1997 Dodge RAM Pickup
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Dodge › RAM Pickup › 1997
These records cover every 1997 Dodge RAM Pickup. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
17 complaints1 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Structure
Dash board cracked on drivers side and middle from where it meets windshield to the face of dash. *tr
- Tires
While driving on us highway 231 in alabama a good year tire (lt245/75r16e) treads separated and caused over $4,600.00 dollars damage to the left side of my dodge RAM truck. the tires have been a problem since new and were oem equipment . they wouldn't stay in balance very long after being…
While driving on us highway 231 in alabama a good year tire (lt245/75r16e) treads separated and caused over $4,600.00 dollars damage to the left side of my dodge RAM truck. the tires have been a problem since new and were oem equipment . they wouldn't stay in balance very long after being balanced. good year tire and rubber co. Has offered me $l89.00 for a new tire and $200.00 for the deductible insurance I paid geico. I told good year that I wanted all four tires replaced because of the history of the tires. also, that if one tire could have tread separation any one of the other three tires could do the same thing and the next time more than the truck body would get damaged-humane body's might get damaged. further more, $l89.50 they have offered me for a new tire will not buy a tire for my truck that IS safe to drive on a highway. I have been quoted a price of $273.00 for the right tire[s] for my truck. I have been since june 21, 2008, trying to resolve this matter with good year to no avail. I have spent countless days traveling to tire company working with good year{four trips}, geico{one trip} and three trips to the body shop that repaired my truck. I lost the use of my truck for three weeks while it was being repaired. I know good year tire and rubber co. (The largest tire manufacture in the world} IS not treating me fairly any way you look at it. *Tr
- Structure
We own a 1997 dodge RAM. the dashboard in the vehicle has broken apart in many locations including the vin number plate, which IS no longer visible. on many occasions the dashboard lights have gone out. *Tr
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
Air conditioning vent always switches to the defroster and back to the ac vent. While driving in the snow and ice the heater was on, the defroster vent automatically switches to the vent on the floor and the ac vent causing the windshield to ice up causing no visibility through the window. Did…
Air conditioning vent always switches to the defroster and back to the ac vent. While driving in the snow and ice the heater was on, the defroster vent automatically switches to the vent on the floor and the ac vent causing the windshield to ice up causing no visibility through the window. Did run off the road. It's been doing this ever since that day. nothing has been done because of the expense that the garage attendant said. Have dealt with this for along time. Truck IS in very good condition. Sharp!! The reason I am reporting this time IS that I nearly escaped from hitting a tree this last ice storm. Don't want to be a statistic. *nm
- Steering
Dodge RAM 3/4 ton 4X4, 1997 . . All vehicles I have drive. 5 or 6, all have steering wheel plan and front end wander. in other words you turn the steering wheel and turn it some more before the vehicle actual turns. its like those old movies you see where people are moving the steering wheel…
Dodge RAM 3/4 ton 4X4, 1997 . . All vehicles I have drive. 5 or 6, all have steering wheel plan and front end wander. in other words you turn the steering wheel and turn it some more before the vehicle actual turns. its like those old movies you see where people are moving the steering wheel back and forth all the time. well that IS what these dodges do . . They should all be recalled and fixed . . Its a big safety issue. *nm
- Electrical system
1997 dodge RAM 2500 caught on fire. *mr the fire occurred under the shifter and outside under the hood. the problem was due to the dash silencer pad. on another occasion after repairs, while the vehicle was in motion the a/c, cruise control and tachometer had become inoperative, the alternator…
1997 dodge RAM 2500 caught on fire. *mr the fire occurred under the shifter and outside under the hood. the problem was due to the dash silencer pad. on another occasion after repairs, while the vehicle was in motion the a/c, cruise control and tachometer had become inoperative, the alternator would not charge, the headlights would dim and the battery would be discharged. the consumer was informed that the computer had shorted out due to the fire. the consumer requested reimbursement for the repair costs. *sc
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
Nar 05/28/2003 *mr the headlight switch melted and became nono-functional. *cb
- Structure › Body
The body of the vehicle rusted. *nlm *ts *jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor · Steering · Suspension
!)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…
!)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. In the meantime, getting these areas greased and examined as directed in owners manual by certified mechanics. 3)same dealership this week replaced header and manifold gaskets stating they were burned up due to our using platinum tip spark plugs which supposedly caused gaskets to burn up and allow oil to leak into cylinder. ($459)They also had to replace the catalytic coverter (under warranty). Through research on internet, have found that the intake on this particular vehicle IS defective and causes exact problems I was charged for. We were never notified of this problem, have documentation that vehicle was in their shop on or around the time at least 2 of these bulletins were issued with the same complaints they were told to look for (overheating, smelling of burning coming from engine, smell of raw gas inside vehicle). As far as we can tell, they have never checked or replaced the intake. Vehicle: 1997 dodge RAM extended cab laramie edition. 5.2 l , V-8 engine. I feel this dealership IS lying about the problems and placing our lives in danger by not properly inspecting and explaining problems. In regards to the newest tie rod recommendation, they stated that "customer declined work". I did not decline the work, I just asked them to pay for it since they did the work such a short time ago. *jb
- Vehicle 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
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Vehicle speed control
While driving at any speed up hill and no with warning transmission will decelerate even when foot IS on accelerator, and it will be hard for the consumer to control vehicle. Dealer notified. Ts.....*ak
- Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
After a routine tire rotation repair, the dealer failed to properly retighten the lug nuts resulting in a near catastrophic accident, as a result of this the consumer IS hesitant to accept service at any daimler chrysler organization. nlm
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
Consumer received recall 01v040000 notification for the secondary hood latch replacement, however recall work has not been performed due to scheduling problems with dealership. *tt
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
Coil spring has broken away from frame.*ak
- Structure › Body › Door
Driver side door sheet metal cracked where latch mechanism IS attached. *jb
- 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…
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. they have done everything from changing out the rear window (3 times), to replacing the seal and housing surrounding the brake light above the rear window. all of these 'attempts' have failed to fix the problem. we need help in getting this potentially dangerous problem remedied promptly , before more damage presents itself in total shutdown of the electrical system (or worse) while driving. please contact us for more info if needed. thank you.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Front brakes failed causing pulsation.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10139596Part 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 kit. If the insulator requires replacement please order kit 68253161AA. Insulator only used on Auto-RWD transmission Note: The color of the insulator is not relevant for service.
- 10001520Seat belt cinch bar service for various models including 2004 models.
- 6092304Subject regarding non-deployed airbag handling procedures.
- 6089800Daimlerchrysler corporation IS now offerinb airbag on / off switches for selected vehicles.
- 6089311Concerns with a/c evaporator odor. *Nlm
- 6089038Information on tire and wheel runout. *Nlm
- 620059Subject regarding airbag / clock spring service for various models including 2002 model year jeep liberty.
- 610635Subject regarding child seat tether anchors.
- 603153Subject regarding airbag on - off switches.
- 600862Information on installation of radio transmitting equipment.
- 51975Air bag warning labels.
- 51942Difficult to clean light colored "chalky" residue from plastic body components that are molded in black.
Every Dodge RAM Pickup model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.