DODGE RAM · model year

1997 DODGE RAM

513 NHTSA complaints, 51 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1997DODGERAM carries 513 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 51 crashes, 19 fires, 42 injuries, and 7 fatalities. 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 is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 39 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (37) and air bags:frontal (31). 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 20 investigation files overlapping the 1997 RAM, and 1 remain open. 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.

513
Complaints
51
Crashes
19
Fires
42
Injuries
7
Deaths

Total Complaints

513 filings

Crashes Reported

51 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP39
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION37
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL31
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL20
UNKNOWN OR OTHER15
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR15
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC12
TIRES:TREAD/BELT12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE11
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)11
SUSPENSION:FRONT10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS10
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR8
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH8
STEERING8

Recent Complaints

20110906UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CRACKED DASH.

20110511FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD HAVE PAID MORE ATTENTION TO THE STRAPS BECAUSE THEY ARE DESIGNED TO EVENTUALLY WEAR OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

Mileage: 109,000

20080717CrashPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

PARK POSITION WITH IGNITION KEY IN THE LOCK POSITION, VEHICLE SHIFTER MOVED OUT OF PARK , KNOCKED OWNER DOWN AND RAN OVER ME, CONTINUED TO ROLL BACK HIT SECOND CAR, CONTINUED TO KEEP GOING UNTIL IT HIT A CURB. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE CAUSED OTHER ACCIDENTS. CONSUMER SENT IN A FAX COPY OF THE INTERNET VOQ. *KB *JB

Mileage: 144,678

20080717CrashPARKING BRAKE

PARK POSITION WITH IGNITION KEY IN THE LOCK POSITION, VEHICLE SHIFTER MOVED OUT OF PARK , KNOCKED OWNER DOWN AND RAN OVER ME, CONTINUED TO ROLL BACK HIT SECOND CAR, CONTINUED TO KEEP GOING UNTIL IT HIT A CURB. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE CAUSED OTHER ACCIDENTS. CONSUMER SENT IN A FAX COPY OF THE INTERNET VOQ. *KB *JB

Mileage: 144,678

20080307ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE AND OIL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE ON THREE OCCASIONS AND STATED THAT THE COMPRESSOR SENSORS WERE LOW AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO ADD TWO QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK. HOWEVER, THE OIL LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE HAD ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VIN WAS CONFIRMED, BUT APPEARS TO BE INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,400.

Mileage: 133,200

20070829TIRES:TREAD/BELT

1997 DODGE RAM LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. *KB THE SEPARATION CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE VEHICLE. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *JB

20070625STRUCTURE

97 DODGE RAM CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE DASH HAS MANY CRACKS AND THE FRONT SPEAKERS ARE NOT WORKING AND WITH SEVERAL UNEXPLAINED ELECTRICAL ISSUES**CC *TR

20070625ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

97 DODGE RAM CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE DASH HAS MANY CRACKS AND THE FRONT SPEAKERS ARE NOT WORKING AND WITH SEVERAL UNEXPLAINED ELECTRICAL ISSUES**CC *TR

20070518STRUCTURE

THE 1997 DOGE RAM DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING, AND NOW THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE IN THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD. *AK

20070509STRUCTURE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD HAS BEGUN TO CRACK. THE CRACK TRAVELS FROM THE WINDSHIELD DOWN TO THE FRONT OF THE DASHBOARD. THE DASHBOARD HAS CONTINUED TO CRACK INTO TINY PIECES. THE ENGINE SIZE AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 169,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE DEALER CONTACT INFORMATION IS ALSO UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 100,000

20070110ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY 2- 3 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE HAD DIFFICULTIES INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY BECAME STUCK ,AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME . THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DID NOT GET THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE REPAIR SHOP BETWEEN THE SECOND AND THIRD REPLACEMENT. THE REPAIR SHOP PUT THE STEERING COLUMN IN WRONG POSITION , AND ADVISED HER THEY WOULD NEED TO ORDER A NEW ONE. ALSO, THEY CUT THE AIR BAG WHEN REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLEWAS A 1997 DODGE RAM . *AK

