Model year record

1997 Dodge Ram 2500 recalls & problems

The 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 has 1 safety recall and 213 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (43 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints213filed by owners

Crashes · fires9 · 14reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths6 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Engine and engine coolingMar 15, 2006

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 06E02400044,386 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.
Fix: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	43	1	0	0	107,975 mi
Power trainManual transmission; Automatic transmission	36	0	1	0	97,420 mi
TiresTread/belt; Sidewall	27	0	0	0	112,701 mi
SuspensionFront; Rear	24	2	0	0	70,000 mi
Electrical systemWiring › Front underhood; Wiring	21	0	10	0	145,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Accelerator pedal	16	1	0	0	56,500 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Diesel	15	0	4	0	68,485 mi
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Fuel injection system	12	0	0	0	—
StructureFrame and members; Body › Door	11	0	0	0	175,000 mi
SteeringGear box (other than rack and pinion); Steering wheel/handle bar	10	1	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	9	4	0	5	—
VisibilityRearview mirrors/devices › Exterior; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core	9	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bags1 injury
While driving truck down road air bag exploded for no apparent reason , no large bumps or impacts to vehicle..Cab filled with dust and smoke Luckily was able to stop although my hearing is greatly impaired now..
Jun 10, 2021
Tires
WHILE DRIVING A DODGE RAM 2500, WITHOUT ANY LOAD AND AT A SPEED OF 35 MPH ON A STRAIGHT SMOOTH ROAD THE REAR RIGHT TIRE BURST FOR NO APPARENT REASON. A LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER BELIEVES THAT THE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED AND AT A LOW PRESSURE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT AS A VISUAL INSPECTION PRIOR TO THE TRIP WHICH RESULTED IN THE BLOWOUT DID NOT INDICATE A LOW PRESSURE.
Nov 29, 2019 · 418,844 miles
Unknown or other
FRAME RUSTING THROUGH AND CRACKED NEAR STARRING GEAR BOX AND STABILIZER BAR BUSHING MOUNTS.
Mar 27, 2019
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED, TO THE POINT THAT PIECES DETACH WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT-END SUSPENSION WAS FRACTURED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/09/16*LJ *CN
Jan 4, 2011
Tires
DEAN MUD TERRAIN RADIAL SXT LT265/75R16 MANUFACTURED JANUARY 2006. TIRE'S WITH 22,000 MILES. TREAD SEPARATED FROM CASING CAUSING A BUBBLE, TIRE REPLACED. SECOND TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT THREE WEEKS LATER AFTER TIRE INSPECTION.
Aug 14, 2015 · 112,701 miles
Electrical system
TRAVELLING AT NIGHT WITH HIGH BEAMS ENGAGED WHEN ALL LIGHTS WENT OUT. I MADE AN EMERGENCY STOP BY THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. I PROCEEDED AND A FEW MINUTES LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. EVENTUALLY I DETERMINED THAT IT I LEFT THE HIGH BEAMS OFF IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN. TOOK TRUCK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH. PROBLEM RECURRED ABOUT 1 MONTH LATER. REPLACED MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH ON MY OWN THIS TIME. PROBLEM RECURRED AGAIN AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS, THIS TIME HOT/BURNING WIRES COULD BE SMELLED. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY FINALLY DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED LIGHT SWITCH IN DASH. BY THIS TIME ONE OF THE WIRES HAD NEARLY BURNED…
Nov 26, 2000 · 68,650 miles
Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEN ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL, CERTAIN FUNCTIONS FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE SPECIFICS ON THE FUNCTIONS THAT FAILED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 225,000.
Jan 11, 2013 · 225,000 miles
Exterior lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 225,000.
Mar 24, 2014 · 225,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

SEAT BACK FAILUREClosed
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…
DP03006 · opened Sep 23, 2003 · closed Apr 8, 2004