1997 Dodge RAM Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 6%of 398 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1997 Dodge RAM, 6% of the 398 complaints for this model year. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Since july of 1997, I have experienced the transmission slipping out of gear into neutral at highway speeds. Also, a thump in the front end intermittently while driving down all types of road, a spark knocked so loud I sometimes wonder if the motor is going to last. There is often the smell of burning wires and burning fluid and sometimes the cab fills with smoke. In addition, cruise control gains speed (sometimes 5 to 8 MPH over what it is set at). The odometer gains miles.”
NHTSA complaint #703327, filed 1999-02“The first repair to the accelerator sticking was done at the cadillac truck center in cadillac, michigan. The last two repairs were done at bonney motor sales in lake city, michigan. I notified the Dodge corporate headquarters in auburn hills, michigan, of this problem in november of 1999 with no response. At that time my truck had 56,000 miles on it. The last time I wrote them a letter dated january 5, 2001, and also sent them the bill in the amount of $86.63 for another repair (#3) at 73,000 miles. The main concern I have over this is the safety issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #739665, filed 2001-01“A solid steel adjusting rod in throttle linkage has broken three times. Each incident causes vehicle to fall into an idling gear during normal operation of vehicle, and has occurred at various speeds. Dealership was able to examine vehicle on the third incident because it took place in that area. Please provide any additional information / attachments.”
NHTSA complaint #896227, filed 2001-09“After starting vehicle consumer shifted to reverse, suddenly vehicle accelerated and engine revved. Consumer applied brakes, which did not stop vehicle. After about 100 feet consumer shut off engine, and passenger shifted to park. While accelerating on its own, the vehicle damaged the garage doors and part of the house.”
NHTSA complaint #8011107, filed 2002-06“The consumer had a recall #b15, but the throttle was sticking at times. The consumer found out that the bracket for the bell crank was missing, causing the linkages to twist. The accelerator was sticking, and found the tps wiring bracket not bottled up, the tps bolts were loose and rear half of the bell crank were broken causing the bell crank to pull sideways, binding the throttle. The back part of the bell crank was replaced. Scc”
NHTSA complaint #10009905, filed 2003-03Related recalls
- 02V161000Jun 14, 2002On certain pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines only, the throttle linkage joints can corrode and cause the throttle to bind or stick.Covers: Dodge RAM 1997–1998
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 | 7% |
| 2008 | 1 | 4% |
| 2006 | 3 | 12% |
| 2004 | 5 | 9% |
| 2003 | 3 | 6% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 14 | 4% |
| 2000 | 4 | 3% |
| 1999 | 11 | 3% |
| 1998 | 25 | 5% |
| 1997 | 23 | 6% |
| 1996 | 30 | 5% |
| 1995 | 46 | 8% |
| 1994 | 30 | 6% |
| 1993 | 3 | 6% |
| 1992 | 7 | 12% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1990 | 2 | 9% |
| 1988 | 2 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1997 Dodge RAM
80 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
71 complaintsAir bags
38 complaintsSteering
36 complaintsEngine cooling
30 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
30 complaintsFuel system
26 complaintsSuspension
24 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