1997 Dodge RAM 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
91 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
108,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 41 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 91 complaints (13.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 14 | 15.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 13.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 10 | 11.0% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 6.6% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 3.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 12 |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 7 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 5 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 3 |
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch: 12; Exterior Lighting: 7; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 7; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 5; Steering: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 4; Electrical System: 3; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 11 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 11
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 50 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 11 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2000: 11; 2001: 10; 2002: 11; 2003: 12; 2004: 7; 2005: 5; 2006: 6; 2007: 6; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 5; 2011: 4; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 12 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10044806 · 2003-11-19 (November 19, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT HAD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS . *AK *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10044806 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081016 · 2004-07-14 (July 14, 2004)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAILURE - THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE BRAKE AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT INDICATORS ON THE DASH TO INTERMITTANTLY APPEAR AND DISAPPEAR. THE BRAKE PEDAL INTERMITTANTLY RANGES FROM SOFT TO HARD. A PERIODIC VIBRATION IN THE PEDAL IS NOTED WITH NEARLY A TOTAL LOSS IN BRAKE PRESSURE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 128,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081016 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003814 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. (6-9 INCHES FROM THE CLIP, THE TWO TUBES HAD RUBBED TOGETHER UNTIL THERE WAS A HOLE IN ONE AND ALMOST A HOLE IN THE OTHER) THE CONSUMER REQUEST(S) REIMBURSEMENT. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003814 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004083 · 2003-01-17 (January 17, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION TUBES WERE RUBBING TOGETHER CAUSING A FIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004083 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007184 · 2003-02-12 (February 12, 2003)
THE FRONT AND REAR FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS FAILED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 97,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007184 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007185 · 2003-02-12 (February 12, 2003)
FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP BROKE CAUSING TANK TO DROP TO THE PAVEMENT. UPON REMOVAL OF THE TANK, THE FRONT STRAP WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY CRACKED THROUGH. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007185 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10079467 · 2004-07-15 (July 15, 2004)
THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TOO MUCH PLAY IN IT, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STEER WHILE DRIVING, ALSO THE FRONT END SWAYED. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE 3 TIMES, IN WHICH THEY TIGHTENED THE STEERING BOX AND ADJUSTED THE TIE RODS, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10079467 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10195429 · 2007-07-05 (July 5, 2007)
INCIDENT OCCURRED AT HOME/VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION. GOT IN DRIVER SEAT TO MOVE VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON/. NO ACCIDENT HAD OCCURRED. OWNER WAS INJURED BY BLOW TO THE HEAD, CAUSING BRUISING AND HEADACHES. NO PARTS REPLACED DUE TO INSURANCE COMPANY AND MANUFACTURER NOT FEELING RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROBLEM. AIRBAG) NO LONGER IN USE, AND ALL FUNCTIONS ON STEERING WHEEL DID NOT WORK.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 204,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10195429 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081017 · 2004-07-14 (July 14, 2004)
POSITIONING OF THE VEHICLE BATTERY AND BATTERY TRAY PERMITS LEAKING BATTERY ACID TO DRIP DOWN ONTO THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO, VACUUM LINES, AND ELECTRICAL WIRES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 118,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081017 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10148326 · 2006-01-22 (January 22, 2006)
MY 1997 DODGE RAM 3500 WAS STARTED AND IDLING WHILE MY DAUGHTER RAN TO THE BARN TO GET SOMETHING. UPON HER RETURN (@3 - 5 MINUTES), THE CAB WAS FULL OF SMOKE. SHE JUMPED IN AND TURNED THE TRUCK OFF AND NOTICED FLAMES AT HER FEET; STOMPED THEM OUT AND CALLED 911. TRUCK WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES WHEN FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED (WE LIVE LESS THAN 2 MILES FROM F.D.) INVESTIGATION BY FIREMEN SAID "ELECTRICAL FIRE". *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 147,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10148326 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057525 · 2004-02-26 (February 26, 2004)
FUEL SHUT OFF AND SOLENOID OVERHEATED, CAUSING A FIRE IN THE VEHICLE. ALSO, VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. *AK *MR
Owner-reported narrative. 184,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057525 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 718297 · 2000-02-04 (February 4, 2000)
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER/CONTROL IN TRAFFIC DURING ACCELERATION AND DEACCELERATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 718297 at NHTSA ↗