1997 Dodge Ram 1500: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500: 0 recalls, 361 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
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Recalls
0 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Engine & cooling Equipment recall #06E024000 · 2006 · 44,386 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain replacement k&n fuel performance kits, p/nos. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, and 57-1530. Also, a small percentage of these kits were sold under the mopar performance parts brand name (p/nos. P5007069 and p5007070). All kits were manufactured from April 20, 1999, through September 23, 2004. These assemblies were manufactured as replacement equipment for certain Dodge pickup trucks…
Why it matters: A jammed open throttle could cause unintended acceleration of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash or increased stoping distances when braking.
The fix: K&n will provide owners with a free repair kit along with repair instructions. The recall began on April 20, 2006.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 14 mention a fire, 37 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Body & structure (70): the most common themes are door / lock issues (6), noise or vibration (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (56): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (12), noise or vibration (9), leaks (5).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (43): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (22), rust / corrosion (8).
- Fuel system (26): the most common themes are leaks (9), fire / smoke (6).
The 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 has 361 owner complaints, ranking #16 of 23 Ram 1500 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 540). Complaints peaked in 1999 (32 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 99,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (298 complaints, 0 recalls), 1998 (520 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Regular |
| 3.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.9 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 16 | 13 | Regular |
| 5.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 16 | 13 | Regular |
| 5.9 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 15 | 12 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 have any recalls?
NHTSA doesn't list any vehicle recalls for the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500, but 1 equipment or tire recalls may apply. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.
What are the most common 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 problems?
Owners have filed 361 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are body & structure (70), transmission & drivetrain (56), brakes (hydraulic) (43).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (3.9 L, Manual 5-spd), across 8 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.