IllustrationCONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING DRIVER TO SUSTAIN SEVERE ARM BURNS. CONSUMER WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE EXPLODING OF THE AIRBAG. *AK *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
What owners actually said
361 reportsNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WHY HASNT THERE BEEN A RECAAL ON THE TRANSMISSIONS. *AK
CONSUMER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THERE BRAKES AND IT IS HARD TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *TS
ESTREMELY POOR BRAKE RESPONSE. DURING MODERATE BRAKING OR WITH A LIGHT TRAILER/LOAD IT TAKES EXTREMELY LONG TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ONLY HAS REAR ABS, IT HAS NEVER GONE OFF. YOU CANNOT LOCK THE TIRES EXCEPT ON ICE/SNOW OR LOOSE GRAVEL/SAND. BEEN IN ONE ACCIDENT, NUMEROUS OTHER CLOSE CALLS. THE BRAKE PEDAL CAN BE PRESSED TO THE…
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ESTREMELY POOR BRAKE RESPONSE. DURING MODERATE BRAKING OR WITH A LIGHT TRAILER/LOAD IT TAKES EXTREMELY LONG TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ONLY HAS REAR ABS, IT HAS NEVER GONE OFF. YOU CANNOT LOCK THE TIRES EXCEPT ON ICE/SNOW OR LOOSE GRAVEL/SAND. BEEN IN ONE ACCIDENT, NUMEROUS OTHER CLOSE CALLS. THE BRAKE PEDAL CAN BE PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG, SEVERAL BRAKE JOBS DONE, NOW RUNNING WITH SS ROTORS AND CERAMIC PADS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH THE SAME MAKE/MODEL/YEAR THAT HAS 44" MUDDERS AND CAN STOP ON A DIME.*AK
TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE. TRANSMISSION GOVENOR REPLACED AT A COST OF $450 (INCLUDED A TRANSMISSION SERVICE WHICH I DIDN'T AUTHORIZE BUT ASSUMED WAS DONE AS PART OF THE REPAIR). CALLED CHRYSLER REGARDING WHAT I DEEMED AN INAPPROPRIATE FAILURE AND RECIEVED A REFUND FOR PARTS & LABOR TO REPLACE GOVENOR ONLY. WAS NOT TOLD BY THE DEA…
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TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE. TRANSMISSION GOVENOR REPLACED AT A COST OF $450 (INCLUDED A TRANSMISSION SERVICE WHICH I DIDN'T AUTHORIZE BUT ASSUMED WAS DONE AS PART OF THE REPAIR). CALLED CHRYSLER REGARDING WHAT I DEEMED AN INAPPROPRIATE FAILURE AND RECIEVED A REFUND FOR PARTS & LABOR TO REPLACE GOVENOR ONLY. WAS NOT TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP OF THE RECALL (#722) ON THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT QUICK CONNECT. WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL BY CHRYSLER WHEN THEY CALLED ME TO TELL MY CHECK WAS BEING MAILED. HAVE SINCE EXPERIENCE ONE EPISODE OF WEIRD TRANSMISSION NOISES WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO REVERSE (BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY). HAVE SINCE RESEARCED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND IT ENDEMIC TO 97 DODGE RAMS. WAITING ANY DAY NOW FOR TOTAL TRAMSMISSION FAILURE. I AGREE WITH THOSE OF YOU WHO RELATE TO THIS VEHICLE AS A LEMON -- WILL NEVER AGAIN BUY ANOTHER AMERICAN MADE VEHCILE UNTIL THEY BEGIN CONCERNING THEMSELVES WITH QUALITY AND RELIABILITY. NLM
40AMP IGNITION RUN FUSE KEEPS BLOWING DISSABLING OUR 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK. FUSE HAS BLOWN OVER 6 TIMES NOW. CONTACTED DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE TO FIND OUT ABOUT RECALLS, SERVICE BULLITINS OR THEIR TECNICAL HELP ON THIS PROBLEM. THEY TOLD US TO GO TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER/REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE IT CHECKED. WE WENT TO SUNFLOWER …
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40AMP IGNITION RUN FUSE KEEPS BLOWING DISSABLING OUR 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK. FUSE HAS BLOWN OVER 6 TIMES NOW. CONTACTED DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE TO FIND OUT ABOUT RECALLS, SERVICE BULLITINS OR THEIR TECNICAL HELP ON THIS PROBLEM. THEY TOLD US TO GO TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER/REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE IT CHECKED. WE WENT TO SUNFLOWER DODGE IN OLATHE,KS. THERE SERVICE ADVISOR BOBBY KIELMAN INFORMED US THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND ADVISED US NOT TO HAVE THEM RESEARCH THE PROBLEM FURTHER BECAUSE OF THE HIGH SHOP CHARGES IT WOULD INCUR AND THEY WOULD PROBABLY NOT FIND THE CAUSE ANYWAY. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT DODGE IS DROPPING THE BALL ON TAKING CARE OF. IT IS MY CONCERN THAT THE FUSE WILL BLOW WHILE MY WIFE IS DRIVING CAUSING HER TO BECOME STRANDED. OR WORSE, A FIRE OCCURING BECAUSE OF THE OVERHEATING OF FAULTY WIRING & COMPONENTS. SUNFLOWER DODGE DID INFORM US OF RECALLS FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON DODGE RAM TRUCKS LIKE OURS FOR YEARS 1996 AND EARLIER.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ACCIDENT OCCURRED DUE TO WHEEL DISENGAGING FROM VEHICLE. THERE WERE 2 INJURIES. *AK CONSUMER ADDS THAT THE TIRE WAS SO HOT THAT A FIRE HAD STARTED IN THE MEDIAN. *TT
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
MY FUEL PUMP QUIT WORKING, HAD TO HAVE TRUCK TOWED TO DEALER TO FIX,(UNDER WARRANTY) WHILE THERE I COMPLAINED ABOUT TRANSMISSION (BANGING GOING INTO 3RD GEAR,DRIVE SHAFT CLUNK), WAS TOLD WE SERVICED TRANNY, EVERYTHING OK. TRUCK WAS STILL ACTING THE SAME.THEN AT 33,000/34,000 MI.TRANY STARTED SHIFTING ERRATIC FROM 2-3RD GEAR,HAD …
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MY FUEL PUMP QUIT WORKING, HAD TO HAVE TRUCK TOWED TO DEALER TO FIX,(UNDER WARRANTY) WHILE THERE I COMPLAINED ABOUT TRANSMISSION (BANGING GOING INTO 3RD GEAR,DRIVE SHAFT CLUNK), WAS TOLD WE SERVICED TRANNY, EVERYTHING OK. TRUCK WAS STILL ACTING THE SAME.THEN AT 33,000/34,000 MI.TRANY STARTED SHIFTING ERRATIC FROM 2-3RD GEAR,HAD DEALER CHECK AND RESERVICE TRANY, SCAN SYSTEM, THEY ROAD TESTED VEHICLE, SAID EVERYTHING IS OK. NOW THE NEXT DAY,TRANY SLIPS GOING INTO 3RD GEAR,(ENGINE OVERREAVES BETWEEN 2-3RD GEAR). CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CHARGE ME TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN. I TALKED TO A COUPLE OF TRANY SHOPS AND WAS TOLD DODGE HAS DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS, FOR MY YEAR 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.