← New search

1997 Dodge RAM 3500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Dodge RAM 3500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 124.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

41 reports with mileage · 84 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports12 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

125 reports
126,342 miles · Nov 3, 2011
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE DRIVER OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WITH THE RUNNING LIGHTS ON, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING SHUT OFF. THE INTERIOR LIGHT SWITCH ALSO BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE DRIVER OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WITH THE RUNNING LIGHTS ON, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING SHUT OFF. THE INTERIOR LIGHT SWITCH ALSO BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V024000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10434060

140,000 miles · Aug 5, 2011
Air BagsInjury

OWNER/DRIVER WAS MAKING A RIGHTHAND TURN INTO A PARKING LOT AND WAS GOING ABOUT THREE MILES PER HOUR. AS HE WAS TURNING WITH HIS ARM ACROSS THE STEERING WHEEL, THE AIRBAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. DRIVER'S ARMS WERE PUSHED TO THE BACK WINDOW BY THE IMPACT. THE TRUCK FILLED WITH SMOKE. DRIVER'S RIGHT WRIST WAS FRACTURED AND OWNER SU…

Read full complaint

OWNER/DRIVER WAS MAKING A RIGHTHAND TURN INTO A PARKING LOT AND WAS GOING ABOUT THREE MILES PER HOUR. AS HE WAS TURNING WITH HIS ARM ACROSS THE STEERING WHEEL, THE AIRBAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. DRIVER'S ARMS WERE PUSHED TO THE BACK WINDOW BY THE IMPACT. THE TRUCK FILLED WITH SMOKE. DRIVER'S RIGHT WRIST WAS FRACTURED AND OWNER SUFFERED TEAR IN RIGHT ROTATOR CUFF THAT REQUIRED SURGERY TO CORRECT. HE WILL NOW NEED PHYSICAL THERAPY. DRIVER IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING PAIN IN LEFT ROTATOR CUFF AND WANTS TO HAVE IT EXAMINED. DODGE WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10417160

97,305 miles · Jun 16, 2011
Suspension

I HAVE OWNED A 1995 DODGE 2500 AND A 1997 DODGE 3500. I HAVE SOME CONCERNS WITH A STEERING PROBLEM WITH THESE MODELS. IF A POTHOLE OR RAILROAD TRACKS ARE HIT AT A SPEED OF AT LEAST 55 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. WHEN THIS HAPPENED WITH MY 1995 I SPENT OVER $400.00 IN JUST PARTS REPLACING ALMOST ALL OF THE STEER…

Read full complaint

I HAVE OWNED A 1995 DODGE 2500 AND A 1997 DODGE 3500. I HAVE SOME CONCERNS WITH A STEERING PROBLEM WITH THESE MODELS. IF A POTHOLE OR RAILROAD TRACKS ARE HIT AT A SPEED OF AT LEAST 55 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. WHEN THIS HAPPENED WITH MY 1995 I SPENT OVER $400.00 IN JUST PARTS REPLACING ALMOST ALL OF THE STEERING PARTS. NOW THIS IS HAPPENING WITH THE 1997. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE PUBLIC AND IN MY OPINION IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD END UP RESULTING IN DEATH IF NOT CORRECTED. I HAVE YET TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT YET ON THE 1997. WHILE I UNDERSTAND THAT PARTS WEAR OUT ON TRUCKS IT SHOULD NOT PEOPLES LIVES IN DANGER WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE ONLY TIME THIS HAPPENS IS WHEN A BUMP OF SOME SORT STARTS THE PROCESS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10407114

Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2011
Child Seat

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 3500 THAT SECURES A COSCO TOURIVA OVERHEAD SHIELD CHILD RESTRAINT, MODEL NUMBER UNKNOWN, MANUFACTURED JUNE 1, 2009. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A METAL COMPONENT OF THE RESTRAINT HARNESS FRACTURED AND THE CHILD WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILU…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 3500 THAT SECURES A COSCO TOURIVA OVERHEAD SHIELD CHILD RESTRAINT, MODEL NUMBER UNKNOWN, MANUFACTURED JUNE 1, 2009. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A METAL COMPONENT OF THE RESTRAINT HARNESS FRACTURED AND THE CHILD WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10386689

225,000 miles · Dec 14, 2010
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND CHANGING LANES WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL CLICKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE WITHIN THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, WHICH WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE V…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND CHANGING LANES WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL CLICKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE WITHIN THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, WHICH WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,700.

