1997 DODGE RAM 1500 Complaints

HOOD FLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER HAD RECIEVED A RECALL FOR THE LATCH FROM CHRYSLER CORP(RECALL 01V04)AND HAD TAKEN IT TO NEOSHO CHRYSLER, IN WHICH THEY FAILED TO PLACE ONE ON AFTER THE CONSUMER HAD SET UP THE APPOINTMENT. THE CONSUMER WOUNDED UP TAKING THE VEHICLE TO HOFFER DODGE WHO THEN REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. *SCC

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND BOLTS WERE DEFECTIVE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO USE UP MORE GAS AND OIL. *YH

WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD AT 80MPH RIGHT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF. CONSUMER NARROWLY AVOIDED HAVING AN ACCIDENT.*AK

WHILE PULLING ONTO A RAMP REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP. VEHICLE TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PINION GEAR SHEARED OFF IN REAR END. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK THE VEHICLE MADE A NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING UPHILL, THE HEAT SHIELD BROKE AND WAS FIXED. THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. *YH

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

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

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING DRIVER TO SUSTAIN SEVERE ARM BURNS. CONSUMER WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE EXPLODING OF THE AIRBAG. *AK *YH

CONSUMER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THERE BRAKES AND IT IS HARD TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *TS

ESTREMELY POOR BRAKE RESPONSE. DURING MODERATE BRAKING OR WITH A LIGHT TRAILER/LOAD IT TAKES EXTREMELY LONG TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ONLY HAS REAR ABS, IT HAS NEVER GONE OFF. YOU CANNOT LOCK THE TIRES EXCEPT ON ICE/SNOW OR LOOSE GRAVEL/SAND. BEEN IN ONE ACCIDENT, NUMEROUS OTHER CLOSE CALLS. THE BRAKE PEDAL CAN BE PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG, SEVERAL BRAKE JOBS DONE, NOW RUNNING WITH SS ROTORS AND CERAMIC PADS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH THE SAME MAKE/MODEL/YEAR THAT HAS 44" MUDDERS AND CAN STOP ON A DIME.*AK

TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE. TRANSMISSION GOVENOR REPLACED AT A COST OF $450 (INCLUDED A TRANSMISSION SERVICE WHICH I DIDN'T AUTHORIZE BUT ASSUMED WAS DONE AS PART OF THE REPAIR). CALLED CHRYSLER REGARDING WHAT I DEEMED AN INAPPROPRIATE FAILURE AND RECIEVED A REFUND FOR PARTS & LABOR TO REPLACE GOVENOR ONLY. WAS NOT TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP OF THE RECALL (#722) ON THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT QUICK CONNECT. WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL BY CHRYSLER WHEN THEY CALLED ME TO TELL MY CHECK WAS BEING MAILED. HAVE SINCE EXPERIENCE ONE EPISODE OF WEIRD TRANSMISSION NOISES WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO REVERSE (BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY). HAVE SINCE RESEARCED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND IT ENDEMIC TO 97 DODGE RAMS. WAITING ANY DAY NOW FOR TOTAL TRAMSMISSION FAILURE. I AGREE WITH THOSE OF YOU WHO RELATE TO THIS VEHICLE AS A LEMON -- WILL NEVER AGAIN BUY ANOTHER AMERICAN MADE VEHCILE UNTIL THEY BEGIN CONCERNING THEMSELVES WITH QUALITY AND RELIABILITY. NLM