1997 Dodge RAM 1500 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 7%of 361 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,945miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Dodge RAM 1500, 7% of the 361 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,945 miles. 12 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata recall todays date 4-29-2016,I have a 1997 Dodge RAM 1500 and I would like to know all the recalls on this truck.I have a few problems coming on with my truck.im needing a replacement air intake system its called engine and engine cooling. …”
NHTSA complaint #10862332, filed 2016-04, 200,000 miles“I had been driving my 1997 RAM 1500 4x4 truck, I stop the vehicle, shut off the engine, opened the driver's door and started to step out of the vehicle. As I was half way out of the vehicle the driver's airbag went off, hitting my right shoulder as it deployed. I am very lucky it did not deploy a second sooner. I wadded the bag up and taped the steering wheel back together, I guess the is nothing else I can do. I worry now about my father, whom has a 1995 RAM 1500 4x4 truck. …”
NHTSA complaint #10761537, filed 2015-09, 134,368 miles“I have a 97 Dodge ram that started cracking around 2004 and has steadily gotten worse and worse. As a result I have a terrible looking interior and I believe my electrical problems are a testament of the dashboards exposing my electrical wiring to the sun. The only way to halfway fix it I've found is to mount formica squares(not cheap mind you) over the wholes with mounting squares, though it looks terrible. …”
NHTSA complaint #10267173, filed 2009-04, 40,000 miles“While driving the vehicle the air bag light came on. After reaching my destination about 5 minutes or so later. I pulled into a parking space put the truck in park, turned off the ignition, opened the door and the drivers airbag deployed all by itself. Luckily I was sitting back in the seat starting to exit the vehicle when it deployed. Now I have been with this truck since it was purchased and it has never been in a accident. It actually set for a large part of its life because I drove a company vehicle for my job. …”
NHTSA complaint #10725443, filed 2015-06, 100,890 miles“Started smelling strong gas fumes. Had checked and found gas tank was cracked on top and running down both sides very close to exhaust pipes. Fire hazard. Had to have gas tank and fuel pump replaced at my expense. Seems to me a gas tank should last longer than 7 years or be a factory defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10108289, filed 2005-01Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 80 | 11% |
| 2011 | 13 | 2% |
| 2010 | 14 | 3% |
| 2009 | 34 | 5% |
| 2008 | 165 | 30% |
| 2007 | 169 | 33% |
| 2006 | 193 | 24% |
| 2005 | 376 | 32% |
| 2004 | 368 | 33% |
| 2003 | 458 | 39% |
| 2002 | 46 | 6% |
| 2001 | 84 | 8% |
| 2000 | 41 | 8% |
| 1999 | 61 | 10% |
| 1998 | 63 | 12% |
| 1997 | 24 | 7% |
| 1996 | 10 | 3% |
| 1995 | 11 | 5% |
| 1994 | 7 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1997 Dodge RAM 1500
70 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
56 complaintsBrakes
53 complaintsFuel system
29 complaintsOther or unknown
28 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsSteering
23 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaintsExterior lighting
17 complaintsTires
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Dodge RAM 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology