Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Dodge Ram owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving on us highway 231 in alabama a good year tire (lt245/75r16e) treads separated and caused over $4,600.00 dollars damage to the left side of my Dodge Ram truck. The tires have been a problem since new and were OEM equipment . They wouldn't stay in balance very long after being balanced. Good year tire and rubber co. Has offered me $l89.00 for a new tire and $200.00 for the deductible insurance I paid geico. I told good year that I wanted all four tires replaced because of the history of the tires. Also, that if one tire could have tread separation any one of the other three tires could do the same thing and the next time more than the truck body would get damaged-humane body's might get damaged. Further more, $l89.50 they have offered me for a new tire will not buy a tire for my truck that is safe to drive on a highway. …
Peoo 020; consumer was traveling about 65mph on highway and vehicle started to shake. Right rear tire tread separated, and sheet metal was damaged underneath vehicle. Tire is a Goodyear, wrangler #at, t245/75r16. Goodyear 245/75/r16
The first failure was an original equipment Goodyear wrangler at on the right rear. The tread seperated at highway speed and caved in the side of the pick up bed but did only minor damage to the 5th wheel travel trailer I was pulling. The second failure was a kelly safari awr lt245x75/r16 on the right front. The tread seperated at highway speed denting the passenger door and rocker panel and breaking the fender well and some bumper componnents. The vehicle was unloaded at the time. In both cases, the ambient temperature was above 90 degrees f. In the first case, good year did not accept responsibility at all. In the second case, kelley paid for the loss completely. Both tires were load range e with about 40,000 mile of use. …
Dt: the contact stated two of continental contitrac tires have defects. The tire size is lt23585r16. The front passenger tire blew out while driving, causing damage to the fender, door, and bumper. He sent the tire to the manufacturer for inspection. They denied the claim for reimbursement of the damage done to the vehicle. The manufacturer insisted that the tire defect was caused by running over something on the highway. This tire was replaced. One month later,the contact was looking at the front of driver's side tire and a foot long air bubble appeared, and the metal cord came out of the tire. This tire has not been replaced. He contacted the manufacturer, and asked the contact to send back the first tire. He did not tell the manufacturer about the defect with the second tire. He planned on taking both tires to the dealership for inspection.
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!
Goodyear, wrangler tires, size lt245-75-r16 with dot # 273758-grt-70g. There was tread separation on left/rear tire which was original equipment, and 62000 miles on them. Consumer noticed tread separation while vehicle was parked. Has not contacted dealer yet. Prior to separation, tire seemed to be unbalanced, when consumer first purchased vehicle at 14926 miles, a tire was replaced due to being defective.
Two original Goodyear wrangler tires experienced tread separation, another tire looked bad, so Goodyear prorated all five, one of the replacement tires experienced tread separation and two of those did not look good, one of the failed tires also caused damage to the vehicle, consumer is waiting for Goodyear to reimburse him for the tires and for the damages on vehicle, tire size is lt245/75r16 dot numbers mkii.
Consumer had problems with front end/steering. Vehicle had a 60,000 mile warranty. Dealer drove vehicle & said it was fine. On April 5, 2000, dealer said front end needed to be replaced. Steering gear box, and 4 tires had to be repaired to pass inspection. Consumer has put out $839 the first time & now steering box is leaking which cost $900. Dealer didn't seem to know what real cause was.
Original equipment on a 1997 Dodge, Ram, wrangler at, 245/75r16. While balancing tires mechanic noticed tread separation, tire was replaced. On 6,September, 1999. 1000 miles later, right rear tire had a blowout, and did $ 2000 damage to vehicle. Goodyear replaced 1 tire. Consumer replaced all tires. With 20000 miles on 3rd set of tires, tires were difficult to balance.
Goodyear, p245/75r16, dot m670bl0r037 original equipment on a 1997, Dodge, Ram 1500 with 29000 miles. Right front and rear tires have splits in sidewall. Rear split is 10 mm from rim and is 22 mm long, 5 mm deep and 3 mm wide.frontr split is 40 mm long, 6 mm deep and 3-4 mm wide. Goodyear wrangler rts.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Ram years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 1997 Dodge Ram?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 1997 Dodge Ram, 7% of the model year's 415 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Dodge Ram wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 1997 Dodge Ram, though it has 7 recalls for other components. 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 29,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to wheels & tires 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.