CarBrief

NHTSA has 361 owner complaints on file for the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup[1]. Structure, power train and brakes are the groups named most often[2][3][4].

361owner complaints[1]
12–16MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across several parts of this truck. Here are the groups, biggest first.

Recalls

NHTSA's records show 0 recalls for the 1997 Ram 1500 Pickup[11].

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[12] 14 / 18 / 15 $4,450
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[5] 14 / 20 / 16 $4,200
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[13] 12 / 17 / 14 $4,800
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[14] 12 / 17 / 14 $4,800
Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[15] 11 / 16 / 13 $5,150
Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[16] 11 / 16 / 13 $5,150
Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[17] 12 / 17 / 14 $4,800
Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[18] 11 / 15 / 12 $5,600

How 1997 compares with other years

1995: 213 complaints, 0 recalls19951996: 298 complaints, 0 recalls1997: 361 complaints, 0 recalls36119971998: 520 complaints, 0 recalls1999: 610 complaints, 0 recalls19992000: 513 complaints, 2 recalls2001: 1,112 complaints, 2 recalls20012002: 815 complaints, 3 recalls2003: 1,171 complaints, 1 recalls20032004: 1,099 complaints, 5 recalls2005: 1,172 complaints, 4 recalls20052006: 792 complaints, 9 recalls2007: 517 complaints, 4 recalls20072008: 554 complaints, 5 recalls2009: 670 complaints, 2 recalls20092010: 488 complaints, 4 recalls2011: 689 complaints, 4 recalls20112012: 698 complaints, 6 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Ram 1500 Pickup model year. The 1997 is highlighted[11].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19952130
19962980
19973610
19985200
19996100
20005132
20011,1122
20028153
20031,1711
20041,0995
20051,1724
20067929
20075174
20085545
20096702
20104884
20116894
20126986

NHTSA's counts for the Ram 1500 Pickup show 361 complaints and 0 recalls for 1997[11]. Among the 18 model years listed, 2 have fewer complaints than 1997 and 15 have more[11]. The fewest complaints are for 1995 (213) and the most are for 2005 (1,172)[11]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 1997 Ram 1500 Pickup?

The 1997 Ram 1500 has a long list of owner complaints on file[1]. Structure, power train and brakes lead the list[2][3][4]. Some brake complaints mention a crash, so check the brakes closely on any truck you consider[4]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide to what owners reported and not as a score. Check the generated sections on this page for recalls, fuel use and safety before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500?
Owners filed 361 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Structure, power train and brakes are the groups named most often[2][3][4].
Are there recalls on the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500?
The by-year fact lists 0 recalls in our data for 1997[11]. The Recalls section on this page shows what is on file.
Is the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 reliable?
Owners filed 361 complaints[1], and the biggest groups are structure, power train and brakes[2][3][4]. These are unverified reports and are not adjusted for sales, so read the problems section for the details.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 get?
See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Which year of the Dodge Ram 1500 is best?
See the by-year comparison section on this page, which lays out complaints and recalls for each year.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup

Compare all model years of the Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup

All Dodge models

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 361 owner complaints on file for the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup (31 mention a crash, 14 a fire, 37 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 70 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 56 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,001). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 53 complaints name the brakes component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 12 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,283). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 26 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 94,400). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 26 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 24 complaints name the air bags component group (12 crashes, 0 fires, 11 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 23 complaints name the steering component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,100). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 23 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 4 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 31,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  12. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  13. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 16 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 16 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 15 highway / 12 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.