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1997 Dodge RAM Van

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
16Owner complaints

Model-year median: 15

0Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
6
199414
199518
199616
199722
199847
199929
2000
Compare all RAM Van years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Steering
3Suspension
3Vehicle Speed Control
3Engine And Engine Cooling
2
All reported categories
Tires
2Electrical System
1Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Seat Belts
1Structure
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 6 of 16 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

3 reports
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30,000 miles · Jun 14, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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 PROXIM…

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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 IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. HE STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM HE'S SEEN IN THE DODGE 15 PASSENGER VAN

NHTSA ODI #10075327

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringSuspension

THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF WHEN THE OFF BUTTON IS DEPRESSED, THE CONSUMER CUTS THE ENGINE OFF THEN BACK ON TO GET THE LIGHTS TO GO OFF. NLM

NHTSA ODI #560510

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN THE FRONT BRAKES GET HOT AND WARPED, THE CAR VEERS TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. DEALER ALSO REPLACED REAR BRAKES. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #827875

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

PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate

Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.