RoadVitals

1997 Dodge Ram Fuel system Problems

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

Data refreshed

Fuel system 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.
26
Latest May 11, 2011
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.
7%
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.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

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 Ram submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 26 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 fuel system

The 25 most recent of 26, in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed May 11, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD HAVE PAID MORE ATTENTION TO THE STRAPS BECAUSE THEY ARE DESIGNED TO EVENTUALLY WEAR OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ID
10400036
Incident
May 6, 2011
Mileage
109,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 20, 2004

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER SMELLED A FUEL ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND SAW FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL RAIL. *AK THE FUEL LINES WERE CRACKED. THE ORIGINAL FUEL RAILS WERE PLASTIC AND THE REPLACEMENT RAILS WERE METAL WITH DIFFERENT CONNECTORS. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10055587
Incident
Jan 10, 2004
Mileage
104,000 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
Fuel system
Filed Dec 2, 2003

AFTER FILLING VEHICLE WITH FUEL THE FUEL GAUGE WILL READ EMPTY. THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT IS THE CAUSE OF IMPROPER FUEL GAUGE READING. *AK *PH

NHTSA ID
10046214
Incident
Jun 1, 1998
Mileage
24,000 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 31, 2003

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR OF THE FUEL GAUGE, FIFTH GEAR AND RECALL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP TWO WEEKS LATER THE OTHER WORK WAS DONE BUT THE RECALL WORK WAS NOT PERFORMED. *PH *NLM

NHTSA ID
10011611
Incident
Dec 30, 2002
Mileage
117,679 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 27, 2003

FLAW IN FUEL TANK METAL SUPPORT STRAPS. DODGE TRUCK, RAM, 1997. *AK

NHTSA ID
10004099
Fuel system
Filed Jan 17, 2003

NAR 1/15/2003. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE FUEL TANK METAL SUPPORT STRAPS. THE FLAW MAY CAUSE THE FUEL TANK TO DROP FROM THE TRUCK ONTO THE GROUND AND START A FIRE OR EXPLOSION. THE FUEL TANK SUPPORT PROBLEM WAS DUE TO METAL STRESS BASED ON THE POOR DESIGN OF THE HOLDING STRAPS. THE CONSUMER THIS PROBLEM WHEN HE WENT TO LOOK UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE REAR PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK WAS HANGING LOW AT THE SAME TIME HE NOTICED THE METAL STRAP WAS HANIGN LOOSE, HE CRAWLED UNDER THE TRUCK ANS SAW THE REAR TAK STRAP WAS BROKEN ALLOWING THE ENTIRE FULE TANK TO BE SUPPORTED ONLY BY THE FRONT TANK STRAP.

NHTSA ID
10004097
Incident
Dec 9, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Dec 11, 2002

THE METAL TANKS STRAPS WERE WARP CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO FALL TO THE GROUND. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MR

NHTSA ID
8024221
Incident
Dec 9, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Apr 13, 2002
Fire reported

TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE PARKED IN DRIVE WAY. TOTALLY BURNED THE TRUCK AND BURNED OUR CAR PARKED NEXT TO IT, THE CORNER OF OUR HOME AND THE REAR OF A CAR PARKED IN OUR GURAGE. THE FIRE HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED BY SEVERAL PROFESSIONALS AND THE CONSENSUS IS THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WHERE A ELECTRICAL PUMP IS LOCATED. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO DODGE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. RECORD #9848741. I AM AVAILABLE TO FURTHER EXPLAIN OR PROVIDE DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
760661
Incident
Mar 25, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Oct 27, 2001

THIS IS 2ND TIME FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED. LUCKILY TRUCK WAS NOT MOVING EITHER TIME. THIS LAST FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A SHORT CIRCUIT. ISN'T THIS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS FUEL PUMP IS LOCATED IN THE GAS TANK. I KNOW OTHER DODGE RAM OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMPS IN THESE TRUCKS?. *AK

NHTSA ID
753781
Incident
Aug 7, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Sep 18, 2001

GAS GUAGE ON DASHBOARD GAVE FALSE READINGS. CONSUMER RAN OUT OF GASOLINE MORE THAN ONCE ALTHOUGH GAS GAUGE SHOWED AMPLE GAS LEFT IN GAS TANK. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
896474
Incident
Sep 1, 2001
Heating & air conditioningFuel system
Filed Jul 17, 2001

