1997 Dodge Ram Van recalls & problems
The 1997 Dodge Ram Van has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 16 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (4 complaints).
Recalls0safety recalls
Complaints16filed by owners
Crashes · fires2 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1997 Dodge Ram Van.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Disc; Foundation components › Drum | 4 | — |
| Suspension Front › Shock absorber; Rear › Shock absorber | 4 | — |
| Vehicle speed control Cables | 3 | — |
| Steering Gear box (other than rack and pinion) | 3 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys | 2 | — |
| Tires Tread/belt | 2 | — |
| Electrical system 12v/24v/48v battery | 1 | — |
| Visibility Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior | 1 | — |
| Unknown | 1 | — |
| Seat belts Front › Buckle assembly | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 1 | — |
| Exterior lighting Headlights › Concealment devices | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Jun 7, 2014 · 220,000 miles · fireFuel/propulsion system
THIS VAN WAS A GREAT RUNNING VEHICLE, AND HAD NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS OTHER THAN THE NORMAL FOR A VAN OF THIS YEAR. MY GRANDSON AND I WERE HEADED OUT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND I STARTED SMELLING GAS. I THOUGHT MAYBE ONE OF THE NEIGHBORS HAD SOME GAS POURED OUT OR SOMETHING. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE ABOUT 2 BLOCKS AND NOTICED THAT I STILL SMELLED THE STRONG ODOR OF GAS. I LOOKED INTO MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW THAT FLAMES WERE POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE VAN FROM UNDER THE FRONT AREA WHERE MY GRANDSON AND I WERE SITTING. WE JUMPED OUT OF THE VAN AND CALLED 911. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP MY VAN WAS COMPLETELY BURNT UP. THE FIREMEN SAID THAT EVIDENTLY THE FUEL LINE HAD FELL OFF. *TR - Sep 8, 2013 · 100,000 milesSuspension
THE FRONT FRAMES ROT OUT ON STEERING SIDE AND IT ISN'T 1 OF THEM IT IS ALMOST ALL OF THEM. TOYOTA RECALLED TACOMAS FOR THIS AND I WANT MY FRAME FIXED OR REPLACED. THIS HAPPENS EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLES. THEY HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN AWAY WITH IT . BUT THESE ARE STILL ON THE ROAD AND COULD KILL PEOPLE .THEY NEED TO BUY THE ONES THAT ARE STILL ON THE ROAD OR TRADE FOR SAFE VANS OR TRUCKS. THE SERVICE LIFE OF THESE WERE CUT SHORT AND ALMOST EVERY JUNKYARD HAS THESE AND THEY ALL LOOK GOOD BUT THEY AREN'T SAFE. THEY NEED TO CLEAN UP THEIR MESS AND TAKE THEM BACK TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AS THEY CANT BE REPAIRED .I THINK THE DRAIN HOLES IN THE FRAMES WERE IN THE WRONG PLACE OR NOT THERE AT ALL.… - Jul 12, 2006Tires › Tread/belt
TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM TIRE AND BENT FENDER. *JB - Sep 15, 2005Exterior lighting › Headlights › Concealment devices
HEADLIGHT LENS INCREASINGLY CLOUDY TO THE POINT OF EXTREMELY IMPAIRED VISION. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER CORP AND THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. THIS IS 1997 DODGE RAM VAN, [XXX]. *JB UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) - Aug 14, 2000 · 30,000 milesService brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
PLEASE NOTE THIS WAS A RENTED 15 PASSENGER DODGE VAN I'M 90% SURE IT WAS A 97 IF NOT IT WAS FROM 1995 TO 2000 IN MODEL YEAR I REPORTED IT TO DODGE. JUST RECENTLY I BECAME AWARE OF YOUR SITE AND DECIDED TO REPORT IT TO YOU ALSO.*AK 1 NORMAL DRIVING BOSTON TO EASTERN KENTUCKY 2 FRONT DISC BRAKE HOSE SEVERED DUE TO PROXIMITY OF OTHER SUSPENSION COMPONENTS CONSEQUENCE LOSS OF ALL BRAKING CAPABILITY. 3 LOCAL MECHANIC INSTALLED NEW HOSE HE CONNECTED IT TO THE FONT DISC BRAKE AND ROUTED IT AWAY FROM SUSPENSION COMPONENTS TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. HE STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM HE'S SEEN IN THE DODGE 15 PASSENGER VAN - Jul 21, 2003 · 126,000 miles · crash · 2 injuriesSeat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
SEAT BELT CAME UNLATCHED. *AK - Jan 19, 2004 · 90,000 miles · crashVehicle speed control › Cables
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE AND IT COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A NEW ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS NEEDED, BUT NONE WERE AVAILABLE. MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THAT THAT THIS TYPE OF CABLE WAS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. *AK *MR - May 15, 2003 · 57,000 miles · 1 injurySteering
STEERING COLUMN DESTROYED STALLING NOT RUNNING IF GAS IS NOT APPLIED WE CAN'T GET ANYONE TO FIX IT, SO WE ARE STUCK WITH A MESSED UP VAN TIRE BLEW ON US, FIRESTONE TIRES ARE STILL ON IT. I CAN'T DRIVE IT ANYWAY CAUSE IT WONT STAY STARTED AND I STILL PAY BANK 450 A MONTH FOR A VAN THAT DOESN'T RUN.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- PE02082 · opened Nov 6, 2002 · closed Apr 23, 2003SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE
THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.