Dodge›RAM Van, Wagon›1997›5.2L V8/dodge/ram-van-wagon/1997/5-2l-v8/

AB platform

1997 Dodge RAM Van, Wagon — 5.2L V8

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 RAM Van, Wagon 5.2L V8. Covers both the standard and High Output 5.2L V8.

Body TRUCKEngine 5.2L V8

The 1997 Dodge RAM Van and Wagon are full-size body-on-frame work vehicles built on the AB platform and powered by a 5.2L V8 engine, with a 5.0-quart oil capacity calling for 10W-30 or 5W-30 viscosity. These vans served as versatile cargo and passenger solutions during an era when such models were foundational to commercial fleets and family operations alike. With 13 recalls issued against this model year and power train issues standing as the leading owner complaint area among approximately 1,200 reported grievances, the 1997 RAM Van and Wagon reflect the broader reliability challenges that plagued this generation, suggesting prospective owners should prioritize thorough pre-purchase inspections and vigilant maintenance of the drivetrain components.

Model year2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1997 1996 1995 1994

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque175-225 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 27 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 27 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeLT225-75R16DOEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	05281090AB
Engine air filter	05016646AA discontinued
Fuel filter	04798825AD discontinued
Battery	BB27F101AA alt BB34U900AA
Front wiper blades	55155444 discontinued · alt 55076885AA
Serpentine belt	53010305AC alt 53010306AB
Thermostat	52028185AC alt 53021051AB

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	240.2 in
Overall width	79.5 in
Overall height	71.7 in
Wheelbase	154.7 in
Curb weight	4654 lb
Track (front / rear)	66.9 / 66.9 in

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 175-225 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	7.5 Pints, non_mvc
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	7.6 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	4 Pints,
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	45 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	135 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	55-60 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Main Bearings	85 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	30 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)	6010
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket	6010
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle	6010
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket	6010
Lug Nuts	175-225 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	35.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	35.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	200 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Champion
Spark Plug Type	RC12LC4
Spark Plug Gap	0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque	30.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	SP-10
Oil Capacity	7.25 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	27
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	27
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	750 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	192-199 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	44.0-54.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	13.3-15.7 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure	30-80 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	15 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	1
Torque to Knuckle	38 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	38 ft-lbs
Other	Light Duty / Heavy Duty
Torque to Knuckle	38 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	38 ft-lbs
Drum Runout Limit	0.006 in / 0.008 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

1	50.0 ft. lbs.	50 ft. lbs
2	105.0 ft. lbs.	105 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

6 ft. lbs. ( 1 ft. lb. at a time.), step 2: bolts: 5-12: 6 ft. lbs., step 3: all to 6 ft. lbs., step 4: all to 12 ft. lbs., step 5: all to 12

6 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 18,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect)
Every 24,000 mi	Bands (adjust) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	PCV Valve (inspect)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified

Tool required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module

Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified

When needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 1997 Dodge RAM Van, Wagon top in one area — the power train, 148 of 1,200 reports (12%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 11 recall campaigns target the power train, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 89 of the reports describe a crash and 60 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the power train pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

139

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

1,200

Owner complaints

89 involved a crash · 60 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,200 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train148

Service Brakes, Hydraulic147

Structure86

Air Bags60

Tires58

Steering55

Engine & Engine Cooling54

Fuel System, Gasoline53

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E050000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 139 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
08-049-20	2020-04-22	Electrical System	Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
3100519	2019-11-20	Structure	Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
3100619	2019-11-20	Structure	Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…
3100319	2019-11-20	Structure	Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31-006-19	2019-11-20	Structure	Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RAM Van, Wagon. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 27 battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt AB-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 05281090AB Engine air filter 05016646AA Fuel filter 04798825AD Battery BB27F101AA

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1997 RAM Van, Wagon 5.2L V8 take?

5.0 qt of Above 0 F: 10W-30 API, Below 32 F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1997 RAM Van, Wagon have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 13 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.