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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 →
125Owner complaints

Model-year median: 124.5

1Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
70
1994108
1995124
1996125
1997105
1998104
199958
2000
Compare all RAM 3500 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
26Exterior Lighting
25Service Brakes, Hydraulic
17Steering
10Fuel System, Gasoline
9
All reported categories
Suspension
8Electrical System
6Engine And Engine Cooling
6Vehicle Speed Control
6Structure
5Air Bags
4Tires
4Unknown Or Other
4Fuel System, Diesel
3Fuel System, Other
2Trailer Hitches
2Child Seat
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Parking Brake
1Seat Belts
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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
Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2006
Exterior Lighting

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH FOR 30 MINUTES ON THE HIGHWAY, HEAT AND A BURNING SMELL WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ON INSPECTION, THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE SWITCH WAS HOT TO THE TOUCH AND A BURNED RUBBER SMELL WAS NOTICEABLE. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH FOR 30 MINUTES ON THE HIGHWAY, HEAT AND A BURNING SMELL WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ON INSPECTION, THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE SWITCH WAS HOT TO THE TOUCH AND A BURNED RUBBER SMELL WAS NOTICEABLE. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND RECOMMENDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR AS THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHT; HEADLIGHT SWITCH (99V024000). WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA ODI #10167369

29,455 miles · Aug 12, 2006
Fuel System, Other

I HAVE A 1997 DODGE RAM TRUCK 3500 WITH 5.9 LITER 6 CYLINDER DIESEL LARAMIE SLT. THE FUEL GAUGE HASN'T WORKED FOR 5 YEARS NOW AND THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS DEFECTIVE. I WOULD PURCHASE A NEW ONE, BUT COST TO ME FOR THE FUEL SENDING UNIT PART IS $198.00. CURRENTLY, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE THAT SEEMS TO HAVE FAULTY FUEL SENDING UNITS,…

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I HAVE A 1997 DODGE RAM TRUCK 3500 WITH 5.9 LITER 6 CYLINDER DIESEL LARAMIE SLT. THE FUEL GAUGE HASN'T WORKED FOR 5 YEARS NOW AND THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS DEFECTIVE. I WOULD PURCHASE A NEW ONE, BUT COST TO ME FOR THE FUEL SENDING UNIT PART IS $198.00. CURRENTLY, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE THAT SEEMS TO HAVE FAULTY FUEL SENDING UNITS, I SET THE TRIPMETER AND GO 300-350 MILES AND THEN FILL UP THE TANK. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WITH GAS AND DIESEL ENGINES AND I'M WONDERING WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL? *JB

NHTSA ODI #10165315

198,000 miles · Feb 6, 2006
Air Bags

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE MECHANICS FOUND THE PROBLEM WAS A MALFUNCTIONING CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 01V153000, REGARDING THE AIRBAGS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICA…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE MECHANICS FOUND THE PROBLEM WAS A MALFUNCTIONING CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 01V153000, REGARDING THE AIRBAGS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ODI #10149543

100,000 miles · Jan 29, 2006
Structure

PAINT IS PEELING OFF TRUCK STARTED ON HOOD NOW ON TOP OF TRUCK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10148939

147,000 miles · Jan 22, 2006
Electrical SystemFire

MY 1997 DODGE RAM 3500 WAS STARTED AND IDLING WHILE MY DAUGHTER RAN TO THE BARN TO GET SOMETHING. UPON HER RETURN (@3 - 5 MINUTES), THE CAB WAS FULL OF SMOKE. SHE JUMPED IN AND TURNED THE TRUCK OFF AND NOTICED FLAMES AT HER FEET; STOMPED THEM OUT AND CALLED 911. TRUCK WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES WHEN FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED (WE …

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MY 1997 DODGE RAM 3500 WAS STARTED AND IDLING WHILE MY DAUGHTER RAN TO THE BARN TO GET SOMETHING. UPON HER RETURN (@3 - 5 MINUTES), THE CAB WAS FULL OF SMOKE. SHE JUMPED IN AND TURNED THE TRUCK OFF AND NOTICED FLAMES AT HER FEET; STOMPED THEM OUT AND CALLED 911. TRUCK WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES WHEN FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED (WE LIVE LESS THAN 2 MILES FROM F.D.) INVESTIGATION BY FIREMEN SAID "ELECTRICAL FIRE". *NM

NHTSA ODI #10148326

150,550 miles · Oct 4, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON. BRAKES ARE NOT LIKE THEY USE TO BE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10138528

86,000 miles · Aug 15, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicFire

DT: BRAKE LINES RUSTED. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CALLER HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINES. HE WAS COMING TO A STOP SIGN AND WHEN HITTING THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE REAR BRAKES LOST ALL THE FLUID. HE PUMPED THE BRAKE AND GOT VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CALLER SAID THAT WHEN THEY WERE TRYING TO FIND WHERE A HO…

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DT: BRAKE LINES RUSTED. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CALLER HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINES. HE WAS COMING TO A STOP SIGN AND WHEN HITTING THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE REAR BRAKES LOST ALL THE FLUID. HE PUMPED THE BRAKE AND GOT VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CALLER SAID THAT WHEN THEY WERE TRYING TO FIND WHERE A HOLE WAS THE FLUID SPRAYED OUT AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10132814

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2005
Trailer Hitches

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 3500. HE STATES THAT HE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRAILER HITCH. IT IS A FACTORY INSTALLED HITCH. THE HITCH IS BOLTED ONTO THE CHASSIS WITH SIX BOLTS, AND THE HITCH IS BREAKING APART FROM THE FRAME ITSELF.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10123690

30,000 miles · Apr 27, 2005
Exterior Lighting

BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS PLASTIC LENS BECAME DISCOLORED, AND CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY OBSTRUCT CONSUMER'S VISION AND RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PARTS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL.*AK *BF *NM

NHTSA ODI #10117281

103,000 miles · Mar 3, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

VEHICLE WAS PULLING A TRAILER AT 40 MPH, IN THE PROCESS,THE REAR EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS CAME OUT, ALLOWING A LOT OF HEAT TO ESCAPE THROUGH THE JOINT ATTACHMENT. THE HEAT SET THE INSULATION WALL ON FIRE. THE FIRE MELTED THE HYDRAULIC LINE TO THE CLUTCH.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10113331

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.