Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while trying to shift the vehicle out of park, it failed to shift. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an unspecified internal transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was not available.
Noticed a high pitched whine coming from the rear of the vehicle about 30-40 seconds before the rear axle assembly locked up. Traveling on a secondary to a city street slowing to 30 MPH. Axle assembly locked up at 45 MPH causing a skid that was controlled. Axle housing split, drive shaft detached, gear lube drained out and tires are severely flat spotted. Skid length was 115 ft.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact noticed that the shaft and gear inadvertently detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.
Right rear axle assembly sheared causing engine to stall/loss of steering/control of the wehicle. Truck bed was empty and traveling at approx. 60mph; upon occurence vehicle rolled 3 times on busy highway; both driver and passenger injured
Transmission will shift through all gears approaching 30mph... It will then need to be almost floored to get the truck to down shift so I can begin to move at a quicker rate of speed. Overdrive slips everytime you press the pedal and sometimes won't go into overdrive. From what I understand the torque converter has faulty clutches causing them to break down. The debris clog up the check valve out of the cooler blocking flow of fluid to the transmission... Therefore causing severe damage as early as 20miles within check valve clogging. Dodge needs to understand this problem because I'm going to loose a trans soon and thousands of other people already have. Dodge replaces the transmission leaving the clogged check valve this causes the second transmission to go etc. I believe you get this gist of it. …
Seats will not recline nor flip forward. This has caused a back seat passenger to fall getting out of the 1997 Dodge Ram becoming injured. Vehicle misses, stutters and engine pulses at 50 MPH. Has been doing this since first onwer. Transmission rebuilt and still does it. Dealer can not find problem after spending $900.00 on a tune-ep and diagnostics. Check engine light stays on. Doing since first owner. Dealer checks, charged hundreds of dollars and within 8 hours of use light comes back on and stays light. Occasionally it will blink then remain on. Taken to dealer again and they stated this vehicle is sensitive even a gas cap not tight will trigger the check engine light. This light remains on, what is wrong with my engine - nothing!
Dodge has known about this problem when the manufacturer sent out a bulletin stating since April all transtec gasket sets and over haul kits have contained an updated seal for the direct(front) clutch. This seal has a wider base than previous seal this is to compensate for the groove that has possibly been machined incorrectly from the factory it has been proven in extensive field testing to correct delay in reverse slipping 2-3 and no 2-3 complaints transtec #28313 is made of viton to resist wear and heat deterioration all transtec kits with the date code of e99 or later contain the new part. *dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis***769353
Tl contact owns a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving 55 MPH, the transmission failed. The vehicle was towed to an inspection station and the transmission was repaired. The mechanic stated that the repair was previously performed by the dealer on August 19, 1997 under NHTSA campaign id number 97V084000 (power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines). The dealer failed to use a stainless steel retainer for the repair as stated in the recall notice. Instead, the original plastic part was still on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 72000. Updated 05/06/08 the consumer stated the dealer did not make the repair and the transmission eventually failed.
I own a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 w/93,000 on it the problems began the radiator $250 just for the part went bad then transmission went out Dodge is infamous for the transmission problems I had to pay $1900 to get it fixed after that was done the fuel rail & o ring started to leak another well know defect on Chrysler vehicles my truck was visibly losing gas & obviously dangerous there is no way to repair the defective cap you have to buy the whole fuel rail from the dealer for $300 just for the part. I think that is not only ridiculous but dangerous & an obvious problem with other chyrsler vehicles & yet nothing has been done.
Consumer called about having problems with the rear end that needs the rtp rebuilt. Manufacture stated that there is nothing they can do. Dealer stated that it needs to be rebuilt. The rear pinion seal leaked differential fluid and the rear differential was very noisy. The dealer noticed that the carrier bearings and ring and pinion were worn.
Transmission complaints in other Ram 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500, 16% of the model year's 361 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (38 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 3 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.