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Dodge RAM VanModel year report

1997 Dodge RAM Van Problems

Complaints
16filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
95,000miles, 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 Van (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1997 Dodge RAM Van. The part named most often is brakes, with 3 complaints (19% of the total), followed by steering (3) and suspension (3). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 95,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 10 technical service bulletins for this model year.

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.

Also reported: Seat belts (1), Body and structure (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “Please note this was a rented 15 passenger Dodge van I'm 90% sure it was a 97 if not it was from 1995 to 2000 in model year I reported it to Dodge. Just recently I became aware of your site and decided to report it to you also. 1 normal driving boston to eastern kentucky 2 front disc brake hose severed due to proximity of other suspension components consequence loss of all braking capability. 3 local mechanic installed new hose he connected it to the font disc brake and routed it away from suspension components to prevent it from happening again. …”

NHTSA complaint #10075327, filed 2004-06, 30,000 miles

Steering: “The front frames rot out on steering side and it isn't 1 of them it is almost all of them. Toyota recalled tacomas for this and I want my frame fixed or replaced. This happens early in the life of the vehicles. They have almost gotten away with it . But these are still on the road and could kill people .they need to buy the ones that are still on the road or trade for safe vans or trucks. The service life of these were cut short and almost every junkyard has these and they all look good but they aren't safe. …”

NHTSA complaint #10542538, filed 2013-09, 100,000 miles

Suspension: “After the brakes have been rebuilt there is still chatter from one or more wheels which can be felt by noticeable lunges when slowing to a stop and when coming into curves on mountain highways. Nlm”

NHTSA complaint #560510, filed 2001-03

Vehicle speed control: “While driving at 65 MPH accelerator became stuck. Consumer was not able to control vehicle and it collided with the vehicle in front. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the consumer that a new accelerator cable was needed, but none were available. Manufacturer claimed that that this type of cable was no longer manufactured.”

NHTSA complaint #10055681, filed 2004-02, 90,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

17% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 57,000 and 126,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2517%25–5017%50–7517%75–10033%100–15017%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 95,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

1997199920022004420062014
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1997 Dodge RAM Van 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. 10 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

Other model years of the Dodge RAM Van

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20031650,0000—14—Stable
20021456,0301—13—Not enough data
20013360,0001—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20002949,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19994771,0000——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199822111,3741———Stable
19971695,0000———Stable
19961831,3650———Stable
199514144,0000———Not enough data
19946—0———Not enough data

All Dodge RAM Van model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Dodge RAM Van have?

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1997 Dodge RAM Van as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Dodge RAM Van is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 3 complaints (19% of the total), followed by steering with 3.

Has the 1997 Dodge RAM Van 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 Van reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 95,000 miles and the middle half falls between 57,000 and 126,000 miles; 17% 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.