IllustrationDASH HAS CAVED IN AND CRACKED. *TR
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 reportsTHE PLASTIC DASHBOARD TOP SUDDENLY BEGAN BREAKING INTO LARGE, SHARP SHARDS AND FALLING APART. ONCE THIS BEGAN, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS INSIDE THE DASH BEGAN, INCLUDING RADIO FEATURE FAILURES, HEADLIGHT SWITCH WIRING, ETC. *TR
THE VEHICLE LEAKS FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK. I HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED ONCE BY A DODGE DEALERSHIP BUT IT HAS STARTED LEAKING AGAIN AROUND THE FUEL PUMP. I HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED AND IT HAS STARTED LEAKING AGAIN. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED BY ANOTHER DEALER AND THE TANK ITSELF IS CRACKING. THEY NOTED NO DAMAGE AROUND TANK OR TO OT…
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THE VEHICLE LEAKS FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK. I HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED ONCE BY A DODGE DEALERSHIP BUT IT HAS STARTED LEAKING AGAIN AROUND THE FUEL PUMP. I HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED AND IT HAS STARTED LEAKING AGAIN. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED BY ANOTHER DEALER AND THE TANK ITSELF IS CRACKING. THEY NOTED NO DAMAGE AROUND TANK OR TO OTHER COMPONENTS. THEY TESTED THE ORIGINAL PUMP AND IT DID NOT LEAK. THE LEAK CAME BACK ONCE THE FUEL PUMP SEAL BEGAN TO DRY OUT. *TR
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.
DASH TOP BROKEN INTO MULTIPLE PIECES. LOOSE PIECES DO NOT STAY IN PLACE WHILE DRIVING. *TT
THE DASH BOARD ON MY 97 DODGE RAM HAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. ONE MAJOR CONCERN IS THE DASH CRACKED OVER THE AIR BAG, I CAN SEE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS INSIDE THE DASH AREA. THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPAIR THE DAMAGED DASH BOARD. CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW THE OUTCOME TO THE MANY COMPLAINTS INVOLVING THE CRACKING OF T…
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THE DASH BOARD ON MY 97 DODGE RAM HAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. ONE MAJOR CONCERN IS THE DASH CRACKED OVER THE AIR BAG, I CAN SEE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS INSIDE THE DASH AREA. THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPAIR THE DAMAGED DASH BOARD. CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW THE OUTCOME TO THE MANY COMPLAINTS INVOLVING THE CRACKING OF THE DASHBOARD. UPDATED 11/01/11. *KB
MULTIPLE CRACKS ON DASHBOARD, APPROX. 13 CRACKS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HOOD LATCH SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND FLEW OVER THE VEHICLE, FRACTURING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CONCLUDED THAT THE CONTACT WAS NO LONGER QUALIFIED FOR REPAIRS UNDER A SILENT RECALL, DUE TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE INCID…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HOOD LATCH SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND FLEW OVER THE VEHICLE, FRACTURING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CONCLUDED THAT THE CONTACT WAS NO LONGER QUALIFIED FOR REPAIRS UNDER A SILENT RECALL, DUE TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE INCIDENT AND DENIED ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
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.
97 DODGE RAM 1500 DASH CRACKING IN MANY PLACES , DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP, SAFETY HAZZARD IF IT FALLS INTO DASH . FRONT BEZEL MAY FALL OFF BECAUSE IT IS CONNECTED TO THE CRACKING DASH.
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.