1997 Dodge RAM Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 80about this part
- Share
- 20%of 398 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 106,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 80 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Dodge RAM, 20% of the 398 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 106,000 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Park position with ignition key in the lock position, vehicle shifter moved out of park , knocked owner down and ran over me, continued to roll back hit second car, continued to keep going until it hit a curb. This was a very dangerous and could have caused other accidents. Consumer sent in a fax copy of the internet voq.”
NHTSA complaint #10234636, filed 2008-07, 144,678 miles“The consumer states the front brakes have failed completely. The dealer states the vehicle was riding only on the caliper and the left rotor has cracked. . Please provide additional information.”
NHTSA complaint #10096620, filed 2004-10, 106,000 miles“While operating brake pedal, brake pedal travel suddenly increased when I applied brakes. I stopped along the shoulder of the rural road upon which I was traveling and checked for a brake problem. I discovered that the front passenger side brake hose connecting the steel brake line to the brake caliper assembly had burst where visible wear indicated the hose had repeatedly made contact with the truck frame during right turns. …”
NHTSA complaint #764541, filed 2002-07“3 times I have been slowing down to turn a corner and the rear portion of the anti-lock brakes bounce like a ball. I could not slow down enough to make the turn. I contacted the dealership and brought it in. They said that they could find nothing wrong with my truck.”
NHTSA complaint #703029, filed 1999-02“I am very unhappy with this truck,it has been nothing but problems for repair work and out of warranty coast even though it was all ongoing from the day I bought it and paid cash of >36,000 tax and all. No safety defect(s) mentioned in the summary.”
NHTSA complaint #707350, filed 1999-06Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 4% |
| 2008 | 3 | 12% |
| 2007 | 2 | 12% |
| 2005 | 5 | 13% |
| 2004 | 6 | 10% |
| 2003 | 4 | 8% |
| 2002 | 13 | 11% |
| 2001 | 34 | 11% |
| 2000 | 24 | 16% |
| 1999 | 82 | 22% |
| 1998 | 113 | 23% |
| 1997 | 80 | 20% |
| 1996 | 173 | 28% |
| 1995 | 150 | 25% |
| 1994 | 91 | 19% |
| 1993 | 16 | 30% |
| 1992 | 8 | 14% |
| 1991 | 10 | 20% |
| 1990 | 1 | 4% |
| 1985 | 2 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1997 Dodge RAM
71 complaintsAir bags
38 complaintsSteering
36 complaintsEngine cooling
30 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
30 complaintsFuel system
26 complaintsSuspension
24 complaintsVehicle speed control
23 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsTires
16 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Dodge RAM
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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