1997 Dodge RAM 1500 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 5%of 361 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 122,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1997 Dodge RAM 1500, 5% of the 361 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 122,500 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I am the second owner of this vehicle the night after I bought it I repositioned the steering wheel closer to my lap and the headlamps went out causing me to not be able to see I flicked on the high beams and was able to see again. But if I hadn't done that I could have had an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10501032, filed 2013-03, 105,000 miles“The low beam headlights cut out while I was driving at night to the store a motorist flashed their lights at me while I was at a light.. Checked all fuses and had mechanic look it over. They narrowed it down to the steering column it will be 400$ to fix. The wire harness pin plug had overheated and melted. Almost caused a fire. I had smelled burning electric smell. Was only able to hold hi beam lever to keep hi beams engaged to be able to drive with lights till problem is fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10811460, filed 2015-12, 155,000 miles“Dash starting cracking and falling apart, wires got messed up and some things don't work. Parts of the plastic of the dash come out the vents when you turn on the heat or air. Part with the VIN went somewhere to parts unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #10659345, filed 2014-11, 150,000 miles“Dashboard cracked/split into pieces causing wires to be cut. Loss of headlamps, taillamps, and brake lights. Unknown if any damage has been done to the airbag system. How do I check that?”
NHTSA complaint #10206769, filed 2007-10, 57,000 miles“I own a 1997 Dodge RAM 1500 4 wd pickup. I have had it for 3 years and have had numerous problems with the head lights cutting on and off, and then going off and not coming back on. I spent several hundreds of dollars to have the problem fixed, but it still does it. I have been told by mechanics that do this type of work for a living that this is a manufacturers defect in the wiring somewhere. And that there are several vehicles( Dodge trucks) with this same problem. I believe that Dodge needs to put out a recall on this issue and got the problem resolved. …”
NHTSA complaint #10275015, filed 2009-06Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 46 | 7% |
| 2011 | 29 | 4% |
| 2010 | 10 | 2% |
| 2009 | 19 | 3% |
| 2008 | 17 | 3% |
| 2007 | 37 | 7% |
| 2006 | 139 | 18% |
| 2005 | 22 | 2% |
| 2004 | 29 | 3% |
| 2003 | 18 | 2% |
| 2002 | 35 | 4% |
| 2001 | 17 | 2% |
| 2000 | 9 | 2% |
| 1999 | 9 | 1% |
| 1998 | 6 | 1% |
| 1997 | 17 | 5% |
| 1996 | 12 | 4% |
| 1995 | 13 | 6% |
| 1994 | 8 | 7% |
| 1993 | 1 | 17% |
| 1991 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1997 Dodge RAM 1500
70 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
56 complaintsBrakes
53 complaintsFuel system
29 complaintsOther or unknown
28 complaintsAir bags
24 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsSteering
23 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsEngine cooling
20 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