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.
The contact owns a 1997 Dodge Ram. After stopping the vehicle, the engine and oil lights illuminated. The dealer diagnosed the failure on three occasions and stated that the compressor sensors were low and advised the contact to add two quarts of oil per week. However, the oil light continued to illuminate intermittently. The contact did not confirm if the vehicle had antilock brakes. The VIN was confirmed, but appears to be invalid. The failure mileage was 133,200 and current mileage was 134,400.
1997 Dodge Ram 1500. Mfg claiming needing engine replacement due to sludge build-up from poor maintenance, however, maintenance has been kept beyond recommendation and is documented. I have had this vehicle in the shop since purchased used 3 years ago, all with oil issues and only now is the issue w/ sludge mentioned. After checking complaints on the internet I have found thousands of other complaints similar to this one where people were told they need an engine replacement due to sludge. Multiple class action lawsuits seem to be pending on this as well. I have talked with many mechanics who advise that most Dodge Ram trucks they see have this exact same problem because the engine's compression is set to high and it causes the oil to sludge up. Maintenance has been kept, oil changes every 1500 miles. Less than 10K miles put on the vehicle since purchased with extended warranty (which will not cover this.).
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Carterville, IL, USA