1997 Dodge RAM problems
Owners have filed 513 complaints about the 1997 Dodge RAM with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 17% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of power train at 15.6%.
Complaints513
Crashes51
Fires19
Injuries42
Deaths7
What owners report breaking
Service brakes, hydraulic 17.0% · 87
Power train 15.6% · 80
Steering 7.8% · 40
Air bags 7.6% · 39
Engine and engine cooling 6.2% · 32
Visibility 6.0% · 31
Fuel system, gasoline 4.9% · 25
Vehicle speed control 4.9% · 25
Severity
Of those complaints, 51 describe a crash, 19 describe a fire, 42 report an injury and 7 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 9 model years of the Dodge RAM in this data, 1997 sits 5th by complaint volume. 1996 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 12 in the last three years against 47 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 71,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Brakes; driving approximately 25mph in wet conditions attempted to stop and there was poor brake response. Had brake pedal completely to the floor, and the vehicle continued moving. Could not stop and hit another vehicle. The only thing the dealer is saying is that there is a problem with the anti-lock brake system, and they don't have an answer as to how to solve it. Service brakes, hydraulic
Brakes: at 6,000 miles front brakes replaced, preiodically there is squeaking , pulling about a week ago brakes were squeaking most of th time. Took in dealer , road tested and couldn't find anything wrong. Driving after picking truck up on thursday, got in to go to work and the brakes were grinding. Took back to dealer, and they put new brakes on the front . Service brakes, hydraulic
While driving about 65 mph and barely touching the brakes to slow down, all four wheels locked up. Truck was towed to the dealership. Brake failure had occurred once before, and resulted in an accident. Dealer could not duplicate the problem, but they replaced the power brake booster. Brake failure has not occurred since. *Ak Service brakes, hydraulic
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Dodge RAM years
1994 623 complaints · 17.2% service brakes, hydraulic 1995 852 complaints · 21.2% service brakes, hydraulic 1996 905 complaints · 25.4% service brakes, hydraulic 1998 644 complaints · 20.0% service brakes, hydraulic 1999 496 complaints · 19.2% service brakes, hydraulic 2000 212 complaints · 12.7% service brakes, hydraulic