Six problems related to fuel pump have been reported for the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The vehicle leaks from the top of the tank. I have had it repaired once by a Dodge dealership but it has started leaking again around the fuel pump. I had the fuel pump replaced and it has started leaking again. I have had it checked by another dealer and the tank itself is cracking. They noted no damage around tank or to other components. They tested the original pump and it did not leak. The leak came back once the fuel pump seal began to dry out.
Fuel pump failure.
I own a Dodge Ram 1500 pick up, 1997, 4-wd, automatic. I had to replace the fuel pump this week. The cost including labor was $750. 00. I feel that with only 67,000 miles on a 1997 vehicle, the fuel pump should not need replacing. The tow truck driver's first reaction was that he felt I needed on of "those lousy Dodge fuel pumps". I have a friend who also needed one replaced last week, again a Dodge ram p/u. I had my work done at neighborhood auto, in new bedford, MA. When I found out the cost of the job, I felt it was on the high side. I called central Dodge, in raynham, MA, where I purchsed the truck used in March, 2002. They informed me that the part would need to be ordered, due too overwhelming demand on this part. All of this adds up to my suspicions that this part may be faulty, and a recall, and refund may be in order.
There is a potential saftey problem when without warning fuel pump module quits. If this shoud happen in a high speed traffic situation, the engine shuts down, power steering and power breaks are lost, you could become a target in the middle of the highway.
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.
While driving the vehicle lost power. Took vehicle to dealer, and the dealer replaced fuel pump at 39,000 miles, 44,000 miles and 63,000 miles.