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..
The worst 1997 Dodge RAM 2500 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes39
- Transmission32
- Tires26
- Suspension20
- Electrical19
- Fuel system19
- Acceleration15
- Engine15
- Body11
- Steering10
- Airbags9
- Lights9
- Visibility9
- Seat belts3
- Seats3
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500
Tire blowout 13Pulling 11Headlights 10Brake failure 8Fire or smoke 7Ball joint 6Adaptive cruise 5Fuel leak 5
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Seat back failure
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 the federal safety agency 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 federal safety agency'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.
DP03006
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500 15
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the...
- Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard...
- Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to...
- Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision...
- This SKU is an Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Line
- This SKU is a front upper ball joint
- Valve Body
- Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve
- Part Description: Filter Assy
- When replacing the transmission pan: Replace 52118804 pan with 52118780AD pan AND 52118789 filter
What 1997 Dodge RAM 2500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Frame rusting through and cracked near starring gear box and stabilizer bar bushing mounts.
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
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.
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 all the way to the main harness. Replaced switch and all fine for about 2 years then it happened again. Been living with no high beams waiting for time to rig a relay to take load off switch. Chrysler has a recall for this problem but will not honor it due to my VIN not being one of the targeted models... Complete [xxx]!
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that when driving at any speed and traveling over a road bump or pothole, the vehicle would shake uncontrollably. The contact replaced the front end tracking bar several times however the failure was not corrected. The contact also stated that he had to shut the engine off in order to regain control of the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 3,500 and the current mileage was 119,600. Updated 1/14/14
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the pedal remained depressed even after contact removed their foot. The contact had to open the hood and physically engage the throttle cable in order for the pedal to return to normal position. The contact noticed that the throttle cable was frayed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnostic test. The failure was reported to the manufacturer. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 142,000.
Compare the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500
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Questions about the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500
Is the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500 reliable?
Owners have filed 213 complaints about the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500, fewer than a typical RAM 2500 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500?
Brakes, with 39 complaints, typically around 118,000 miles. Next is transmission (32).
How many recalls does the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500 have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the Dodge RAM 2500 have bad brakes?
The Dodge RAM 2500 model years with the most brakes complaints are 1996 (79 complaints), 1999 (72 complaints) and 1995 (61 complaints).
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