IllustrationWHILE DRIVING, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM. *AK THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 40 MPH. THE DEALER FOUND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND REPLACED IT, BUT IT FAILED AGAIN AFTER 6000 MILES AND WAS REPLACED ON WARRANTY. *YH
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAM 1500 years →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
80–25K
1325–50K
2750–75K
2475–100K
44100–150K
28150K+
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
Power Train complaints
56 reportsTRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM FAILED... TWO TRANSMISSIONS LATER THEY DISCOVER THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST FAILURE AT 24000 WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THE SECOND FAILURE AT 48000 THEY CLAIMED WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND COST ME $1500... THIS PROBLEM IS PREVELANT IN MOST 1997 (1500 DODGE RAMS,GAS). JUST ASK A STRANGER DRIVING ONE. FEEL FREE TO…
Read full complaint
TRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM FAILED... TWO TRANSMISSIONS LATER THEY DISCOVER THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST FAILURE AT 24000 WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THE SECOND FAILURE AT 48000 THEY CLAIMED WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND COST ME $1500... THIS PROBLEM IS PREVELANT IN MOST 1997 (1500 DODGE RAMS,GAS). JUST ASK A STRANGER DRIVING ONE. FEEL FREE TO CALL ME 1-530-332-9565. NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
DODGE REPLACED THE FIRST TRANSMISSION AT 24000 MILES, AT 48000 THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. THEY CLAIMED IT WAS AOUT OF WARRANTY AND CHARGED ME $1500. THE VERY DAY IT LEFT THE DEALERSHIP IT BEGAN TO ACT UP AGAIN. THEY TOOK ANOTHER LOOK AND FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM WAS SPORADICALLY CLOGGING UP. THEY REPLACE TH…
Read full complaint
DODGE REPLACED THE FIRST TRANSMISSION AT 24000 MILES, AT 48000 THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. THEY CLAIMED IT WAS AOUT OF WARRANTY AND CHARGED ME $1500. THE VERY DAY IT LEFT THE DEALERSHIP IT BEGAN TO ACT UP AGAIN. THEY TOOK ANOTHER LOOK AND FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM WAS SPORADICALLY CLOGGING UP. THEY REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND SO FAR SO GOOD. TRANSMISSIONS LIKE MY MODEL HAVE BEEN FAILING ON MANY DODGES. NOBODY HAS DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM FEEL FREE TO CALL ME AT [XXX]. ASK SOMEONE WHO DRIVES A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 (GAS) IF THEY HAVE HAD A PROBLEM.*AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
AFTER REPLACING TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65MPH AND VEHICLE JUST GRADUALLY STARTED SLOWING DOWN. CONSUMER COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD WITH ENGINE STILL RUNNING, BUT NOT ABLE TO GO IN ANY GEARS. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 1-22-00. *AK VEHICLE EXPERIENCES SEVERAL TRANSMISSION PRO…
Read full complaint
AFTER REPLACING TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65MPH AND VEHICLE JUST GRADUALLY STARTED SLOWING DOWN. CONSUMER COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD WITH ENGINE STILL RUNNING, BUT NOT ABLE TO GO IN ANY GEARS. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 1-22-00. *AK VEHICLE EXPERIENCES SEVERAL TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS AMONGST THE REPAIRS, DRIVESHAFT BROKE WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER STATES THAT CHRYSLER CORP HAS NO RECORDS OF A TRANSMISSION BEING SENT TO NEW COUNTRY DODGE WHERE THE REPLACEMENT TOOK PLACE, TRANSFER CASE WAS RETORQUED, CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER MANY TIMES PRIOR TO COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND DEALER COULD NOT REMEDY PROBLEMS. CLUNKING NOISE UNDER VEHICLE, DEALER REPLACED FRONT SWAYBAR LINKS. O2 SENSOR REPLACED. CONSUMER STATED AT TIMES HE HADTO HIT THE STARTER WITH A HAMMER TO GET IT TO WORK, IGNITION COIL FAILED, AND BATTERY FAILED. VEHICLE STALLS WHEN COMING TO A STOP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF FUEL USED, DISTRIBUTOR CAP WAS REPLACED, VEHICLE ALSO BACKFIRING. BRAKES GRINDING, FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE METAL TO METAL, ROTOR WAS SCORED BADLY, DEALER REPLACED FRONT PADS AND BOTH ROTORS. *SLC
TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR , AND TRANSMISSON WOULD WIND IN REVERSE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED MAJOR REPAIRS. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS UP TO THIS POINT. NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK
TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE WHICH CONNECTS TO RADIATOR HAS NO CIRCULATION. THIS CAUSES VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT, DAMAGING TRANSMISSION. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE RPROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE TRANSMISSION OF THIS VEHICLE DUE TO WHINING NOISE FROM COLD TRANSMISSION WHEN IN REVERSE. SYMPTOMS AND REPAIRS PERTAIN TO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS 21-08-99 AND 21-11-97 REV. A. REPAIR SHOP IS DOING QUITE A NUMBER OF THESE REPAIRS. REPAIR COST $500 AND 4 DAYS OF DOWN TIME.*AK
PREMATURE FAILURES ON TRANSMISSION ON DODGE RAM PICKUPS 1995-1997. REDESIGNED PARTS BY DODGE BECAUSE OF KNOW FAILURE RATE LEADS TO HIGH DOLLAR REPAIRS BECAUSE OF PART COMPATIBLITY. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Official recalls
0No 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
1DP03006 · 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.