Mileage: 85,000

20070103LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

TL*- THE CONTACT HAS A 1997 DODGE RAM WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 70000. ON 12-18-06 WHILE DRIVING IN DRY WEATHER CONDITIONS AT 25 MPH THE HOOD UNLATCHED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT A CRASH. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THERE WAS RECALL (01V040000). HE THEN TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TOOK PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AND SENT THEM TO THE MANUFACTURER. THEY TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NO LONGER LIABLE FOR THE RECALL BECAUSE THEY NOTIFIED HIM, AND HE DID NOT HAVE IT REPAIRED.*AK UPDATED 1/29/2007 -*NM THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE TO HIS COMPLAINT. UPDATED 04/19/07. *JB UPDATED 05/23/07

Mileage: 70,000

20051208TIRES:TREAD/BELT

DT: THE CONTACT STATED TWO OF CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TIRES HAVE DEFECTS. THE TIRE SIZE IS LT23585R16. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FENDER, DOOR, AND BUMPER. HE SENT THE TIRE TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR INSPECTION. THEY DENIED THE CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER INSISTED THAT THE TIRE DEFECT WAS CAUSED BY RUNNING OVER SOMETHING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS TIRE WAS REPLACED. ONE MONTH LATER,THE CONTACT WAS LOOKING AT THE FRONT OF DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AND A FOOT LONG AIR BUBBLE APPEARED, AND THE METAL CORD CAME OUT OF THE TIRE. THIS TIRE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND ASKED THE CONTACT TO SEND BACK THE FIRST TIRE. HE DID NOT TELL THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE DEFECT WITH THE SECOND TIRE. HE PLANNED ON TAKING BOTH TIRES TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. *AK

20051110CrashSUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE AXLE BROKE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A CHAIN LINK FENCE, THEN GO TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD AND JUMP A DITCH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO HIS HOUSE HIMSELF. THE AXLE SNAPPED OFF AT THE BEARING WHERE IT BOLTS TO THE HUB. THE WHEEL WAS NOT DAMAGED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED IF HE HAD HIT SOMETHING THE WHEEL WOULD BE DAMAGED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT YET BEEN TO A PHYSICIAN, BUT WAS EXPERIENCING BACK PAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

20041201FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

NAR 1/15/2003. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE FUEL TANK METAL SUPPORT STRAPS. THE FLAW MAY CAUSE THE FUEL TANK TO DROP FROM THE TRUCK ONTO THE GROUND AND START A FIRE OR EXPLOSION. THE FUEL TANK SUPPORT PROBLEM WAS DUE TO METAL STRESS BASED ON THE POOR DESIGN OF THE HOLDING STRAPS. THE CONSUMER THIS PROBLEM WHEN HE WENT TO LOOK UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE REAR PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK WAS HANGING LOW AT THE SAME TIME HE NOTICED THE METAL STRAP WAS HANIGN LOOSE, HE CRAWLED UNDER THE TRUCK ANS SAW THE REAR TAK STRAP WAS BROKEN ALLOWING THE ENTIRE FULE TANK TO BE SUPPORTED ONLY BY THE FRONT TANK STRAP.

20041108LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

FRONT HOOD FLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING 40-50 MPH, CAUSING DAMAGES TO THE HOOD AND THE HOOD HINGES. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK

Mileage: 91,000

20041012SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

THE CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE FAILED COMPLETELY. THE DEALER STATES THE VEHICLE WAS RIDING ONLY ON THE CALIPER AND THE LEFT ROTOR HAS CRACKED. . PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Mileage: 106,000

20041004EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HEADLAMPS WENT OUT, AND THEY WON'T COME BACK ON. HE CHECKED THE FUSES AND OTHER PARTS AND NOTHING WORKED. THIS HAPPENED ON FRIDAY. ALL THE INSIDE PANEL LIGHTS WERE ON. HE WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE AT NIGHT.*AK

20040422STEERING

BAD PLENUM GASKET. FUEL AND OIL MIX. AND STEERING OUTPUT SHAFT LEAKS A THE GEAR BOX. AND TRUCK WONT IDLE IN THE COLD

Mileage: 50,000

20040422ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

BAD PLENUM GASKET. FUEL AND OIL MIX. AND STEERING OUTPUT SHAFT LEAKS A THE GEAR BOX. AND TRUCK WONT IDLE IN THE COLD

Mileage: 50,000

Compare 1997DODGERAM to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1997 DODGE RAM have?
The 1997 DODGE RAM has 513 NHTSA complaints, 51 crashes, 19 fires, 42 injuries, and 7 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 DODGE RAM?
The most-complained component for the 1997 DODGE RAM is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 39 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and AIR BAGS:FRONTAL.
Is the 1997 DODGE RAM safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.