1997 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9L V8 (2WD)
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT, front 2.29.20 by Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 in Emerald Green Metallic, Front Left, 09-07-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9 by Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 Front Drivers side by NickWilson1964, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT, rear 2.29.20 by Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9L V8 (2WD) is a 230-hp 5.9-liter V8 pickup truck with a 4-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. It is rated at 13 mpg combined.
It makes 230 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 11 mpg city and 16 mpg highway (13 mpg combined).
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Pickup |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 5.9L Magnum OHV V8 |
| Displacement | 5.9 L |
| Horsepower | 230 hp |
| Torque | 330 lb-ft |
| Valvetrain | OHV, 2 valves/cylinder |
| Injection Type | Multi-port fuel injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | RWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 11 MPG |
| Highway | 16 MPG |
| Combined | 13 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular unleaded |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9L V8 (2WD) with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | Not rated |
Other tested variants (2)
- 1997 Dodge Ram 1500: overall not rated
- 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Van/Wagon: overall not rated
Recalls
1 recall on file with NHTSA for the 1997 Dodge RAM 1500. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Mar 15, 2006 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Consequence: A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.
Remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
NHTSA campaign 06E024000
1,135 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1997 Dodge RAM
Owner Complaints
1,135 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Dodge RAM (89 mention a crash, 60 a fire, 67 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Service Brakes | 185 |
| Power Train | 183 |
| Hydraulic | 174 |
| Structure | 104 |
| Fuel System | 86 |
| Steering | 81 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1997 DODGE RAM. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.