Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Dodge Ram owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Vehicle was hit by another car on the front. The other vehicle was traveling at about 50 to 60mph. Driver's side airbag deployed, and driver's sweat pants caught on fire. Drive rhad two pairs of sweat pants on. Fire burned a big hole through the first pair, and singed the second pair of pants. If drive rwould not have had on two pairs of pants, he would have been burned. Vehicle has not been looked at by anyone.
While driving the vehicle at 35 MPH, first the ABS brakes did not work. Then a frontal impact accident occurred, the air bags did not deploy on impact. No injuries occurred. Dealer sent out investigation team that stated the air bags were okay. Reports from the fire department and police department stated the air bags should have deployed. Dealer cannot duplicate the problem.
While driving the van between 20-25 MPH, going around a curb, driver slightly tapped the brake pedal, released the pedal and tapped the brake pedal again. At that time, the air bag on the driver's side deployed for no apparent reason. The deployment caused the driver to crash into a mailbox. The air bag is being replaced.
While driving 40 MPH had a direct frontal impact with a building, and driver's airbag malfunctioned, but airbag did not deploy fully. Also driver's seatbelt ripped apart, causing the occupant to hit the windshield, and sustained serious injuries. Have not contacted the mfr. Please provide further information.
While driving at approximately 45 MPH consumer applied brake and skidded about 10 feet,hit another vehicle head-on. Upon impact,driver airbags did not deploy which have caused injuries. The inspectors from the manufacturer indicated that the air bags did not deploy because the impact dissipated.
Road was wet & vehicle was going around a curb & veered off into a telephone pole. Entire front end was caved inward. Had seat belts on. Airbags failed to deploy, upon impact. Driver suffered facial injuries. Manufacturer indicated air bags worked okay. Vehicle sensors were not touched.
Frontal crash at 65-70 MPH, hit a tree, airbag did not deploy. Vehicle was totalled. Vehicle rolled over and driver was injured, airbag had previously been recalled and replaced. Consumer feels the steering knuckle broke, locking tires making it impossible to steer.
Vehicle was involved in a frontal crash, airbag deployed, however did not prevent consumer from hitting steering wheel and sustaining injuries, consumer feels the airbag didn't fully deploy because it never came in contact with consumer.
While coming around vehicle, vehicle in right lane crossed center line, hit vehicle front fender, vehicle went off road, hit six pine trees, airbag did not deploy, vehicle was totaled, vehicle available for inspection.
Vehicle was hit from side at 35 MPH and was forced into a wall head-on at 35 MPH. Upon impact, driver's air bag did not deploy, causing injuries to driver's neck. Please give any further details.
Related recalls
Air bags
Vehicle description: pickup trucks. Sound deadener material inside the steering wheel could become detached from the cover and housing. Note: the Ram pickup trucks were built at the warren assembly plant ("s" in the 11th VIN position) from May 16, 2000 through October 23, 2000; st.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly. Owner notification began June 18, 2001. Also some 1997-200 model year vehicles that, according to warranty records, have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed,…
Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle description: van and wagon model passenger vehicles. If water/road salt gets on the interior floor of the vehicle in the proximity of the air bag electronic control module (aecm), the aecm can corrode. The resulting corrosion can cause the driver side air bag to deploy inadvertently.
Remedy: Dealers wil replace the aecm with an aecm that is sealed from moisture intrusion.
Airbag complaints in other Ram years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1997 Dodge Ram?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Dodge Ram, 9% of the model year's 415 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (31 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Dodge Ram airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V-153 (air bags, May 8, 2001); NHTSA recall 99V-023 (frontal, Feb 5, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 28 crashes, 1 fire and 22 injuries to air bags 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.