The problem
Vehicle description: light duty trucks equipped with diesel engines. The exhaust pipe contacts or is in close proximity to the outer dash panel silencer pad.
The risk
If the exhaust pipe generates sufficient heat, the pad material can smolder and ignite adjacent materials resulting in a vehicle fire.
The fix
Dealers will remove the dash silencer pad adjacent to the exhaust pipe and replace this pad with a thermal heat shield on the exhaust pipe.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 97V-126 (97V126000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
| Component | Unknown or other |
| Report date | August 18, 1997 |
| Owners notified | September 25, 1997 |
| Vehicles affected | 6,400 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the other / not specified
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 97V-126 repair free?
Yes. Dodge dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will remove the dash silencer pad adjacent to the exhaust pipe and replace this pad with a thermal heat shield on the exhaust pipe.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 6,400 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.