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.) .
1997 Dodge RAM 1500 engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 23 of 23, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving between 25 to 45 MPH there is a vibration in exhuast system. Owner to vehicle to dodge and dodge replaced catalytic converter 5 times. Please provide any further information. Ts
Consumer states that the transmission has broken down three times, two of which the transmission had to be rebuilt, consumer also states that there is grinding in the driveshaft.
No summary listed for above 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.
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. *ak 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.
Engine check engine light comes on, and oil pressure drops. A minor clacking or taping noise comes and goes away. Dealer has no remedy and no idea what it is.
The automobile shop that repaired my truck said that when the dealer replaced my rear main seal the job was done improperly. That was most likely the reason the engine failed. The also noticed that when the new parts came in the new oil pick up tube screan was a lot larger than the old one.
Possible engine failure resulted in fire. Nlm
Cruise control servo location immediately behind left front bumper can cause servo to bend and open throttle unintentionally. Also, a stud fastened to side that holds heat shield in place became detached. Dealer not aware of the problem. Problem still exists. Provide further information.
"sensor" failed, causing check engine light to illuminate.
Transmission failed, replacement experiencing same failures, excessive vibration resulting in components loosening.
When traveling at any speed and when letting up off the accelerator pedal, the vehicle cut off without no prior warning, causing loss of power steering and vehicle control. Consumer has contacted the dealer.
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