1997 Dodge RAM 1500 Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 4%of 361 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1997 Dodge RAM 1500, 4% of the 361 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Tonight my throttle got stuck on my 97 Dodge RAM 1500 (all stock parts). After stopping at a light, I pulled out, then accelerated to 50 MPH, and let off the gas; but the truck kept accelerating. The throttle was stuck wide open, so pressed the brake, put the truck in neutral, shut off the engine and pulled over to the side of the road. It seems to be linked to the cruise control (which I never had on), or some sort of binding in the firewall where the cable links to the pedal in the cabin. Everything seems to be working fine now, but I'm still going to investigate this further.”
NHTSA complaint #10363648, filed 2010-11, 140,000 miles“I own a 1997 Dodge 1500 ram p.u. I started my truck up towarm up. I then backed out of the drive. When I put truck in drive, it stalled. I started it back up and put it in drive again. The engine was going full throttle and it took off like a rocket. I cut the enging to look for a problem. Everything appeared ok so I started it up again and put it in gear. The engine was running so fast that even though I held the brake peddal to the floor the engine pulled me right thru a stop sign. I played with the gas peddal and it began to run normal. …”
NHTSA complaint #10062479, filed 2004-03, 126,000 miles“Cruise-control, my cruise-control light comes on and I go to set my speed that I want and it doesn't work. I continue going and then the cruise will take over on it's own and start working and when I stop, it stops. I take off and then it will kick in and lock on and work and other times, when I want it to, it won't work at all. Would this have anything to do with the springs and set up with the air bag recall on the 1997 Dodge ram pick-ups, which I never received. I did get the recall for the hood latch problem and had that fixed immediately. …”
NHTSA complaint #10018662, filed 2003-05, 49,900 miles“A long list is available at humes of waterford,pa. The most amazing failure of the vehichle was when the driver's door flew open while driving around the bend and I was lucky thaat no oncoming traffic was coming. Humes(dealer) fixed it by a horrible weld on the latch.”
NHTSA complaint #10116859, filed 2005-04, 40 miles“While sitting at a gas station on a slight incline vehicle rolled backwards about thirty feet and collided with a fuel pump. The fuel pump was demolished, and fuel flooded the immediate area. Vehicle suffered scratches, a bent bumper and several dents.”
NHTSA complaint #10075697, filed 2004-06, 94,000 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 28 | 4% |
| 2011 | 19 | 3% |
| 2010 | 9 | 2% |
| 2009 | 12 | 2% |
| 2008 | 13 | 2% |
| 2007 | 13 | 3% |
| 2006 | 21 | 3% |
| 2005 | 17 | 1% |
| 2004 | 26 | 2% |
| 2003 | 20 | 2% |
| 2002 | 22 | 3% |
| 2001 | 18 | 2% |
| 2000 | 9 | 2% |
| 1999 | 10 | 2% |
| 1998 | 13 | 3% |
| 1997 | 14 | 4% |
| 1996 | 11 | 4% |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% |
| 1994 | 2 | 2% |
| 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 complaintsExterior lighting
17 complaintsTires
16 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