Faults:

My transmission gave out, found out later that there is a defect with the 1997 overdrive button that effects the trans.

Radiator had to be changed 5 months after I got it, but was told that it was the original radiator.

Cruise control and AC went out, had to change the vaccum hose and recharge the freon.

General Comments:

This truck is great for family weekends at the beach and camping.

Seats our family of 6 comfortably.

Interior is still immaculate, no wear and tear.

I have the total Premium package with tow package. It just makes driving totally enjoyable.

Faults:

Oxygen sensor went at 40k, some slight knocking, small transmission gasket leak at 65k. No major problems yet, knock on wood. Light in the rear. Windshield seems to attract rocks, and like others the steering wheel is crumbling on top. I paid $10,000, it had 13k miles. That being said, I drive it for a living, lots of power, smooth, ton of room, by the way, the passanger seat is the worst of any truck. too much room, its scary.

General Comments:

Seem to have bought a good one.

The best looking truck out there.

I'll feel bad reading all these horror stories, good luck to you people.

Faults:

This truck has gone through 5 intake manifold gaskets.

It's had the pinion gear replaced.

Now the dealership is telling me that I've got a transmission problem and that it's going to cost around $1600.00 to fix it.

When I had the brakes worked on the first time and that 3 times ago I was told that the brakes on the Dodge Trucks are GM.

If this is true then I think after reading all of these complaints from people that maybe Chrysler needs to get more equipment from GM and less of their own poorly manufactured products.

I wish Chrysler had have gone belly up then I wouldn't be writing this and looking at another lost night of sleep.

General Comments:

The Truck is suppose to be Heavy Duty give me a break it is so far from heavy duty.

Faults:

Serpentine belt breaks every eight to ten thousand miles.

Power steering failure.

ABS brake failure.

Explosion of fuel pre-heater.

Alternator failure.

A/C compressor failure.

Roadside assistance shows up days later and is incompetent. This truck has been flat-bedded six times.

General Comments:

This truck performs amazingly well in most repects. It is a wonderful hauler, it is fuel efficient and it is quite comfortable. Driveability is very competent.

On the downside, this truck is exceedingly unreliable. Long distance trips are tricky at best, roadside assistance is dreadful and many dealers are simply unable to properly service this vehicle.

The worst breakdowns have required weeks and not days for repairs. The longest down-times are as follows: 5 1/2 weeks, 3 weeks, 9 days, 7days, 6 days and several four day periods.

The worst roadside assistance times were

5 days (central Maine), 4 days (eastern Maine) and 3 days (New Brunswick, Canada).

The roadside assistance times refer to the elapsed time from the call for assistance and the time assistance showed up!

Faults:

The rear window leaked during heavy rains.

The big fault is the transmission. No mechanical problems to speak of until in went at 53,000 miles. The cost to replace is $3000.

General Comments:

I really loved my ram up until about two weeks ago. After 53,000 miles of trouble-free ownership I paid a hefty price.

I purchased my 1997 Ram with the intention of keeping it until the wheels fell off. I love the styling and overall performance... until now. I now have to replace a transmission. I do use my truck as a truck. It is used on the farm in central Kentucky. It has scratches on it and its rarely clean, but it is ALWAYS maintained. I depend on it to run the farm. It tows a load about once a month, usually no heavier than a 18 foot boat (less than 3500 lbs). I always tow with overdrive off and had the tranmission serviced at 41000 miles. I was driving a completely empty truck when the transmission went out. My concern is it seems the comments about transmissions are very similar in symptoms and mileage. So now I wonder, what gives with Dodge trucks? No transmission should be dead after only 53,000 miles.