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1997 Dodge Dodge Truck

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 3 of 18 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

3 reports
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82,000 miles · Dec 29, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

FOR SEVERAL YEARS I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A SUDDEN LOSS OF MY HEADLIGHTS WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 WITH 82000 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED THAT I EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM MUCH MORE OFTEN WHEN OPERATING THE HIGH BEAMS FOR 10-15 MINUTES. I TOOK IT IN TO A SERVICE SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS BUT THEY COULD NEVER DIAGNOSE THE PROBL…

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FOR SEVERAL YEARS I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A SUDDEN LOSS OF MY HEADLIGHTS WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 WITH 82000 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED THAT I EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM MUCH MORE OFTEN WHEN OPERATING THE HIGH BEAMS FOR 10-15 MINUTES. I TOOK IT IN TO A SERVICE SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS BUT THEY COULD NEVER DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. ON 12/28/08, I BEGAN SMELLING AN ELECTRICAL SMELL IN THE CAB AND THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE TRUCK OFF. AFTER 10-15 MINUTES, THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED AGAIN. THE NEXT DAY I DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ISSUED (#819) FOR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM 3500 SERIES FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. HOWEVER, BECAUSE MY TRUCK IS A 1997 RAM 1500, THE DEALER SAYS THE RECALL DOESN'T APPLY AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. THE RECALL NOTICE DESCRIBES THE EXACT PROBLEM AND THE FACT THAT IT IS SAFETY AND FIRE HAZARD. THE DEALER SAYS THAT SINCE IT IS NOT IN THERE RECALL DATABASE THEY ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO REPAIR IT AND THAT I MUST FIX IT AND THEY WILL NOTIFY ME LATER IF IT DOES GET RECALLED. THEY TOLD ME TO KEEP MY RECEIPTS. THE COST IS ONE THING BUT WHAT REALLY UPSETS ME IS THE HAZARD THIS PROBLEM CREATES AND THEIR RESPONSE TO IT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253113

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2000
Electrical System

NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OF CONNECTOR/WIRING FAILURE RESULTING IN MELTDOWN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #734933

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 1999
Electrical SystemFire

WIRING HARNESS IN THE DASH FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE. MJS

NHTSA ODI #549517

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.