Total Complaints
468 filings
DODGE RAM 1500 · model year
468 NHTSA complaints, 36 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997DODGERAM 1500 carries 468 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 36 crashes, 16 fires, 46 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 RAM 1500 is structure with 58 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (38) and unknown or other (26). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1997 RAM 1500. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
468 filings
Crashes Reported
36 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STRUCTURE | 58 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 38 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 26 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 15 |
| AIR BAGS | 13 |
| TIRES | 12 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 11 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 11 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 9 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 9 |
| VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR | 8 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 8 |
| STEERING | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 7 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH | 7 |
NOTICED A HIGH PITCHED WHINE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ABOUT 30-40 SECONDS BEFORE THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY LOCKED UP. TRAVELING ON A SECONDARY TO A CITY STREET SLOWING TO 30 MPH. AXLE ASSEMBLY LOCKED UP AT 45 MPH CAUSING A SKID THAT WAS CONTROLLED. AXLE HOUSING SPLIT, DRIVE SHAFT DETACHED, GEAR LUBE DRAINED OUT AND TIRES ARE SEVERELY FLAT SPOTTED. SKID LENGTH WAS 115 FT.
Mileage: 197,000
NOTICED A HIGH PITCHED WHINE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ABOUT 30-40 SECONDS BEFORE THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY LOCKED UP. TRAVELING ON A SECONDARY TO A CITY STREET SLOWING TO 30 MPH. AXLE ASSEMBLY LOCKED UP AT 45 MPH CAUSING A SKID THAT WAS CONTROLLED. AXLE HOUSING SPLIT, DRIVE SHAFT DETACHED, GEAR LUBE DRAINED OUT AND TIRES ARE SEVERELY FLAT SPOTTED. SKID LENGTH WAS 115 FT.
Mileage: 197,000
MY 97 RAM HAS ABOUT 95% OF THE DASH MISSING. I HAVE SAVED PIECES OF IT AND PARTS IF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS BROKEN OFF. I CAN BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD,, HIT A BUMP, AND DASH PIECES WILL FALL ON THE FLOOR. DODGE NEEDS TO FIX THIS.
Mileage: 251,235
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE CABIN SPONTANEOUSLY FILLED WITH SMOKE AND CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 250,000.
Mileage: 250,000
THE DASH IS COMPLETELY BUSTED AND I THINK THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE REASON WHY IS IF I GET INTO A WRECK WHO AM I GOING TO BLAME WHENEVER IT SHORT OF MY PLASTIC DASH COMES TO HIT SOMEBODY IN THE FACE THE NECK OR ANY OTHER PART OF THEIR BODY
Mileage: 265,000
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CLIP ATTACHING THE ACCELERATOR CABLE TO THE THROTTLE BODY SNAPPED CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING AND EFFECTIVNESS OF THE BRAKE. I HAD A 2 MONTH OLD AND MY 3 YEAR OLD IN THE TRUCK AS WELL.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CLIP ATTACHING THE ACCELERATOR CABLE TO THE THROTTLE BODY SNAPPED CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING AND EFFECTIVNESS OF THE BRAKE. I HAD A 2 MONTH OLD AND MY 3 YEAR OLD IN THE TRUCK AS WELL.
THE DASHBOARD IS FALLING APART. THERE ARE NUMEROUS CRACKS AND SEVERAL PIECES HAVE BROKEN OFF OF IT. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER MOTOR COMPANY. THEY HAVE REFUSED TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD. THEY WILL NOT RECALL THE DASHBOARDS ON ANY RAM PICKUP EVEN THOUGH THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 20 YEARS. IF A PIECE COMES OFF THE DASH AND HITS YOU IN THE FACE, IT COULD CAUSE YOU TO SWERVE YOU TRUCK AND CRASH. THERE IN LIES THE POSSIBILITY FOR BODILY INJURY.
