10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
14,250 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Owner Comments

problem #4

Oct 202007

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,000 miles

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

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 #3

Mar 031998

Ram 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Since July of 1997, I have experienced the transmission slipping out of gear into neutral at highway speeds. Also, a thump in the front end intermittently while driving down all types of road, a spark knocked so loud I sometimes wonder if the motor is going to last. There is often the smell of burning wires and burning fluid and sometimes the cab fills with smoke. In addition, cruise control gains speed (sometimes 5 to 8 mph over what it is set at). The odometer gains miles.

- Germfask, MI, USA

problem #2

Oct 091998

Ram 1500

  • miles
Driving 30mph another driver noticed flames under vehicle. Owner parked. Got kids out & noticed smoke & then flames shot out. Vehicle totaled. Investigators said electrical wires from engine compartment, but no defects involved. Has pictures.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #1

Apr 151998

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
An electrical short in the wiring that attaches to brake lights, caused vehicle to catch on fire.

- Del Ray Beach, FL, USA

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