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1997 Dodge RAM 2500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 275.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

60 reports with mileage · 153 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports14 fire reports6 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

9 reports
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68,650 miles · Feb 24, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior 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 …

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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 MODELS... COMPLETE [XXX]! *JS

NHTSA ODI #10690359

225,000 miles · Mar 24, 2014
Exterior 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 MILE…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10574460

129,000 miles · Oct 12, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

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 HAV…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10479925

180,000 miles · Aug 24, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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

NHTSA ODI #10421362

36 miles · Oct 7, 2008
Exterior Lighting

I PURCHASED THIS 1997 DODGE 2500 DIESEL PICKUP BRAND NEW FROM THE DODGE DEALERSHIP IN OREGON. THE WORST VEHICLE THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED REGARDING BEING ABLE TO SEE AT NIGHT WITH THEIR HEADLIGHT DESIGN. I HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS TRYING TO SEE THE ROAD AS IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE EVEN THE ROAD DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE PIC…

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I PURCHASED THIS 1997 DODGE 2500 DIESEL PICKUP BRAND NEW FROM THE DODGE DEALERSHIP IN OREGON. THE WORST VEHICLE THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED REGARDING BEING ABLE TO SEE AT NIGHT WITH THEIR HEADLIGHT DESIGN. I HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS TRYING TO SEE THE ROAD AS IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE EVEN THE ROAD DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE PICKUP WITH THIS STYLE OF HEADLAMPS THAT DODGE ENGINEERED FOR THIS YEAR PICKUP NIGHT DRIVING. AT NIGHT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL DODGE DEALERSHIPS TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REMEDY THIS TO THIS DAY. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10244684

36 miles · Oct 7, 2008
Exterior Lighting

I PURCHASED THIS 1997 DODGE 2500 DIESEL PICKUP BRAND NEW FROM THE DODGE DEALERSHIP IN OREGON. THE WORST VEHICLE THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED REGARDING BEING ABLE TO SEE AT NIGHT WITH THEIR HEADLIGHT DESIGN. I HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS TRYING TO SEE THE ROAD AS IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE EVEN THE ROAD DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE PIC…

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I PURCHASED THIS 1997 DODGE 2500 DIESEL PICKUP BRAND NEW FROM THE DODGE DEALERSHIP IN OREGON. THE WORST VEHICLE THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED REGARDING BEING ABLE TO SEE AT NIGHT WITH THEIR HEADLIGHT DESIGN. I HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS TRYING TO SEE THE ROAD AS IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE EVEN THE ROAD DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE PICKUP WITH THIS STYLE OF HEADLAMPS THAT DODGE ENGINEERED FOR THIS YEAR PICKUP NIGHT DRIVING AT NIGHT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL DODGE DEALERSHIPS TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REMEDY THIS TO THIS DAY. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. HELP *TR

NHTSA ODI #10244682

114,000 miles · Jan 7, 2004
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS WILL EITHER FLICKER OR GO COMPLETELY OFF WHILE IN USE DUE TO A MALFUNCTION IN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THIS CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY. THERE IS RECALL 99V024000, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10053618

22,000 miles · Jan 9, 2003
Exterior LightingVisibility

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10002407

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2001
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHT SWITCH SHORTED OUT, RENDERING HEADLIGHTS INOPERABLE. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #885308

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP03006 · Seat Back Failure

Opened Sep 23, 2003 · Closed Apr 8, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats; Seats:front Assembly:recliner

ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207. SEATING SYSTEM.ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYLSER THE FRONT SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE REARWARD IN REAR IMPACT CRASHES AS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORPTIONCAPABILITIES OF THE SEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.RATES OF OCCURANCE WERE COMPARED TO PEER VEHICLES, AND IT WAS SHOWN THAT THE PERFORMACE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS COMPARABLE TO THOSE VEHICLES.IN VIEW OF THE FORGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats

ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207. SEATING SYSTEM.ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYLSER THE FRONT SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE REARWARD IN REAR IMPACT CRASHES AS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORPTIONCAPABILITIES OF THE SEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.RATES OF OCCURANCE WERE COMPARED TO PEER VEHICLES, AND IT WAS SHOWN THAT THE PERFORMACE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS COMPARABLE TO THOSE VEHICLES.IN VIEW OF THE FORGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.

Seats:front Assembly:recliner

ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207. SEATING SYSTEM.ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYLSER THE FRONT SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO COLLAPSE REARWARD IN REAR IMPACT CRASHES AS PART OF THE ENERGY ABSORPTIONCAPABILITIES OF THE SEATING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.RATES OF OCCURANCE WERE COMPARED TO PEER VEHICLES, AND IT WAS SHOWN THAT THE PERFORMACE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS COMPARABLE TO THOSE VEHICLES.IN VIEW OF THE FORGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THERFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI'S RESPONSE TO THE PETITION PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL.69, NO. 60 , DATED MARCH 29, 2004.