DODGE RAM 2500 · model year

1997 DODGE RAM 2500

275 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1997DODGERAM 2500 carries 275 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 18 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 RAM 2500 is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 15 filings, followed by tires:tread/belt (14) and vehicle speed control (12). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 1997 RAM 2500, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

275
Complaints
11
Crashes
18
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

275 filings

Crashes Reported

11 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP15
TIRES:TREAD/BELT14
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL12
TIRES11
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS10
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
SUSPENSION7
STRUCTURE7
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION6
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
EXTERIOR LIGHTING6
STEERING5

Recent Complaints

20210610AIR BAGS

While driving truck down road air bag exploded for no apparent reason , no large bumps or impacts to vehicle..Cab filled with dust and smoke Luckily was able to stop although my hearing is greatly impaired now..

20191129TIRES

WHILE DRIVING A DODGE RAM 2500, WITHOUT ANY LOAD AND AT A SPEED OF 35 MPH ON A STRAIGHT SMOOTH ROAD THE REAR RIGHT TIRE BURST FOR NO APPARENT REASON. A LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER BELIEVES THAT THE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED AND AT A LOW PRESSURE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT AS A VISUAL INSPECTION PRIOR TO THE TRIP WHICH RESULTED IN THE BLOWOUT DID NOT INDICATE A LOW PRESSURE.

Mileage: 418,844

20190327UNKNOWN OR OTHER

FRAME RUSTING THROUGH AND CRACKED NEAR STARRING GEAR BOX AND STABILIZER BAR BUSHING MOUNTS.

20160111SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED, TO THE POINT THAT PIECES DETACH WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT-END SUSPENSION WAS FRACTURED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/09/16*LJ *CN

20160111ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED, TO THE POINT THAT PIECES DETACH WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT-END SUSPENSION WAS FRACTURED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/09/16*LJ *CN

20150819TIRES

DEAN MUD TERRAIN RADIAL SXT LT265/75R16 MANUFACTURED JANUARY 2006. TIRE'S WITH 22,000 MILES. TREAD SEPARATED FROM CASING CAUSING A BUBBLE, TIRE REPLACED. SECOND TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT THREE WEEKS LATER AFTER TIRE INSPECTION.

Mileage: 112,701

20150224ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TRAVELLING AT NIGHT WITH HIGH BEAMS ENGAGED WHEN ALL LIGHTS WENT OUT. I MADE AN EMERGENCY STOP BY THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. I PROCEEDED AND A FEW MINUTES LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. EVENTUALLY I DETERMINED THAT IT I LEFT THE HIGH BEAMS OFF IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN. TOOK TRUCK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH. PROBLEM RECURRED ABOUT 1 MONTH LATER. REPLACED MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH ON MY OWN THIS TIME. PROBLEM RECURRED AGAIN AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS, THIS TIME HOT/BURNING WIRES COULD BE SMELLED. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY FINALLY DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED LIGHT SWITCH IN DASH. BY THIS TIME ONE OF THE WIRES HAD NEARLY BURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE MAIN HARNESS. REPLACED SWITCH AND ALL FINE FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. BEEN LIVING WITH NO HIGH BEAMS WAITING FOR TIME TO RIG A RELAY TO TAKE LOAD OFF SWITCH. CHRYSLER HAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT HONOR IT DUE TO MY VIN NOT BEING ONE OF THE TARGETED MODEL

Mileage: 68,650

20150224EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TRAVELLING AT NIGHT WITH HIGH BEAMS ENGAGED WHEN ALL LIGHTS WENT OUT. I MADE AN EMERGENCY STOP BY THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. I PROCEEDED AND A FEW MINUTES LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. EVENTUALLY I DETERMINED THAT IT I LEFT THE HIGH BEAMS OFF IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN. TOOK TRUCK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH. PROBLEM RECURRED ABOUT 1 MONTH LATER. REPLACED MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH ON MY OWN THIS TIME. PROBLEM RECURRED AGAIN AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS, THIS TIME HOT/BURNING WIRES COULD BE SMELLED. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY FINALLY DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED LIGHT SWITCH IN DASH. BY THIS TIME ONE OF THE WIRES HAD NEARLY BURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE MAIN HARNESS. REPLACED SWITCH AND ALL FINE FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. BEEN LIVING WITH NO HIGH BEAMS WAITING FOR TIME TO RIG A RELAY TO TAKE LOAD OFF SWITCH. CHRYSLER HAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT HONOR IT DUE TO MY VIN NOT BEING ONE OF THE TARGETED MODEL

Mileage: 68,650

20141219ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEN ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL, CERTAIN FUNCTIONS FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE SPECIFICS ON THE FUNCTIONS THAT FAILED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 225,000.

Mileage: 225,000

20140324EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 225,000.

Mileage: 225,000

20131206SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND TRAVELING OVER A ROAD BUMP OR POTHOLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FRONT END TRACKING BAR SEVERAL TIMES HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF IN ORDER TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,600. UPDATED 1/14/14*CN

Mileage: 3,500

20130618VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE PEDAL REMAINED DEPRESSED EVEN AFTER CONTACT REMOVED THEIR FOOT. THE CONTACT HAD TO OPEN THE HOOD AND PHYSICALLY ENGAGE THE THROTTLE CABLE IN ORDER FOR THE PEDAL TO RETURN TO NORMAL POSITION. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS FRAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

Mileage: 142,000

20130408FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AND APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK OF GASOLINE EVAPORATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIFTEEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS BUT NEITHER COULD DETERMINE THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. FIFTEEN YEARS PASSED AND THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE. HE ALSO NOTICED GASOLINE FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING AND BASED ON THE COMPONENTS THAT WERE SURROUNDING THE FUEL PUMP, HAD BEEN LEAKING FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THE PRESSURE RELIEF ROLL OVER VALVE WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,385. UPDATED 6/14/13 *CN

Mileage: 6

20121012FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS NOT SAFE TO HANDLE LOAD OF ELECTRICITY FROM THE HEADLIGHT AND MARKER LIGHT WIRES. I HAVE REPLACED SWITCH 4 TIMES AND STILL SAME PROBLEM. LIGHTS STOP WORKING BECAUSE THE SWITCH MELTS AND BEGINS TO BURN. THE RECALL FOR 1997 DODGE RAM HEADLIGHT SWITCH SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXTENDED FOR ALL MODELS BUILT IN THAT YEAR. *TR

Mileage: 129,000

20121012FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS NOT SAFE TO HANDLE LOAD OF ELECTRICITY FROM THE HEADLIGHT AND MARKER LIGHT WIRES. I HAVE REPLACED SWITCH 4 TIMES AND STILL SAME PROBLEM. LIGHTS STOP WORKING BECAUSE THE SWITCH MELTS AND BEGINS TO BURN. THE RECALL FOR 1997 DODGE RAM HEADLIGHT SWITCH SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXTENDED FOR ALL MODELS BUILT IN THAT YEAR. *TR

Mileage: 129,000

20120407TIRES

BOUGHT A SET OF B.F. GOODRICH ALL TERRAIN T/A KO LT235/85R16 LRE DOT BFORUH21 ON NOV.21, 2011. MY TRUCK IS A 1997 DODGE 2500 4X4 5.9L DIESEL. HAD 217,260 MILES ON IT. ON WEDNESDAY, APR. 4, 2012 AT ABOUT 10:30 P.M. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING US HOME. THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE TREAD CAME COMPLETELY OFF IN ONE PIECE AND ALL THAT WAS LEFT ON THE RIM WAS THE PERFECT SIDEWALLS. I SEE B.F. GOODRICH HAS RECALLED THIS SAME TIRE BEFORE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 223,121

20110824ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1997 DODGE RAM 2500, WITH OVERHEATING HEAD LAMP SWITCH. CONCERNS WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE! *TR

Mileage: 180,000

20110824EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1997 DODGE RAM 2500, WITH OVERHEATING HEAD LAMP SWITCH. CONCERNS WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE! *TR

Mileage: 180,000

20110824STRUCTURE

1997 DODGE RAM 2500 WITH DASH DISINTEGRATION. I BELIEVE THE MATERIAL USED IN THIS PART TO BE DEFECTIVE AND NOW POSES SAFETY ISSUES! *TR

Mileage: 175,000

20110512FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE STRAPS BEING CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRAPS WERE BROKEN DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

Mileage: 108,000

Compare 1997DODGERAM 2500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1997 DODGE RAM 2500 have?
The 1997 DODGE RAM 2500 has 275 NHTSA complaints, 11 crashes, 18 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 DODGE RAM 2500?
The most-complained component for the 1997 DODGE RAM 2500 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 15 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES:TREAD/BELT and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 1997 DODGE RAM 2500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.