IllustrationDASHBOARD CRACKING AND FALLING APART. *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 reportsBRAKE LINE CORRODED ON DRIVERS SIDE REAR BEHIND GAS TANK. REPLACED. *TR
1997 DODGE RAM 1500 - TAN INTERIOR - 2 CRACKS OPENED UP FROM THE FRONT TO THE REAR OF THE DASHBOARD ABOUT 1/8" WIDE. THIS HAPPENED OVERNIGHT, WITH NO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND NO CHANGES IN HABITS. NOTHING WAS PLACED ON THE DASHBOARD. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE LOCATION OF THE CRACKS WILL INTERFERE WITH OR DAMAGE THE AIR BAG I…
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1997 DODGE RAM 1500 - TAN INTERIOR - 2 CRACKS OPENED UP FROM THE FRONT TO THE REAR OF THE DASHBOARD ABOUT 1/8" WIDE. THIS HAPPENED OVERNIGHT, WITH NO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND NO CHANGES IN HABITS. NOTHING WAS PLACED ON THE DASHBOARD. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE LOCATION OF THE CRACKS WILL INTERFERE WITH OR DAMAGE THE AIR BAG IF IT IS DEPLOYED, NOT TO MENTION THE SHRAPNEL THAT WOULD BE CREATED BECAUSE THE CRACK IS SO CLOSE TO THE AIRBAG AREA ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS ON A 12 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR
WHEN I GOT THE TRUCK THERE WERE MINOR CRACKS IN THE DASH NOTHING TO NOTICEABLE AND I DON'T USE ARMOR ALL OR ANY SILICONE BASED PRODUCT ON IT AND THE CRACKS HAVE WORSENED MAINLY ON THE DRIVERSIDE AND ON THE PASSENGERSIDE THE DASH IS CRACKING OVER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND THE WINDOWS ARE 5% TINTED AND A WINDOW SHADE IS ALWAYS USE…
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WHEN I GOT THE TRUCK THERE WERE MINOR CRACKS IN THE DASH NOTHING TO NOTICEABLE AND I DON'T USE ARMOR ALL OR ANY SILICONE BASED PRODUCT ON IT AND THE CRACKS HAVE WORSENED MAINLY ON THE DRIVERSIDE AND ON THE PASSENGERSIDE THE DASH IS CRACKING OVER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND THE WINDOWS ARE 5% TINTED AND A WINDOW SHADE IS ALWAYS USED DAY OR NIGHT PUT I'VE READ UP ON THE PROBLEM AND ITS ON ALL MODELS 94 AND UP AND IT MAKES NO SENSE TO BUY A NEW ONE FROM THE DEALER WHEN THE SAME THING IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE POOR QUALITY OF MATERIALS USED TO MAKE. *TR
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
UPPER DASH PANEL CRACKING INTO 15 TO 20 PIECES AND THE PIECES ARE FALLING INTO INSIDE OF THE DASH. I'VE USED A DASH COVER THAT FITS IN THE WIDOW SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW. *TR
I BOUGHT A 1997 DODGE RAM SLT 1500. IT IS USED AND HAS 135,000 MILES ON IT. HOWEVER, I LIKE THE TRUCK AND I DON'T WANT TO SELL IT BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE FOR MY FAMILY AND I TO BE IN. IT HAS CRACKS ALL IN THE DASHBOARD...AND THEY ARE GETTING WORSE EVERY DAY. I CAN ACTUALLY SEE WIRES AND THE INTERNAL PART OF MY DASH COMPONENTS. I…
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I BOUGHT A 1997 DODGE RAM SLT 1500. IT IS USED AND HAS 135,000 MILES ON IT. HOWEVER, I LIKE THE TRUCK AND I DON'T WANT TO SELL IT BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE FOR MY FAMILY AND I TO BE IN. IT HAS CRACKS ALL IN THE DASHBOARD...AND THEY ARE GETTING WORSE EVERY DAY. I CAN ACTUALLY SEE WIRES AND THE INTERNAL PART OF MY DASH COMPONENTS. IT SQUEAKS AND I CAN ALSO SEE STEEL MOUNTING POST THAT LOOK REALLY DANGEROUS FOR A SUDDEN STOP OR EVEN I MINER FENDER BENDER. IT IS ACTUALLY CAVING IN....AND COMPLETELY DETERIORATING. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BY DODGE AS FAR AS I KNOW. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND THERE IS NO RECALL THAT I CAN FIND...AND I DO NOT FEEL THAT THE ORIGINAL..OR EVEN A SECOND OWNER SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS...NOR DO CHRYSLERS JOB...AND MAKE THE VEHICLE SAFE FOR DRIVING. I TAKE GOOD CARE OF THE VEHICLE...AND NOT ONLY IS IT UNSIGHTLY...BUT IS A HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO RISE CONCERN IN ALL DODGE OWNERS.I AM REQUESTING A REPLACEMENT DASH FOR MY VEHICLE EITHER FROM DODGE...OR A SAFETY CERTIFIED AFTER MARKET DASH THAT WILL NOT DO THIS AGAIN!!!! THIS IS ALSO THE SECOND DASH TO DO THIS ON THIS VEHICLE...THAT IS APPARENT. *TR
I HAVE A 97 DODGE RAM THAT STARTED CRACKING AROUND 2004 AND HAS STEADILY GOTTEN WORSE AND WORSE. AS A RESULT I HAVE A TERRIBLE LOOKING INTERIOR AND I BELIEVE MY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE A TESTAMENT OF THE DASHBOARDS EXPOSING MY ELECTRICAL WIRING TO THE SUN. THE ONLY WAY TO HALFWAY FIX IT I'VE FOUND IS TO MOUNT FORMICA SQUARES(NO…
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I HAVE A 97 DODGE RAM THAT STARTED CRACKING AROUND 2004 AND HAS STEADILY GOTTEN WORSE AND WORSE. AS A RESULT I HAVE A TERRIBLE LOOKING INTERIOR AND I BELIEVE MY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE A TESTAMENT OF THE DASHBOARDS EXPOSING MY ELECTRICAL WIRING TO THE SUN. THE ONLY WAY TO HALFWAY FIX IT I'VE FOUND IS TO MOUNT FORMICA SQUARES(NOT CHEAP MIND YOU) OVER THE WHOLES WITH MOUNTING SQUARES, THOUGH IT LOOKS TERRIBLE. MY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: POWER DOOR LOCKS THAT ONLY UNLOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND POWER WINDOWS THAT ONLY WORK HALF THE TIME AND A CUPHOLDER THAT HAS FALLEN OUT ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND CAUSED ME TO RIG BACK INTO PLACE. OF COURSE BESIDES INCONVENIENCE OF HAVING A LOUSY DASH THAT STICKS OUT LIKE A SORE ON A USUALLY SOUND TRUCK, I AM AFRAID OF THE OTHER PROBLEMS IT CAN BRING I.E.: WORSE ELECTRICAL FAILURES AND THE POSSIBILITY OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYING WHEN IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO OR NOT DEPLOYING WHEN THERE IS NEED. *TR
THE DASH ON MY 1997 DODGE RAM AND 2000 DODGE RAM HAVE CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THEY NOT ONLY HAVE CRACKED BUT THEY LOOK LIKE JIG SAW PUZZLES. *TR
1997 DODGE RAM 1500 THE DASH IS CRACK ALL OVER. *TR
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.