1997 Dodge Ram 3500 Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. CALLAWAY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (809 S WESTMINSTER AVE, FULTON, MO 65251, (855) 486-1440) DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 253,363.

THERE IS NO RELAY TO HEADLIGHT SWITCH CAUSING PIGTAIL TO MELT MULTIPLE TIMES. COULD CAUSE FIRE WHILE DRIVING.... PIGTAIL MELTS AND HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF DURING DRIVE.

TL* THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS 1997 DODGE RAM 3500, HAS HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 1997. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE ONE IT COMES TO A STOP, AND IF HE APPLIES TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE ENGINE ENGAGES TOO QUICKLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN 1999 HE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BY ROLAND CHEVROLET FREE OF CHARGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT 2 MONTHS AFTER THE NEW TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACE IT CONTINUED TO EXHIBIT THE SAME FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP NOW INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IF HE WANTS ANY REPAIRS DONE TO THE TRANSMISSION HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE IT WON'T MOVE, UNTIL HE PRESSES ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS HAPPENS EVERYDAY, AND HAS PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION AFTER COMING TO A STOP.

VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO PULL ADEQUATE TRAILER WEIGHT. VEHICLE WILL NOT EXCEED 55 MPH IN SPEED, IT WILL START DECREASING SPEED AND JERK FORWARD WHEN IT GETS TO 55 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT LOCATE CAUSE.*AK

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. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON. BRAKES ARE NOT LIKE THEY USE TO BE. *NM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK COLLAPSED TWICE WITHIN A NINE YEAR TIME FRAME. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER EACH TIME. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS SETUP LIKE A VACUUM AND THE FUEL CAP ALLOWED AIR TO ENTER INTO THE TANK, CAUSING IT TO COLLAPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS MANUFACTURED WITH PLASTIC AND DID NOT HAVE A VENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 175,000.

AT ENGINE OIL CHANGE, SERVICEMAN NOTICED FUEL TANK HANGING BY AFT FUEL HANGER STRAP ONLY. FIRST FAILURE OF THE FUEL TANK HANGER STRAP ASSEMBLY. HAD THE TANK COMPLETELY FAILED ON THE ROAD, THE 35 GALLONS OF DIESEL FUEL COULD HAVE CAUSED A BURNED UP VEHICLE AND OR INJURY/ LOSS OF LIFE.*DT

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.

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. *TR

I HAVE OWNED A 1995 DODGE 2500 AND A 1997 DODGE 3500. I HAVE SOME CONCERNS WITH A STEERING PROBLEM WITH THESE MODELS. IF A POTHOLE OR RAILROAD TRACKS ARE HIT AT A SPEED OF AT LEAST 55 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. WHEN THIS HAPPENED WITH MY 1995 I SPENT OVER $400.00 IN JUST PARTS REPLACING ALMOST ALL OF THE STEERING PARTS. NOW THIS IS HAPPENING WITH THE 1997. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE PUBLIC AND IN MY OPINION IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD END UP RESULTING IN DEATH IF NOT CORRECTED. I HAVE YET TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT YET ON THE 1997. WHILE I UNDERSTAND THAT PARTS WEAR OUT ON TRUCKS IT SHOULD NOT PEOPLES LIVES IN DANGER WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE ONLY TIME THIS HAPPENS IS WHEN A BUMP OF SOME SORT STARTS THE PROCESS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING 40-70 MPH FRONT END OF VEHICLEWAS SHAKING. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WAS DRIVING AND HEADLIGHTS UNEXPECTEDLY WENT OUT. TURNED SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON AND LIGHTS WOULD COME BACK ON EACH TIME, BUT WOULD IMMEDIATELY GO BACK OFF. DID SO THREE CONSECUTIVE TIMES. TURNED ON EMERGENCY FLASHERS TO GET HOME. THEY WENT OFF A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES IN A 3 MILE TRIP. I FOUND A RECALL ON LIGHT DUTY ONLY, BUT NOTHING ON MY TRUCK. THEY NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS IS VERY HAZARDOUS , ALMOST WRECKED THE TRUCK BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED AT 1130 AT NIGHT WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP MY SON FROM A FOOTBALL GAME. I WAS ON VERY DANGEROUS SWITCH-BACK CURVES WHEN THEY WENT OUT THE THREE CONSECUTIVE TIMES. *TR

DASH STARTED TO BRAKE ON MY 1997 DODGE 3500 TRUCK LEAVING SHARP EDGES, I HAVE LOST APPROX 50% OF THE TOP OF DASH EXPOSING ELECTRICAL WIRING AT PRESENT UNABLE TO USE A/C AS SMALL PIECES OF PLASTIC FLY UP OCCASIONALLY I HAVE A DASH MAT AT THE PRESENT TIME AND STILL CANNOT USE A/C SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE CONCERNING THE SAFETY OF PEOPLE NO-ONE IN FLORIDA IS COMFORTABLE DRIVING WITH NO A/C AND I DON NOT THINK I SHOULD DRIVE WITH A MAT COVERING THE DASH FOR THE NEXT 5 OR SO YEARS I HAVE COMPLAINED TO DODGE AND THEY JUST IGNORE THE FACT THEY USE DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. *TR

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.

