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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

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

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

What owners actually said

16 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2001
Electrical System

BATTERY EXPLODED WHILE STARTING VEHICLE. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #897801

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 · Feb 1, 1999
Suspension

SHOCKS FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ODI #605940

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

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 1997
Vehicle Speed Control

CRUISE CONTROL FAILS TO DISENGAGE WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #518512

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

MAIN DRIVE BELT BINDED UP AND BROKE OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO DODGE DEALER/MANUFACTURER. BELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. WILL BE CONTACTED . *AK

NHTSA ODI #813947

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.