1997 Dodge Dodge Truck recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
Recalls: check by VIN
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1997 Dodge Dodge Truck owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (5), Suspension (3), Steering (3), Engine (3), Transmission / drivetrain (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
12/29/2008 · Electrical system
FOR SEVERAL YEARS I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A SUDDEN LOSS OF MY HEADLIGHTS WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 WITH 82000 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED THAT I EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM MUCH MORE OFTEN WHEN OPERATING THE HIGH BEAMS FOR 10-15 MINUTES. I TOOK IT IN TO A SERVICE SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS BUT THEY COULD NEVER DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. ON 12/28/08, I BEGAN SMEL…
05/10/2008 · Body / structure
1997 DODGE RAM HAS DASHBOARD COVER CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. PIECES HAVE FALLEN DOWN INTO THE DASH AMONG THE INTERNAL WIRING. THIS IS NOT JUST A COSMETIC PROBLEM. IF THE PIECES THEMSELVES DO NOT SHORT OUT THE WIRING AND CAUSE A FIRE, THE JAGGED EDGES COULD POTENTIALLY CUT OPEN AN AIRBAG UPON DEPLOYMENT CAUSING A BAG FAILURE DURING A CRASH. *TR
10/23/2004 · Suspension
IT WAS REQUESTED THAT DODGE DAKOTA OWNERS LOG INFORMATION AS TO IF THEY HAVE EXCESSIVELY WORN BALL JOINTS AND / OR FAILURES. I AM AN ENGINEER AT AN EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER AND BELIEVE THIS IS A FAILURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR AT LOW MILEAGE. MY 1997 DAKOTA SLT HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND SINCE I DO NOT DRIVE IT MUCH I WAS HOPING THERE WOULD BE RECALL BEF…
08/14/2004 · Steering
BALL JOINTS ARE TOTALLY WORN OUT AND COULD HAVE FAILED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. THIS TRUCK HAS HAD VERY GOOD CARE TAKEN OF IT AND SHOULD NOT HAVE WORN THIS BAD ON A VEHICLE WITH THIS FEW MILES ON IT AND WITH THE CARE TAKEN OF IT. *AK
01/07/2004 · Engine
1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, 3.3L ENGINE. SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT CONSISTENTLY SLIPS OFF OR SHREDS WHILE DRIVING ON WET ROADS CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND EVENTUALLY ALL POWER TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER, 2" DEEP PUDDLES, CAN CAUSE THIS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. SO FAR, BELT HAS COME OFF AND/OR SHREDDED 7 TIMES FROM 8/02 - 1/04. NEV…
05/07/2003 · Engine
ENGINE WILL RANDOMLY STALL. ONLY DISCERNIBLE PATTERN IS THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED MORE THAN 45 MINUTES, HOWEVER EPISODES ARE VERY SPORADIC. ENGINE WILL RESTART ONLY AFTER A WAIT PERIOD OF 20-30 MINUTES (THEN RUNS FINE). ENGINE CODE IS A MISFIRE, HOWEVER AFTER DIAGNOSTICS MULTIPLE SHOPS AND DEALER UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. WILL CONTINUE TO TROUBLE SHOOT,…
02/15/2002 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
MIRRORS SIMPLY FOLDS BACK TO THE VEHICLE BODY AT HWY SPEED. THE REARVIEW SIDE MIRRORS ARE NOT USABLE ON HIGHWAY DRIVING. REPLACE BOTH MIRRORS STILL DO THE SAME THING.
02/10/2002 · Engine
HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 36000 MILES. WATER PUMP SEAL FAILED AT 47000 DUE TO PITTING AND CORROSION OF ALUMINUM HOUSING. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT AND NORMALLY OCCURS AFTER EXTENDED DRIVING - TRANSMISSION "CLUNKS" WHEN DOWNSHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 1ST GEAR. HAS HESTITATED WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN COMMON AND INC…