NHTSA opens recall query into 1994–1997 Dodge RAM: TRANSMISSION QUICK CONNECTORS
On March 10, 1998, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ98002) into 1994–1997 Dodge RAM, concerning the power train. A Recall Query examines an earlier recall, for example whether its repair works or whether it covers every affected vehicle. As of NHTSA’s latest data it is still open.
- Action
- RQ98002 (Recall Query)
- Status
- Open
- Component
- Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Cooling Unit and Lines
- Listed
- 4 make/model/year entries in NHTSA’s file
Vehicles under investigation
| Make | Dodge |
|---|---|
| Model | RAM |
| Model years | 1994–1997 |
As listed in NHTSA’s investigation file. Not every vehicle of a listed model is necessarily affected.
What ODI says
ON APRIL 17, 1997, THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT CONCERNING APPROXIMATELY 800,000 1994 THROUGH 1997 DODGE RAM PICKUPS EQUIPPED WITH V6 OR V8 ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, 1995 THROUGH 1997DODGE RAM PICKUPS EQUIPPED WITH THE V10 ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND THE 1995 AND 1996 DODGE RAM VAN/WAGON EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.ODI HAS RECEIVED ELEVEN REPORTS CONCERNING TRANSMISSION LEAKAGES FROM THE QUICK CONNECTOR JOINTS RESULTING IN EIGHT FIRES.THE REPORTED VEHICLES INCLUDED ARE THE 1994 AND 1995 JEEP WRANGLER, 1995 AND 1996 CHEROKEE, 1993 THROUGH 1996 GRAND CHEROKEE, AND 1994 AND 1995 DODGE DAKOTA.THE PURPOSE OF THIS INVESTIGATION IS TO EXAMINE THE SCOPE OF RECALL 97V-084.CLOSING SUMMARY: FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF CONSUMER REPORTS REVEALED THAT SOME OF THE TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE WAS DUE TO OTHER CONNECTIONS ALONG THE COOLING LINES.IN THE FIRE INCIDENTS, THERE WERE INDICATIONS THAT SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE EITHER USED BEYOND THE VEHICLE'S TOWING CAPABILITY OR HAD IMPROPER TRANSMISSION REPAIR.IN ADDITION, THE RECALLED RAM PICKUP TRUCKS, 98V-084, HAVE AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD NEAR THE PLASTIC QUICK CONNECTOR JOINTS WHICH EFFECTIVELY PRESENTS A HEAT SOURCE TO IGNITE THE HOT TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE EVENT OF A LEAKAGE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES' QUICK CONNECTOR JOINTS ARE EITHER TOO FAR, OR POSITIONED COMPLETELY AWAY, FROM A HEAT SOURCE OR EXHAUST COMPONENTS.CONSEQUENTLY, THE FIRE REPORTS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN THOSE OF THE DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.BASED ON THE AVAILABLE INFORMATION, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY FUTURE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Official summary by NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation for RQ98002, quoted in full (U.S. government work, public domain).
Recalls and problems for these vehicles
Related recalls
NHTSA links these recall campaigns to RQ98002.
- NHTSA campaign 97V084000
Timeline
- ODI opens recall query RQ98002
- OpenNo closing date yet
What this means for owners
- An investigation is not a recall. NHTSA has not made a defect finding here, and owners are not asked to do anything yet. If a safety defect is confirmed, the manufacturer recalls the vehicles and the repair is free.
- Check your vehicle for open recalls with a free VIN recall check.
- Had this problem? File a complaint with NHTSA. Owner complaints are the evidence ODI uses to open and expand investigations.
Official record: search RQ98002 or your vehicle at NHTSA.gov/recalls, which lists investigations alongside recalls. Data: NHTSA ODI investigations file, updated daily. All NHTSA investigations.