1997 Dodge 1500 Steering Problems

"TAKATA RECALL" TODAYS DATE 4-29-2016,I HAVE A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ALL THE RECALLS ON THIS TRUCK.I HAVE A FEW PROBLEMS COMING ON WITH MY TRUCK.IM NEEDING A REPLACEMENT AIR INTAKE SYSTEM ITS CALLED ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. SUDDENLY I FELT SOME SHAKING IN FRONT TIRES.I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS BUT MY STEERING PUMP WITH OUT AND NOW THE STEERING GEAR BOX.EVERYTIME IM FINISH WORKING ON ONE PROBLEM THE NEXT IS RIGHT BEHIND.MY DASH BOARD IS FALL APART.DASH BOARD IS ALL IN PIECES.GETTING WORST AND WORST EVERYDAY.LAST PROBLEM MY AIR BAG BLEW OUT AND BUSTED IN MY FACE.MY TRUCK WAS PARKED WHEN IT HAPPENED WITH THE AIR BAGS,BUT I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE POWER STEERING WITH OUT. PLEASE HELP ME GET MY RECALLS ON MY TRUCK AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NHTSA ID

10862332

Incident

Mar 24, 2016

Mileage

200,000 mi

THE HUB WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE AND WAS REPLACED IMMEDIATELY WITH A NEW ONE. DROVE APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AND THE BRAND NEW HUB DID THE SAME EXACT THING. I CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT KEEPS CAUSING THE ISSUE NOR CAN I AFFORD TO KEEP REPLACING THEM. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL DODGE RAMS OVER THE YEARS AND WHILE THE HUB DOES GO OUT ON THEM I HAVE NEVER HAD ONE GO OUT RIGHT AFTER PUTTING IT ON. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND NOTICED THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS YEAR MODEL TRUCK. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.

NHTSA ID

10822731

Incident

Jan 27, 2016

Mileage

120,000 mi

WHEN DRIVING OUT OF A HOSPITAL PARKING STRUCTURE, WHEN COMING TO THE EXIT ON THE LOWEST LEVEL YOU MUST MAKE A SHARP RIGHT TURN INTO THE EXIT BOOTH LANE. WHEN TURNING RIGHT, IT WAS AS IF A "TOOTH" INSIDE THE STEERING GEAR BROKE OFF CAUSING A COLLISION WITH THE RAIL WHILE EXITING THE PARKING STRUCTURE. NOW THE STEERING HAS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF PLAY AND WHILE IN THE CENTER OF THE (STEERING PLAY) IT IS AS IT BINDS OR STICKS AT TIMES WHERE THE "TOOTH" USED TO BE ON THE STEERING GEAR. IT HAS BECOME QUITE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS OR ON THE INTERSTATE AS THE VEHICLE TENDS TO WANDER NOW AND FOLLOW THE CRACKS IN THE ROAD. I HAVE OWNED DODGE RAM PICKUPS FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS SINCE I BOUGHT MY FIRST BRAND NEW RAM PICKUP AND LET ME TELL YOU, THEY HAVE ALL HAD ISSUES WITH LOOSE STEERING BOXES, EVEN THE NEW ONE. BUT WHEN THEY BREAK, THAT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT PEOPLE CANNOT SEE COMING WITH A NORMAL INSPECTION AS ON THE OUTSIDE, WEAR IS UNDETECTABLE. I HAVE BEEN AN ASE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN THE BETTER PART OF MY ADULT LIFE AND THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I AM SURE CHRYSLER HAS INVESTIGATED THIS ISSUE ALREADY AND FOUND THAT IT WOULD JUST COST TOO MUCH TO RECALL ALL THESE VEHICLES TO REPAIR THEM BUT THE LEAST THEY COULD DO IS SELL A PART PRICED AT COST TO SHARE THE BURDEN WITH THE CONSUMER. IT MAY SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE

NHTSA ID

10761814

Incident

Jul 1, 2015

Mileage

174,387 mi

STEERING WHEEL MECHANISM LOCKED IN PLACE AT 50MPH CRASHING INTO A TELEPHONE/ELECTRICAL POLE WITH LIVE WIRES COMING DOWN AROUND VEHICLE. INJURIES SIGNIFICANT. CHP AGREED MECHANISM LOCKED. DODGE/CHRYSLER CORPORATION SAID THEY HAD NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP WHILE AT 50MPH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10597580

Incident

May 4, 2014

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE FRONT OUTER TIE ROD ENDS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIE RODS THAT WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SINCE THERE WAS NO WARRANTY AND THE CONTACT BE LIABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND BOTH OF THE TIE RODS FAILED A THIRD TIME. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THE PARTS NEEDED FOR A THIRD REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE BECAUSE THERE WAS A BACKLOG ON ORDERING THE PART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10335833

Incident

May 11, 2010

Mileage

28,900 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AT 5 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NO WARNING SIGNS WERE ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO LOCAL MECHANICS, BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT IS PLANNING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,800 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,885.