"TAKATA RECALL" TODAYS DATE 4-29-2016,I HAVE A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ALL THE RECALLS ON THIS TRUCK.I HAVE A FEW PROBLEMS COMING ON WITH MY TRUCK.IM NEEDING A REPLACEMENT AIR INTAKE SYSTEM ITS CALLED ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. SUDDENLY I FELT SOME SHAKING IN FRONT TIRES.I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS BUT MY STEERING PUMP WITH OUT AND NOW THE STEERING GEAR BOX.EVERYTIME IM FINISH WORKING ON ONE PROBLEM THE NEXT IS RIGHT BEHIND.MY DASH BOARD IS FALL APART.DASH BOARD IS ALL IN PIECES.GETTING WORST AND WORST EVERYDAY.LAST PROBLEM MY AIR BAG BLEW OUT AND BUSTED IN MY FACE.MY TRUCK WAS PARKED WHEN IT HAPPENED WITH THE AIR BAGS,BUT I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE POWER STEERING WITH OUT. PLEASE HELP ME GET MY RECALLS ON MY TRUCK AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Mileage: 200,000
"TAKATA RECALL" TODAYS DATE 4-29-2016,I HAVE A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ALL THE RECALLS ON THIS TRUCK.I HAVE A FEW PROBLEMS COMING ON WITH MY TRUCK.IM NEEDING A REPLACEMENT AIR INTAKE SYSTEM ITS CALLED ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. SUDDENLY I FELT SOME SHAKING IN FRONT TIRES.I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS BUT MY STEERING PUMP WITH OUT AND NOW THE STEERING GEAR BOX.EVERYTIME IM FINISH WORKING ON ONE PROBLEM THE NEXT IS RIGHT BEHIND.MY DASH BOARD IS FALL APART.DASH BOARD IS ALL IN PIECES.GETTING WORST AND WORST EVERYDAY.LAST PROBLEM MY AIR BAG BLEW OUT AND BUSTED IN MY FACE.MY TRUCK WAS PARKED WHEN IT HAPPENED WITH THE AIR BAGS,BUT I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE POWER STEERING WITH OUT. PLEASE HELP ME GET MY RECALLS ON MY TRUCK AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Mileage: 200,000
"TAKATA RECALL" TODAYS DATE 4-29-2016,I HAVE A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ALL THE RECALLS ON THIS TRUCK.I HAVE A FEW PROBLEMS COMING ON WITH MY TRUCK.IM NEEDING A REPLACEMENT AIR INTAKE SYSTEM ITS CALLED ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. SUDDENLY I FELT SOME SHAKING IN FRONT TIRES.I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS BUT MY STEERING PUMP WITH OUT AND NOW THE STEERING GEAR BOX.EVERYTIME IM FINISH WORKING ON ONE PROBLEM THE NEXT IS RIGHT BEHIND.MY DASH BOARD IS FALL APART.DASH BOARD IS ALL IN PIECES.GETTING WORST AND WORST EVERYDAY.LAST PROBLEM MY AIR BAG BLEW OUT AND BUSTED IN MY FACE.MY TRUCK WAS PARKED WHEN IT HAPPENED WITH THE AIR BAGS,BUT I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE POWER STEERING WITH OUT. PLEASE HELP ME GET MY RECALLS ON MY TRUCK AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Mileage: 200,000
IN 3/8/2006 I WAS DRIVING MY 97 DODGE RAM AND SUDDENLY I FELT A SHAKING IN REAR TIRES AND AFTER THAT I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN BRAKING BUT I LOST THE CONTROL OF MY TRUCK AND I SAW MY LEFT REAR TIRE PASSING BESIDE ME. THE NUTS WERE MISSING . I CAN SEE NOW THAT IT'S A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. HOW IT CAN BE CORRECTED?
THE HUB WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE AND WAS REPLACED IMMEDIATELY WITH A NEW ONE. DROVE APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AND THE BRAND NEW HUB DID THE SAME EXACT THING. I CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT KEEPS CAUSING THE ISSUE NOR CAN I AFFORD TO KEEP REPLACING THEM. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL DODGE RAMS OVER THE YEARS AND WHILE THE HUB DOES GO OUT ON THEM I HAVE NEVER HAD ONE GO OUT RIGHT AFTER PUTTING IT ON. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND NOTICED THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS YEAR MODEL TRUCK. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.
Mileage: 120,000
THE HUB WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE AND WAS REPLACED IMMEDIATELY WITH A NEW ONE. DROVE APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AND THE BRAND NEW HUB DID THE SAME EXACT THING. I CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT KEEPS CAUSING THE ISSUE NOR CAN I AFFORD TO KEEP REPLACING THEM. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL DODGE RAMS OVER THE YEARS AND WHILE THE HUB DOES GO OUT ON THEM I HAVE NEVER HAD ONE GO OUT RIGHT AFTER PUTTING IT ON. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND NOTICED THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS YEAR MODEL TRUCK. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.
Mileage: 120,000
THE HUB WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE AND WAS REPLACED IMMEDIATELY WITH A NEW ONE. DROVE APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AND THE BRAND NEW HUB DID THE SAME EXACT THING. I CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT KEEPS CAUSING THE ISSUE NOR CAN I AFFORD TO KEEP REPLACING THEM. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL DODGE RAMS OVER THE YEARS AND WHILE THE HUB DOES GO OUT ON THEM I HAVE NEVER HAD ONE GO OUT RIGHT AFTER PUTTING IT ON. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND NOTICED THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS YEAR MODEL TRUCK. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.
