10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 6 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 7 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 53,250 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
I had been driving my 1997 Ram 1500 4X4 truck, I stop the vehicle, shut off the engine, opened the driver's door and started to step out of the vehicle. As I was half way out of the vehicle the driver's airbag went off, hitting my right shoulder as it deployed. I am very lucky it did not deploy a second sooner. I wadded the bag up and taped the steering wheel back together, I guess the is nothing else I can do. I worry now about my father, whom has a 1995 Ram 1500 4X4 truck. I looked up online and I see that only the 2003 Ram 1500 and newer trucks fall into the recall, but what are the chances that my father's truck might do the same thing as mine did last week, with his being 2 years older even.
- Edgar Springs, MO, USA
While driving the vehicle the air bag light came on. After reaching my destination about 5 minutes or so later. I pulled into a parking space put the truck in park, turned off the ignition, opened the door and the drivers airbag deployed all by itself. Luckily I was sitting back in the seat starting to exit the vehicle when it deployed. Now I have been with this truck since it was purchased and it has never been in a accident. It actually set for a large part of its life because I drove a company vehicle for my job. I called the Dodge dealer where we bought the truck and they said there was nothing they could do because of the age of the truck and told me I should contact Dodge directly. I called Dodge and explained what happened to the lady that answered and the first thing she asked was if I was injured. I told her luckily no but me or someone could have been killed if I would have been driving. She finished taking the report and said someone would contact me in 2-3 days. I received a letter from Dodge about a week later stating that since there were no recalls or warranties listed for the truck per the serial number I should contact my insurance company and if they feel its a manufacturing responsibility, they have subrogation rights. Now you would think Dodge would want to know what made this happen for the safety of their customers. I have found that there was a recall on these trucks but my serial number was not involved in that recall. My truck is in very good condition and I'm afraid the insurance company is going to total it because of its age.someone needs to make these manufacturers stand behind their products especially when it involves the safety equipment. Any help in this matter you can provide would be appreciated.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated after an un-related service to the vehicle. The warning light remained illuminated for several months. Later, while reversing from a service bay at approximately 5 mph, the driver side air bag deployed without warning. The contact stated that the chemicals from the air bag caused burns to the face and eyes, which required medical attention. The contact jumped out of the driver side of the vehicle and was nearly run over by the vehicle that was still moving in reverse. The vehicle was diagnosed by a mechanic who advised the contact that the front air bag sensor failed and caused the inadvertent air bag deployment. The contact was also advised of NHTSA campaign number: 99V02300 (air bags: Frontal). The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. Additionally, the manufacturer advised the contact that the parts needed for the recall repairs were no longer being manufactured. The contact was concerned because he had not been made aware of the recall until after the failure had been experienced. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000. Updated 12/09/14
- Horseshoe Bay, TX, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500. While reversing at approximately 5 mph, the driver side air bag deployed independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the VIN was included under NHTSA campaign id number: 00V02300 (air bags). The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
- Horseshoe Bay, TX, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while reversing from a service bay, the front driver's side air bag deployed erroneously. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who advised the contact that the front sensor circuit failed however, he was unable to determine how the failure caused the erroneous air bag deployment. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000.
- Horseshoe Bay, TX, USA
While driving 97 Dodge Ram my daughter almost wrecked due to vehicle sudden surge, stall and shut down causing loss of power steering and other control of vehicle. Also happened to me multiple times when I test drove it. Subsequent events found to include air bag light illumination, cruise control light on steering wheel comes on and vehicle surges with RPM's up to @ 2,000 before full stall. Code P0123 on obdii scanner. Sensor replaced and still happening. Stopped problem completely by disconnecting the clock spring connections. Researched other complaints and found many listed under vehicle speed control, clock spring, airbag, electrical etc covering many years and including injuries. NHTSA needs to cross reference these complaints and connect the dots as there is no place I can find to type in the actual component name "clock spring" which is an extremely poor setup for a complaint site. Also limiting mileage to 3 numbers is ridiculous. Speed ranged from barely moving @ 2mph to 45mph. Somebody is going to get killed if they haven't already.
- Lithia, FM, USA
I have a 97 Dodge Ram that started cracking around 2004 and has steadily gotten worse and worse. As a result I have a terrible looking interior and I believe my electrical problems are a testament of the dashboards exposing my electrical wiring to the sun. The only way to halfway fix it I've found is to mount formica squares(not cheap mind you) over the wholes with mounting squares, though it looks terrible. My electrical problems are but are not limited to: Power door locks that only unlock the driver side door and power windows that only work half the time and a cupholder that has fallen out on more than one occasion and caused me to rig back into place. Of course besides inconvenience of having a lousy dash that sticks out like a sore on a usually sound truck, I am afraid of the other problems it can bring I.e.: worse electrical failures and the possibility of an airbag deploying when it's not supposed to or not deploying when there is need.
- Edwards, MS, USA
Your faulty airbags did not deploy.
- Sheridan, AR, USA
Consumer's vehicle was involved in a collision. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Vehicle was backing out of the driveway.
- Ocala, FL, USA
Intermediate shaft was defective, causing steering column to break. After contacting dealer. Consumer had the intermediate shaft replaced twice within 20,000 miles. The driver side mirror was loose. Because of the noise in the steering while turning, the clock spring was removed and the steering wheel reinstalled. The problem still existed. Rear speaker was inoperative and replaced.
- Owings Mills, MD, USA
Air bag light is always illuminating on dashboard.
- Saltillo, TX, USA
Air bag sensor light remained on while driving. Dealer notified.
- Kenly, NC, USA
Air bag light is on glow as described in the recall notice of NHTSA id# 01V153000. Dodge mfg. And the dealer says no recall on my truck eventhough air bag light is on as described in the recall notice. Recall is on trucks yr. 1996 thru yr. 2000 and mine is a yr. 1997.
- Atlanta, GA, USA
When turning steering wheel to the left or right there is a clicking noise. Consumer took vehicle to dealer, and they stated is sounded like it may be the clock spring. Consumer felt that airbags may not deploy in an emergency situation.
- Walls, MI, USA
No summary listed for abov evehicle.
- Maple Grove, MN, USA
When driving at 35-40 mph, consumer was involved in a head-on crash at impact speed 30-35 mph, hit a pole head on, and driver's side air bag did not deploy. Strong possibility that vehicle will be totaled. Vehicle was totaled.
- Glen Mills, PA, USA
Consumer called dealer to make an appointment for air bag repairs. Appointment was scheduled for the next day. When consumer called to confirm the appointment, was told that he was not on schedule. Consumer then made another appointment for 17th. Upon arriving on that day, dealer said it would be ready by noon, but it was not. Then at the end of day, repairs were still not done.
- Bronx, NY, USA
When consumer turned on vehicle airbag light came on the dashboard. Consumer notified the dealership, and they fixed the problem. But two days later, the airbag light still came on.
- Oviedo, FL, USA
No summary listed for abov evehicle.
- Abilene, TX, USA
- Long Beach, MS, USA