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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

View investigation details →

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

36 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DUE TO DESIGN OF BRAKES IT CONSTANTLY PULLS ONE DIRECTION OR THE OTHER WHEN BRAKING.IF MAKING HARD STOP IT PULLS MORE.THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP THIS AT BAY IS TO CONSTANTLY REMOVE AND RELUBE SLIDE PINS ON THE FRONT CALIPERS.WHEN DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS,THEY WERE ADVICED ABOUT THE PULL AND AS USUAL RESPONSE WAS COULD NOT DUPL…

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DUE TO DESIGN OF BRAKES IT CONSTANTLY PULLS ONE DIRECTION OR THE OTHER WHEN BRAKING.IF MAKING HARD STOP IT PULLS MORE.THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP THIS AT BAY IS TO CONSTANTLY REMOVE AND RELUBE SLIDE PINS ON THE FRONT CALIPERS.WHEN DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS,THEY WERE ADVICED ABOUT THE PULL AND AS USUAL RESPONSE WAS COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR FIX.*AK

NHTSA ODI #742106

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2001
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

OIL LEAKS FROM REAR AXLE AND CAUSES REAR BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #741847

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE SWAYS AND PULLS TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. CHRYSLER REP SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT SO FAR NO SOLUTION. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #864275

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKES SHOES ARE PREMATURLEY WEARING WHICH IS CAUSING THE BRAKES PADS TO WEAR, ALSO CALIPER PISTONS WHICH AR EMAD EOF FIBER STICK SIDEWAYS, CAUSING PADS AND SHOES TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #842837

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ANTI-SKID BRAKE CONTROL FAILED TO WORK. DEALER INFORMS THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY REPAIRABLE ITEM, NOR IS IT COVERED UNDER CHRYSLER 100,OOO MILE MAXIMUM WRAP WARRANTY. NON WEAR SAFETY COMPONENTS SUCH AS AIR BAGS, ANTI SKID BRAKES, SHOULD BE COVERED THE LENGTH OF THE SERVICE CONTRACT PERIOD. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #716797

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

VEHICLE MAKES A HARD LEFT TURN WHEN BRAKING. DEALER ADVISED IT TO BE FRONT END ALIGNMENT, ( WHICH THEY DON'T DO) OR BRAKES OR TIRE PROBLEM. BRAKES WERE REPLACED, FRONT END ALIGNED, TIRES WERE REPLACED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT ON CONDITION. FURTHER RESEARCH AND TIME AND $ SPENT FINDS CHRYSLER HAS A TSB #05-03-97 THAT TELLS YOU TO PU…

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VEHICLE MAKES A HARD LEFT TURN WHEN BRAKING. DEALER ADVISED IT TO BE FRONT END ALIGNMENT, ( WHICH THEY DON'T DO) OR BRAKES OR TIRE PROBLEM. BRAKES WERE REPLACED, FRONT END ALIGNED, TIRES WERE REPLACED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT ON CONDITION. FURTHER RESEARCH AND TIME AND $ SPENT FINDS CHRYSLER HAS A TSB #05-03-97 THAT TELLS YOU TO PUT A SPACER BETWEEN THE HUB AND WHEEL OF VARYING SIZES UNTILL YOU FIND ONE THAT CHANGES THE FRONT END GEOMETRY TILL IT NOLONGER PULLS. THIS IS AFTER YOU HAVE FILED BRAKE COMPONETS. IF THIS DOES NOT CURE THE PROBLEM , THEN YOU ARE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HUB ASSY WHICH THEN MAY CAUSE YOU TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE TRIAL AND ERROR SHIM BUSINESS AGAIN. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND WARRANTY INCLUDING CHRYSLERS MAXIMUM WRAP WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THIS FIX ACCOURDING TO AUFFENBURG AND A DEALER IN OLATHE KS I STOPPED AT LAST WEEK. A PERSON , IF THEY HAD THE FUNDS COULD LITERALLY SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON TRIAL AND ERROR FIXES ON THIS BRAKING PROBLEM ON DODGE 4X4 PICKUPS. ALSO CAPE GIRARDEAU MO ATTY DON THOMASON HAD A CLIENT THAT WAS INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A PICKUP THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEPMT TO FIX IT. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO FIX THIS BEFORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #716794

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 · Nov 1, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY PUT ON BRAKES LIGHTLY AND VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND JERKED TO THE OTHER LANE. *AKTHIS PROBLEM OCCURS WITH EACH BRAKING SINCE ABOUT 45000 MILES, THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET IT REPAIRED, SOMETIME THE PULLING WHILE BRAKING IS MILD YET SOMETIMES IT IS SEVERE, THE TIRES WERE CHANGED BUT THERE WA…

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WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY PUT ON BRAKES LIGHTLY AND VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND JERKED TO THE OTHER LANE. *AKTHIS PROBLEM OCCURS WITH EACH BRAKING SINCE ABOUT 45000 MILES, THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET IT REPAIRED, SOMETIME THE PULLING WHILE BRAKING IS MILD YET SOMETIMES IT IS SEVERE, THE TIRES WERE CHANGED BUT THERE WAS NO EFFECT ON THE BRAKING. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #852340

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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE BRAKES / CALIPERS / PADS / ROTORS FAILED. *YC

NHTSA ODI #608566

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.