MYRModel Year Report

1997 Dodge RAM

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Dodge RAM
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of 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
398
Recalls
11

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

22% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 2 complaints 1985: 10 complaints 1986: 18 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 22 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 23 complaints 1990 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 63 complaints 1993: 56 complaints 1994: 481 complaints 1995: 612 complaints 1996: 625 complaints 1997: 398 complaints 1997 398 1998: 483 complaints 1999: 366 complaints 2000: 147 complaints 2001: 318 complaints 2002: 116 complaints 2002 2003: 53 complaints 2004: 58 complaints 2005: 40 complaints 2006: 25 complaints 2006 2007: 17 complaints 2008: 25 complaints 2009: 9 complaints 2010: 27 complaints 2010 2011: 0 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 10 complaints 1986: 18 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 22 complaints 1988 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 23 complaints 1990 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 63 complaints 1992 1993: 56 complaints 1994: 481 complaints 1994 1995: 612 complaints 1996: 625 complaints 1997: 398 complaints 1997 398 1998: 483 complaints 1999: 366 complaints 2000: 147 complaints 2000 2001: 318 complaints 2002: 116 complaints 2002 2003: 53 complaints 2004: 58 complaints 2004 2005: 40 complaints 2006: 25 complaints 2006 2007: 17 complaints 2008: 25 complaints 2008 2009: 9 complaints 2010: 27 complaints 2010 2011: 0 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 10 complaints 1986: 18 complaints 1986 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 22 complaints 1988 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 23 complaints 1990 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 63 complaints 1992 1993: 56 complaints 1994: 481 complaints 1994 1995: 612 complaints 1996: 625 complaints 1997: 398 complaints 1997 398 1998: 483 complaints 1999: 366 complaints 2000: 147 complaints 2000 2001: 318 complaints 2002: 116 complaints 2002 2003: 53 complaints 2004: 58 complaints 2004 2005: 40 complaints 2006: 25 complaints 2006 2007: 17 complaints 2008: 25 complaints 2008 2009: 9 complaints 2010: 27 complaints 2010 2011: 0 complaints

1997: 398 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19812
19831
19842
198510
198618
198718
198822
198928
199023
199152
199263
199356
1994481
1995612
1996625
1997398
1998483
1999366
2000147
2001318
2002116
200353
200458
200540
200625
200717
200825
20099
201027
20110

Known problem areas

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

Service brakes

22% · 88 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Power train

20% · 79 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Steering

10% · 39 reports

Most commonly citing gear box (other than rack and pinion) and steering wheel/handle bar.

CRASHINJURYDEATH

Air bags

10% · 38 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

During frontal impact at speeds of 35 to 40MPH, the driver's side air bag did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-01-03

While driving vehicle about 57 MPH, felt/heard a pop sound in the steering area, had no control of vehicle, had no brakes (ABS), crashed, hit telephone pole, driver's air bag did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-10-18

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Engine and engine cooling

8% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIREINJURY

Safety timeline

11 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1997Complaint volume 398 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1997-05-19Power train97V084000 Under certain high load operating conditions, the transmission fluid temperature can exceed the melting point of the material used in the connector to retain the fluid line to the transmission.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the high temperature side of the transmission fluid cooler line connector fittings with connectors that incorporate a stainless steel retainer.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1997-09-25Unknown or other97V126000 Vehicle description: light duty trucks equipped with diesel engines. The exhaust pipe contacts or is in close proximity to the outer dash panel silencer pad.

    Remedy: Dealers will remove the dash silencer pad adjacent to the exhaust pipe and replace this pad with a thermal heat shield on the exhaust pipe.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1997-10-20Preliminary evaluationClosed 1998-02-27 Clutch hydraulic line failure
  5. I
    1998-02-27Engineering analysisClosed 1999-05-24 Clutch hydraulic line
  6. I
    1998-03-10Recall queryOpen Transmission quick connectors
  7. R
    1999-03-08Air bags99V023000 Vehicle description: van and wagon model passenger vehicles. If water/road salt gets on the interior floor of the vehicle in the proximity of the air bag electronic control module (Aecm), the aecm…

    Remedy: Dealers wil replace the aecm with an aecm that is sealed from moisture intrusion.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    1999-12-27Power train99V115000 Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with manual transmission, V10 engines and four-wheel-drive transfer cases. Under sustained maximum rated vehicle load, while driving up a steep grade…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the hydraulic clutch assembly.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2000-05-03Recall queryClosed 2001-04-20 Hood latch
  10. R
    2001-06-18Air bags01V153000 Vehicle description: pickup trucks. Sound deadener material inside the steering wheel could become detached from the cover and housing. Note: the RAM Pickup trucks were built at the warren…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly. Owner notification began June 18, 2001. Also some 1997-200 model year vehicles that, according to warranty records, have had a suspect replacement…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2001-09-17Latches/locks/linkages01V040000 On certain pickup trucks originally sold in or currently registered in the following "Salt belt" States: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, new…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the secondary hood latch. Owner notification began September 17, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2002-07-29Vehicle speed control02V161000 On certain pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines only, the throttle linkage joints can corrode and cause the throttle to bind or stick.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rod ends and ball studs. Owner notification began July 29, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. I
    2003-09-23Defect petitionClosed 2004-04-08 Seat back failure
  14. R
    2006-08-01Exterior lighting06E060000 Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the…

    Remedy: Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2006. Owners may contact aai motorsports at 909-923-9188.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…

    Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Dodge RAM — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 88 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 79 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 39 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V084000 · Power train
  • Recall 97V126000 · Unknown or other
  • Recall 99V023000 · Air bags
  • Recall 99V115000 · Power train
  • Recall 01V153000 · Air bags
  • Recall 01V040000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 02V161000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 06E060000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Dodge RAM reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Dodge RAM is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Dodge RAM?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Dodge RAM have?
11 recalls on file for this model year.

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