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.
Transmission slippage. Transmission govenor replaced at a cost of $450 (included a transmission service which I didn't authorize but assumed was done as part of the repair). Called Chrysler regarding what I deemed an inappropriate failure and recieved a refund for parts & labor to replace govenor only. Was not told by the dealership of the recall (#722) on the transmission coolant quick connect. Was informed of the recall by Chrysler when they called me to tell my check was being mailed. Have since experience one episode of weird transmission noises when my vehicle was put into reverse (backing out of the driveway). Have since researced this problem and found it endemic to 97 Dodge Ram. Waiting any day now for total tramsmission failure. I agree with those of you who relate to this vehicle as a lemon -- will never again buy another american made vehcile until they begin concerning themselves with quality and reliability. Nlm
My fuel pump quit working, had to have truck towed to dealer to fix, (under warranty) while there I complained about transmission (banging going into 3rd gear, drive shaft clunk), was told we serviced tranny, everything ok. Truck was still acting the same.then at 33,000/34,000 mi.trany started shifting erratic from 2-3rd gear, had dealer check and reservice trany, scan system, they road tested vehicle, said everything is ok. Now the next day, trany slips going into 3rd gear, (engine overreaves between 2-3rd gear). Called dealer and was told they would charge me to look at it again. I talked to a couple of trany shops and was told Dodge has defective transmissions, for my year vehicle.
Engine has always pinged on regular gas - 5+ trips to Dodge for service and they never fixed the problem. At one point, they poured fuel injector cleaner in the engine which is something they tell you not to do when you purchase the vehicle. Air conditioning system completely shot at 50,000 miles in October, 2001. A month later, my rear-end went up at a cost of $1345. Two weeks later, my transmission went up at a cost of $1700. In June of 2001, my fuel pump went up at a cost of $216. I did not have any of these repairs done at Dodge although I purchased Dodge parts because they have never fixed anything without either screwing up something else or just not properly repairing the problems. I called their service department for repair prices and they were much higher than independent service shops. I wrote them for assistance with these repair costs but they would not assist me because repairs were not done at Dodge. They said I should have asked them for help first but I could not wait for a response from them because I needed my vehicle right away. I also did not trust them to properly repair my vehicle. Of course, my truck was out of warranty for all of the problems. I even took them to small claims court for the engine ping they could not correct and they brought in 4 high dollar lawyers, so, of course, iost the case. I have not yet had my air conditioner repaired. I am going to contact them to see if they will repair it with some financial assistance although I am not sure if I should trust them at this point. I have spent a total of $3,331 in repairs over the past 3 months and am not finished yet. What a lemon! they also could not perform a simple oil change properly-they did not replace the oil plug and the oil was leaking.
While driving 55-60 mph in 5 th gear engine revved, but vehicle started to slow down. Consumer shifted out of gear into neutral, and then tried to shift back, was not able to shift back into gear. Please add further details.
While driving, engine check light remains illuminated, indicating a malfunction within the system. The engine light came on again, the vehicle would not go over 40 mph. The dealer found out that the transmission had failed and replaced it, but it failed again after 6000 miles and was replaced on warranty.
- Bessamar, MI, USA
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Made three trips to dealer for engine light over a period of 45 days. First trip was on 10/3/01with a charge of $132.25 tech found torque converter not working. Cleaned torque converter solenoid. Second trip to dealer was made on 10/30/01 with check engine light on again. Tech found same problem again and replaced torque converter solinoid for charge of $246.58. Third trip was made on 11/13/01 with check engine light again on. This time tech said probably an internal leak "somewhere" but don't know where. Said ok to drive until transmission starts slipping. Check engine light came on again on the way home and trans began slipping next day. Returning to dealer on 11/15/01 the transmission gave out completely and had to be towed. Dealer called on 11/16/01 stating that the front plate in transmission had failed and probably could never get all the metal out of transmission. Now cost will be $2200 for a rebuilt transmission.
Dodge replaced the first transmission at 24000 miles, at 48000 the transmission failed again. They claimed it was aout of warranty and charged me $1500. The very day it left the dealership it began to act up again. They took another look and found that the transmission cooling system was sporadically clogging up. They replace the radiator and so far so good. Transmissions like my model have been failing on many Dodge. Nobody has done anything about it. If you have a problem feel free to call me at [xxx]. ask someone who drives a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 (gas) if they have had a problem. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Transmission failed due to transmission fluid not reaching overdrive mechanism. It started slipping as I was driving home late one night and it completely went out two days later. Mechanic says it started in the overdrive mechanism and went from there. He stated Dodge knows about these problems with the transmissions and won't do anything about it as far as the customers expenses. My husbands Dodge truck is having the same problem. It seems to be common in these trucks from 80,000 - 100,000 miles, and Dodge refuses to pay for any of it, although they apparently made an upgrade kit for it. Manufacturers defect. Transmissions are extremely expensive to fix, and Dodge should take responsibility for the defective parts. I have contacted Dodge/Chrysler, and was told they would not assist me in my transmission problems because my warranty was expired. The truck is only four years old, and we would have thought it to be more reliable. I have noticed on the complaint screen on NHTSA that there are several of these complaints regarding transmissions. I have documentation of Dodge's declination, as well as my efforts to have them help me. At this time both our Dodge trucks are unreliable, and becoming increasingly expensive to continue to fix. I have replaced the power steering pump and the U-joints also. Any amount of help would be appreciated. It's expensive enough to purchase the vehicles without continually putting money into them to keep them running, especially when the trucks are only 4 years old. Thank you so much for your help and your internet site. I was quite relieved to find it.
