10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,727 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 #11

Sep 082015

Ram 1500

  • 150,000 miles

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

Head lights go out when driving or sometimes flickers on/off when driving, traced wiring and noticed that wiring was burnt at pig tail connector which is the head light switch at the part called bezel... never had any trouble with it until this year and couldn't understand why wire burnt, the plastic/bezel melted first rather than fuse tripping. This occurs when driving anywhere but it occurred first when I was headed to work at 3am in highway 74 which is mountainous and very curvy road... extremely dangerous. I believe this is a defective part and is safety risk.

- Lake Elsinore, CA, USA

problem #10

Dec 082015

Ram 1500

  • 155,000 miles
The low beam headlights cut out while I was driving at night to the store a motorist flashed their lights at me while I was at a light.. checked all fuses and had mechanic look it over. They narrowed it down to the steering column it will be 400$ to fix. The wire harness pin plug had overheated and melted. Almost caused a fire. I had smelled burning electric smell. Was only able to hold hi beam lever to keep hi beams engaged to be able to drive with lights till problem is fixed.

- Valley, WA, USA

problem #9

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 #8

May 272009

Ram 1500 8-cyl

  • 98,000 miles

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

My report is not necessarily concerning a specific incident. Approximately the date and time specified above I noticed my dash cracking, since that time the entire dash of my truck has cracked and broken. I have had the cupholders break and spill on me and now my dash backlight has stopped functioning. It is only a matter of time until it completely falls apart. I have applied adhesive to a dash cover to prevent further degradation of the plastic. From what I see on my truck and my father-in-laws 2003 Dodge Ram it is a fundamental flaw in the material the dash components are made from. I fear it unsafe to drive since I don't know when catastrophic failure will occur. Numerous other Dodge trucks that belong to friends and coworkers have the same problems. Any attention you can give to this issue will be appreciated.

- Bath, NC, USA

problem #7

Aug 202006

Ram 1500 4WD

  • miles
I own a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 4 wd pickup. I have had it for 3 years and have had numerous problems with the head lights cutting on and off, and then going off and not coming back on. I spent several hundreds of dollars to have the problem fixed, but it still does it. I have been told by mechanics that do this type of work for a living that this is a manufacturers defect in the wiring somewhere. And that there are several vehicles( Dodge trucks) with this same problem. I believe that Dodge needs to put out a recall on this issue and got the problem resolved. I like many people take my chances having to drive at night.

- Weatherford, TX, USA

problem #6

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 #5

Jan 222004

Ram 1500

  • 40,000 miles

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

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 #4

Jun 052007

(reported on)

Ram 1500

  • miles
97 Dodge Ram customer states that the dash has many cracks and the front speakers are not working and with several unexplained electrical issues*

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #3

Dec 172005

Ram 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact stated while driving the brake pedal went to the floor. Upon inspection, the steel line separated near the gas tank. The gas tank will actually have to be dropped to verify. The vehicle has not been to a mechanic, and there have been no repairs made.

- Georgetown, DE, USA

problem #2

Nov 132002

Ram 1500

  • miles
While traveling about 40mph on the highway without prior warning. Smoke started coming inside of the vehicle vent. Shortly after the vehicle went up in flames. Please provide additional information. Dealer is aware of the problem.

- Hayward, WI, USA

problem #1

Jan 222000

Ram 1500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
After replacing transmission, transmission failed again. Consumer was driving approximately 65mph and vehicle just gradually started slowing down. Consumer coasted to side of road with engine still running, but not able to go in any gears. Transmission was replaced 1-22-00. Vehicle experiences several transmission problems, there have been recalls amongst the repairs, driveshaft broke while driving, consumer states that Chrysler Corp has no records of a transmission being sent to new country Dodge where the replacement took place, transfer case was retorqued, consumer had taken vehicle to dealer many times prior to complete transmission failure and dealer could not remedy problems. Clunking noise under vehicle, dealer replaced front swaybar links. O2 sensor replaced. Consumer stated at times he hadto hit the starter with a hammer to get it to work, ignition coil failed, and battery failed. Vehicle stalls when coming to a stop, check engine light illuminated. Excessive amounts of fuel used, distributor cap was replaced, vehicle also backfiring. Brakes grinding, front brake pads were metal to metal, rotor was scored badly, dealer replaced front pads and both rotors.

- Gamsevort, NY, USA

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