Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jun 5, 2007
97 DODGE RAM CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE DASH HAS MANY CRACKS AND THE FRONT SPEAKERS ARE NOT WORKING AND WITH SEVERAL UNEXPLAINED ELECTRICAL ISSUES**CC *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10193171
- Incident
- Jan 1, 1901
1997 Dodge Ram Electrical Problems
Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
21
Latest Jun 5, 2007
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 398 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
6
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0
What this page shows
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Dodge Ram submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 21 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming electrical
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
Electrical
Filed Jan 10, 2007
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY 2- 3 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE HAD DIFFICULTIES INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY BECAME STUCK ,AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME . THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DID NOT GET THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE REPAIR SHOP BETWEEN THE SECOND AND THIRD REPLACEMENT. THE REPAIR SHOP PUT THE STEERING COLUMN IN WRONG POSITION , AND ADVISED HER THEY WOULD NEED TO ORDER A NEW ONE. ALSO, THEY CUT THE AIR BAG WHEN REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLEWAS A 1997 DODGE RAM . *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 10178311
- Incident
- Oct 20, 2006
- Mileage
- 85,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Jan 15, 2004
BAD PLENUM GASKET. FUEL AND OIL MIX. AND STEERING OUTPUT SHAFT LEAKS A THE GEAR BOX. AND TRUCK WONT IDLE IN THE COLD
- NHTSA ID
- 10069114
- Incident
- Apr 15, 2002
- Mileage
- 50,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 19, 2002
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. TS
- NHTSA ID
- 8023019
- Incident
- Nov 13, 2002
AirbagsElectricalSteering+1 more
Filed Aug 6, 2002
INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK. AFTER CONTACTING DEALER.*AK CONSUMER HAD THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT REPLACED TWICE WITHIN 20,000 MILES. THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR WAS LOOSE. BECAUSE OF THE NOISE IN THE STEERING WHILE TURNING, THE CLOCK SPRING WAS REMOVED AND THE STEERING WHEEL REINSTALLED. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. REAR SPEAKER WAS INOPERATIVE AND REPLACED. *JG
- NHTSA ID
- 8015642
- Incident
- Aug 18, 1998
Electrical
Filed Jun 17, 2001
Fire reported
THIS WILL BE THE FOURTH TIME THIS PART IS BEING REPLACED AND THIS TIME IT CAUSED A FIRE AND GOD ONLY KNOWS WHAT WILL HAPPEN THE NEXT TIME. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 746955
- Incident
- Jun 17, 2001
Electrical
Filed Mar 5, 2001
THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM RECALL 00V-135 BECAUSE THEY CLAIMED THE CONSUMER ALTERED THE WIRING HARNESS ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER CONTENDS THAT THE ONLY ALTERATION OF THE WIRING IS THE INSTALLATION OF A SET OF AIR HORNS WHICH DO NOT CONNECT TO THE IGNITION WIRING. NLM
- NHTSA ID
- 560062
Electrical
Filed Oct 11, 2000
IGNITION SWITCH DID NOT SHUT OFF, CAUSING SOLENOID TO GET HOT AND BLOW UP. DEALER WAS REPAIRING VEHICLE. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 872722
- Incident
- Oct 9, 2000
ElectricalOther / unspecifiedSteering+2 more
Filed Oct 13, 1999
1. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE. AFTER KEEPING THE TRUCK FOR 34 DAYS, DEALERSHIP FINALLY PUT IN A REBUILT TRANNY. 2. DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, RENDERING IT USELESS. DEALER BLAMED IT ON THE BUG SHIELD. 3. BATTERY COMPLETELY DIED RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. 4. FRONT WHEELS MAKE CONSTANT CLICKING NOISE...SUSPECT FAILED BEARINGS. 5. STEERING WHEEL MADE CRACKING SOUND WHEN TURNING TO LEFT OR RIGHT...TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX IT. TRUCK IS TOTAL PIECE OF JUNK!
- NHTSA ID
- 713221
- Incident
- Jun 1, 1999
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 8, 1999
BRAKES DON'T STOP AT LOW SPEEDS AND LOCK UP UNDER WET CONDITIONS, RING AND PINION DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR AT 19500, DEAD BATTERY (H.D.) AFTER 2 YEARS
- NHTSA ID
- 711074
- Incident
- Sep 1, 1999
Electrical
Filed Aug 9, 1999
Fire reported
VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE STARTER AND WIRES WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE DEALER IS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 844671
- Incident
- Aug 4, 1999
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Apr 3, 1999
THE THROTTLE BODY AND INJECTOR SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES.YH
- NHTSA ID
- 782048
- Incident
- Nov 1, 1998
Body & structureElectricalEngine+5 more
Filed Mar 17, 1999
RADIO DESTROYS CASSETTE TAPES, REPAIRED TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM THEN FINALLY REPLACED.
- NHTSA ID
- 544431
- Incident
- May 6, 1997
Driver assistanceElectricalSuspension+1 more
Filed Feb 15, 1999
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. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 703327
- Incident
- Mar 3, 1998
Electrical
Filed Nov 12, 1998
Fire reported
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. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 830657
- Incident
- Oct 9, 1998
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Oct 2, 1998
THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER OUT WHEN DRIVING DARK ROADS. WOULD THEN REAPPEAR FOR FEW MINUTES THEN OFF AGAIN. INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAIN ON. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 828496
- Incident
- Jul 4, 1998
Electrical
Filed Apr 15, 1998
Fire reported
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING THAT ATTACHES TO BRAKE LIGHTS, CAUSED VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 822444
ElectricalSuspension
Filed Mar 24, 1998
REAR BRAKES FAILED.
- NHTSA ID
- 532993
Electrical
Filed Oct 21, 1997
Fire reported
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE COUGHT FIRE. OWNER THINKS THE THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE MANUFACTURER WILL SEND OUT AN INVESTIGATOR . *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 817339
- Incident
- Oct 14, 1997
Electrical
Filed Jul 31, 1997
Fire reported
ELECTRICAL: DRIVING DOWN HGWY WHEN SUDDENLY NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. FIREFIGHTERS SAID CAUSE OF FIRE WAS INSULATION FROM THE FIREWALL MADE OF FLAMMABLE MATERIAL. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 814640
Electrical
Filed Dec 18, 1996
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE JUST SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT (6) TIMES SINCE PURCHASING VEHCILE ON DEC. 7, 1996. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP (3) TIMES FOR PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 806544
- Incident
- Dec 12, 1996
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .