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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.

About this comparison →
213Owner complaints

Model-year median: 275

0Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
168
1994267
1995291
1996213
1997225
1998313
1999211
2000
Compare all RAM 2500 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
36Power Train
32Tires
26Suspension
20Electrical System
18
All reported categories
Engine And Engine Cooling
15Vehicle Speed Control
15Fuel System, Gasoline
12Structure
11Steering
10Air Bags
9Exterior Lighting
9Visibility
9Unknown Or Other
8Fuel System, Other
7Equipment
4Seats
3Fuel System, Diesel
2Parking Brake
2Seat Belts
2Service Brakes, Air
2Trailer Hitches
2

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Power Train complaints

32 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2000
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT CORRECTLY UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CIRCUMSTANCES. VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO WE TOOK IT TO WESTER DODGE IN SEASIDE, CA FOR REPAIR. SERVICE DEPT CHANGED THE VALVE BODY, WASN'T AT SEALS HAD INTERNALLY FAILED. REPLACED THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. TWO YEARS LATER SAME PROBLEM ARISES AT THIS TIME VE…

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TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT CORRECTLY UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CIRCUMSTANCES. VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO WE TOOK IT TO WESTER DODGE IN SEASIDE, CA FOR REPAIR. SERVICE DEPT CHANGED THE VALVE BODY, WASN'T AT SEALS HAD INTERNALLY FAILED. REPLACED THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. TWO YEARS LATER SAME PROBLEM ARISES AT THIS TIME VEHICLE WARRANTY IS UP. DODGE DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR AND WARRANT PROBLEM. TOOK TRUCK TO CERTIFIED TRANSMISSION IN GILROY, CA . THEY FOUND THAT THE SEALS WERE BAD IN TRANSMISSION AND BROKEN BELL HOUSING AND OVERDRIVE HOUSING BOLT HOLES WERE STRIPPED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #719120

Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 1999
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicUnknown Or Other

THE BRAKE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE THE FIRST FEW MONTH OF SERVICE. THE FIRST BRAKE FAILURE WAS AT 9557 MILES, THE SECOND FAILURE WAS AT 23,744 MILES AND THE THIRD FAILURE OF THE BRAKES WAS AT 29, 875 MILES. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, ROTORS GROUND,, NEW REAR AXLE SEALS, AND NEW CALIPERS, PADS,AND BRAKE SHOES HAVE B…

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THE BRAKE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE THE FIRST FEW MONTH OF SERVICE. THE FIRST BRAKE FAILURE WAS AT 9557 MILES, THE SECOND FAILURE WAS AT 23,744 MILES AND THE THIRD FAILURE OF THE BRAKES WAS AT 29, 875 MILES. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, ROTORS GROUND,, NEW REAR AXLE SEALS, AND NEW CALIPERS, PADS,AND BRAKE SHOES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND THE DEALER IN TURLOCK AUTO CENTER, TURLOCK, CA. IS ORDERING NEW PARTS AGAIN MAKING THE FOURTH BRAKES ON THIS PICKUP INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL ONES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #715041

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS TOO LOOSE OR SOFT, AND ON A ROUGH TERRAIN PULLING A TRAILER, IT MAKES THE TRUCK START TO HOP. WHEN IT MAKES THE TRUCK HOP, IT CAUSES THE REAR AXLE DRIVELINE SEAL TO LEAK OIL. THE FACTORY INSTALLED THERMOSTAT IS FAULTY AND MAKES THE TEMPERATURE GO UP AND DOWN BY ABOUT 40 DEGREES. HAD IT REPLACED AND IT COR…

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ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS TOO LOOSE OR SOFT, AND ON A ROUGH TERRAIN PULLING A TRAILER, IT MAKES THE TRUCK START TO HOP. WHEN IT MAKES THE TRUCK HOP, IT CAUSES THE REAR AXLE DRIVELINE SEAL TO LEAK OIL. THE FACTORY INSTALLED THERMOSTAT IS FAULTY AND MAKES THE TEMPERATURE GO UP AND DOWN BY ABOUT 40 DEGREES. HAD IT REPLACED AND IT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #851820

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SEAL FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #609483

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 1999
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

FRONT AXLE AND BRAKES SYSTEM HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. WHEN CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLIED THE BRAKES THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS BOUNCING. DEALER COULDN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #836890

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #607781

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSED CALIPER, PAD, DRUM AND SHOE FAILED. YH

NHTSA ODI #606288

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 1999
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH AXLE AND DRIVESHAFT. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THEIR VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #833458

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 1998
EquipmentPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES OVERHEAT AND PULL HARD CONTINUALLY.

NHTSA ODI #542087

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 1998
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SLIPS. DEALER CONTACTED, PUT ON COMPUTER AND STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. DRIVING DOWN A HILL REPRESENTS A BIG PROBLEM WHEN PULLING A TRAILER. IT WILL NOT HOLD BACK. CONSUMER HAS TO RELY ON BRAKES IN ORDER TO COME OFF OF A HILL. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK TORQUE CONVERTER UNLOCKS AT ANY SPEED WH…

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TRANSMISSION SLIPS. DEALER CONTACTED, PUT ON COMPUTER AND STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. DRIVING DOWN A HILL REPRESENTS A BIG PROBLEM WHEN PULLING A TRAILER. IT WILL NOT HOLD BACK. CONSUMER HAS TO RELY ON BRAKES IN ORDER TO COME OFF OF A HILL. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK TORQUE CONVERTER UNLOCKS AT ANY SPEED WHEN DECELERATING, VEHICLE WILL NOT HOLD BACK EVEN WHEN IN FIRST GEAR, WHEN TOWING A TRAILER AND TRAVELING DOWNHILL, THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE USED, DEALER STATES THIS IS THE WAY THEY ARE BUILT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #827249

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.