10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
14,308 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 engine problems

engine problem

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1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments

problem #12

Jul 012006

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,200 miles

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

Seats will not recline nor flip forward. This has caused a back seat passenger to fall getting out of the 1997 Dodge Ram becoming injured. Vehicle misses, stutters and engine pulses at 50 mph. Has been doing this since first onwer. Transmission rebuilt and still does it. Dealer can not find problem after spending $900 on a tune-ep and diagnostics. Check engine light stays on. Doing since first owner. Dealer checks, charged hundreds of dollars and within 8 hours of use light comes back on and stays light. Occasionally it will blink then remain on. Taken to dealer again and they stated this vehicle is sensitive even a gas cap not tight will trigger the check engine light. This light remains on, what is wrong with my engine - nothing!

- Ellijay, GA, USA

problem #11

Oct 222004

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,500 miles
I was drving down the road when the truck caught on fire, the front cab only. Me and my children jumped out just in time before it was engulfed in flames.

- Port Orange, FL, USA

problem #10

Dec 042003

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • 31,000 miles
While driving, the vehicle would stall. The consumer managed to pull over, but was unable to restart the vehicle and had it towed. The dealership mechanic informed the consumer that the problem was due to the fuel pump module. He tried to repair the vehicle 3 times, but was unable to resolve the problem.

- Longwood, FL, USA

problem #9

Dec 012003

Ram 1500

  • 31,000 miles

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

While driving, the vehicle would stall. The consumer managed to pull over, but was unable to restart the vehicle and had it towed. The dealership stated the problem was due to the fuel pump module. He tried to repair 3 times, but was unable to resolved the problem.

- Longwood, FL, USA

problem #8

Aug 282003

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission problems headlight switch problems front hub assembly oxygen sensors paint chipping and fading burns oil worst than advertised fuel mileage excessive tire wear prematurely excessive brake wear prematurely

- Bahama, NC, USA

problem #7

Jun 252003

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • 72,000 miles
Consumer stated that oil light has illuminated, and oil is burning too fast. Cause unknown.

- Gardendale, AL, USA

problem #6

Feb 122003

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Vehicle experienced problems with the intake gaskets. Consumer replaced them twice and then had problems with carbon build up. The vehicle needed a new engine. The problem started when the gaskets failed, which caused oil to leak into the valves.

- Rolla, MO, USA

problem #5

Nov 132002

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The intake gaskets was replaced twice, which caused the engine light to illuminate.

- Rolla, MO, USA

problem #4

May 012000

Ram 1500

  • miles
Consumer was traveling on highway and another vehicle jumped in front. Vehicle was making a noise coming from the tires. Also, oil was leaking from vehicle. Consumer has contacted the dealership.

- Emporia, KS, USA

problem #3

Dec 201999

Ram 1500

  • miles
The automobile shop that repaired my truck said that when the dealer replaced my rear main seal the job was done improperly. That was most likely the reason the engine failed. The also noticed that when the new parts came in the new oil pick up tube screan was a lot larger than the old one.

- East Point, GA, USA

problem #2

Nov 021999

Ram 1500

  • miles
Reporting frozen plugs are leaking due to rust. Dealer / manufacturer were not contacted at this time.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #1

Jul 241998

Ram 1500

  • miles
Oil pan gasket cut resulting in leaking.

- Great Mill, MD, USA

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