RoadVitals

1997 Dodge Ram Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
30
Latest Mar 7, 2008
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 398 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Dodge Ram 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.

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 30, in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Mar 7, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE AND OIL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE ON THREE OCCASIONS AND STATED THAT THE COMPRESSOR SENSORS WERE LOW AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO ADD TWO QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK. HOWEVER, THE OIL LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE HAD ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VIN WAS CONFIRMED, BUT APPEARS TO BE INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,400.

NHTSA ID
10220647
Incident
Mar 7, 2008
Mileage
133,200 mi
BrakesEngineFuel system+3 more
Filed Jan 15, 2004

No narrative was included with this report.

NHTSA ID
10069483
Incident
Mar 15, 2003
Mileage
59,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Jan 15, 2004

BAD PLENUM GASKET. FUEL AND OIL MIX. AND STEERING OUTPUT SHAFT LEAKS A THE GEAR BOX. AND TRUCK WONT IDLE IN THE COLD

NHTSA ID
10069114
Incident
Apr 15, 2002
Mileage
50,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 25, 2003

CONSUMER STATED THAT OIL LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED, AND OIL IS BURNING TOO FAST. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10024908
Mileage
72,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 12, 2003

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE INTAKE GASKETS. CONSUMER REPLACED THEM TWICE AND THEN HAD PROBLEMS WITH CARBON BUILD UP. THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE GASKETS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED OIL TO LEAK INTO THE VALVES. *JG *JB

NHTSA ID
10006305
Engine
Filed Nov 13, 2002

THE INTAKE GASKETS WAS REPLACED TWICE, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. MR *JB

NHTSA ID
8022632
EnginePowertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Jul 18, 2002

CONTINUOUS TRANSMISSION TROUBLE:MINOR SLIPPING,SEARCHING FOR A GEAR,SURGING,NOT GOING INTO PASSING GEAR,WHEN IT DOES IT DOES NOT STAY THERE,CLUNKS HARD WHEN PUT IN REV. VIBRATION AT START UP(MOVING) HEAT SHIELD OR REAR-END,@TIME OF ORIGINAL TRADE,WHEN THEY CHANGED THE OIL THEY EITER DIDNT PUT ANY IN OR VERY LITTLE I HAD TO ADD 5QTS NOW THERE IS A TICKING NOISE ON THE PASS, SIDE OF ENGINE,THE SALESMAN LIED TO ME ABOUT THE TRUCK I ASKED HIM "HAS THIS EVER PLOWED OR TOWED ANYTHING BEFORE?" HE SAID "NO" AFTER TALKING TO PREV.OWNER THEY WERE TOWING A BIG BOAT WITH IT .AT THIS TIME I HAVE A COMPLAINT WITH THE ME. ATTY GEN,DODGE,FILE#9921927 ON 4-18-02,MAY I PLEASE HAVE A COPY OF THIS WITH YOUR LETTERHEAD AS WELL AS A REPLY SO I CAN FOWARD THIS TO THE ATTY GEN. THANK YOU!!!!*AK

NHTSA ID
764428
Incident
Jan 2, 2002
Engine
Filed Jul 15, 2002

TRUCK IS BURNING A LOT OF OIL. MECHANIC IS SAYING THAT IT IS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD BOLT AND GASKET PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
8013930
Incident
Jul 15, 2002
Engine
Filed Jul 2, 2002
1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE RODS WENT THROUGH ENGINE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LEAK OIL AND LOSE POWER. CONTACTED DEALER AND DEALER WASN'T WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT HE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR DAMAGES DUE TO POOR EQUIPMENT. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES, AS HE WALKED UNDER AN OVERPASS, HE HAD FELL ON CONCRETE/STEEL. *SCC

NHTSA ID
8013152
Incident
Jun 28, 2002
Engine
Filed Mar 12, 2002

CATALYIC CONVERTER WAS CLOGGED UP, TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND HAD IT REPLACED. CURRENTLY, PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8005438
Incident
May 1, 2000
Engine
Filed Jul 26, 2001

WHAT I REALLY WANT TO KNOW IF THESE PEOPLE SOLD ME A LEMON! NOW I WENT TO GET A SMOG CHECK AND THEY TELL ME WITH A GRIN IN THEIR FACES THAT MY TRUCK DOESN'T PASS THE SMOG TEST. I WAS VERY EMBARRASED BECAUSE MY TRUCK IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. WHAT CAN I DO?*AK

NHTSA ID
749229
Incident
Jun 15, 2000
Engine
Filed Jun 23, 2001

THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS A NON-WARRENTED PART AND THAT I MUST PURCHASE A NEW VACUUM PUMP FROM DODGE AT A COST OF $800 PLUS INSTLATION. I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK IN TO CALKINS FOR 3 OTHER OIL LEAKS IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER SAID THAT I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO THEY EVER HAD WHO HAS OIL LEAKS IN THE CUMMING DIESEL. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WERE ANY NOTICES ON THIS PART. *AK

NHTSA ID
747279
Incident
Jan 15, 2001
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 6, 2001

MY TRUCK HAS HAD 3 OIL SENDING UNITS, 3 OIL PUMPS, NEW ENGINE, CRANK SHAFT SENSOR, FUEL PUMP, 8 INJECTORS, COMPUTER CHRYSLER REFUSES TO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS. I REALLY DON'T HAVE $3000.00 FOR AN ATTORNEY THAT I CAN TIE UP FOR YEARS. *AK

