8.1

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,680 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 accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

May 082003

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

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

Passenger exterior mirror will not stay locked in position and folds back when pulling off from a stop.

- Virginia, VA, USA

problem #22

Apr 232003

Ram 1500

  • miles
The vehicles driver side rear view mirror failed to stay in place which resulted in poor visibility.

- Lafayette, IN, USA

problem #21

Apr 182003

Ram 1500

  • miles
The two rear view mirrors have fallen. The dealer was notified. De los espejos laterales SE estan desprendiendo.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #20

Mar 242003

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,650 miles

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

The side mirrors failed to stay in the position in which they were set in.. both side mirrors folded against the doors which was caused by various wind currents at various speeds, which made it difficult to see when attempting to change lanes.

- Bartlett, TN, USA

problem #19

May 041999

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles
Both exterior mirrors are defective. They will not remain stationary and move around in the wind. I have seen other similar vehicles with the same defect. I contacted the Dodge customer department but they claimed no knowledge of the problem. I have tried to repair the defect but it was only temporary. They broke once again in several months.

- Brunswick, OH, USA

problem #18

Jan 192003

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Both exterior mirrors turn in while driving making it impossible to see. This is the same problem that others have been having such as complaint #'s 724822, 9001529, 890575, 882388, 747014. I purchased this vehicle used from a Dodge dealership and after one day took it to them and discussed the problem with them and was told by some in the service dept. That they were not original mirrors. I know that these are the origianl mirrors by seeing over 100 trucks on the road with the same ones on them. I found that a sorry way to get by without discussing the problem with me, I was not asking them to fix them just if there was a way to do it. Regent Dodge in nashville is a sorry excuse for a Dodge dealership and no one should buy anything from them, and especially take anything to them to be worked on. I would appreciate any help on getting this problem taken care of since it is a major problem with being able to see other drivers while driving.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #17

Aug 181998

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Intermediate shaft was defective, causing steering column to break. After contacting dealer. Consumer had the intermediate shaft replaced twice within 20,000 miles. The driver side mirror was loose. Because of the noise in the steering while turning, the clock spring was removed and the steering wheel reinstalled. The problem still existed. Rear speaker was inoperative and replaced.

- Owings Mills, MD, USA

problem #16

May 232002

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer states when the vehicle is being driven on the highway, the side view mirrors turn inward facing the cab of the vehicle, and will not remain in the set position. When this problem occurrs the driver can not determine the distance of on coming traffic and can not safely change lanes.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #15

Jan 012001

Ram 1500

  • miles
Side mirror motions back and forth without prior warning. Dealership is aware of problem.

- Hurlay, NM, USA

problem #14

Nov 132001

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
While traveling at highway speed driver's side mirror would fold in, causing poor visibility when changing lanes.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #13

Feb 012001

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Exterior mirrors on both doors of the vehicle failed to remain in place by "moving in the wind". dealership has examined vehicle, and determined that mirrors needed to be replaced at consumer's cost.

- Geneva, IL, USA

problem #12

Dec 011997

Ram 1500 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Rear view mirrors mounted on both doors of vehicle failed to remain in one position and "flopped in wind". dealership was unwilling to assist consumer in repair of this problem.

- Adelanmto, CA, USA

problem #11

Feb 152000

Ram 1500

  • miles
Both exterior mirrors would fold in while driving, causing blind spot and almost a vehicle crash. Dealer was notified, and replace mirrors, but problem still reoccurring. Dealer refuses any more assistance. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

- Port Arthur, TX, USA

problem #10

Oct 101999

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
Side mirrors fold back at highway speeds, impossible to keep adjusted.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #9

Nov 282000

(reported on)

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The outside passenger mirror freely goes back and forth while driving, the dealer stated to repair this, a kit needed to be ordered, the consumer feels this is a safety defect and the dealer should fix the problem.

- Gardnerville, NV, USA

problem #8

Oct 242000

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
When driving at speeds of 40 to 45mph exterior mirrors started to fold inward. Dealer said there was no solution.

- Davenport, IA, USA

problem #7

Sep 112000

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
Whenever driving exterior mirrors would turn inward. Driver would need to use interior mirrors to see other vehicles on side. Took to dealership & mechanic refused to correct problem due to vehicle being over 35,000 miles.

- Battle Mountain, NV, USA

problem #6

May 012000

Ram 1500

  • miles
I own a 1997 Dodge Ram truck and the drivers and passengers outside mirror will not hold into position (they swing in towards the door glass while driving). I contacted the Dodge dealer in my area and they confirmed that there is a concern with the mirrors, in fact they told me that Dodge redesigned the mirrors for that reason. The replacement mirrors are the old design and they told me that in a matter of time the new ones will do the same thing. Because this is a safety matter I would hope that the mirrors could be retrofit to the new style or a permanent fix be made.

- Allen Park, MI, USA

problem #5

Jan 202000

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at highway speeds driver's and passenger's manual mirrors moves inward constantly which obstructed the rear view to the driver. This may cause a crash.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #4

Jun 292000

Ram 1500

  • miles
The failure of the rear view mirror appears to be a manufacturers defect. The mirror support arm became loose internal to the connection bracket on the vehicle and the mirror would not remain stable once it was set and the vehicle placed in motion. As you drive the mirror would just flap in the wind. After having the mirror replaced and looking at the malfunctioning mirror, my investigation concluded that there are four(4) internal screws and a bracket that secures and stabilizes and secures the mirror support arm internally. Two(2) of the four(4) screws securing the support arm was found to be loose and bouncing around inside the support cover. The screws or hardware shows no signs of being stripped or worn, they were just loose. With this mirror being a safety item, I feel the manufacturer should absorb this costly repair of $379.32 when these failures occur. Thank you very much for any insight or guidance you may provide in resolving this issue.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

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