DODGE SAID THEIR IS A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS TANK BUT WOULD NOT REPAIR IT AND THE SAME GOES WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING, THEY SAID THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR SYSTEM AND I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS WITH SEVERAL OWNERS AND MECHANICS BUT THEY AGAIN WILL NOT FIX THIS. *AK

NHTSA ID
748576
Incident
Jul 12, 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
Fuel system
Filed May 7, 2001

I HAVE HAD TWO FAILURES IN THE PAST MONTH. FIRST IS THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AT 57K MILES AT A COST OF $498.00. SECOND, MY TRUCK IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR A BAD INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET (INTERNAL). THIS ALLOWS THE VEHICLE TO BURN ABOUT A QUART OF OIL A WEEK. THERE IS A TSB 09-05-00 ON THIS KNOWN PROBLEM SINCE 1994. OUT OF WARRENTY - OUT OF LUCK.

NHTSA ID
745029
Incident
Apr 16, 2001
BrakesFuel system
Filed Mar 7, 2001

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION AND FOUND OUT BRAKE PAD FELL OFF. METAL TO METAL RUINED ROTOR. BOTH HAD TO BE CUT BECAUSE OTHER GOOD ONE WAS WORN DOWN. ALSO, FUEL PUMP WENT BAD FOR SECOND TIME. CONSUMER STOPPED AT A STOP AFTER RETURNING FROM STORE AND VEHICLE STALLED. IT NO LONGER STARTED RIGHT UP, IT ALWAYS HEITATED LIKE IT WAS NOT TRYING TO CATCH. DEALER SAID IT LOST ITS PROGRAM BECAUSE IT WAS NOT USED ENOUGH. CONSUMERS WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED, COVERED COST.*AK

NHTSA ID
882328
Incident
Dec 15, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Mar 7, 2001

WHEN FILLING TANK UP FUEL GUAGE RED EMPTY ALTHOUGH 50 MILES LATER THERE WAS STILL GAS IN TANK. DEALER SAID SENDING UNIT WAS STUCK. *AK

NHTSA ID
882293
Fuel system
Filed Jan 9, 2001

FUEL GUAGE WAS INOPERABLE AND MISREAD AMOUNT OF FUEL IN VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
877719
Fuel system
Filed Aug 16, 2000

FUEL PUMP FAILURE AT 37000 MILES??? COST ME $675 TO REPLACE/REPAIR. THOUGHT THIS WAS UNUSUAL SO REPORTING IT. ALSO, REPLACED WITH A DEALER PURCHASED PART BUT INSTALLED/REPAIRED AT BACK BAY AUTO IN VIRGINIA BEACH, VA WHERE IT BROKE DOWN... OF COURSE THE WARRANTY DIDN'T APPLY IN THIS CASE! :-(

NHTSA ID
728166
Incident
Aug 3, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Dec 30, 1999

FUEL TANK ATTACHMENTS BROKE OFF AND THE TANK DROPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS FIXED VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
854588
Fuel system
Filed Sep 27, 1999

UPON FAILURE OF FUEL PUMP, MECHANIC DISCLOSED THAT HE REPLACES MANY FUEL PUMPS FOR THE AFFORMENTIONED MAKE AND MODEL. ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER WHO OWNS A DODGE RAM 1500 THAT WAS PURCHASED ON THE SAME DATE AS THE EARLIER MENTIONED VEHICLE WAS FORCED TO REPLACE THE SAME ITEM (FUEL PUMP) AT APPROXIMATELY 48,000 MILES. IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD FOLLOW, THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE MERELY COINCIDENTAL

NHTSA ID
712255
Incident
Sep 22, 1999
Fuel system
Filed Sep 15, 1999

FUEL HEATER DEVELOPED SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH BURNED UP THE WIRES THAT CONTROL THE FUEL HEATER NEAR THE FUEL LINES, PRODUCING SMOKE AND HEAT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
845236
Incident
Jul 14, 1999
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Apr 3, 1999

THE THROTTLE BODY AND INJECTOR SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES.YH

NHTSA ID
782048
Incident
Nov 1, 1998
Fuel system
Filed Mar 27, 1999

FUEL LEVEL ACCORDING TO GAUGE DROPS TO BELOW EMPTY AFTER 50 TO 100 MILES. FUEL LIGHT COMES ON WHEN TANK IS 80% FULL. HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL OWNERS OF LIKE TRUCKS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
704985
Incident
Jan 15, 1999
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

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 .