Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Structure — runs 2.7× the fleet median for that category across the 1175 model-years tracked on this site.
361Complaints
1Recalls
31Crashes
14Fires
37Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Structure (16.1% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Structure complaints here are 2.7× the median for that category across the 1175 model-years tracked on this site.
None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Structure
58 · 16.1%
No official action
—
Power Train:automatic Transmission
38 · 10.5%
No official action
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
15 · 4.2%
No official action
—
Air Bags
13 · 3.6%
No official action
—
Tires
12 · 3.3%
No official action
—
Air Bags:frontal
11 · 3%
No official action
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP15 · 4.2%
AIR BAGS13 · 3.6%
TIRES12 · 3.3%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL11 · 3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11 · 3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC9 · 2.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9 · 2.5%
Percentages are the share of the 361 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“BOTH EXTERIOR MIRRORS TURN IN WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN HAVING SUCH AS COMPLAINT…”NHTSA complaint 10002974 — filed 01/19/2003 · VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
“WHEEL BEARING ARE GOING BAD ABOUT EVERY THREE MONTHS WE HAVE PUT 4 ON IN 2 YEARS. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO MANY MORE AT 200.00…”NHTSA complaint 770346 — filed 12/02/2002 · WHEELS
“WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25 TO 45 MPH THERE IS A VIBRATION IN EXHUAST SYSTEM. OWNER TO VEHICLE TO DODGE AND DODGE REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER 5…”NHTSA complaint 8022455 — filed 11/08/2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Dodge RAM 1500?
Structure issues are the most-reported category, cited in 58 of 361 NHTSA complaints (16.1%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (38), unspecified/other issues (26), service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1997 Dodge RAM 1500 have?
361 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 31 involved a crash, 14 involved a fire, and 37 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 1997 Dodge RAM 1500 have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign, including campaign 06E024000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Dodge RAM 1500's reported problems?
0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
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