At 60,000 transmission replaced; 68,000 both U-joins replaced; 75,000 differential rebuilt; 80,000 universal joint replaced; now differential slips after stopping
Transmission started slipping, tried to take to the shop next day. Trans would not shift and it ground when put into reverse. Took truck to aamco and they said it was caused by a check vaulve that was in the transmission line that was replaced due to a recall. The repair costed over $2,000. The entire transmission needed to be rebuilt. I have a coppy of the repair bill with a listing of parts replaced. Thank you.
After replacing transmission, transmission failed again. Consumer was driving approximately 65mph and vehicle just gradually started slowing down. Consumer coasted to side of road with engine still running, but not able to go in any gears. Transmission was replaced 1-22-00. Vehicle experiences several transmission problems, there have been recalls amongst the repairs, driveshaft broke while driving, consumer states that Chrysler Corp has no records of a transmission being sent to new country Dodge where the replacement took place, transfer case was retorqued, consumer had taken vehicle to dealer many times prior to complete transmission failure and dealer could not remedy problems. Clunking noise under vehicle, dealer replaced front swaybar links. O2 sensor replaced. Consumer stated at times he hadto hit the starter with a hammer to get it to work, ignition coil failed, and battery failed. Vehicle stalls when coming to a stop, check engine light illuminated. Excessive amounts of fuel used, distributor cap was replaced, vehicle also backfiring. Brakes grinding, front brake pads were metal to metal, rotor was scored badly, dealer replaced front pads and both rotors.
Mechanic explained that overdrive failed, causing complete destruction of transmission, torque converter and related electronics. Mechanic also mentioned many similar failures in newer pickup trucks.
Transmission will fail to function during cold weather. Has taken vehicle to dealership for problem, and has not been resolved. Dealer replaced valve body, however this did not fix problem.
Transmission would have late or no shift into third gear causing engine to rev to high rpms not allowing the vehicle to go over 45 mph. Upon taking the vehicle for repairs the mechanic informed us that the manfacturer was aware of the problem, which was caused by an inner seal groove. Has there ever been a recall or has the manufacter offered any compensation for this defect?
Transmission was slipping out of gear, and transmisson would wind in reverse. Vehicle taken to dealer, and informed consumer that transmission needed major repairs. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
We have changed tire brands. Transmission or driveshaft is still noisy, but does not seem to effect anything. It should be on recall but the car place said that this problem could easily be mistaken for losing the rear end. The one brake has continually not closed properly and therefor does not wear like the other 3.( dot number: )
Transmission ceased to work while driving at 55 mph. No forward movement. Had truck towed home. Drove the next day, but would not shift into 2nd. Gear. Scranton Dodge performed diagnostic test (revealed code 37: Overdrive lockup solenoid malfunction), said trans. Was bad and wanted $2,456 for replacement. No warranty help because truck was over warranty coverage by 2,950 miles. Mechanic said fluid was burnt and there was "metal in the pan and it ruined the solenoids." (inspection later revealed no metal in pan or burnt fluid). Called Chrysler (1-800-992-1997) spoke to don griesbaum, ext. 7088 gave authorization no. 7934794. He said that Chrysler would "help" with the cost, but would not give a hint as to what "help" might be. Scranton Dodge would have to disassemble the trans. To determine the problem, and then Chrysler would deem if it was "driver neglect" which would get no "help" from Chrysler. Also once trans is disassembled, it cannot leave the dealer until it has been fully repaired. I would have ok'd the teardown but $2,456 for a trans with a 36K mile warranty seemed useless when mine failed at 38,950 and I put 22K miles on in 19mos. I asked don griesbaum if the transmission is defective with no fault on my part, how much is this going to cost me. He replied that he could not disclose any information to me until my truck was disassembled at a Chrysler dealership. I have been making payments on a truck that has been sitting in my driveway since November. I have spoken to many people who have had problems with Chrysler's auto trans. Aamco transmissions (scranton) said that if Dodge had to recall every faulty trans. They built, they would be bankrupt. Caravan and Ram are notorious for early trans. Failure. The newsgroups on the net are filled with complaints and people requesting info on class action lawsuits. I feel that Chrysler should take a closer look at this problem and take some action to correct it. Thank you for your time, william R. moore.
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- Warner Robins, GA, USA