1997 Dodge RAM VAN

16 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

1. Filed Jun 8, 2014Failure Jun 7, 2014220,000 milesPorter, TXFuel/propulsion systemFire

   THIS VAN WAS A GREAT RUNNING VEHICLE, AND HAD NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS OTHER THAN THE NORMAL FOR A VAN OF THIS YEAR. MY GRANDSON AND I WERE HEADED OUT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND I STARTED SMELLING GAS. I THOUGHT MAYBE ONE OF THE NEIGHBORS HAD SOME GAS POURED OUT OR SOMETHING. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE ABOUT 2 BLOCKS AND NOTICED THAT I STILL SMELLED THE STRONG ODOR OF GAS. I LOOKED INTO MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW THAT FLAMES WERE POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE VAN FROM UNDER THE FRONT AREA WHERE MY GRANDSON AND I WERE SITTING. WE JUMPED OUT OF THE VAN AND CALLED 911. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP MY VAN WAS COMPLETELY BURNT UP. THE FIREMEN SAID THAT EVIDENTLY THE FUEL LINE HAD FELL OFF. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10596929
2. Filed Sep 8, 2013Failure Sep 8, 2013100,000 milesPeoria HTS, ILSteering, Body, Suspension

   THE FRONT FRAMES ROT OUT ON STEERING SIDE AND IT ISN'T 1 OF THEM IT IS ALMOST ALL OF THEM. TOYOTA RECALLED TACOMAS FOR THIS AND I WANT MY FRAME FIXED OR REPLACED. THIS HAPPENS EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLES. THEY HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN AWAY WITH IT . BUT THESE ARE STILL ON THE ROAD AND COULD KILL PEOPLE .THEY NEED TO BUY THE ONES THAT ARE STILL ON THE ROAD OR TRADE FOR SAFE VANS OR TRUCKS. THE SERVICE LIFE OF THESE WERE CUT SHORT AND ALMOST EVERY JUNKYARD HAS THESE AND THEY ALL LOOK GOOD BUT THEY AREN'T SAFE. THEY NEED TO CLEAN UP THEIR MESS AND TAKE THEM BACK TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AS THEY CANT BE REPAIRED .I THINK THE DRAIN HOLES IN THE FRAMES WERE IN THE WRONG PLACE OR NOT THERE AT ALL. *LN

   NHTSA complaint 10542538
3. Filed Jul 17, 2006Failure Jul 12, 2006Florence, SCTread/belt

   TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM TIRE AND BENT FENDER. *JB

   NHTSA complaint 10162569
4. Filed Sep 15, 2005Failure Sep 15, 2005Leesburg, FLConcealment devices

   HEADLIGHT LENS INCREASINGLY CLOUDY TO THE POINT OF EXTREMELY IMPAIRED VISION. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER CORP AND THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. THIS IS 1997 DODGE RAM VAN, [XXX]. *JB UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

   NHTSA complaint 10136656
5. Filed Jun 14, 2004Failure Aug 14, 200030,000 milesPhoenix, AZService brakes, Hoses, Lines/piping, And fittings

   PLEASE NOTE THIS WAS A RENTED 15 PASSENGER DODGE VAN I'M 90% SURE IT WAS A 97 IF NOT IT WAS FROM 1995 TO 2000 IN MODEL YEAR I REPORTED IT TO DODGE. JUST RECENTLY I BECAME AWARE OF YOUR SITE AND DECIDED TO REPORT IT TO YOU ALSO.*AK 1 NORMAL DRIVING BOSTON TO EASTERN KENTUCKY 2 FRONT DISC BRAKE HOSE SEVERED DUE TO PROXIMITY OF OTHER SUSPENSION COMPONENTS CONSEQUENCE LOSS OF ALL BRAKING CAPABILITY. 3 LOCAL MECHANIC INSTALLED NEW HOSE HE CONNECTED IT TO THE FONT DISC BRAKE AND ROUTED IT AWAY FROM SUSPENSION COMPONENTS TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. HE STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM HE'S SEEN IN THE DODGE 15 PASSENGER VAN

   NHTSA complaint 10075327
6. Filed Apr 12, 2004Failure Jul 21, 2003126,000 milesDavenport, FLBuckle assemblyCrash2 injured