NHTSA ODI #10370570

80,000 miles · Dec 4, 2010
Electrical SystemStructure

DASH STARTED TO BRAKE ON MY 1997 DODGE 3500 TRUCK LEAVING SHARP EDGES, I HAVE LOST APPROX 50% OF THE TOP OF DASH EXPOSING ELECTRICAL WIRING AT PRESENT UNABLE TO USE A/C AS SMALL PIECES OF PLASTIC FLY UP OCCASIONALLY I HAVE A DASH MAT AT THE PRESENT TIME AND STILL CANNOT USE A/C SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE CONCERNING THE SAFETY …

Read full complaint

DASH STARTED TO BRAKE ON MY 1997 DODGE 3500 TRUCK LEAVING SHARP EDGES, I HAVE LOST APPROX 50% OF THE TOP OF DASH EXPOSING ELECTRICAL WIRING AT PRESENT UNABLE TO USE A/C AS SMALL PIECES OF PLASTIC FLY UP OCCASIONALLY I HAVE A DASH MAT AT THE PRESENT TIME AND STILL CANNOT USE A/C SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE CONCERNING THE SAFETY OF PEOPLE NO-ONE IN FLORIDA IS COMFORTABLE DRIVING WITH NO A/C AND I DON NOT THINK I SHOULD DRIVE WITH A MAT COVERING THE DASH FOR THE NEXT 5 OR SO YEARS I HAVE COMPLAINED TO DODGE AND THEY JUST IGNORE THE FACT THEY USE DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10369210

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2010
Exterior Lighting

I OWN A 1997 DODGE RAM 3500 AND THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT ON IT AFTER HALF AN HOUR OR LESS OF HEADLIGHT USE AND SOMETIMES IT BLOWS A FUSE AND NO TAIL LIGHTS ARE ON AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND CHANGE THE FUSE SO I CAN CONTINUE MY COURSE. I SOMETIMES HAVE TO PULL DOWN ON THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO GET LIGHTS TO STAY ON. ANOTHER THING IS …

Read full complaint

I OWN A 1997 DODGE RAM 3500 AND THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT ON IT AFTER HALF AN HOUR OR LESS OF HEADLIGHT USE AND SOMETIMES IT BLOWS A FUSE AND NO TAIL LIGHTS ARE ON AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND CHANGE THE FUSE SO I CAN CONTINUE MY COURSE. I SOMETIMES HAVE TO PULL DOWN ON THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO GET LIGHTS TO STAY ON. ANOTHER THING IS THAT THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED AND THE PLASTIC IS FALLING APART AND THIS NEEDS TO GET CORRECTED BEFORE SOME ACCIDENT HAPPENS TO ALL DODGE OWNERS WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353133

98,000 miles · Jul 8, 2010
Structure

THE TOP OF MY DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING AND STICK OUT, IT SNAPPED OF EASY AS IT WAS VERY BRITTLE. I HAVE APPROX 40% OF MY DASH MISSING. IF THE FLORIDA SUN DID THIS- WHAT WILL IT DO TO THE WIRING THAT IS SHOWING THIS I BELIEVE IS A MATERIAL DEFECT AND DODGE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342094

208,000 miles · Mar 22, 2010
Fuel System, Diesel

AT ENGINE OIL CHANGE, SERVICEMAN NOTICED FUEL TANK HANGING BY AFT FUEL HANGER STRAP ONLY. FIRST FAILURE OF THE FUEL TANK HANGER STRAP ASSEMBLY. HAD THE TANK COMPLETELY FAILED ON THE ROAD, THE 35 GALLONS OF DIESEL FUEL COULD HAVE CAUSED A BURNED UP VEHICLE AND OR INJURY/ LOSS OF LIFE.*DT

NHTSA ODI #10321448

140,000 miles · Sep 17, 2009
Structure

DASH CRACKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284422

Official recalls

1

99V024000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

Feb 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 & remedy

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.

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.