Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
90–25K
225–50K
1150–75K
1075–100K
13100–150K
15150K+
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
What owners actually said
213 reports
18,000 miles · Dec 15, 2004
Tires
WHILE DRIVING LEFT FRONT TIRE LOST ITS SHAPE. CONSUMER STOPPED AND CHANGED THE TIRE. LATER, THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS REPLACED. CURRENTLY,THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR TIRES WERE SHOWING THE SAME DEFECT. *AK THREE OF THE FOUR TIRES HAD BROKEN BELTS. THE TIRES HAD 18000 MILES ON THEM AND THE TREAD WAS AT 55-60%.…
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WHILE DRIVING LEFT FRONT TIRE LOST ITS SHAPE. CONSUMER STOPPED AND CHANGED THE TIRE. LATER, THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS REPLACED. CURRENTLY,THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR TIRES WERE SHOWING THE SAME DEFECT. *AK THREE OF THE FOUR TIRES HAD BROKEN BELTS. THE TIRES HAD 18000 MILES ON THEM AND THE TREAD WAS AT 55-60%. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10094931
248,000 miles · Dec 11, 2004
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE DRIVING HOME LATE ONE EVENING IN LATE NOVEMBER 2004, THE LIGHTS ON MY DODGE RAM 2500 WENT COMPLETELY OUT. WITH THIS LOSS OF LIGHTING I WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD, FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT SERIOUS CONSEQUENCE. THE FAULT WAS THE MAIN LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE (SHORTING OUT) CREATING A SHORT AND SMA…
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WHILE DRIVING HOME LATE ONE EVENING IN LATE NOVEMBER 2004, THE LIGHTS ON MY DODGE RAM 2500 WENT COMPLETELY OUT. WITH THIS LOSS OF LIGHTING I WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD, FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT SERIOUS CONSEQUENCE. THE FAULT WAS THE MAIN LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE (SHORTING OUT) CREATING A SHORT AND SMALL FIRE IN THE DASH. THIS IS THE THIRD SWITCH I HAVE REPLACED IN THIS VEHICLE. *JB I RESEARCHED THIS TYPE OF FAILURE AND HAVE FOUND THAT IS A FAIRLY COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THE RAM TRUCKS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING WHICH CAN BE DONE TO MAKE THIS A SAFER VEHICLE TO OPERATE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10102749
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING,AND WHILE PARKED THE DRIVER NOTICED A FUEL SMELL COMING FROM THE VENTS AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE DRIVER GOT UNTO THE GROUND AND LOOK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A GASOLINE LEAK. THE DRIVER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10096990
50,284 miles · Aug 6, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
50,284 MILEAGE WITH CRACKED BLOCK FROM ONE CORE PLUG TO THE OTHER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10086320
110,000 miles · Jul 30, 2004
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A CLANKING SOUND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. TWO CERTIFIED MECHANICS DETERMINED THAT THE CONTROL ARM UPPER BALL JOINT BOLT WAS LOOSE. *AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10067269
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2004
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT REAR AXLE BROKE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10071854
Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2004
Tires
WE WERE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 44 IN MISSOURI AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HEARD A LOUD BANGING/THUMPING AND WERE LOSING CONTROL OF THE BACK OF OUR TRUCK. WE THOUGHT WE HAD A BLOWOUT SO WE PULLED OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER. INITIALLY, THE TIRE LOOKED FINED UNTIL WE LOOKED AT THE BACK OF THE TIRE AND THE DAMAGE TO THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK.…
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WE WERE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 44 IN MISSOURI AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HEARD A LOUD BANGING/THUMPING AND WERE LOSING CONTROL OF THE BACK OF OUR TRUCK. WE THOUGHT WE HAD A BLOWOUT SO WE PULLED OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER. INITIALLY, THE TIRE LOOKED FINED UNTIL WE LOOKED AT THE BACK OF THE TIRE AND THE DAMAGE TO THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK. IT LOOKED LIKE A TREAD SEPARATION. WE REPLACED THAT TIRE WITH THE SPARE TIRE AND TRAVELED TO THE NEXT AVAILABLE TOWN TO BUY A NEW TIRE. WE WERE AFRAID TO TRAVEL ANY FURTHER WITHOUT A SPARE TIRE NOT KNOWING WHAT CAUSED THE INITIAL PROBLEM AND TO MAKE SURE WE WERE PREPARED IF SOMETHING HAPPENED TO ANOTHER ONE OF THE TIRES. WE STILL HAVE THE TIRE THAT WE BELIEVE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10067895
70,000 miles · Apr 20, 2004
Suspension
WHILE GETTING THE BRAKES CHECKED THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE AND REPLACED THEM. *NM *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10055241
79,000 miles · Apr 1, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST SPEED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONSUMER DETERMINED THAT THE ACCELERATOR ROD BROKE. *AK THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT WILLING TO FIX IT FREE OF CHARGE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10055654
90,000 miles · Apr 1, 2004
Seat Belts
FRONT SEAT BELTS UNLOCK DURING SUDDEN STOPS OR WHEN PULLING ON THEM. *AK *MR
NHTSA ODI #10053719
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.
1997 Dodge RAM 2500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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