1997 Dodge RAM 1500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 56about this part
- Share
- 16%of 361 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,001miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 56 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Dodge RAM 1500, 16% of the 361 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,001 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Transmission will shift through all gears approaching 30mph... It will then need to be almost floored to get the truck to down shift so I can begin to move at a quicker rate of speed. Overdrive slips everytime you press the pedal and sometimes won't go into overdrive. From what I understand the torque converter has faulty clutches causing them to break down. The debris clog up the check valve out of the cooler blocking flow of fluid to the transmission... Therefore causing severe damage as early as 20miles within check valve clogging. …”
NHTSA complaint #10218148, filed 2008-02, 68,000 miles“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. Axle assembly locked up at 45 MPH causing a skid that was controlled. Axle housing split, drive shaft detached, gear lube drained out and tires are severely flat spotted. Skid length was 115 ft.”
NHTSA complaint #11365543, filed 2020-10, 197,000 miles“Consumer called about having problems with the rear end that needs the rtp rebuilt. Manufacture stated that there is nothing they can do. Dealer stated that it needs to be rebuilt. The rear pinion seal leaked differential fluid and the rear differential was very noisy. The dealer noticed that the carrier bearings and ring and pinion were worn.”
NHTSA complaint #10031766, filed 2003-08, 67,165 miles“Right rear axle assembly sheared causing engine to stall/loss of steering/control of the wehicle. Truck bed was empty and traveling at approx. 60mph; upon occurence vehicle rolled 3 times on busy highway; both driver and passenger injured”
NHTSA complaint #10066117, filed 2004-04, 49,600 miles“Early transmission failier. 1997 Dodge RAM 1500 slt. Mileage: 62823. Automatic transmission dealership requested transmission replacement. Torque converter lock up and metal in fluid pan was diagnosis.”
NHTSA complaint #10051027, filed 2003-12, 62,823 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10216005May 1, 2013Part Description: Filter Assy - Trans Oil Sump Issue Description: When replacing the filter: Use 52118789 filter with 52118780AD pan. Use 3515996 filter with 52118804 pan. The…
- 10188700May 1, 2013Part Description: Filter Assy - Trans Oil Sump Issue Description: When replacing the filter: Use 52118789 filter with 52118780AD pan. Use 3515996 filter with 52118804 pan. The…
- 10188656Apr 17, 2013When replacing the transmission pan: Replace 52118804 pan with 52118780AD pan AND 52118789 filter. The 52118780AD pan is 0.59" deeper than the 52118804 pan and requires the…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 92 | 13% |
| 2011 | 176 | 26% |
| 2010 | 229 | 47% |
| 2009 | 231 | 34% |
| 2008 | 73 | 13% |
| 2007 | 61 | 12% |
| 2006 | 100 | 13% |
| 2005 | 594 | 51% |
| 2004 | 181 | 16% |
| 2003 | 125 | 11% |
| 2002 | 99 | 12% |
| 2001 | 95 | 9% |
| 2000 | 45 | 9% |
| 1999 | 59 | 10% |
| 1998 | 85 | 16% |
| 1997 | 56 | 16% |
| 1996 | 52 | 17% |
| 1995 | 30 | 14% |
| 1994 | 7 | 6% |
| 1993 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1997 Dodge RAM 1500
70 complaintsBrakes
53 complaintsFuel system
29 complaintsOther or unknown
28 complaintsAir bags
24 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 30, 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