1997 Dodge Ram Van: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 26 complaints
26
Total Complaints
90,000mi
Median Mileage
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Top Issue
2
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

57,000 25th Percentile
90,000 Median Mileage
100,000 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2
STEERING
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
1
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
1
SUSPENSION:FRONT
1
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
1

Severity Assessment

2
Crashes
1
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"MAIN DRIVE BELT BINDED UP AND BROKE OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO DODGE DEALER/MANUFACTURER. BELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. WILL BE CONTACTED . *AK"
"CRUISE CONTROL FAILS TO DISENGAGE WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED. *AK"
"WHEN THE FRONT BRAKES GET HOT AND WARPED, THE CAR VEERS TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. DEALER ALSO REPLACED REAR BRAKES. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK"

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28