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1997 Dodge RAM 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Dodge RAM 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 520.

About this comparison →
361Owner complaints

Model-year median: 520

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
116
1994213
1995298
1996361
1997520
1998610
1999513
2000
Compare all RAM 1500 years →

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

What owners reported most

Structure
70Power Train
56Service Brakes, Hydraulic
43Fuel System, Gasoline
26Unknown Or Other
26
All reported categories
Air Bags
24Electrical System
23Steering
23Suspension
21Engine And Engine Cooling
20Exterior Lighting
17Tires
16Vehicle Speed Control
14Visibility
14Equipment
12Latches/locks/linkages
10Wheels
9Seats
6Service Brakes, Air
5Service Brakes
4Engine
3Fuel/propulsion System
2Seat Belts
2Trailer Hitches
2Fuel System, Other
1Parking Brake
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

144 reports with mileage · 217 unknown

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.

  • Structure. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

31 crash reports14 fire reports24 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

17 reports
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150,000 miles · Dec 24, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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 T…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10812008

155,000 miles · Dec 21, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

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. …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10811460

150,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

DASH STARTING CRACKING AND FALLING APART, WIRES GOT MESSED UP AND SOME THINGS DON'T WORK. PARTS OF THE PLASTIC OF THE DASH COME OUT THE VENTS WHEN YOU TURN ON THE HEAT OR AIR. PART WITH THE VIN WENT SOMEWHERE TO PARTS UNKNOWN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659345

105,000 miles · Mar 2, 2013
Exterior Lighting

I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE THE NIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT IT I REPOSITIONED THE STEERING WHEEL CLOSER TO MY LAP AND THE HEADLAMPS WENT OUT CAUSING ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO SEE I FLICKED ON THE HIGH BEAMS AND WAS ABLE TO SEE AGAIN. BUT IF I HADN'T DONE THAT I COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10501032

83,500 miles · Nov 2, 2011
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. THE TAIL LIGHTS, DASHBOARD LIGHTS, AND EXTERIOR RUNNING LIGHTS ALSO WOULD NOT ACTIVATE WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ENGAGED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER NOR WAS THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. THE TAIL LIGHTS, DASHBOARD LIGHTS, AND EXTERIOR RUNNING LIGHTS ALSO WOULD NOT ACTIVATE WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ENGAGED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER NOR WAS THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAULTY HEADLIGHT SWITCH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,500.

NHTSA ODI #10433972

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2011
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WOULD OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WOULD OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #10423947

94,500 miles · Mar 3, 2011
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ABNORMALLY DIM. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED AN UNUSUAL YELLOW FILM ON THE HEADLIGHTS LENS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ABNORMALLY DIM. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED AN UNUSUAL YELLOW FILM ON THE HEADLIGHTS LENS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10386324

140,000 miles · Dec 29, 2009
Exterior LightingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE NOTICED THAT THE WIRES IN THE HOUSING HAD MELTED. AFTER HE PURCHASED THE PARTS FROM THE DEALER, HE PERFORMED THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10297284

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I OWN A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 4 WD PICKUP. I HAVE HAD IT FOR 3 YEARS AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS CUTTING ON AND OFF, AND THEN GOING OFF AND NOT COMING BACK ON. I SPENT SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED, BUT IT STILL DOES IT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MECHANICS THAT DO THIS TYPE OF WORK FOR A L…

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I OWN A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 4 WD PICKUP. I HAVE HAD IT FOR 3 YEARS AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS CUTTING ON AND OFF, AND THEN GOING OFF AND NOT COMING BACK ON. I SPENT SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED, BUT IT STILL DOES IT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MECHANICS THAT DO THIS TYPE OF WORK FOR A LIVING THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT IN THE WIRING SOMEWHERE. AND THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL VEHICLES( DODGE TRUCKS) WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT DODGE NEEDS TO PUT OUT A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND GOT THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. I LIKE MANY PEOPLE TAKE MY CHANCES HAVING TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275015

57,000 miles · Oct 24, 2007
Electrical SystemExterior LightingStructure

DASHBOARD CRACKED/SPLIT INTO PIECES CAUSING WIRES TO BE CUT. LOSS OF HEADLAMPS, TAILLAMPS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS. UNKNOWN IF ANY DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE TO THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. HOW DO I CHECK THAT? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10206769

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

1

DP03006 · Seat Back Failure

Opened Sep 23, 2003 · Closed Apr 8, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats; Seats:front Assembly:recliner

ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207. SEATING SYSTEM.ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYLSER THE FRONT SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE REARWARD IN REAR IMPACT CRASHES AS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORPTIONCAPABILITIES OF THE SEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.RATES OF OCCURANCE WERE COMPARED TO PEER VEHICLES, AND IT WAS SHOWN THAT THE PERFORMACE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS COMPARABLE TO THOSE VEHICLES.IN VIEW OF THE FORGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats

ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207. SEATING SYSTEM.ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYLSER THE FRONT SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE REARWARD IN REAR IMPACT CRASHES AS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORPTIONCAPABILITIES OF THE SEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.RATES OF OCCURANCE WERE COMPARED TO PEER VEHICLES, AND IT WAS SHOWN THAT THE PERFORMACE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS COMPARABLE TO THOSE VEHICLES.IN VIEW OF THE FORGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.

Seats:front Assembly:recliner

ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207. SEATING SYSTEM.ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYLSER THE FRONT SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE REARWARD IN REAR IMPACT CRASHES AS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORPTIONCAPABILITIES OF THE SEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.RATES OF OCCURANCE WERE COMPARED TO PEER VEHICLES, AND IT WAS SHOWN THAT THE PERFORMACE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS COMPARABLE TO THOSE VEHICLES.IN VIEW OF THE FORGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.