1997 Dodge Ram 1500 problems & reliability
361 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
24 complaints report injuries (37 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 70 | 19% |
| Power Train | 56 | 16% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 43 | 12% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 26 | 7% |
| Unknown OR Other | 26 | 7% |
| Air Bags | 24 | 7% |
| Electrical System | 23 | 6% |
| Steering | 23 | 6% |
| Suspension | 21 | 6% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 20 | 6% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 100,000 miles (middle 50% between 67,041 and 140,000 miles), based on 142 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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…”
Power Train · filed Oct 21, 2020
“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.”
Unknown OR Other · filed Feb 17, 2020
“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…”
Engine · filed Jan 2, 2018
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- SEAT BACK FAILURE
Defect Petition DP03006 · opened Sep 23, 2003 · closed Apr 8, 2004
Technical service bulletins
13 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500. The 10 most recent:
Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery…
08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 22, 2020
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
3100319 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
3100619 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
31-005-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
31-003-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
31-006-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
R2118796A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 26, 2016
Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and instruction sheet are now available as a kit. If the insulator…
9002849 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 3, 2014
Part Description: Filter Assy - Trans Oil Sump Issue Description: When replacing the filter: Use 52118789 filter with 52118780AD pan. Use 3515996 filter with 52118804 pan. The 52118780AD pan is 0.59" deeper than the…
9002893 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 1, 2013
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1997 Dodge Ram 1500?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 100,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.