1997 Dodge Pickup problems

General information about Dodge-Pickup
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Ram pickup (marketed as the Dodge Ram until 2010) is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by Stellantis North America (formerly Chrysler Group LLC and FCA US LLC) and marketed from 2010 onwards under the Ram Trucks brand. The current fifth-generation Ram debuted at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, in January of that year.

Previously, Ram was part of the Dodge line of light trucks. The name Ram was first used in 1981 model year Dodge Trucks in October 1980, following the retiring and rebadging of the Dodge D series pickup trucks as well as B-series vans, though the company had used a ram's-head hood ornament on some trucks as early as 1933.

Ram trucks have been named Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year eight times; the second-generation Ram won the award in 1994, the third-generation Ram heavy-duty won the award in 2003, the fourth-generation Ram Heavy Duty won in 2010 and the fourth-generation Ram 1500 won in 2013 and 2014, and the current fifth-generation Ram pickup became the first truck in history to win the award three times, winning in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

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Common 1997 Dodge Pickup problems

The 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 has been reported to have several common problems, primarily related to interior accessories, transmission, body/paint, engine, brakes, AC/heater, fuel system, steering, drivetrain, cooling system, electrical, seat belts/air bags, wheels/hubs, suspension, windows/windshield, exterior accessories, miscellaneous, lights, and exhaust system.

Interior accessories problems are the most common, with 63 issues reported, including complaints about the dash becoming a problem with rattling and splitting.

AC/heater problems have been reported 7 times, with sound deadener material inside the steering wheel becoming detached from the cover and housing as a significant issue.

In summary, the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 has several common problems, primarily related to interior accessories, transmission, body/paint, engine, brakes, AC/heater, fuel system, steering, drivetrain, cooling system, electrical, seat belts/air bags, wheels/hubs, suspension, windows/windshield, exterior accessories, miscellaneous, lights, and exhaust system. These issues have been reported by owners of the vehicle and should be addressed promptly to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the vehicle.

1997 Dodge Pickup car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Dodge Pickup problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Exterior lighting problems
Power train problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1997 Dodge Pickup vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1997 Dodge Pickup complaints

The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1997 Dodge Pickup.

2008-12-29

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2008-08-26
Fire: 1
VIN: 3B7MC33D3VM
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE PICKUP. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL AND THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE THE REPAIR; HOWEVER, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED AND REMAINED ON. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06E026000 COMPONENT: EXTERIOR LIGHTING IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAIULRE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

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2008-10-06

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2002-10-10
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE PICKUP. WHILE DRIVING UPHILL AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH, A LOCK-UP CLUTCH FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE POWER TRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. RECENTLY, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE SECOND MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,892.

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1997 Dodge Pickup recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1997 Dodge Pickup.

2006-03-23

Manufacturer: PRO-A MOTORS, INC.
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.