FIFTH GEAR WENT OUT ON VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES AFTER REPAIR. *TS

VEHICLE WAS PULLING A TRAILER AT 40 MPH, IN THE PROCESS,THE REAR EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS CAME OUT, ALLOWING A LOT OF HEAT TO ESCAPE THROUGH THE JOINT ATTACHMENT. THE HEAT SET THE INSULATION WALL ON FIRE. THE FIRE MELTED THE HYDRAULIC LINE TO THE CLUTCH.*AK

HEAD GASKET IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. CONSUMER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THAT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX PROBLEM.*AK

THROTTLE LINKAGE BROKE, WE HAD THROTTLE LINKAGE WELDED BECAUSE WE WERE IN A VERY REMOTE LOCATION AT THAT TIME. WE DROVE TRUCK HOME AND PARKED IT AT WHICH TIME WE RECEIVED A RECALL FROM CHRYSLER ON LINKAGE. DEALER (RINGGOLD CHRYSLER, DODGE, JEEP,,7154 NASHVILLE ST., RINGGOLD, GA. 30736 PHONE 706-935-2328) REFUSED TO DO RECALL BECAUSE LINKAGE HAD BEEN WELDED. CHRYLSER RECALL DIVISION STATES NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH LINKAGE BREAKING AND REFUSED TO AUTHORIZE FULL REPAIR. WE ARE STILL DRIVING TRUCK ON WHICH SAFETY RECALL WORK HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH UP A HILL THE THROTTLE CABLE AND LINKAGE BROKE WHICH RESULTED IN THE BRAKE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR BOARD, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*JB

DASH STARTED TO BRAKE ON MY 1997 DODGE 3500 TRUCK LEAVING SHARP EDGES, I HAVE LOST APPROX 50% OF THE TOP OF DASH EXPOSING ELECTRICAL WIRING AT PRESENT UNABLE TO USE A/C AS SMALL PIECES OF PLASTIC FLY UP OCCASIONALLY I HAVE A DASH MAT AT THE PRESENT TIME AND STILL CANNOT USE A/C SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE CONCERNING THE SAFETY OF PEOPLE NO-ONE IN FLORIDA IS COMFORTABLE DRIVING WITH NO A/C AND I DON NOT THINK I SHOULD DRIVE WITH A MAT COVERING THE DASH FOR THE NEXT 5 OR SO YEARS I HAVE COMPLAINED TO DODGE AND THEY JUST IGNORE THE FACT THEY USE DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. *TR

THE TOP OF MY DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING AND STICK OUT, IT SNAPPED OF EASY AS IT WAS VERY BRITTLE. I HAVE APPROX 40% OF MY DASH MISSING. IF THE FLORIDA SUN DID THIS- WHAT WILL IT DO TO THE WIRING THAT IS SHOWING THIS I BELIEVE IS A MATERIAL DEFECT AND DODGE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. *TR

OWNER/DRIVER WAS MAKING A RIGHTHAND TURN INTO A PARKING LOT AND WAS GOING ABOUT THREE MILES PER HOUR. AS HE WAS TURNING WITH HIS ARM ACROSS THE STEERING WHEEL, THE AIRBAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. DRIVER'S ARMS WERE PUSHED TO THE BACK WINDOW BY THE IMPACT. THE TRUCK FILLED WITH SMOKE. DRIVER'S RIGHT WRIST WAS FRACTURED AND OWNER SUFFERED TEAR IN RIGHT ROTATOR CUFF THAT REQUIRED SURGERY TO CORRECT. HE WILL NOW NEED PHYSICAL THERAPY. DRIVER IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING PAIN IN LEFT ROTATOR CUFF AND WANTS TO HAVE IT EXAMINED. DODGE WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE. *TT

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.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE 3500. THE VEHICLE HAS FALCON TIRES, SIZE LT24575R16 (NA). ON JULY 3, 2009, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A SPARE. THE TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY 5,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER FILED A REPORT. THE VEHICLE'S VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 08/04/09 *BF UPDATED 08/06/09.*JB

THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD IS STARTING TO SEPARATE. FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL AT LT 245/75R16. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.

