VehicleVerdict

1997 Dodge Ram 2500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 sits mid-pack among Ram 2500 years: 275 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 362, with a single recall and one closed investigation.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (47), transmission (36), and tires & wheels (27), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

275

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

18

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Ram 2500 years?

Ram 2500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted903 complaints1991: 16 complaints1992: 43 complaints1993: 55 complaints1994: 210 complaints1995: 354 complaints1996: 365 complaints1997: 275 complaints1998: 310 complaints1999: 422 complaints2000: 269 complaints2001: 561 complaints2002: 210 complaints2003: 866 complaints2004: 755 complaints2005: 541 complaints2006: 903 complaints2007: 506 complaints2008: 405 complaints2009: 261 complaints2010: 309 complaints2011: 389 complaints2012: 385 complaints
Ram 2500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Ram 2500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes4717%
Transmission3613%
Tires & Wheels2710%
Electrical System259%
Suspension249%
Fuel System228%
Speed Control166%
Engine155%
Body & Structure114%
Steering104%
Airbags93%
Lighting93%
Visibility & Wipers93%
Other83%
Seats31%
Seat Belts21%
Trailer Hitch21%

Does the 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E024000EngineMarch 15, 2006 · 44,386 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.

Consequence

A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.

Remedy

K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I PURCHASED A 1997 DODGE 2500 RAM PICKUP TRUCK IN NOVEMBER OF 1996. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS I EXPERIENCED A BRAKE FAILURE WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES HARD. I MANAGED TO CHANGE LANES TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND TRIED MANY TIMES AFTER THAT TO GET THE BRAKES TO FAIL. BUT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN UNTIL ALMOST A YEAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 7, 2006 · crash

“THE OUTER DASH SILENCER PAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED THE CLUTCH AND FUEL LINES. IT FRIED THE COMPUTER, THE OCCUPANTS WERE ALMOST KILLED. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED #737, IN AUGUST 1997. THE CUSTOMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER PAID ALL REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 20, 2005 · fire

“WHILE TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT APPROX 65 M.P.H. THE TIRE TREAD AND BELTS SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A TOWING OPERATION NOR WAS IT CARRYING ANY TYPE OF LOAD. THERE WERE 2 OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUGGAGE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 7, 2001

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 30, 2012 · fire

“ON ALL DODGE RAM TRUCKS, SPECIFICALLY 2500 MODELS, HAVE A DEATH WOBBLE THAT OCCURS ALL THE TIME. WHAT HAPPENS IS, WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP OR A CRACK IN THE ROAD, THE TRUCK STARTS WOBBLING OUT OF CONTROL. IT HAS TO DO WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND THERE'S NO WAY TO FIX IT. IT'S HORRIBLE BECAUSE IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · December 23, 2010 · crash

1997 Dodge Ram 2500 — common questions

Is the 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Ram 2500: 275 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 1997 Ram 2500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (47 complaints), transmission (36 complaints), tires & wheels (27 complaints).

Does the 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1997 Dodge Ram 2500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Ram 2500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ram 2500 years to avoid are 2006, 2003, 2004, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009. The cleanest record among Ram 2500 years belongs to 1991.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.