MYRModel Year Report

1997 Dodge RAM 1500

▲ Better than typical
1997 Dodge RAM 1500
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
361
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Structure

19% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 6 complaints 1994: 116 complaints 1994 1995: 213 complaints 1996: 298 complaints 1997: 361 complaints 1997 361 1998: 520 complaints 1999: 610 complaints 2000: 513 complaints 2000 2001: 1,112 complaints 2002: 815 complaints 2003: 1,171 complaints 2003 2004: 1,097 complaints 2005: 1,169 complaints 2006: 792 complaints 2006 2007: 517 complaints 2008: 554 complaints 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2011: 688 complaints 2012: 697 complaints 2012 2014: 1 complaint
1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 6 complaints 1993 1994: 116 complaints 1995: 213 complaints 1995 1996: 298 complaints 1997: 361 complaints 1997 361 1998: 520 complaints 1999: 610 complaints 1999 2000: 513 complaints 2001: 1,112 complaints 2001 2002: 815 complaints 2003: 1,171 complaints 2003 2004: 1,097 complaints 2005: 1,169 complaints 2005 2006: 792 complaints 2007: 517 complaints 2007 2008: 554 complaints 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2011: 688 complaints 2011 2012: 697 complaints 2014: 1 complaint 2014
1991: 7 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1992 1993: 6 complaints 1993 1994: 116 complaints 1994 1995: 213 complaints 1995 1996: 298 complaints 1996 1997: 361 complaints 1997 361 1998: 520 complaints 1998 1999: 610 complaints 1999 2000: 513 complaints 2000 2001: 1,112 complaints 2001 2002: 815 complaints 2002 2003: 1,171 complaints 2003 2004: 1,097 complaints 2004 2005: 1,169 complaints 2005 2006: 792 complaints 2006 2007: 517 complaints 2007 2008: 554 complaints 2008 2009: 670 complaints 2009 2010: 485 complaints 2010 2011: 688 complaints 2011 2012: 697 complaints 2012 2014: 1 complaint 2014

1997: 361 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19917
19920
19936
1994116
1995213
1996298
1997361
1998520
1999610
2000513
20011,112
2002815
20031,171
20041,097
20051,169
2006792
2007517
2008554
2009670
2010485
2011688
2012697
20141

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Structure

19% · 70 reports

Most commonly citing body and hinge and attachments.

CRASHINJURY

Power train

17% · 61 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and cooling unit and lines.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Noticed a high pitched whine coming from the rear of the vehicle about 30-40 seconds before the rear axle assembly locked up. Traveling on a secondary to a city street slowing to 30 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-10-21

Service brakes

15% · 55 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Fuel system, gasoline

8% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing tank assembly and fuel pump.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Upon exiting vehicle after short trip (2 miles), noticed strong fuel odor. Looked under truck and observed fuel streaming down over hot exhaust pipe beneath engine compartment.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-08-14

Air bags

7% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Dodge RAM 1500. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated after an un-related service to the vehicle. The warning light remained illuminated for several months.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-10-28

Brake failed which resulted in an accident. No air bag deployment. The seat belt saved the consumer's life. Mr ph. Also the spare tire was bald and it took 3 months to get it replaced.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-24

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic and tires

When vehicle rearended another vehicle going (45) MPH the driver's side air bag deployed and the gases from the air bag burned driver's left wrist. Driver sustained 2ND degree burns. Vehicle was repaired.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-03-17

Safety timeline

1 recall · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2003-09-23Defect petitionClosed 2004-04-08 Seat back failure
  2. R
    2006-04-20Engine and engine cooling06E024000 Certain replacement k&n fuel performance kits, p/nos. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, and 57-1530. Also, a small percentage of these kits were sold under the mopar…

    Remedy: K&n will provide owners with a free repair kit along with repair instructions. The recall began on April 20, 2006.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Dodge RAM 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Structure: 70 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 61 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 55 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E024000 · Engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Dodge RAM 1500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Dodge RAM 1500 is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Dodge RAM 1500?
The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Dodge RAM 1500 have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.