10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,287 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 body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #41

Jan 012003

Ram 1500

  • 30,000 miles

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

1997 Ram 1500 cracked dash is dangerous. Pieces are sharp and I feel is unsafe to drive in the event of an accident..

- Oxford, NE, USA

problem #40

Jul 012009

Ram 1500

  • 100,000 miles
1997 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup dash board cracked in several places. This is a replacement of a previous dashboard that had also cracked. First dashboard cracked after windshield was replaced due the a crack. Windshield company stated windshield cracked from stress.

- Kettering, OH, USA

problem #39

Nov 012000

Ram 1500

  • miles
1997 Dodge 1500 Ram truck, cracked dash board in several places. Many owners new and old are having problems with this issue. Dangerous for airbag deployment and wiring issues in dashes.

- San Fernando, CA, USA

problem #38

Jan 012009

Ram 1500

  • 68,000 miles

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

Dashboard cracking and falling apart.

- Conroe, TX, USA

problem #37

Apr 102009

Ram 1500

  • 101,436 miles
1997 Dodge Ram 1500 - tan interior - 2 cracks opened up from the front to the rear of the dashboard about 1/8" wide. This happened overnight, with no adverse weather conditions and no changes in habits. Nothing was placed on the dashboard. I am concerned that the location of the cracks will interfere with or damage the air bag if it is deployed, not to mention the shrapnel that would be created because the crack is so close to the airbag area on the passengers side. There is no reason for this on a 12 year old vehicle.

- Lenoir, NC, USA

problem #36

Apr 182007

Ram 1500

  • miles
When I got the truck there were minor cracks in the dash nothing to noticeable and I don't use armor all or any silicone based product on it and the cracks have worsened mainly on the driverside and on the passengerside the dash is cracking over the glove compartment and the windows are 5% tinted and a window shade is always used day or night put I've read up on the problem and its on all models 94 and up and it makes no sense to buy a new one from the dealer when the same thing is going to happen with the poor quality of materials used to make.

- Hemet, CA, USA

problem #35

Oct 051999

Ram 1500

  • 58,000 miles

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

Upper dash panel cracking into 15 to 20 pieces and the pieces are falling into inside of the dash. I've used a dash cover that fits in the widow since the vehicle was bought new.

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #34

Apr 202009

Ram 1500

  • 130,000 miles
I bought a 1997 Dodge Ram slt 1500. It is used and has 135,000 miles on it. However, I like the truck and I don't want to sell it because it is not safe for my family and I to be in. It has cracks all in the dashboard...and they are getting worse every day. I can actually see wires and the internal part of my dash components. It squeaks and I can also see steel mounting post that look really dangerous for a sudden stop or even I miner fender bender. It is actually caving in....and completely deteriorating. Nothing has been done to correct this problem by Dodge as far as I know. I have researched this and there is no recall that I can find...and I do not feel that the original..or even a second owner should have to pay for this...nor do Chrysler job...and make the vehicle safe for driving. I take good care of the vehicle...and not only is it unsightly...but is a hazard that needs to rise concern in all Dodge owners.I am requesting a replacement dash for my vehicle either from Dodge...or a safety certified after market dash that will not do this again!!!! this is also the second dash to do this on this vehicle...that is apparent.

- Maryland Heights, MO, USA

problem #33

Jan 222004

Ram 1500

  • 40,000 miles
I have a 97 Dodge Ram that started cracking around 2004 and has steadily gotten worse and worse. As a result I have a terrible looking interior and I believe my electrical problems are a testament of the dashboards exposing my electrical wiring to the sun. The only way to halfway fix it I've found is to mount formica squares(not cheap mind you) over the wholes with mounting squares, though it looks terrible. My electrical problems are but are not limited to: Power door locks that only unlock the driver side door and power windows that only work half the time and a cupholder that has fallen out on more than one occasion and caused me to rig back into place. Of course besides inconvenience of having a lousy dash that sticks out like a sore on a usually sound truck, I am afraid of the other problems it can bring I.e.: worse electrical failures and the possibility of an airbag deploying when it's not supposed to or not deploying when there is need.

- Edwards, MS, USA

problem #32

Oct 182008

Ram 1500

  • 110,000 miles
The dash on my 1997 Dodge Ram and 2000 Dodge Ram have cracked for no apparent reason. They not only have cracked but they look like jig saw puzzles.

- Coweta, OK, USA

problem #31

Aug 012008

Ram 1500

  • 80,000 miles

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

1997 Dodge Ram 1500 the dash is crack all over.

- Pinehurst, NC, USA

problem #30

May 062007

Ram 1500

  • miles
I have a 1997 Dodge Ram and the dash board is now cracked in 4 different places were one of the screws is holding it on there were now you can see wires through the dash so my lawyer told me to check with U all to see if there were any recalls on the dash boards "?"

- Belen, NM, USA

problem #29

Aug 012007

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 148,000 miles
1997 Dodge Ram 1500 dash is cracking and falling out in chunks. Bezel is also cracking.

- Hernando, MS, USA

problem #28

Mar 182008

Ram 1500

  • miles
My dashboard in my 1997 Dodge Ram started cracking and before I knew it I had gaping holes in the dash board. It is an eye sore to me and I am currently trying to look for a dash board through the internet. I wish I could get some help in paying for this.

- La Palma, CA, USA

problem #27

Oct 102007

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,500 miles
Dashboard and all other interior plastic deteriorating, cracked, broken, falling into firewall area. While driving at night on I-95, large piece of dashboard broke off and fell into area behind speedometer and caused dash lights to go out. This scared me terribly and I was able to pull off the road and reconnect the wire coupling to get my dash lights back on.

- Port Orange, FL, USA

problem #26

Dec 092007

Ram 1500

  • miles
Dash board cracking all up and falling apart making sharp exposed plastic pieces easily to get cut on.

- Key Largo, FL, USA

problem #25

Sep 012007

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Dash has cracked in numerous places. I am concerned that the integrity of wiring and airbags beneath the dash may be compromised.

- Rogers, AR, USA

problem #24

Mar 032007

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Dash cracked and started to fall inside, large pieces fell on floor. I hard to pay 3 hours of labor plus the price of the new dash board.

- Anthony, FL, USA

problem #23

Oct 202007

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,000 miles
Dashboard cracked/split into pieces causing wires to be cut. Loss of headlamps, taillamps, and brake lights. Unknown if any damage has been done to the airbag system. How do I check that?

- Homestead, FL, USA

problem #22

Nov 232006

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Dash cracking on a 97 Dodge Ram 1500.

- Shepherd, MI, USA

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