1997 Dodge RAM problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
216 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 27 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 22 of 216 complaints (10.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 33 | 15.3% |
| Braking behavior | 27 | 12.5% |
| Steering behavior | 18 | 8.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 12 | 5.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 3.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 22 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 16 |
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior | 14 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 8 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 22; Air Bags:Frontal: 16; Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior: 14; Unknown Or Other: 12; Vehicle Speed Control: 12; Tires:Tread/Belt: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 8; Air Bags: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 189 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 | 71 |
| 2001 | 70 |
| 2002 | 32 |
| 2003 | 19 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
2000: 71; 2001: 70; 2002: 32; 2003: 19; 2004: 12; 2005: 2; 2007: 6; 2008: 2; 2011: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 33 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 18 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 10009097 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)
CONSUMER WAS TOLD VEHICLE HAD 4-WHEEL DRIVE, BUT SOON DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL AND RUINED THE TRANSMISSION.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009097 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024165 · 2003-07-10 (July 10, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE 5TH GEAR TO THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. *AK IT WAS DISCOVERED THE NUT WHICH HELD THE 5TH GEAR INTO PLACE BECAME LOOSE. PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024165 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10096620 · 2004-10-12 (October 12, 2004)
THE CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE FAILED COMPLETELY. THE DEALER STATES THE VEHICLE WAS RIDING ONLY ON THE CALIPER AND THE LEFT ROTOR HAS CRACKED. . PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10096620 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10220647 · 2008-03-07 (March 7, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE AND OIL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE ON THREE OCCASIONS AND STATED THAT THE COMPRESSOR SENSORS WERE LOW AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO ADD TWO QUARTS OF OIL PER WEEK. HOWEVER, THE OIL LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE HAD ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VIN WAS CONFIRMED, BUT APPEARS TO BE INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,400.
Owner-reported narrative. 133,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10220647 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069114 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
BAD PLENUM GASKET. FUEL AND OIL MIX. AND STEERING OUTPUT SHAFT LEAKS A THE GEAR BOX. AND TRUCK WONT IDLE IN THE COLD
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069114 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10178311 · 2007-01-10 (January 10, 2007)
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY 2- 3 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE HAD DIFFICULTIES INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY BECAME STUCK ,AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME . THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DID NOT GET THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE REPAIR SHOP BETWEEN THE SECOND AND THIRD REPLACEMENT. THE REPAIR SHOP PUT THE STEERING COLUMN IN WRONG POSITION , AND ADVISED HER THEY WOULD NEED TO ORDER A NEW ONE. ALSO, THEY CUT THE AIR BAG WHEN REPLAC…
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10178311 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004097 · 2003-01-17 (January 17, 2003)
NAR 1/15/2003. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE FUEL TANK METAL SUPPORT STRAPS. THE FLAW MAY CAUSE THE FUEL TANK TO DROP FROM THE TRUCK ONTO THE GROUND AND START A FIRE OR EXPLOSION. THE FUEL TANK SUPPORT PROBLEM WAS DUE TO METAL STRESS BASED ON THE POOR DESIGN OF THE HOLDING STRAPS. THE CONSUMER THIS PROBLEM WHEN HE WENT TO LOOK UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE REAR PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK WAS HANGING LOW AT THE SAME TIME HE NOTICED THE METAL STRAP WAS HANIGN LOOSE, HE CRAWLED UNDER THE TRUCK ANS SAW THE REAR TAK STRAP WAS BRO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004097 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004099 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
FLAW IN FUEL TANK METAL SUPPORT STRAPS. DODGE TRUCK, RAM, 1997. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004099 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009905 · 2003-03-25 (March 25, 2003)
THE CONSUMER HAD A RECALL #B15, BUT THE THROTTLE WAS STICKING AT TIMES. THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT THAT THE BRACKET FOR THE BELL CRANK WAS MISSING, CAUSING THE LINKAGES TO TWIST. THE ACCELERATOR WAS STICKING, AND FOUND THE TPS WIRING BRACKET NOT BOTTLED UP, THE TPS BOLTS WERE LOOSE AND REAR HALF OF THE BELL CRANK WERE BROKEN CAUSING THE BELL CRANK TO PULL SIDEWAYS, BINDING THE THROTTLE. THE BACK PART OF THE BELL CRANK WAS REPLACED. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009905 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011266 · 2003-03-10 (March 10, 2003)
THE VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE UNDER THE DASHBOARD, WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE. *JB THE CONSUMER HAS REQUESTED INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER VEHICLES (SAME MAKE/MODEL) WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 133,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011266 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 882328 · 2001-03-07 (March 7, 2001)
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION AND FOUND OUT BRAKE PAD FELL OFF. METAL TO METAL RUINED ROTOR. BOTH HAD TO BE CUT BECAUSE OTHER GOOD ONE WAS WORN DOWN. ALSO, FUEL PUMP WENT BAD FOR SECOND TIME. CONSUMER STOPPED AT A STOP AFTER RETURNING FROM STORE AND VEHICLE STALLED. IT NO LONGER STARTED RIGHT UP, IT ALWAYS HEITATED LIKE IT WAS NOT TRYING TO CATCH. DEALER SAID IT LOST ITS PROGRAM BECAUSE IT WAS NOT USED ENOUGH. CONSUMERS WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED, COVERED COST.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 882328 at NHTSA ↗