1997 Dodge RAM Pickup Problems
- Complaints
- 17filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 45,004miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Dodge RAM Pickup (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 1997 Dodge RAM Pickup. The part named most often is body and structure, with 5 complaints (29% of the total), followed by steering (2) and suspension (2). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 45,004 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Body and structure5 29%
- Steering2 12%
- Suspension2 12%
- Brakes1 5.9%
- Electrical system1 5.9%
- Engine cooling1 5.9%
- Exterior lighting1 5.9%
- Tires1 5.9%
Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Body and structure: “Every time it rains, I have standing water in the cab of the truck on the passenger side. I have had this problem repaired 4 times, and it hads occured again. It is only a matter of time till the electrical components of the truck fail due to exposure to water. I am extremely frustrated with the Dodge truck, and according to the dealer , this is not an isolated problem, as they have had many trucks with the same trouble in their area, not to mention country wide. …”
NHTSA complaint #711269, filed 2000-04Steering: “!)at 36,246 miles, bolts holding tie rods to steering box broke while I was traveling on interstate. Had to fight Dodge to cover under warranty. Originally had vehicle in for 'wandering steering' before warranty expired. They replaced steering box, tie rods, ball joints, idler arm and other related componets. 2)18,276 miles later, same dealership states needs new tie rods, idler arm, pitman arm, and ball joints on left front. Feel these parts should be replaced free as they replaced themselves only 18,000 miles ago. Have provided proper maintenance. …”
NHTSA complaint #10016478, filed 2003-04, 36,346 milesVehicle speed control: “Consumer states after they had the recall 02 v 161 000 for the throttle leakage done ,the steering wheel is inoperative. There's fuel leakage, and the odometer read a decrease in the mileage. Ph”
NHTSA complaint #10006192, filed 2003-02, 25,502 milesMileage when problems were reported
50% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 29,000 and 61,534 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1997 Dodge RAM Pickup in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10139596Sep 3, 2014Equipment, Body and structure. Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and instruction sheet are now available as a…
Other model years of the Dodge RAM Pickup
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 14 | 16,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 22 | 49,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 20 | 44,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 8 | 67,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 33 | 67,500 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 18 | 122,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 17 | 45,004 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1996 | 6 | 10,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 7 | 132,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Dodge RAM Pickup model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Dodge RAM Pickup have?
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 1997 Dodge RAM Pickup as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Dodge RAM Pickup is reported most often?
Body and structure is named most often, in 5 complaints (29% of the total), followed by steering with 2.
Has the 1997 Dodge RAM Pickup been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Dodge RAM Pickup reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 45,004 miles and the middle half falls between 29,000 and 61,534 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.