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 reports
94,500 miles · Mar 3, 2011
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ABNORMALLY DIM. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED AN UNUSUAL YELLOW FILM ON THE HEADLIGHTS LENS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ABNORMALLY DIM. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED AN UNUSUAL YELLOW FILM ON THE HEADLIGHTS LENS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #10386324
104,000 miles · Jan 14, 2011
Latches/locks/linkagesTires
WHILE DRIVING, MOUNTED SPARE TIRE DROPPED FROM UNDER THE PICKUP TRUCK ONTO THE HIGHWAY THE CABLE STORAGE SUSPENSION FAILED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10376730
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2010
Power Train
LINES STARTING LEADING AN BURNED TRANSMISSION OUT DON'T PULL AT ALL ANYMORE 97 DODGE RAM 1500 SPORT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10364240
140,000 miles · Nov 2, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TONIGHT MY THROTTLE GOT STUCK ON MY 97 DODGE RAM 1500 (ALL STOCK PARTS). AFTER STOPPING AT A LIGHT, I PULLED OUT, THEN ACCELERATED TO 50 MPH, AND LET OFF THE GAS; BUT THE TRUCK KEPT ACCELERATING. THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK WIDE OPEN, SO PRESSED THE BRAKE, PUT THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF…
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TONIGHT MY THROTTLE GOT STUCK ON MY 97 DODGE RAM 1500 (ALL STOCK PARTS). AFTER STOPPING AT A LIGHT, I PULLED OUT, THEN ACCELERATED TO 50 MPH, AND LET OFF THE GAS; BUT THE TRUCK KEPT ACCELERATING. THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK WIDE OPEN, SO PRESSED THE BRAKE, PUT THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT SEEMS TO BE LINKED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL (WHICH I NEVER HAD ON), OR SOME SORT OF BINDING IN THE FIREWALL WHERE THE CABLE LINKS TO THE PEDAL IN THE CABIN. EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE WORKING FINE NOW, BUT I'M STILL GOING TO INVESTIGATE THIS FURTHER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10363648
153,000 miles · Sep 28, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1997 DODGE RAM 1500, LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE LOCATED BEHIND THE FUEL TANK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10358087
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2010
Structure
THE DASH IN MY 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 IS DISINTEGRATING. IT'S JUST FALLING TO PIECES WITH SHARP JAGGED EDGES EVERYWHERE....... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10349730
61,589 miles · Aug 9, 2010
Structure
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 HAS NOT JUST CRACKED, BUT BROKEN INTO JAGGED PIECES. I HAVE NEVER USED ANY TYPE OF CHEMICALS OR POLISHES ON THE DASHBOARD, AND IT STILL JUST CRACKED INTO PIECES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10348349
100,000 miles · Jul 29, 2010
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS OPENED, THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD SUDDENLY FLEW UP AND INTO THE CONTACT'S FACE, OBSTRUCTING HIS VIEW OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS VIA INTERNET FOR THE EXACT FAILURE IN HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE VE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS OPENED, THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD SUDDENLY FLEW UP AND INTO THE CONTACT'S FACE, OBSTRUCTING HIS VIEW OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS VIA INTERNET FOR THE EXACT FAILURE IN HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10346117
Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2010
Structure
I HAVE A 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 AND THE DASH IS CRACKED SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF DODGE I LIVE IN TEXAS DODGE WONT REPLACE THE BROKEN PART ITS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10340420
28,900 miles · Jun 11, 2010
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE FRONT OUTER TIE ROD ENDS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIE RODS THAT WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SINCE THERE WAS N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE FRONT OUTER TIE ROD ENDS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIE RODS THAT WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SINCE THERE WAS NO WARRANTY AND THE CONTACT BE LIABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND BOTH OF THE TIE RODS FAILED A THIRD TIME. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THE PARTS NEEDED FOR A THIRD REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE BECAUSE THERE WAS A BACKLOG ON ORDERING THE PART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10335833
Official recalls
0
No 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
1
DP03006 · 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.
1997 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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