1997 Dodge DODGE TRUCK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
130,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 14 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 28.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 21.4% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 14.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 14.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Steering:Linkages | 2 |
| Suspension:Front | 2 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 2 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Steering:Linkages: 2; Suspension:Front: 2; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 2; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
2000: 3; 2001: 3; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2004: 3; 2008: 2
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10227226 · 2008-05-10 (May 10, 2008)
1997 DODGE RAM HAS DASHBOARD COVER CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. PIECES HAVE FALLEN DOWN INTO THE DASH AMONG THE INTERNAL WIRING. THIS IS NOT JUST A COSMETIC PROBLEM. IF THE PIECES THEMSELVES DO NOT SHORT OUT THE WIRING AND CAUSE A FIRE, THE JAGGED EDGES COULD POTENTIALLY CUT OPEN AN AIRBAG UPON DEPLOYMENT CAUSING A BAG FAILURE DURING A CRASH. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10227226 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10253113 · 2008-12-29 (December 29, 2008)
FOR SEVERAL YEARS I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A SUDDEN LOSS OF MY HEADLIGHTS WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 WITH 82000 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED THAT I EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM MUCH MORE OFTEN WHEN OPERATING THE HIGH BEAMS FOR 10-15 MINUTES. I TOOK IT IN TO A SERVICE SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS BUT THEY COULD NEVER DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. ON 12/28/08, I BEGAN SMELLING AN ELECTRICAL SMELL IN THE CAB AND THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE TRUCK OFF. AFTER 10-15 MINUTES, THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED AGAIN. THE NE…
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10253113 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10096268 · 2004-10-23 (October 23, 2004)
IT WAS REQUESTED THAT DODGE DAKOTA OWNERS LOG INFORMATION AS TO IF THEY HAVE EXCESSIVELY WORN BALL JOINTS AND / OR FAILURES. I AM AN ENGINEER AT AN EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER AND BELIEVE THIS IS A FAILURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR AT LOW MILEAGE. MY 1997 DAKOTA SLT HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND SINCE I DO NOT DRIVE IT MUCH I WAS HOPING THERE WOULD BE RECALL BEFORE IT WAS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE JOINTS.A NUMBER OF CAB PLASTIC ISSUES WHICH WERE DESIGN CHANGED (YEAR OR TWO LATER) AND NOT RECALLED, MISC ITEMS BREAKING - DRIVERS WINDOW SWITCH PLATE, AU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10096268 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 742629 · 2001-03-18 (March 18, 2001)
TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST. WHEN IT IS REVERSE IT IDLES ROUGH AND TRIES TO DIE. WHEN IT IS IN REVERSE IT WHINES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 742629 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018326 · 2003-05-07 (May 7, 2003)
ENGINE WILL RANDOMLY STALL. ONLY DISCERNIBLE PATTERN IS THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED MORE THAN 45 MINUTES, HOWEVER EPISODES ARE VERY SPORADIC. ENGINE WILL RESTART ONLY AFTER A WAIT PERIOD OF 20-30 MINUTES (THEN RUNS FINE). ENGINE CODE IS A MISFIRE, HOWEVER AFTER DIAGNOSTICS MULTIPLE SHOPS AND DEALER UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. WILL CONTINUE TO TROUBLE SHOOT, AS SPORADIC ENGINE STALLS ARE DISCONCERTING DUE TO ITS SAFETY IMPACT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 134,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018326 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052573 · 2004-01-07 (January 7, 2004)
1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, 3.3L ENGINE. SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT CONSISTENTLY SLIPS OFF OR SHREDS WHILE DRIVING ON WET ROADS CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND EVENTUALLY ALL POWER TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER, 2" DEEP PUDDLES, CAN CAUSE THIS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. SO FAR, BELT HAS COME OFF AND/OR SHREDDED 7 TIMES FROM 8/02 - 1/04. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE. WE HAVE REPLACED THE TENSIONER PULLEY 3 TIMES AFTER IT HAD EITHER BROKEN OR SUDDENLY BECAME MISALIGNED. NO ONE CAN EXPLAIN WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. THERE HAVE BEEN NUME…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10052573 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 743260 · 2001-03-29 (March 29, 2001)
WHEN DRIVING THE VAN THE STEERING RANDOMLY VEERS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND REQUIRES CONSTANT CORRECTING. IT IS DIFFICULT TO KEEP IN ONE LANE. THE CHRYSLER DEALER HAS ADJUSTED THE STEERING GEAR BOX AS CLOSE AS IT CAN AND THE CONDITIONS STILL EXISTS. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RELIEVE THE PROBLEM BUT ACKNOWLED THAT THE CONDITION EXISTS EVEN THOUGH THE PARTS ARE TO SPECIFICATION. MY WIFE AND CHILDREN FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND I AM UNDER GREAT STRESS WHILE DRIVING. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT WITH PASSING OR …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 743260 at NHTSA ↗