no report yet
Vehicle speed control
Risk. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
1997 Dodge RAMProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 398 owner complaints about the 1997 Dodge RAM, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 7 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 6, 2011. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1997 Dodge RAM has problems
398 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
78Service brakes, hydraulic7 crash/fire/injury
71Power train3 crash/fire/injury
38Air bags28 crash/fire/injury
36Steering5 crash/fire/injury
30Engine and engine cooling6 crash/fire/injury
30Visibility
24Suspension
23Vehicle speed control
22Electrical system
10815 other systems9 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 78 | 7 |
| Power train | 71 | 3 |
| Air bags | 38 | 28 |
| Steering | 36 | 5 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 30 | 6 |
| Visibility | 30 | 0 |
| Suspension | 24 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 23 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 22 | 9 |
| 15 other systems | 108 | 9 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
7 recalls
1997 Dodge RAM recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Air bags
Risk. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT.
no report yet
Hood: latch
Risk. IF THE PRIMARY LATCH IS NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY.
no report yet
Power train: clutch assembly
Risk. THE FLUID COULD IGNITE ON THE HOT EXHAUST POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Show 3 more recalls
no report yet
Air bags: frontal
Risk. DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG WITHOUT WARNING COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH AND PERSONAL INJURY.
no report yet
Unknown or other
Risk. IF THE EXHAUST PIPE GENERATES SUFFICIENT HEAT, THE PAD MATERIAL CAN SMOLDER AND IGNITE ADJACENT MATERIALS RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
no report yet
Automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
Risk. WHEN THESE TEMPERATURES OCCUR, THE FLUID LINE WILL NOT STAY CONNECTED WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND FLUID CAN SPRAY ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, RESULTING IN SMOKE…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.
Best & worst years
1997 vs. every other RAM year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RAM median. How we score
'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1997 Dodge RAM safety ratings
1997 Dodge Ram 1500 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1997 Dodge RAM, and the recalls they led to.
- SEAT BACK FAILURENo recall
- CLUTCH HYDRAULIC LINENo recall
- CLUTCH HYDRAULIC LINE FAILURELed to recall 99V-115
- HOOD LATCHLed to recall 01V-040
- TRANSMISSION QUICK CONNECTORSLed to recall 97V-084
In owners' words
What RAM owners report
Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
THE CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE FAILED COMPLETELY. THE DEALER STATES THE VEHICLE WAS RIDING ONLY ON THE CALIPER AND THE LEFT ROTOR HAS CRACKED.. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
APPLIED THE BRAKES AND FELT NO RESPONSE NOR ANY DECREASE IN SPEED OTHER THAN RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR, RESULTING IN HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. AFTER APPLYNING THE PARKING BRAKE ONLY THE LEFT FRONT LOCKED AS I SWERVED TO THE LEFT, REPLACE PADS AND CHANGED THE BRAKE FLUID.
CONSUMER STATES HIS BRAKES CONTINUE TO GO OUT ON HIM. HE STATES THAT HE WAS TOLD THAT THE HUB ASSEMBLY CAUSES THE BRAKES TO GO OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HIM 3 TIMES AND HE IS ON HIS 4TH TIME. THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. HE ALSO STATES THIS IS GETTING VERY EXPENSIVE. TS
Own a 1997 RAM?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.