NHTSA ID

10227472

Incident

Apr 14, 2008

Mileage

69,800 mi

I DROVE 20 MILES TO PICK UP MY ELDERLY FATHER TO TAKE HIM OUT TO LUNCH LAST FRIDAY, THE 21ST OF MARCH, 2008. AFTER WE GOT IN MY TRUCK, (1997 DODGE RAM PU 1500), I PUT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, I HEARD A HISSING SOUND AND REALIZED THE AIR WAS COMING OUT OF MY TIRE. I GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK, THE TIRE WAS FLAT AND I NOTICED THE TIE ROD HAD BROKEN, AND DROPPED DOWN AND PUT A HOLE IN THE RIM OF MY TIRE. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING 55MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR WORSE YET, KILLED!! IT COST ME OVER $350 AND I HEARD SOMEONE ELSE SAY THAT SOMEONE THEY KNEW HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE. I DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING BEFORE TO ALERT ME TO THE FACT THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TIE ROD. I FEEL THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT AND CHRYSLER SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS SITUATION-ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAD NO WARNING. I ALSO HAD TO HAVE MY TRUCK TOWED 20 PLUS MILES TO REPAIR SHOP,(AND HAD TO PAY THE TOW BILL), HAD TO HAVE SOMEONE ELSE DRIVE 20 MILES TO COME AND GET ME AND I WAS WITHOUT USE OF MY TRUCK FOR TRANSPORTATION FOR AWHILE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10222436

Incident

Mar 21, 2008

I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK IN A DAMAGED CONDITION AFTER REPLACING PARTS THAT WERE NECESSARY ON FRONT SUSPINION INCLUDING TRACK BAR WHICH WAS WORN BADLY FOR A TRUCK WITH ONLY 65000 MILES TRUCK WAS TAKEN IN FOR AN ALIGNMENT EVEN AFTER THIS TRUCK HAS TENDENCY TO WANDER ON ROAD I BELEAVE THIS IS CAUSED BY INCORRECT PRELOAD ON STEERING SECTOR WHICH CAN BE ADJUSTED UPON RESEARCHING THIS ON INTERNET I FIND THIS TENDS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE TRUCKS I CALLED CHRYSLER TO SEE IF THEY WOULD DO ANY KIND OF POLICY ADJUSTMENT ON BOX THEY SAID NO I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NOT A WEAR PROBLEM AND SENSE TRUCK WAS WREAKED BY PREVIOUS OWNER I WONDER IF THIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR AS THE LOOSENESS IN STEERING BOX IS NOT CONNECTED TO ACCIDENT AND WITH NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING CANNOT BE COINSIDENTIAL

NHTSA ID

10129268

Incident

Jul 18, 2005

DT: CONSUMER STATES THE STEERING GEARBOX ON THE VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM. WHILE PULLING FROM THE DRIVEWAY CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STEER. VEHICLE WAS GOING ABOUT 20MPH. LUCKILY CONSUMER MADE IT BACK TO THE DRIVEWAY. CONSUMER FEELS THIS WAS THE STEERING GEARBOX. VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER FELT AS THOUGH IT IS THE GEARBOX. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT PLANS TO HAVE DEALER TO DOUBLE CHECK THIS ISSUE. *TT

NHTSA ID

10122301

Incident

May 26, 2005

Mileage

95,100 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10116859

Incident

Apr 13, 2005

Mileage

40 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON A CURVE TO THE LEFT AT HIGHWAY SPEED STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I TRIED TO TURN STEERING WHEEL AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE,HENCE I DROVE OFF HIGHWAY AND TRUCK ROLLED END FOR END. SEATED BELT WAS USED AND AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED. I SUSTAINED INTERNAL INJURIES AND WAS HOSPITALIZED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10080360

Incident

Jun 27, 2004

Mileage

88,200 mi

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 ID

10036777

Incident

Aug 28, 2003

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 ID

566423

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER COULD HEAR AND FEEL A CLICKING/KNOCKING NOISE, DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT, HOWEVER THE GEAR BOX WAS FOUND TO BE THE PROBLEM, CONSUMER STATES THAT AT DEAD CENTER, HE COULD FEEL NO STEERING CONTACT WITH LINKAGE. *SLC

NHTSA ID

566004

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE BRAKES DONE AND A GEAR BOX PUT ON, AND CONSUMER FOUND OUT THAT FORNT COIL SPRINGS WERE BUSTED DUE TO DEFECTIVE STEEL. *AK

NHTSA ID

8000625

Incident

Dec 10, 2001

WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN ON A ROAD OR A PARKING LOT, AND THERE IS WATER IN THE ROAD,THE WATER WILL SPLASH ON THE POWER STEERING BELT. AT THIS TIME I LOSE ALL STEERING CONTROL AND I KEEP GOING IN THE DIRECTION THAT THE WHEEL IS IN. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST THREE TIMES. AFTER ABOUT ONE TO TWO SECONDS THE STEERING RETURNS. SO FAR THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY ACCIDENTS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS AND WHAT I CAN DO TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPINING AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ID

720298

Incident

Feb 20, 2000

THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO A LOOSE STEERING KNUCKLE. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. CHRYSLER HAS SEEN VEHICLE, AND SAID IT WAS NOT A FACTORY DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ID

851169

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

708670

Incident

Mar 17, 1998

WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY THE STEERING COLUMN BEGAN TO MAKE A POPPING SOUND AND THE WHOLE THING JUST FELL IN CONSUMER'S LAP. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID

832511

Incident

Jan 1, 1998

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, HEARD LOUD NOISE WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURN. STEERING LOCKED UP, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.BULLETIN IS OUT ON PART, BUT IT IS ON BACK ORDER, STEERING DAMPER WAS REPLACED PRIOR AT ABOUT 7000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID

823041

Incident

May 1, 1998

HEARS A CLICKING/POPPING SOUND WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. PROBLEM LOCATED IN JOINTS CONNECTING TO STEERING GEAR BOX. TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED NEED TO ORDER PARTS. OWNER STILL HAS VEHICLE & DRIVES IT. *AK

NHTSA ID

815971

Incident

Aug 14, 1997

THE INTERMITENT STEERING SHAFT "RATTLES AND BANGS" CONTANTLY. STEERING COLUMN HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. PROBLEMS HAVE EXISTED SINCE DELIVERY OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

521543

Incident

Aug 14, 1996

THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE PLASTIC BUSHING AND NOW THERE'S AN CLICKING NOISE AND VIBRATION IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 25-35 MPH. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID

810337

Incident

Feb 14, 1997