1997 DODGE RAM 3500 TRUCK HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRAILER HITCH. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRAILER HITCH IS DEFECTIVE AND WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT HITCH. *NJ WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE HITCH ON THE TRUCK LITERALLY BROKE AND THE TRAILER HIT THE GROUND. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD ABOUT A RECALL, HOWEVER WHEN SHE CONTACTED CHRYSLER, THEY TOLD HER THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 3500. HE STATES THAT HE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRAILER HITCH. IT IS A FACTORY INSTALLED HITCH. THE HITCH IS BOLTED ONTO THE CHASSIS WITH SIX BOLTS, AND THE HITCH IS BREAKING APART FROM THE FRAME ITSELF.*AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 3500 THAT SECURES A COSCO TOURIVA OVERHEAD SHIELD CHILD RESTRAINT, MODEL NUMBER UNKNOWN, MANUFACTURED JUNE 1, 2009. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A METAL COMPONENT OF THE RESTRAINT HARNESS FRACTURED AND THE CHILD WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE.

MECHANICS ALL SAID VEHICLE IS A DANGER TO DRIVE INJURY COULD RESULT, IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED. IT HAS BEEN WORKED ON FOR THIS BUCKING PROBLEM ABOUT 15+ TIMES. NEW SHOCKS, CLUTCH ASSBLY, TIRES, STAB SHOCKS, DRIVE LINES, DRIVE LINES BALANCED, CARRIER BEARINGS, REAR END, ENTIRE REAR AXLE, SPRINGS, ETC., AND MANY OTHER STABS AT THE PROBLEM HAVE BEEN DONE. THE REAR WHEELS WILL STILL BUCK SO BAD THE WHEELS COME OFF THE PAVEMENT AT TIMES. CHRYSLER SAID THAT PERSONAL SAFETY WAS NOT A CONCERN, ONLY THE BOTTOM LINE DOLLAR IN THEM BUYING THIS VEHICLE BACK. AT LEAST 2 MECHANICS, A SERVICE MGR. AND THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS LADY AT MONTANA DODGE HAVE SAID THIS PICKUP IS UNSAFE FOR ME TO BE DRIVING. THE REAR END IS NOW GOING OUT, THE TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING NOW AND IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. CHRYSLER SAID THEY WOULD BUY IT BACK, PENALIZING ME DEARLY ON MILEAGE EVEN THOUGH THE TRUCK HAS HAD PROBLEMS SINCE IT WAS NEW. MONTANA DODGE HAS TOLD CHRYSLER THEY WILL NOT WORK ON IT ANYMORE, THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY IS STILL GOOD FOR ANOTHER 25,000 MILES OR 2 MORE YEARS. THE "LAISON" PAID BY CHRYSLER IS WHO TOLD ME THAT SAFETY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PRICE CHRYSLER PAID ME, IT WAS JUST A BOTTOM LINE DOLLAR THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT. CHRYSLER TROUBLESHOOTER TECHS SENT A VIB MACHINE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM, IT SHOWED TO BE THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSFER CASE. A USED TRANSFER CASE WAS INSTALLED, IT STILL BUCKED. USED PARTS WERE TRADED OUT FOR THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY AND IT STILL BUCKED. THIS BUCKING IS SO VIOLENT, THAT STUFF OFF THE DASH WILL GO INTO THE BACK SEAT AREA IF I ALLOW IT TO STAY IN THIS BUCKING MODE. SOMEONE WOULD 100% WITHOUT DOUBT BE INJURED SERIOUSLY OR KILLED IF THIS VEHICLE WERE TO REMAIN ON THE HIGHWAY. CHRYSLER DOESN'T SEEM TO REALLY CARE AND SAID AS MUCH THROUGH THEIR LAISON. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LISTENING. I EITHER SELL IT BACK TO CHRYSLER AT A GREAT MONEY LOSS OR DRIVE A DANGEROUS VEHICLE.

BOTH EXTERIOR MIRRORS GET OUT OF ADJUSTMENT WHILE DRIVING OR CLOSING DOORS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AS A LONE DRIVER NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE RIGHT-HAND MIRROR. ALSO WHEN CHANGING LANES TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, DISCOVERING THE LEFT-HAND MIRROR IS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE LANES BLINDLY. THE MIRRORS HAVE BEEN FALLING OUT OF ADJUSTMENT SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THEY FELL OUT OF ADJUSTMENT WHEN I WAS DOING A TEST DRIVE. THE SALESMAN SAID THEY WOULD BE TIGHTENED, BUT THEY HAVE NOT STAYED IN PLACE. I AM INQUIRING IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL NOTICE? I HAVE HEARD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM AND NO ONE HAS COME UP WITH A SOLUTION. *NM