10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
7,086 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Dodge Ram 1500 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments

problem #7

Apr 102004

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Right rear axle assembly sheared causing engine to stall/loss of steering/control of the wehicle. Truck bed was empty and traveling at approx. 60mph; upon occurence vehicle rolled 3 times on busy highway; both driver and passenger injured

- Fallon, NV, USA

problem #6

Jun 132003

Ram 1500

  • miles
Wheels were locking up and almost caused an accident. He took it to the mechanic, had to have axle bearing S replaced.

- Seymour, MO, USA

problem #5

Sep 012000

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #4

Apr 122000

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The rearend in the Dodge truck makes a clunk when shifting from park to drive and drive to reverse it will make the same clunk (ring) when driving down the road when the trans. Shifts through the shift pattern. I took it to a dealer to get it checked out they said play in the rear end was normal but tey reprogramed the power control module to lower the rpms so that the clunk would not be heard, they put a $1.65 sticker on the truck some where. The clunk is still there and sounds louder. I know of three other Dodge trucks with the same noise.

- Winterset, IA, USA

problem #3

Apr 122000

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
The rearend in the Dodge truck makes a clunk when shifting from park to drive and drive to reverse it will make the same clunk (ring) when driving down the road when the trans. Shifts through the shift pattern. I took it to a dealer to get it checked out they said play in the rear end was normal but tey reprogramed the power control module to lower the rpms so that the clunk would not be heard, they put a $1.65 sticker on the truck some where. The clunk is still there and sounds louder. I know of three other Dodge trucks with the same noise.

- Winterset, IA, USA

problem #2

Dec 071999

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission had grinding noise on reverse, the air conditioner blew warm air and made a weird noise behind dash. Horrendous noise in rear, turned out to be the rearend (mechanic stated it had froze and exploded) no extended warranty, am having it worked on now.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #1

Mar 151999

Ram 1500

  • miles
The dealer has the same belief as I, that the defect occurred at the assembly plant due to the fact the rear gear housing is sealed and no moisture could have entered, the housing assembly from the highway. This vehicle has highway driving only, to its credit.

- Hazel Crest, IL, USA

Not what you are looking for?