Mileage: 120,000
HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN DRIVING OR SOMETIMES FLICKERS ON/OFF WHEN DRIVING, TRACED WIRING AND NOTICED THAT WIRING WAS BURNT AT PIG TAIL CONNECTOR WHICH IS THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH AT THE PART CALLED BEZEL... NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE WITH IT UNTIL THIS YEAR AND COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY WIRE BURNT, THE PLASTIC/BEZEL MELTED FIRST RATHER THAN FUSE TRIPPING. THIS OCCURS WHEN DRIVING ANYWHERE BUT IT OCCURRED FIRST WHEN I WAS HEADED TO WORK AT 3AM IN HIGHWAY 74 WHICH IS MOUNTAINOUS AND VERY CURVY ROAD... EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND IS SAFETY RISK.
Mileage: 150,000
HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN DRIVING OR SOMETIMES FLICKERS ON/OFF WHEN DRIVING, TRACED WIRING AND NOTICED THAT WIRING WAS BURNT AT PIG TAIL CONNECTOR WHICH IS THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH AT THE PART CALLED BEZEL... NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE WITH IT UNTIL THIS YEAR AND COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY WIRE BURNT, THE PLASTIC/BEZEL MELTED FIRST RATHER THAN FUSE TRIPPING. THIS OCCURS WHEN DRIVING ANYWHERE BUT IT OCCURRED FIRST WHEN I WAS HEADED TO WORK AT 3AM IN HIGHWAY 74 WHICH IS MOUNTAINOUS AND VERY CURVY ROAD... EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND IS SAFETY RISK.
Mileage: 150,000
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS CUT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT TO THE STORE A MOTORIST FLASHED THEIR LIGHTS AT ME WHILE I WAS AT A LIGHT.. CHECKED ALL FUSES AND HAD MECHANIC LOOK IT OVER. THEY NARROWED IT DOWN TO THE STEERING COLUMN IT WILL BE 400$ TO FIX. THE WIRE HARNESS PIN PLUG HAD OVERHEATED AND MELTED. ALMOST CAUSED A FIRE. I HAD SMELLED BURNING ELECTRIC SMELL. WAS ONLY ABLE TO HOLD HI BEAM LEVER TO KEEP HI BEAMS ENGAGED TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE WITH LIGHTS TILL PROBLEM IS FIXED.
Mileage: 155,000
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS CUT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT TO THE STORE A MOTORIST FLASHED THEIR LIGHTS AT ME WHILE I WAS AT A LIGHT.. CHECKED ALL FUSES AND HAD MECHANIC LOOK IT OVER. THEY NARROWED IT DOWN TO THE STEERING COLUMN IT WILL BE 400$ TO FIX. THE WIRE HARNESS PIN PLUG HAD OVERHEATED AND MELTED. ALMOST CAUSED A FIRE. I HAD SMELLED BURNING ELECTRIC SMELL. WAS ONLY ABLE TO HOLD HI BEAM LEVER TO KEEP HI BEAMS ENGAGED TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE WITH LIGHTS TILL PROBLEM IS FIXED.
Mileage: 155,000
WHEN DRIVING OUT OF A HOSPITAL PARKING STRUCTURE, WHEN COMING TO THE EXIT ON THE LOWEST LEVEL YOU MUST MAKE A SHARP RIGHT TURN INTO THE EXIT BOOTH LANE. WHEN TURNING RIGHT, IT WAS AS IF A "TOOTH" INSIDE THE STEERING GEAR BROKE OFF CAUSING A COLLISION WITH THE RAIL WHILE EXITING THE PARKING STRUCTURE. NOW THE STEERING HAS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF PLAY AND WHILE IN THE CENTER OF THE (STEERING PLAY) IT IS AS IT BINDS OR STICKS AT TIMES WHERE THE "TOOTH" USED TO BE ON THE STEERING GEAR. IT HAS BECOME QUITE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS OR ON THE INTERSTATE AS THE VEHICLE TENDS TO WANDER NOW AND FOLLOW THE CRACKS IN THE ROAD. I HAVE OWNED DODGE RAM PICKUPS FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS SINCE I BOUGHT MY FIRST BRAND NEW RAM PICKUP AND LET ME TELL YOU, THEY HAVE ALL HAD ISSUES WITH LOOSE STEERING BOXES, EVEN THE NEW ONE. BUT WHEN THEY BREAK, THAT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT PEOPLE CANNOT SEE COMING WITH A NORMAL INSPECTION AS ON THE OUTSIDE, WEAR IS UNDETECTABLE. I HAVE BEEN AN ASE CE
Mileage: 174,387
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.