10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
26 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
23 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,242 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Dodge Ram 3500 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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1997 Dodge Ram 3500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #33

Jun 142011

Ram 3500 10-cyl

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Owner/driver was making a righthand turn into a parking lot and was going about three miles per hour. As he was turning with his arm across the steering wheel, the airbag suddenly deployed. Driver's arms were pushed to the back window by the impact. The truck filled with smoke. Driver's right wrist was fractured and owner suffered tear in right rotator cuff that required surgery to correct. He will now need physical therapy. Driver is currently experiencing pain in left rotator cuff and wants to have it examined. Dodge will inspect the vehicle.

- Saugus, MA, USA

problem #32

Nov 122001

Ram 3500

  • miles
Front end accident with another vehicle and airbags did not deploy. Had not contacted a dealer as of yet.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #31

Feb 012001

Ram 3500

  • miles
Air bag light on dashboard came on. Consumer took vehicle to dealership, and was informed that recall 99V023000 repairs have been performed. Dealer has not made a determination as to the reason for light coming on. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

- Ocanomowoc, WI, USA

problem #30

Jun 202001

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle was hit from side at 35 mph and was forced into a wall head-on at 35 mph. Upon impact, driver's air bag did not deploy, causing injuries to driver's neck.

- Doorchester, MA, USA

problem #29

Jun 132001

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles
While traveling at 40 mph and when trying to avoid an accident consumer ran into two poles head-on, and air bags did not deploy. Manufacturer was notified.

- Deroit, MI, USA

problem #28

Mar 252001

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Frontal crash at 65-70 mph, hit a tree, airbag did not deploy. Vehicle was totalled. Vehicle rolled over and driver was injured, airbag had previously been recalled and replaced. Consumer feels the steering knuckle broke, locking tires making it impossible to steer.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #27

Jan 242001

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving at approximately 45 mph consumer applied brake and skidded about 10 feet, hit another vehicle head-on. Upon impact, driver airbags did not deploy which have caused injuries. The inspectors from the manufacturer indicated that the air bags did not deploy because the impact dissipated.

- Newport Ritchie, FL, USA

problem #26

Jan 152001

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle was involved in a frontal crash, airbag deployed, however did not prevent consumer from hitting steering wheel and sustaining injuries, consumer feels the airbag didn't fully deploy because it never came in contact with consumer.

- Jolo, WV, USA

problem #25

Jan 182000

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles
When truck was involved in a crash, there was no deployment of the driver's side air bag, the frame was bent in 5 different places.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #24

Nov 242000

Ram 3500

  • miles
Consumer had a head-on collison, and air bags did not deploy. Consumer sustained some injuries.

- St Augustine, FL, USA

problem #23

Sep 142000

Ram 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Consumer ran into the back of another truck because brakes did not catch.- also, airbags did not deploy. Driver side seat belt failed.

- Sand Lake, MI, USA

problem #22

Feb 232000

Ram 3500

  • miles
During vehicle collision no deployment of the drivers air bag.

- Twin Oaks, OK, USA

problem #21

Mar 292000

Ram 3500

  • miles
Road was wet & vehicle was going around a curb & veered off into a telephone pole. Entire front end was caved inward. Had seat belts on. Airbags failed to deploy, upon impact. Driver suffered facial injuries. Manufacturer indicated air bags worked okay. Vehicle sensors were not touched.

- Four River, MA, USA

problem #20

Feb 232000

Ram 3500

  • miles
During vehicle collision no deployment of the drivers air bag.

- Twin Oaks, OK, USA

problem #19

Mar 292000

Ram 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving in the rain vehicle slid off the road into a utility pole, and split pole in half, consumer felt that the injuries sustained were caused by airbags not deploying.

- Fall River, MA, USA

problem #18

Apr 042000

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision, and the airbags did not deploy.

- Greenbrier, TN, USA

problem #17

Dec 251999

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
No deployment of the driverside air bag during vehicle collision resulting in injury.

- Glendale Hts., IL, USA

problem #16

Dec 271999

Ram 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle was hit by another car on the front. The other vehicle was traveling at about 50 to 60mph. Driver's side airbag deployed, and driver's sweat pants caught on fire. Drive rhad two pairs of sweat pants on. Fire burned a big hole through the first pair, and singed the second pair of pants. If drive rwould not have had on two pairs of pants, he would have been burned. Vehicle has not been looked at by anyone.

- Santa Fe, NM, USA

problem #15

Mar 301999

Ram 3500

  • miles
Recall repair not able to be completed properly due to vehicle seat modification, the cover to air bag module was bot installed (did not fit properly). Mjs (99V-023)

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #14

Sep 291999

Ram 3500

  • miles
While driving 40 mph had a direct frontal impact with a building, and driver's airbag malfunctioned, but airbag did not deploy fully. Also driver's seatbelt ripped apart, causing the occupant to hit the windshield, and sustained serious injuries. Have not contacted the mfr.

- Eufaula, AL, USA

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