NHTSA ID
746489
Incident
Jun 1, 1998
EngineTires & wheels
Filed Sep 12, 2000

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND ANOTHER VEHICLE JUMPED IN FRONT. VEHICLE WAS MAKING A NOISE COMING FROM THE TIRES. ALSO, OIL WAS LEAKING FROM VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

NHTSA ID
870325
Incident
May 1, 2000
Engine
Filed Sep 5, 2000

THERE IS A PADDED MATERIAL LAYING AGAINST EXHAUST PIPE WHICH HAS ALREADY SLIGHTLY BURNED. VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 97V126000 ALTHOUGH HAS SAME DEFECT.*AK

NHTSA ID
869490
Engine
Filed May 24, 2000
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, TOTALLING THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
862430
Incident
May 14, 2000
Engine
Filed Nov 17, 1999

REPORTING FROZEN PLUGS ARE LEAKING DUE TO RUST. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK

NHTSA ID
853052
Incident
Nov 2, 1999
Engine
Filed Oct 11, 1999

10 AMP FUSE IN PANEL MARKED"ENGINE" BLOWS AT ERRATIC INTERVALS. WHEN FUSE BLOWS, ENGINE AND ALL COMPONENTS SHUT DOWN. REPLACEMENT OF FUSE, SAME SIZE OR LARGER, SOMETIMES ALLOWS RESTART. AT TIMES AS MANY AS THREE OR FOUR FUSES BLOW AS SOON AS ATTEMPT TO RESTART. TRUCK HAS SHUT DOWN AT CROWDED INTERSECTIONS AND INTERSTATES...WHEN TRAFFIC LANE IS BLOCKED, DRIVER MUST HOLD DRIVER'S DOOR OPEN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE FUSE, THUS BLOCKING TWO TRAFFIC LANES. TRUCK IS USED TO TOW A 32' TRAVEL TRAILER, WHICH FURTHER ADDS TO DANGER. TRUCK HAS BEEN TAKEN TO CHRYSLER DEALERS EIGHT TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS AT FINDING FAULT. TRUCK (AND TRAILER) HAVE BEEN TOWED BY WRECKER TO DEALER THREE TIMES. OWNER HAS ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT CHRYSLER REP SEVERAL TIMES BUT NO RETURN CALLS. OWNER IS AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE ANY FURTHER, ESPECIALLY TOWING TRAVEL TRAILER. ALL RECOURSE HAVING FAILED, SEEKING LEGAL ADVICE FROM ATTORNEY.

NHTSA ID
713169
Incident
Jul 21, 1999
Engine
Filed Sep 25, 1999

I'M NOT SURE IF I SHOULD BE REPORTING THIS HERE BUT I'VE ENCOUNTERED THE ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN AT 45MPH AND ABOVE SPEEDS FOR LESS THAN A SECOND. INVARIABLY I'M AT 55-60MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THIS OCCURS. IT IS UNEXPECTED. NORMALLY ONLY ONE INCIDENT BETWEEN STARTING UP AND SHUTTING DOWN ENGINE BUT HAVE HAD TWO ABOUT SEVERAL MINUTES APART A COUPLE OF TIMES. I'VE TOLD MY DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THEY'RE FIXING OTHER THINGS BUT THEY'RE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE IT AND THUS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEMO. IT IS OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY NOW THAN DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF MY TRUCK PURCHASE AND MY WARRANTY EXPIRES 1/1/00 SO I'M SORTOF CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT I SHOULD DO. BECAUSE OF YOUR RESOURCES I FIGURED I'D LET YOU KNOW AND MAYBE GET SOME HELP REGARDING THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE ENGINE DIES COMPLETELY. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
712069
Engine
Filed Sep 15, 1999

THE WELD THAT HOLDS THE EGR CROSSOVER TUBE CAME APART CAUSING A MELT DOWN IN THE WIRES. THE WELD WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER IN DECEMBER OF 1998, AND THEN WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE MILEAGE ON THE TRUCK WAS 31,424 MILES. *ML

NHTSA ID
838009
Incident
Sep 1, 1998
Body & structureBrakesEngine+1 more
Filed Jul 28, 1999

THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE SQUEAKING/GRINDING NOISES & NOT GRABBING TO STOP VEHICLE. ALSO, STRUCTURE SEAMS CAUSE LEAK OF WATER INSIDE OF VEHICLE/STEERING PUMP PIN HAD SHEARED OFF & THE POWER STEERING HAD SEIZED UP, AND WATER PUMP FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ID
843679
Incident
Dec 16, 1997
Body & structureElectricalEngine+5 more
Filed Mar 17, 1999

RADIO DESTROYS CASSETTE TAPES, REPAIRED TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM THEN FINALLY REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
544431
Incident
May 6, 1997
Engine
Filed Jan 14, 1999

WHILE WARMING THE VEHICLE UP ODORS FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM IS GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHEN SITTING IN THE VEHICLE CONSUMER CAN SMELL THE FUMES GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING THE EXHAUST SMELLS DO NOT GET IN THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
833560
Incident
Aug 27, 1997
BrakesEngine
Filed Sep 23, 1998

BRAKES DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE BRAKING DURING ABRUPT STOPS. ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
541063
Incident
Jul 23, 1998
Engine
Filed Sep 8, 1998

WHILE CONSUMER IS DRIVING A COUPLE OF MINUTES WITH INTERIOR GADGETS ON, THE VEHICLE JUST CUTS OFF WITH NO WARNING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
827700
Incident
Jul 15, 1998

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .