10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 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 Van 3500 engine problems

engine problem

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1997 Dodge Ram Van 3500 Owner Comments

problem #11

Jan 022002

Ram Van 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Continuous transmission trouble:minor slipping, searching for a gear, surging, not going into passing gear, when it does it does not stay there, clunks hard when put in rev. Vibration at start up(moving) heat shield or rear-end, @time of original trade, when they changed the oil they eiter didnt put any in or very little I had to add 5qts now there is a ticking noise on the pass, side of engine, the salesman lied to me about the truck I asked him "has this ever plowed or towed anything before?" he said "no" after talking to prev.owner they were towing a big boat with it.at this time I have a complaint with the me. Atty gen, Dodge, file#9921927 on 4-18-02, may I please have a copy of this with your letterhead as well as a reply so I can foward this to the atty gen. Thank you!!!!

- Camden, ME, USA

problem #10

Jun 282002

Ram Van 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving, the engine rods went through engine, causing the vehicle to leak oil and lose power. Contacted dealer and dealer wasn't willing to do anything. The consumer feels that he shouldn't have to pay for damages due to poor equipment. The consumer sustained serious injuries, as he walked under an overpass, he had fell on concrete/steel.

- West Frankfert, IL, USA

problem #9

Jan 152001

Ram Van 3500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
The dealer says this is a non-warrented part and that I must purchase a new vacuum pump from Dodge at a cost of $800 plus instlation. I have had this truck in to calkins for 3 other oil leaks in the engine. The dealer said that I am the only one who they ever had who has oil leaks in the cumming diesel. I was wondering if there were any notices on this part.

- Canton, PA, USA

problem #8

Jun 011998

Ram Van 3500 4WD

  • miles

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

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 for an attorney that I can tie up for years.

- Waseca, MN, USA

problem #7

May 142000

Ram Van 3500

  • miles
While driving engine caught on fire, totalling the vehicle.

- Hasen, AR, USA

problem #6

Jul 211999

Ram Van 3500 Diesel

  • miles
10 amp fuse in panel marked"engine" blows at erratic intervals. When fuse blows, engine and all components shut down. Replacement of fuse, same size or larger, sometimes allows restart. At times as many as three or four fuses blow as soon as attempt to restart. Truck has shut down at crowded intersections and interstates...when traffic lane is blocked, driver must hold driver's door open while attempting to replace fuse, thus blocking two traffic lanes. Truck is used to tow a 32' travel trailer, which further adds to danger. Truck has been taken to Chrysler dealers eight times with no success at finding fault. Truck (and trailer) have been towed by wrecker to dealer three times. Owner has attempted to contact Chrysler rep several times but no return calls. Owner is afraid to drive vehicle any further, especially towing travel trailer. All recourse having failed, seeking legal advice from attorney.

- Lillian, AL, USA

problem #5

Sep 251999

(reported on)

Ram Van 3500

  • miles

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

I'm not sure if I should be reporting this here but I've encountered the engine shutting down at 45mph and above speeds for less than a second. Invariably I'm at 55-60mph on cruise control when this occurs. It is unexpected. Normally only one incident between starting up and shutting down engine but have had two about several minutes apart a couple of times. I've told my dealer several times when they're fixing other things but they're unable to duplicate it and thus unable to fix the problemo. It is occurring more frequently now than during the first year of my truck purchase and my warranty expires 1/1/00 so I'm sortof concerned about what I should do. Because of your resources I figured I'd let you know and maybe get some help regarding the problem before the engine dies completely. Thank you.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #4

Feb 231999

Ram Van 3500

  • miles
Pinging noise from engine.

- Hawthorne, CA, USA

problem #3

Jul 151998

Ram Van 3500

  • miles
While consumer is driving a couple of minutes with interior gadgets on, the vehicle just cuts off with no warning. Dealer and manufacturer were notified.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #2

Sep 081997

(reported on)

Ram Van 3500

  • miles
The vehicle was in motion noticed smoke was coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle caught on fire in the firewall area. Consumer has contacted the dealer, cause of the problem undetermined.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #1

Aug 041997

Ram Van 3500

  • miles
The defective pad around the firewall and the engine caught on fire in the back of the vehicle and burnt the pad around the exhaust system.

- Lehi, UT, USA

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