2.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,608 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #41

Feb 152020

Ram 1500

  • 251,235 miles

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

My 97 Ram has about 95% of the dash missing. I have saved pieces of it and parts if the instrument panel is broken off. I can be driving down the road, , hit a bump, and dash pieces will fall on the floor. Dodge needs to fix this.

- Conway, AR, USA

problem #40

May 152007

Ram 1500

  • 265,000 miles
The dash is completely busted and I think that it needs to be replaced and the reason why is if I get into a wreck who am I going to blame whenever it short of my plastic dash comes to hit somebody in the face the neck or any other part of their body

- Port Neches, TX, USA

problem #39

Jun 302016

Ram 1500

  • miles
The dashboard is falling apart. There are numerous cracks and several pieces have broken off of it. I have contacted Chrysler motor company. They have refused to replace the dashboard. They will not recall the dashboards on any Ram pickup even though this has been going on for over 20 years. If a piece comes off the dash and hits you in the face, it could cause you to swerve you truck and crash. There in lies the possibility for bodily injury.

- Springfield, OR, USA

problem #38

Aug 012008

Ram 1500

  • 85,000 miles

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

Dash board is all cracked and broken apart. With every bump in the road the dash shakes bad and worsens from the lack of no support holding it in place. With the A/C, heat, or defroster blowing out the vents plastic also blows out. Trying to clean out my eye when driving is tough. Just waiting for the day I hit a bump and the dash falls to my feet. Body would be the paint on roof and hood, discoloring and peeling off

- Kenosha, WI, USA

problem #37

Jun 012012

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • miles
Dash board is all in pieces. Getting worst and worst everyday. Going down the road the dash is always shaking and bouncing around because there is really nothing holding it in place now. I use to love this truck, bought it new in 1997, most of the time I don't like driving it anymore. Updated 09/15/15 updated 11/07/2017

- Kenosha, WI, USA

problem #36

Oct 042011

Ram 1500

  • 150,000 miles
Dash starting cracking and falling apart, wires got messed up and some things don't work. Parts of the plastic of the dash come out the vents when you turn on the heat or air. Part with the VIN went somewhere to parts unknown.

- Bean Station, TN, USA

problem #35

Sep 012009

Ram 1500

  • 90,000 miles

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

The dash in 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 has multiple cracks across it. The cracks are becoming more numerous as time goes along. This is a safety hazard as I fear the dash will brake apart in numerous sharp pieces if a crash occurs.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #34

Aug 041999

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
Dash top broken into multiple pieces. Loose pieces do not stay in place while driving.

- Gaffney, SC, USA

problem #33

Sep 272006

Ram 1500

  • 150,000 miles
Multiple cracks on dashboard, approx. 13 cracks

- Jonesville, SC, USA

problem #32

Sep 012011

Ram 1500

  • miles
Cracked dash.

- Anderson, SC, USA

problem #31

May 102005

Ram 1500

  • 120,120 miles

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

97 Dodge Ram 1500 dash cracking in many places, defect in workmanship, safety hazzard if it falls into dash. Front bezel may fall off because it is connected to the cracking dash.

- Boiling Springs, SC, USA

problem #30

Aug 152008

Ram 1500

  • 100,000 miles
There was nothing leading up to the failure, all of a sudden my dashboard just started cracking all over the place.

- East Petersburg, PA, USA

problem #29

Nov 012006

Ram 1500

  • 101,000 miles
Dash board cracking and falling off

- Sherman Oaks, CA, USA

problem #28

Jan 012005

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 1997 Dodge 1500. Approximately three years ago, the dashboard began cracking in small squares. He had to glue the pieces back on the vehicle. The dealer advised him to call the Dodge manufacturer for an approval number, but they refused. The current mileage was 189,000 and the failure mileage was unknown.

- Deberrie, FL, USA

problem #27

Jan 152002

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the dashboard began to crack five years ago. The crack has worsened over time and has not been repaired. He thought it was an isolated incident until he researched the failure. The vehicle has no passenger side air bags. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer a couple of months ago. The failure occurred without warning. The purchase date was unavailable. The contact can provide photos if needed. The current mileage is 86,000 and failure mileage was 50,000.

- Cooper City , FL, USA

problem #26

Feb 082007

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,500 miles
Fragmented, broken, and cracked dashboard on 1997 Dodge Ram 1500, an acknowledged defective safety product, providing life threatening consequences, in the event of crash or accident. Reported to Dodge- chy-Jeep denied recall status and declined to repair or replace because vehicle was "out of warranty". denied appeal process-stated decision was final!

- Cocoa, FL, USA

problem #25

May 012006

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Dashboard coming apart and caving in on 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 pu.

- Chuluota, FL, USA

problem #24

Aug 012001

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles
My dashboard on my 1997 Dodge Ram X-cab has severely cracked. It happened right after I went out of warranty, as I am the original owner. The dealership wouldn't do anything for me. I understand this has happened to many people and should be a recall soon?

- Winter Park, FL, USA

problem #23

Apr 052006

Ram 1500

  • miles
I own a 1997 Dodge truck.T he dash has cracks in it. I have only had the truck about 1 year and the cracks have grown some.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #22

Oct 192006

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • miles
Severely cracked dash that could puncture air bag upon deployment.

- Debary, FL, USA

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