Complaints
468
Crashes
36
Fires
16
Injuries
46
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Dodge 1500 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#158 complaints
Structural Problems
Avg mileage:102,327 mi
#238 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:74,232 mi
#315 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:77,711 mi
Crash-related:6
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Dodge 1500.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structural Problems | 58 | — | — | 102,327 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 38 | — | — | 74,232 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 15 | 6 | — | 77,711 mi | |
| Airbags | 13 | 3 | — | 111,826 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 12 | 2 | — | 101,886 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 11 | 9 | — | 95,000 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 11 | 3 | — | 111,408 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 9 | — | 1 | 120,500 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 9 | 1 | — | 117,260 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 8 | — | 1 | 123,000 mi | |
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior | 8 | — | — | 20,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 7 | — | 1 | — | |
| Other Equipment | 7 | — | — | 36,740 mi | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 7 | — | — | 131,346 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 7 | — | — | 73,618 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 7 | 2 | — | 161,097 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 | — | 1 | 24,925 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 6 | — | 2 | 125,442 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 6 | — | — | 126,233 mi | |
| Body Structure | 6 | 1 | — | 118,231 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | — | — | 158,250 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 5 | — | 1 | 57,000 mi | |
| Fuel Pump | 5 | — | — | 59,000 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 5 | — | — | 131,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines | 4 | — | — | — |
Structural Problems
58
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
102,327
Automatic Transmission
38
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,232
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
15
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
77,711
Airbags
13
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
111,826
Tire Defects
12
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
101,886
Air Bags:Frontal
11
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
—
Avg Miles
95,000
Unintended Acceleration
11
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
111,408
Electrical Faults
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
120,500
Hydraulic Brakes
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
117,260
Headlight/Taillight Failures
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
123,000
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
20,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
36,740
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
131,346
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,618
Steering Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
161,097
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
24,925
Gasoline Fuel System
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
125,442
Transmission / Drivetrain
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
126,233
Body Structure
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
118,231
Suspension Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
158,250
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
57,000
Fuel Pump
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
59,000
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
131,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Dodge 1500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge 1500 Years
1997 Dodge 1500 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Dodge 1500 reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1997 Dodge 1500 has 468 NHTSA complaints, 36 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Structural Problems with 58 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Dodge 1500?
Top reported problems: Structural Problems (58 complaints, avg 102,327 mi); Automatic Transmission (38 complaints, avg 74,232 mi); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (15 complaints, avg 77,711 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 Dodge 1500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 96,322 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Dodge 1500?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Dodge 1500 include 36 crash-related reports, 16 fire reports, 46 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1997 Dodge 1500 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Dodge 1500 as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1997 Dodge 1500?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge 1500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Dodge 1500
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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