND REFUND MAY BE IN ORDER.
I HAVE A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 PICK-UP. I RECENTLY NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. WHEN I FILLED UP MY GAS TANK, I DISCOVERED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TANK. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE LEAK APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM NEAR THE TOP OF THE TANK. I CAN'T SEE THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK BECAUSE OF THE FRAME. I CONTACTED DAIMLER-CHRYSLER AND THEY WERE NO HELP SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. SINCE THE LEAK IS NEAR THE EXHAUST PIPING, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE. THE TRUCK HAD NEVER BEEN DRIVEN OFF-ROAD, ONLY ON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT NEXT WEEK WITH A REPAIR FACILITY TO EXAMINE THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK. *JB
FUEL GAUGE IS NOT READING ACCURATELY AND WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE RUNS OUT OF GAS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND BOLTS WERE DEFECTIVE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO USE UP MORE GAS AND OIL. *YH
MY FUEL PUMP QUIT WORKING, HAD TO HAVE TRUCK TOWED TO DEALER TO FIX,(UNDER WARRANTY) WHILE THERE I COMPLAINED ABOUT TRANSMISSION (BANGING GOING INTO 3RD GEAR,DRIVE SHAFT CLUNK), WAS TOLD WE SERVICED TRANNY, EVERYTHING OK. TRUCK WAS STILL ACTING THE SAME.THEN AT 33,000/34,000 MI.TRANY STARTED SHIFTING ERRATIC FROM 2-3RD GEAR,HAD DEALER CHECK AND RESERVICE TRANY, SCAN SYSTEM, THEY ROAD TESTED VEHICLE, SAID EVERYTHING IS OK. NOW THE NEXT DAY,TRANY SLIPS GOING INTO 3RD GEAR,(ENGINE OVERREAVES BETWEEN 2-3RD GEAR). CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CHARGE ME TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN. I TALKED TO A COUPLE OF TRANY SHOPS AND WAS TOLD DODGE HAS DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS, FOR MY YEAR VEHICLE.*AK
INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK , TALKING TO DEALER AND MECHANIC SHOP THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN FOR A LONG TIME, CHRYSLER HAS A TSB 09-05-00 OUT ON THIS PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL ISSUED. HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON VEHICLE FOR 5 YRS/100000, PROBLEM STARTED BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED, BUT DIDN'T BECOME AWARE OF WHAT IT WAS UNTIL AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED, CHRYSLER WARRANTY WON'T COVER REPAIR EVEN THOUGH PROBLEM STARTED WHEN WARRANTY WAS STILL ON VEHICLE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM.*AK
THERE IS A POTENTIAL SAFTEY PROBLEM WHEN WITHOUT WARNING FUEL PUMP MODULE QUITS. IF THIS SHOUD HAPPEN IN A HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC SITUATION, THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, POWER STEERING AND POWER BREAKS ARE LOST, YOU COULD BECOME A TARGET IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY.
AFTER REPLACING TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65MPH AND VEHICLE JUST GRADUALLY STARTED SLOWING DOWN. CONSUMER COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD WITH ENGINE STILL RUNNING, BUT NOT ABLE TO GO IN ANY GEARS. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 1-22-00. *AK VEHICLE EXPERIENCES SEVERAL TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS AMONGST THE REPAIRS, DRIVESHAFT BROKE WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER STATES THAT CHRYSLER CORP HAS NO RECORDS OF A TRANSMISSION BEING SENT TO NEW COUNTRY DODGE WHERE THE REPLACEMENT TOOK PLACE, TRANSFER CASE WAS RETORQUED, CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER MANY TIMES PRIOR TO COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND DEALER COULD NOT REMEDY PROBLEMS. CLUNKING NOISE UNDER VEHICLE, DEALER REPLACED FRONT SWAYBAR LINKS. O2 SENSOR REPLACED. CONSUMER STATED AT TIMES HE HADTO HIT THE STARTER WITH A HAMMER TO GET IT TO WORK, IGNITION COIL FAILED, AND BATTERY FAILED. VEHICLE STALLS WHEN COMING TO A STOP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF FUEL USED, DISTRIBUTOR CAP WAS REPLACED, VEHICLE ALSO BACKFIRING. BRAKES GRINDING, FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE METAL TO METAL, ROTOR WAS SCORED BADLY, DEALER REPLACED FRONT PADS AND BOTH ROTORS. *SLC
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
FUEL LEAK @ THE INJECTOR RAIL WHERE FUEL PURES ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *AK
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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