1997 Dodge RAM 3500: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002739 · 2003-01-15 (January 15, 2003)
I BOUGHT NEW A 1998 ROADTREX, CLASS B MOTORHOME ON A 1997 DODGE 3500 MAXI-VAN. SINCE NEW IT WOULD SWAY, SOMETIMES ALMOST UNCOMTROLABLE WHEN I WOULD DRIVE IN THE RUTS ON FREEWAYS" CAUSED BY TRUCKS AND STUDDED TIRES". I TRIED DIFFRENT THINGS TO TRY TO CORRECT THIS, HD SHOCKS, HIGH TIRE PRESSURES, AIR BAGS ON THE REAR AXLE. I TALK TO OTHERS THAT HAD CHANGED TIRES AND NOTHING SEEMED TO WORK. THEN I FOUND OUT THAT THE REAR AXLE IS NARROWER THAN THE FRONT AXLE, SO THE REAR TIRES WERE NOT FOLLOWING THE FRONT TIRES. THAT IS WHAT WAS CAUSING THE SWAY…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002739 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 10005967 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
MANUEL TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005967 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005969 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005969 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 10011452 · 2003-03-26 (March 26, 2003)
FIFTH GEAR WENT OUT ON VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES AFTER REPAIR. *TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011452 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
99V024000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
Reported: 1999-02-05 (February 5, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MODEL 3500 LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS ONLY. OPERATION OF THE HEADLAMPS OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME CAN RESULT IN HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILURE, CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS OR PARK LAMPS TO GO OUT.
Consequence: IF THE LIGHTS FAIL, A VISIBILITY PROBLEM COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH INCLUDING A RELAY IN THE PARK LAMP WIRING CIRCUIT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