1.6

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
102,324 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

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1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments

problem #10

Oct 162020

Ram 1500

  • 197,000 miles

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

Noticed a high pitched whine coming from the rear of the vehicle about 30-40 seconds before the rear axle assembly locked up. Traveling on a secondary to a city street slowing to 30 mph. Axle assembly locked up at 45 mph causing a skid that was controlled. Axle housing split, drive shaft detached, gear lube drained out and tires are severely flat spotted. Skid length was 115 ft.

- Canandaigua, NY, USA

problem #9

Jul 242015

Ram 1500

  • 190,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 35 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact noticed that the shaft and gear inadvertently detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.

- Robinsville, NC, USA

problem #8

Feb 162015

Ram 1500

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while trying to shift the vehicle out of park, it failed to shift. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an unspecified internal transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was not available.

- Beaumont, TX, USA

problem #7

Jun 192010

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • miles

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

Lines starting leading an burned transmission out don't pull at all anymore 97 Dodge Ram 1500 sport.

- Savannah, TN, USA

problem #6

Oct 152003

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles
Would not shift, shifting roughly, check engine light stays on, high rpms

- Grosse Pointe, Farms, MI, USA

problem #5

Mar 152003

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,000 miles

- Traverse City, AL, USA

problem #4

Jun 152003

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 138,400 miles

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

The paint on my 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 truck turned a milky white color on the hood and the top of the cab. Estimated cost of repair to paint the truck is $3,400. Mileage on the truck is 138,400 miles.

- Gulfport, MS, USA

problem #3

Aug 222003

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,165 miles
Consumer called about having problems with the rear end that needs the rtp rebuilt. Manufacture stated that there is nothing they can do. Dealer stated that it needs to be rebuilt. The rear pinion seal leaked differential fluid and the rear differential was very noisy. The dealer noticed that the carrier bearings and ring and pinion were worn.

- Mansfield, OH, USA

problem #2

Jul 162002

Ram 1500 4WD

  • 57,000 miles
Dodge has known about this problem when the manufacturer sent out a bulletin stating since April all transtec gasket sets and over haul kits have contained an updated seal for the direct(front) clutch. This seal has a wider base than previous seal this is to compensate for the groove that has possibly been machined incorrectly from the factory it has been proven in extensive field testing to correct delay in reverse slipping 2-3 and no 2-3 complaints transtec #28313 is made of viton to resist wear and heat deterioration all transtec kits with the date code of E99 or later contain the new part. *dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis***769353

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #1

Dec 302002

Ram 1500 6-cyl

  • 117,679 miles
The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repair of the fuel gauge, fifth gear and recall. When the vehicle was picked up two weeks later the other work was done but the recall work was not performed.

- Yakima, WA, USA

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