1997 Dodge RAM VAN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
95,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 12 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 16.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 8.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 |
Steering: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 4; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001143 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEM WITH BOTH OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR, HAS BEEN REPLACED 7 TIMES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001143 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003608 · 2003-01-29 (January 29, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH AC/HEATER WIRING HARNESS. THE BLOWER MOTOR FOR THE AC/HEATER SYSTEM IN THE VAN CONTINUES TO OVERLOAD AND BURN OUT COMPONENTS FOR THIS SYSTEM. THE VAN HAS BEEN PUT INTO REPAIR ON FOUR SEPERATE OCCASIONS. IT HAS NOW ONCE AGAIN BURNED OUT. HERE IS SOME INFORMATION: TURNED IN ON 6/18/99. REPLACED BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR. MILEAGE 24010 TURNED IN ON 9/16/99. REPLACED BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR, REPAIRED WIRING HARNESS AND SLEEVE. MILEAGE 26434 TURNED IN ON 12/14/99. REPLACED CONTROL HEAD AND BLOWER SWITCH. MILEAGE 29880. TURNED I…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003608 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10055681 · 2004-02-24 (February 24, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE AND IT COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A NEW ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS NEEDED, BUT NONE WERE AVAILABLE. MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THAT THAT THIS TYPE OF CABLE WAS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. *AK *MR
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10055681 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065970 · 2004-04-12 (April 12, 2004)
SEAT BELT CAME UNLATCHED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 126,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065970 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068775 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
STEERING COLUMN DESTROYED STALLING NOT RUNNING IF GAS IS NOT APPLIED WE CAN'T GET ANYONE TO FIX IT, SO WE ARE STUCK WITH A MESSED UP VAN TIRE BLEW ON US, FIRESTONE TIRES ARE STILL ON IT. I CAN'T DRIVE IT ANYWAY CAUSE IT WONT STAY STARTED AND I STILL PAY BANK 450 A MONTH FOR A VAN THAT DOESN'T RUN.
Owner-reported narrative. 57,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068775 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10075327 · 2004-06-14 (June 14, 2004)
PLEASE NOTE THIS WAS A RENTED 15 PASSENGER DODGE VAN I'M 90% SURE IT WAS A 97 IF NOT IT WAS FROM 1995 TO 2000 IN MODEL YEAR I REPORTED IT TO DODGE. JUST RECENTLY I BECAME AWARE OF YOUR SITE AND DECIDED TO REPORT IT TO YOU ALSO.*AK 1 NORMAL DRIVING BOSTON TO EASTERN KENTUCKY 2 FRONT DISC BRAKE HOSE SEVERED DUE TO PROXIMITY OF OTHER SUSPENSION COMPONENTS CONSEQUENCE LOSS OF ALL BRAKING CAPABILITY. 3 LOCAL MECHANIC INSTALLED NEW HOSE HE CONNECTED IT TO THE FONT DISC BRAKE AND ROUTED IT AWAY FROM SUSPENSION COMPONENTS TO PREVENT …
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10075327 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10136656 · 2005-09-15 (September 15, 2005)
HEADLIGHT LENS INCREASINGLY CLOUDY TO THE POINT OF EXTREMELY IMPAIRED VISION. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER CORP AND THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. THIS IS 1997 DODGE RAM VAN, [XXX]. *JB UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10136656 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10162569 · 2006-07-17 (July 17, 2006)
TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM TIRE AND BENT FENDER. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10162569 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.