1997 Dodge RAM 1500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
296 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
99,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 144 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 58 of 296 complaints (19.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 41 | 13.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 31 | 10.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 26 | 8.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 18 | 6.1% |
| Steering behavior | 16 | 5.4% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 2.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure | 58 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 30 |
| Unknown Or Other | 25 |
| Air Bags | 13 |
| Tires | 10 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Exterior Lighting | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 8 |
Structure: 58; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 30; Unknown Or Other: 25; Air Bags: 13; Tires: 10; Electrical System: 9; Exterior Lighting: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 27 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 24 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 44 |
| 150,000 and above | 28 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 27; 75,000 to 99,999: 24; 100,000 to 149,999: 44; 150,000 and above: 28
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (44). 152 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 | 23 |
| 2001 | 30 |
| 2002 | 25 |
| 2003 | 31 |
| 2004 | 22 |
| 2005 | 22 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2007 | 24 |
| 2008 | 16 |
| 2009 | 13 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2011 | 19 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
2000: 23; 2001: 30; 2002: 25; 2003: 31; 2004: 22; 2005: 22; 2006: 12; 2007: 24; 2008: 16; 2009: 13; 2010: 16; 2011: 19; 2012: 7; 2013: 6; 2014: 11; 2015: 10; 2016: 4; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2020: 2
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 41 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 31 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 26 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002974 · 2003-01-19 (January 19, 2003)
BOTH EXTERIOR MIRRORS TURN IN WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN HAVING SUCH AS COMPLAINT #'S 724822, 9001529, 890575, 882388, 747014. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A DODGE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER ONE DAY TOOK IT TO THEM AND DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM WITH THEM AND WAS TOLD BY SOME IN THE SERVICE DEPT. THAT THEY WERE NOT ORIGINAL MIRRORS. I KNOW THAT THESE ARE THE ORIGIANL MIRRORS BY SEEING OVER 100 TRUCKS ON THE ROAD WITH THE SAME ONES ON THEM. I FOUND THAT A SORRY WAY TO GET BY WITHOUT DISCU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002974 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004774 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)
FUEL GAUGE IS NOT READING ACCURATELY AND WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE RUNS OUT OF GAS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 57,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004774 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005360 · 2003-02-05 (February 5, 2003)
AUTO. TRANSMISSION GOING OUT AT 51,000 MILES
Owner-reported narrative. 35 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005360 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005611 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REBUILT THREE TIMES SINCE BUYING NEW. HAS 85000 MILES ON IT. DODGE WILL NOT RESPOND TO EMAILS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005611 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007372 · 2003-02-13 (February 13, 2003)
THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A LOW MILEAGE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007372 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009395 · 2002-11-06 (November 6, 2002)
DODGE HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHEN THE MANUFACTURER SENT OUT A BULLETIN STATING SINCE APRIL ALL TRANSTEC GASKET SETS AND OVER HAUL KITS HAVE CONTAINED AN UPDATED SEAL FOR THE DIRECT(FRONT) CLUTCH. THIS SEAL HAS A WIDER BASE THAN PREVIOUS SEAL THIS IS TO COMPENSATE FOR THE GROOVE THAT HAS POSSIBLY BEEN MACHINED INCORRECTLY FROM THE FACTORY IT HAS BEEN PROVEN IN EXTENSIVE FIELD TESTING TO CORRECT DELAY IN REVERSE SLIPPING 2-3 AND NO 2-3 COMPLAINTS TRANSTEC #28313 IS MADE OF VITON TO RESIST WEAR AND HEAT DETERIORATION ALL TRANSTEC KITS WITH T…
Owner-reported narrative. 57,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009395 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010574 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
BOTH EXTERIOR MIRRORS ARE DEFECTIVE. THEY WILL NOT REMAIN STATIONARY AND MOVE AROUND IN THE WIND. I HAVE SEEN OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES WITH THE SAME DEFECT. I CONTACTED THE DODGE CUSTOMER DEPARTMENT BUT THEY CLAIMED NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TRIED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT BUT IT WAS ONLY TEMPORARY. THEY BROKE ONCE AGAIN IN SEVERAL MONTHS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010574 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011227 · 2003-03-10 (March 10, 2003)
THE HEAD LIGHTS SHUT OFF BY THEMSELVES.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011227 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.