4.0

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,804 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Dodge Ram Van 3500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #15

Sep 012011

Ram Van 3500

  • miles
Cracked dash.

- Anderson, SC, USA

problem #14

Sep 152003

Ram Van 3500

  • Manual transmission
  • 0 miles
Paint began peeling off on the roof of the truck approzimately 1 year ago. Since then the all of the paint on the roof has peeled off and now the hood of the vehicle has started peeling.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

problem #13

Aug 152001

Ram Van 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
My 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 truck has severe paint delamination that began in 2001 and continues to get worse every year. I am in the process of going through small claims court because Chrysler refuses to help me. They say that my vehicle is out of warranty. I understand that Chrysler had paint problems with a defect at that time. Can you please send me some info on this? a manufacturers paint job should last more than five years. Please help.

- York, SC, USA

problem #12

Mar 152003

Ram Van 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,000 miles

- Traverse City, AL, USA

problem #11

Jun 152003

Ram Van 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 138,400 miles
The paint on my 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 truck turned a milky white color on the hood and the top of the cab. Estimated cost of repair to paint the truck is $3,400. Mileage on the truck is 138,400 miles.

- Gulfport, MS, USA

problem #10

Dec 152002

Ram Van 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles
Paint peeling, of course

- Middletown, DE, USA

problem #9

Apr 012003

Ram Van 3500

  • 59,981 miles
The vehicles oil pan was coated with paint. The paint came off, clogged the oil filter and as a result the oil was unable to flow through the engine.

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #8

Dec 302002

Ram Van 3500 6-cyl

  • 117,679 miles
The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repair of the fuel gauge, fifth gear and recall. When the vehicle was picked up two weeks later the other work was done but the recall work was not performed.

- Yakima, WA, USA

problem #7

Feb 142003

(reported on)

Ram Van 3500

  • miles
Consumer requested the status of 2 previous complaints that were submitted.

- Livingston, TX, USA

problem #6

Nov 162001

Ram Van 3500 4WD

  • miles
Made three trips to dealer for engine light over a period of 45 days. First trip was on 10/3/01with a charge of $132.25 tech found torque converter not working. Cleaned torque converter solenoid. Second trip to dealer was made on 10/30/01 with check engine light on again. Tech found same problem again and replaced torque converter solinoid for charge of $246.58. Third trip was made on 11/13/01 with check engine light again on. This time tech said probably an internal leak "somewhere" but don't know where. Said ok to drive until transmission starts slipping. Check engine light came on again on the way home and trans began slipping next day. Returning to dealer on 11/15/01 the transmission gave out completely and had to be towed. Dealer called on 11/16/01 stating that the front plate in transmission had failed and probably could never get all the metal out of transmission. Now cost will be $2200 for a rebuilt transmission.

- Cabool, MO, USA

problem #5

Aug 312000

(reported on)

Ram Van 3500

  • miles
No summary

- Cameron Park, CA, USA

problem #4

May 152000

(reported on)

Ram Van 3500

  • miles
While traveling noticed gear slipping, and sensor indicator light coming on. Dealer has been notified, and stated that transmission needed to be replaced.

- Madris, OR, USA

problem #3

Apr 141999

(reported on)

Ram Van 3500

  • miles
So far this has been a very good, comfortable vehicle, with little main. Problems. Mjs ( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #2

Mar 061999

(reported on)

Ram Van 3500 Diesel

  • miles
No summary

- Boyd, TX, USA

problem #1

Feb 231998

Ram Van 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Location of the cup holder caused liquid to spill into the cab module causing various failures of components.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA