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
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2001
Visibility
MIRROR IS INHERENTLY DEFECTIVE AND BLOWS AROUND IN THE WIND WHEN IT FAILS. EMPLOYEES AT DODGE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM REQUIRING TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF MIRROR AT COST OF $250.00 PLUS LABOR TO INSTALL. MIRROR IS SUBJECT TO FAIL AT ANY TIME AND FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON. IT IS SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND SHOULD BE…
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MIRROR IS INHERENTLY DEFECTIVE AND BLOWS AROUND IN THE WIND WHEN IT FAILS. EMPLOYEES AT DODGE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM REQUIRING TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF MIRROR AT COST OF $250.00 PLUS LABOR TO INSTALL. MIRROR IS SUBJECT TO FAIL AT ANY TIME AND FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON. IT IS SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.
NHTSA ODI #742317
Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DUE TO DESIGN OF BRAKES IT CONSTANTLY PULLS ONE DIRECTION OR THE OTHER WHEN BRAKING.IF MAKING HARD STOP IT PULLS MORE.THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP THIS AT BAY IS TO CONSTANTLY REMOVE AND RELUBE SLIDE PINS ON THE FRONT CALIPERS.WHEN DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS,THEY WERE ADVICED ABOUT THE PULL AND AS USUAL RESPONSE WAS COULD NOT DUPL…
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DUE TO DESIGN OF BRAKES IT CONSTANTLY PULLS ONE DIRECTION OR THE OTHER WHEN BRAKING.IF MAKING HARD STOP IT PULLS MORE.THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP THIS AT BAY IS TO CONSTANTLY REMOVE AND RELUBE SLIDE PINS ON THE FRONT CALIPERS.WHEN DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS,THEY WERE ADVICED ABOUT THE PULL AND AS USUAL RESPONSE WAS COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR FIX.*AK
NHTSA ODI #742106
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2001
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
OIL LEAKS FROM REAR AXLE AND CAUSES REAR BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #741847
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2001
Tires
WHILE DRIVING ON TURNPIKE, TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND BEAT ON SIDE OF VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE, TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE, FIRESTONE FIREHAWK, SIZE P265/75R16. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #880899
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2001
Power Train
THIS IS FIFTH TIME THAT HIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP FOR TRANSMISSION. WHEN SHIFTING GEARS THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE, AND THERE IS LEAKING UNDERNEATH. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #878373
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2001
Steering
WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH VEHICLE LOST STEERING . CONSUMER DEPRESSED BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #877887
Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2001
Trailer Hitches
THE TRAILER HITCH DEVELOPED TWO INCH CRACKS IN THE METAL AT THE 90 DEGREE BEND WHERE THE HITCH BOLTS TO THE TRUCK. THE CRACKS ARE ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES STARTING AT THE REAR. A RECALL HAS BEEN MADE FOR 1998 TRUCKS BUT NOT 1997. THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE A TOTAL DISCONNECTION OF THE TOWED TRAILER SINCE SAFETY CHAINS ARE ALS…
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THE TRAILER HITCH DEVELOPED TWO INCH CRACKS IN THE METAL AT THE 90 DEGREE BEND WHERE THE HITCH BOLTS TO THE TRUCK. THE CRACKS ARE ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES STARTING AT THE REAR. A RECALL HAS BEEN MADE FOR 1998 TRUCKS BUT NOT 1997. THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE A TOTAL DISCONNECTION OF THE TOWED TRAILER SINCE SAFETY CHAINS ARE ALSO ATTACHED TO THE HITCH.*AK
NHTSA ODI #738905
Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2000
Tires
PE00 048; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 50MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A NOISE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDER, AND NOTICED THAT RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM RIM. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. GOODYEAR, RANGLER, 16INCH. *AK GOODYEAR WRANGLER (P245 75 R16) DOT # MD11BT0V087. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #875632
Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2000
Tires
1997, DODGE, 2500 SERIES WITH GOODYEAR TIRES SIZE LT 245/75R16 E DOT# MD11BTOV446 ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON DRY BUT BUMPY PAVEMENT CONSUMER NOTICED 1/3 OF TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE. GOODYEAR REPAIRED BODY WORK, BUT CONSUMER REPLACED TIRE WITH GOODRICH TIRE. *AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #875568
Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2000
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #557937
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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