   SEAT BELT CAME UNLATCHED. *AK

   NHTSA complaint 10065970
7. Filed Feb 24, 2004Failure Jan 19, 200490,000 milesRevere, MACablesCrash

   WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE AND IT COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A NEW ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS NEEDED, BUT NONE WERE AVAILABLE. MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THAT THAT THIS TYPE OF CABLE WAS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. *AK *MR

   NHTSA complaint 10055681
8. Filed Jan 15, 2004Failure May 15, 200357,000 milesPittsburgh, PAEngine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Steering1 injured

   STEERING COLUMN DESTROYED STALLING NOT RUNNING IF GAS IS NOT APPLIED WE CAN'T GET ANYONE TO FIX IT, SO WE ARE STUCK WITH A MESSED UP VAN TIRE BLEW ON US, FIRESTONE TIRES ARE STILL ON IT. I CAN'T DRIVE IT ANYWAY CAUSE IT WONT STAY STARTED AND I STILL PAY BANK 450 A MONTH FOR A VAN THAT DOESN'T RUN.

   NHTSA complaint 10068775
9. Filed Jan 29, 2003Failure Jan 28, 2003Warner Robins, GANot stated

   PROBLEMS WITH AC/HEATER WIRING HARNESS. THE BLOWER MOTOR FOR THE AC/HEATER SYSTEM IN THE VAN CONTINUES TO OVERLOAD AND BURN OUT COMPONENTS FOR THIS SYSTEM. THE VAN HAS BEEN PUT INTO REPAIR ON FOUR SEPERATE OCCASIONS. IT HAS NOW ONCE AGAIN BURNED OUT. HERE IS SOME INFORMATION: TURNED IN ON 6/18/99. REPLACED BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR. MILEAGE 24010 TURNED IN ON 9/16/99. REPLACED BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR, REPAIRED WIRING HARNESS AND SLEEVE. MILEAGE 26434 TURNED IN ON 12/14/99. REPLACED CONTROL HEAD AND BLOWER SWITCH. MILEAGE 29880. TURNED IN ON 8/15/02. REPLACED BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH. REPLACE BLOWER MOTOR HARNESS WHEN SWITCH FAILED. TURNING IN AGAIN NEXT WEEK FOR REPAIRS. CHRYSLER HEADQUATERS AND THE DEALERSHIP STATE THAT THIS IS MY PROBLEM. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF THE UNDERLING PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED, THEN A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD EXISTS WHEN THE WIRING HARNESS OR OTHER PARTS ONCE AGAIN BURN OUT.

   NHTSA complaint 10003608
10. Filed Dec 18, 2002Failure Dec 15, 2002Placerville, CAExterior

    CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEM WITH BOTH OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR, HAS BEEN REPLACED 7 TIMES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10001143
11. Filed Oct 16, 2001Failure Oct 15, 2001Victoria, TX12v/24v/48v battery

    BATTERY EXPLODED WHILE STARTING VEHICLE. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 897801
12. Filed Mar 23, 2001Failure Feb 9, 2001Lowell, NCService brakes, Foundation components, Gear box (other than rack and pinion), Front

    THE STEERING BOX IS FAULTY AND IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO WANDER AND WOBBLE WITHIN IT'S LANES. NLM

    NHTSA complaint 560510
13. Filed Feb 1, 1999Carlsbad, CAShock absorber

    SHOCKS FAILED. NLM

    NHTSA complaint 605940
14. Filed Sep 14, 1998Failure Sep 28, 1997Kennewick, WAService brakes, Disc, Drum

    WHEN THE FRONT BRAKES GET HOT AND WARPED, THE CAR VEERS TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. DEALER ALSO REPLACED REAR BRAKES. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 827875
15. Filed Aug 27, 1997Buffalo, NYVehicle speed control

    CRUISE CONTROL FAILS TO DISENGAGE WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 518512
16. Filed Jul 8, 1997Failure Jun 22, 1997Union, OHBelts and associated pulleys

    MAIN DRIVE BELT BINDED UP AND BROKE OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO DODGE DEALER/MANUFACTURER. BELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. WILL BE CONTACTED . *AK

    NHTSA complaint 813947