1997 Dodge RAM 2500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
152 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
97,655 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 60 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires:Tread/Belt is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 152 complaints (7.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 28 | 18.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 7.9% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 5.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 3.3% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 2.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 12 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 |
| Structure | 7 |
| Tires | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
Tires:Tread/Belt: 12; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 9; Vehicle Speed Control: 8; Structure: 7; Tires: 7; Electrical System: 6; Exterior Lighting: 6; Air Bags: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 11 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 15 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 11; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 15
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 92 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 | 25 |
| 2001 | 24 |
| 2002 | 22 |
| 2003 | 19 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2000: 25; 2001: 24; 2002: 22; 2003: 19; 2004: 12; 2005: 10; 2006: 3; 2007: 8; 2008: 6; 2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2011: 6; 2012: 2; 2013: 3; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2019: 2; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Tires:Tread/Belt leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 28 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000994 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
DURING COLD WEATHER, WHEN I SET THE CRUISE CONTOL, THE VEHICLE KEEPS ACCELERATING PAST THE SET POINT. IT DOEN'T STOP ACCELERATING AT ALL. I HAVE TO CANCEL THE CRUISE TO MAINTAIN A SPEED. AFTER THE TRUCK WARMS UP (QUITE A LONG TIME) IT FUNCTIONS BETTER, BUT STILL MAY GO FASTER THAN THE SET SPEED.
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000994 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002407 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)
THE MOTORIZED EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRRORS MOVED TO AN INWARD POSITION BY THEMSELVES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THIS RESULTED IN NO VISIBILITY, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MIRRORS BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *NLM MIRRORS REPLACED AGAIN. HEADLIGHTS FAILED. MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH REPLACED. PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WON'T GO DOWN WHEN USING SWITCH. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002407 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004964 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
FUEL GUAGE IS BROKEN FOR THE SECOND TIME. FIRST WAS UNDER WARRANTY IN 1999. THE SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED. NOW IT IS BROKEN AGAIN BUT THE DEALER SAYS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WILL COST $$$. AFTER SPEAKING WITH OTHER OWNERS AND SOME MECHANICS I FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND FEEL IT SOULD BE A RECALL ITEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004964 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005604 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
1997 DODGE 2500 4X4 PICKUP WITH CUMMINS TURBO DIESEL. PURCHASED NEW NOV 1996. OWNED 6 YEARS WITH 92K MILES ON TRUCK AT TIME OF INCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE UPPER TIMING CASE HOUSING ALIGNMENT DOWEL PIN FELL INTO THE ROTATING TIMING GEARS. THE PIN JAMMED BETWEEN THE UPPER GEAR AND THE CASE CAUSING A 1" BY 3" HOLE IN THE CASE. OIL SPLASHED OUT OF THIS HOLE (APPROX TWO QUARTS) UNTIL I COMPLETED MY RETURN FROM WORK. I NOTICED A BIG PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER THE TRUCK LATER THAT NIGHT AND UPON INSPECTION FOUND THE HOLE IN THE TIMING C…
Owner-reported narrative. 92,370 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005604 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009063 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)
THE ENTIRE VEHICLE VIBRATED, WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED SEVERAL COMPONENTS, THE BRAKES, U JOINTS, AND BEARINGS, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009063 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009779 · 2003-03-04 (March 4, 2003)
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A LEAK. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009779 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009847 · 2002-05-29 (May 29, 2002)
ON TRIP TO CAMPING GROUND IN SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS, STARTED TO SMELL "HOT BRAKES" ALTHOUGH I HAD NOT BEEN USING THEM AT THAT POINT. THOUGHT BRAKE SHOE MAY BE DRAGGING OR THAT IT COULD BE ANOTHER MOTORIST. APPROACHED CAMP GROUND WITH GROWING CERTAINTY IT HAD TO BE MY TRUCK. AFTER PARKING IN CAMPING SPACE AND SHUTTING DOWN MOTOR, I NOTICED SMOKE ISSUING FROM UNDER HOOD. OPENED HOOD TO INVESTIGATE AND FOUND FLAMES LICKING UP FIREWALL/TOE BOARD. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT FIREWALL INSULATION HAD FALLEN DOWN ONTO EXHAUST PIPE AND STARTED ON FIR…
Owner-reported narrative. 97,360 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009847 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018787 · 2003-05-16 (May 16, 2003)
THE CUP HOLDER IN MY 1997 DODGE RAM 3/4 TON PICKUP IS NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED. AS SUPPLIED THE CUP HOLDER HAS CUT OUTS ON THE SIDES. THE CUP HOLDER ALSO HAS A BASE PLATE THAT SUPPORTS THE BOTTOM OF THE CUP. THE BASE PLATE DOES NOT ALLOW CUPS TO FIT LOW ENOUGH INTO THE HOLDER TO ENABLE THE FRONT AND BACK PORTIONS OF THE CUP HOLDER TO MAKE GOOD CONTACT. TALLER CUPS LIKE THE TYPICAL FAST FOOD DRINK CUP IS ONLY SUPPORTED BY THE BOTTOM WITH NO SIDE SUPPORT OR JUST AROUND THE RING WHERE THE CUP CHANGES SIZES IN THE CASE OF THE LARGER CUPS. WITH THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018787 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.