IllustrationWHEELS WERE LOCKING UP AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. HE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC, HAD TO HAVE AXLE BEARING S REPLACED.*AK
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 reportsTHE DISTANCE IN WHICH VEHICLE NEEDS TO STOP IS LONGER THAN OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE IN MODERATE TO HARD BRAKING. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE PEDAL FEEL IS AVERAGE BUT THE BRAKES DO NOT SEEM TO GRAB AND STOP THE VEHICLE AS IT SHOULD. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CLOSE ACCIDENTS DUE TO POOR BRAKING. THE BRAKES…
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THE DISTANCE IN WHICH VEHICLE NEEDS TO STOP IS LONGER THAN OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE IN MODERATE TO HARD BRAKING. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE PEDAL FEEL IS AVERAGE BUT THE BRAKES DO NOT SEEM TO GRAB AND STOP THE VEHICLE AS IT SHOULD. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CLOSE ACCIDENTS DUE TO POOR BRAKING. THE BRAKES DO NOT LOCK-UP ON THE VEHICLE, NOT EVEN TO THE POINT WHERE ABS WILL NEED TO RELEASE THE REAR WHEELS. I HAVE COMPLETELY REPLACED ALL BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HAS NOT IMPROVED AT ALL!! AS WELL AS SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON DIAGNOSTICS WORK WITH NO ANSWER AS TO THE CAUSE (BUT THE DEALER DOES KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM)!! THIS IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE DEALER, THEY HAVE BEEN FAIR, BUT HAVE RUN OUT OF PLACES TO LOOK. THEY HAVE CALLED CHRYSLER STAR HOTLINE, ETC. BUT STILL NO RESOLVE. IF ANYONE HAS A FIX FOR THIS OR A COURSE OF ACTION TO TAKE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW! I LOVE THE TRUCK, BUT IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *JB
CRUISE-CONTROL, MY CRUISE-CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND I GO TO SET MY SPEED THAT I WANT AND IT DOESN'T WORK. I CONTINUE GOING AND THEN THE CRUISE WILL TAKE OVER ON IT'S OWN AND START WORKING AND WHEN I STOP, IT STOPS. I TAKE OFF AND THEN IT WILL KICK IN AND LOCK ON AND WORK AND OTHER TIMES, WHEN I WANT IT TO, IT WON'T WORK AT A…
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CRUISE-CONTROL, MY CRUISE-CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND I GO TO SET MY SPEED THAT I WANT AND IT DOESN'T WORK. I CONTINUE GOING AND THEN THE CRUISE WILL TAKE OVER ON IT'S OWN AND START WORKING AND WHEN I STOP, IT STOPS. I TAKE OFF AND THEN IT WILL KICK IN AND LOCK ON AND WORK AND OTHER TIMES, WHEN I WANT IT TO, IT WON'T WORK AT ALL. WOULD THIS HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE SPRINGS AND SET UP WITH THE AIR BAG RECALL ON THE 1997 DODGE RAM PICK-UPS, WHICH I NEVER RECEIVED. I DID GET THE RECALL FOR THE HOOD LATCH PROBLEM AND HAD THAT FIXED IMMEDIATELY. I OWN A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 PICK-UP TRUCK AND THE MILEAGE JUST TURNED 50,000, PLUS I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON IT ALSO. *NLM
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE CONSUMER HAD TO DOWN SHIFT AND USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE MECHANIC STATED THE MAIN BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT.
THE HOOD LATCH BROKE AND CAUSED THE HOOD TO FLY UP WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF VISIBILITY. *NLM
I HAVE A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 PICK-UP. I RECENTLY NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. WHEN I FILLED UP MY GAS TANK, I DISCOVERED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TANK. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE LEAK APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM NEAR THE TOP OF THE TANK. I CAN'T SEE THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK BECAUSE OF THE FRAME. I CONTACTED…
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I HAVE A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 PICK-UP. I RECENTLY NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. WHEN I FILLED UP MY GAS TANK, I DISCOVERED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TANK. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE LEAK APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM NEAR THE TOP OF THE TANK. I CAN'T SEE THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK BECAUSE OF THE FRAME. I CONTACTED DAIMLER-CHRYSLER AND THEY WERE NO HELP SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. SINCE THE LEAK IS NEAR THE EXHAUST PIPING, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE. THE TRUCK HAD NEVER BEEN DRIVEN OFF-ROAD, ONLY ON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT NEXT WEEK WITH A REPAIR FACILITY TO EXAMINE THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK. *JB
THE VEHICLES DRIVER SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR FAILED TO STAY IN PLACE WHICH RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY. *NLM
THE TWO REAR VIEW MIRRORS HAVE FALLEN. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM DE LOS ESPEJOS LATERALES SE ESTAN DESPRENDIENDO.
1997 DODGE RAM 1500. MFG CLAIMING NEEDING ENGINE REPLACEMENT DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD-UP FROM POOR MAINTENANCE, HOWEVER, MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN KEPT BEYOND RECOMMENDATION AND IS DOCUMENTED. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE IN THE SHOP SINCE PURCHASED USED 3 YEARS AGO, ALL WITH OIL ISSUES AND ONLY NOW IS THE ISSUE W/ SLUDGE MENTIONED. AFTER C…
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1997 DODGE RAM 1500. MFG CLAIMING NEEDING ENGINE REPLACEMENT DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD-UP FROM POOR MAINTENANCE, HOWEVER, MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN KEPT BEYOND RECOMMENDATION AND IS DOCUMENTED. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE IN THE SHOP SINCE PURCHASED USED 3 YEARS AGO, ALL WITH OIL ISSUES AND ONLY NOW IS THE ISSUE W/ SLUDGE MENTIONED. AFTER CHECKING COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO THIS ONE WHERE PEOPLE WERE TOLD THEY NEED AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT DUE TO SLUDGE. MULTIPLE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS SEEM TO BE PENDING ON THIS AS WELL. I HAVE TALKED WITH MANY MECHANICS WHO ADVISE THAT MOST DODGE RAM TRUCKS THEY SEE HAVE THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM BECAUSE THE ENGINE'S COMPRESSION IS SET TO HIGH AND IT CAUSES THE OIL TO SLUDGE UP. MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN KEPT, OIL CHANGES EVERY 1500 MILES. LESS THAN 10K MILES PUT ON THE VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASED WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY (WHICH WILL NOT COVER THIS.) . *NLM
THE LEFT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *JB
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.