Friday, August 7, 2026
RecallGazette

Vehicle problems, recalls & safety intelligence

1997 Dodge Ram engine and engine cooling problems

30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine and engine cooling on the 1997 Dodge Ram8% of all complaints for this model year.

30
Engine and Engine Cooling complaints
8%
share of all complaints
median reported incident mileage
0 / 5
crash / fire reports

What owners report

  • 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…

    filed Mar 7, 2008

  • Vehicle experienced problems with the intake gaskets. Consumer replaced them twice and then had problems with carbon build up. The vehicle needed a new engine. The problem started when the gaskets failed, which caused oil to leak into the valves. *jg *jb

    filed Feb 12, 2003

Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.

Related service bulletins

  • Illuminated mil as the result of a diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0420 - catalyst efficiency, or may have failed a california smog or state I/m test but without an illuminated mil, or a rattling sound from the underside…

    1100605 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 21, 2005
  • Customer may complain of high oil consumption, grey oil smoke coming out of the exhaust or breather tube, or mechanical knocking. *tt

    0900401 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 18, 2001
All 1997 Dodge Ram TSBs →

Engine and Engine Cooling problems in other Ram years

YearReportsShare
2010 Ram14%
2008 Ram28%
2006 Ram28%
2005 Ram1538%
2004 Ram59%
2003 Ram815%
2002 Ram1412%
2001 Ram299%
2000 Ram1510%
1999 Ram3710%
1998 Ram388%
1996 Ram579%
Ram engine and engine cooling problems by year →

Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.