1997 DODGE RAM 3500 Complaints

I HAVE A 1997 DODGE RAM TRUCK 3500 WITH 5.9 LITER 6 CYLINDER DIESEL LARAMIE SLT. THE FUEL GAUGE HASN'T WORKED FOR 5 YEARS NOW AND THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS DEFECTIVE. I WOULD PURCHASE A NEW ONE, BUT COST TO ME FOR THE FUEL SENDING UNIT PART IS $198.00. CURRENTLY, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE THAT SEEMS TO HAVE FAULTY FUEL SENDING UNITS, I SET THE TRIPMETER AND GO 300-350 MILES AND THEN FILL UP THE TANK. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WITH GAS AND DIESEL ENGINES AND I'M WONDERING WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL? *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE MECHANICS FOUND THE PROBLEM WAS A MALFUNCTIONING CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 01V153000, REGARDING THE AIRBAGS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

MY 1997 DODGE RAM 3500 WAS STARTED AND IDLING WHILE MY DAUGHTER RAN TO THE BARN TO GET SOMETHING. UPON HER RETURN (@3 - 5 MINUTES), THE CAB WAS FULL OF SMOKE. SHE JUMPED IN AND TURNED THE TRUCK OFF AND NOTICED FLAMES AT HER FEET; STOMPED THEM OUT AND CALLED 911. TRUCK WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES WHEN FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED (WE LIVE LESS THAN 2 MILES FROM F.D.) INVESTIGATION BY FIREMEN SAID "ELECTRICAL FIRE". *NM

DT: BRAKE LINES RUSTED. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CALLER HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINES. HE WAS COMING TO A STOP SIGN AND WHEN HITTING THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE REAR BRAKES LOST ALL THE FLUID. HE PUMPED THE BRAKE AND GOT VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CALLER SAID THAT WHEN THEY WERE TRYING TO FIND WHERE A HOLE WAS THE FLUID SPRAYED OUT AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK

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

BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS PLASTIC LENS BECAME DISCOLORED, AND CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY OBSTRUCT CONSUMER'S VISION AND RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PARTS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL.*AK *BF *NM

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

THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TOO MUCH PLAY IN IT, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STEER WHILE DRIVING, ALSO THE FRONT END SWAYED. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE 3 TIMES, IN WHICH THEY TIGHTENED THE STEERING BOX AND ADJUSTED THE TIE RODS, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *JB

POSITIONING OF THE VEHICLE BATTERY AND BATTERY TRAY PERMITS LEAKING BATTERY ACID TO DRIP DOWN ONTO THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO, VACUUM LINES, AND ELECTRICAL WIRES.*AK

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAILURE - THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE BRAKE AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT INDICATORS ON THE DASH TO INTERMITTANTLY APPEAR AND DISAPPEAR. THE BRAKE PEDAL INTERMITTANTLY RANGES FROM SOFT TO HARD. A PERIODIC VIBRATION IN THE PEDAL IS NOTED WITH NEARLY A TOTAL LOSS IN BRAKE PRESSURE.*AK