1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport 5.8 from North America

Summary:

Reliable, powerful truck

Faults:

Only problem encountered was a rattle caused by a defective catalytic converter - that was replaced under warranty by the dealer.

General Comments:

A reliable truck that has excellent power. I use it to pull a car trailer regularly and get 13MPG towing a 3800 lb car on a 1700 lb trailer.

Best looking truck on the American market. Fords are a poor copy of Dodge styling and General Motor's products are just boring.

Has a large cab with excellent ergonomics. Air conditioning works great, fair sound system: (I should have gotten the upgraded sound system).

Paint is holding up very nicely. Interior is doing very nicely also.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th June, 2003

3rd Oct 2003, 19:47

I have a 1997 Ram 1500 with a 5.2 liter. It has been a real workhorse for me. I constantly haul heavy loads in it and allow my teenage daughter to commute to her school functions in it. At the time of this writing it has 91,000 miles on it and is now ready for its first water pump replacement. Other than this, it has been problem free except for a pitman arm replacement. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Dodge truck when the necessity arises.

Seems like most of the people having trouble are the ones with 5.9's, guess that should be an indication of what not to buy.

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1997 Dodge Ram SLT 5.2 Liter 318 from North America

Summary:

I love it

Faults:

Rear End Started acting up 6 months after I bought it. Dealer put Additive in it and is now working great.

I had to change the spark plugs at 45,000 miles.

General Comments:

This truck is like an ox, it pulls just about anything. The sound system is totally awesome. I just love driving this truck.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th July, 2002

1997 Dodge Ram 5.2 liter gas from North America

Summary:

Poor quality

Faults:

Transmission needs to be replaced.

Leaking cab rear slide window.

Engine squeals when in reverse.

General Comments:

My 1997 Dodge Ram is a lease. I never bothered to extend the warranty beyond the 36,000 mile program because I was confident this vehicle would make the 55,000 mile mark with no major mechancial problems. Not so!!!

At 39,000 miles my Dodge Ram's transmission began to slip. I didn't think anything of it for about 500 miles. I had the transmission inspected and low and behold Dodge service explained that I needed to replace it. I was furious!!! My warranty was expired and I called Dodge customer service in Detroit to see if they could pay at least 50% of the bill. They said no way. I can't believe that I am responsible for the full $1500. I drive this vehicle like a Cadillac. No off road use and I never pulled a load with it. Has this happened to anyone else out there? After further research I heard from several reliable circles that this is a problem with Dodge/Chrysler.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 21st November, 2000

27th Dec 2000, 16:32

I have a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4X4 with the exact same problems. It seems that the problem occured at exactly the same mileage mark 36,000 - 37,000 miles (has never been driven in 4 wheel drive or off road and back and forth to work about 30 miles per day as well as 2 long trips to Florida).

Dodge explained that there is a front seal that has dried up and the transmission must be removed and rebuilt to the cost of $1550. As indicated in the previous article it appears based on Dodge's attitude that if an extended warranty had been pruchased for $3,000 we wouldn't be dealing with this issue. Once again Dodge has demonstrated that "Ford does have a better idea" No Dodges in this kid's future.

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