1997 Dodge RAM 2500

213 complaints on file, page 1 of 11.

1. Filed Jun 10, 2021Failure Jun 10, 2021Nyssa, ORAir bags1 injured

   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..

   NHTSA complaint 11420515
2. Filed Nov 29, 2019Failure Nov 29, 2019418,844 milesEdmond, OKTires

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11282903
3. Filed Mar 27, 2019Failure Mar 27, 2019Lebanon JCT, KYUnknown or other

   FRAME RUSTING THROUGH AND CRACKED NEAR STARRING GEAR BOX AND STABILIZER BAR BUSHING MOUNTS.

   NHTSA complaint 11192086
4. Filed Jan 11, 2016Failure Jan 4, 2011Scottsdale, AZInterior/under dash, 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

   NHTSA complaint 10819532
5. Filed Aug 19, 2015Failure Aug 14, 2015112,701 milesMonmouth, ORTires

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 10749796
6. Filed Feb 24, 2015Failure Nov 26, 200068,650 milesCarson City, NVElectrical system, Exterior lighting

   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]! *JS

   NHTSA complaint 10690359
7. Filed Dec 19, 2014Failure Jan 11, 2013225,000 milesGrand Rapids, MIElectrical 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.

   NHTSA complaint 10667386
8. Filed Mar 24, 2014Failure Mar 24, 2014225,000 milesSAN Antonio, TXExterior 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.

   NHTSA complaint 10574460
9. Filed Dec 6, 2013Failure Jun 3, 20023,500 milesRosebud, MOSuspension

   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*CN

   NHTSA complaint 10555084
10. Filed Jun 18, 2013Failure Jun 18, 2013142,000 milesLaverne, OKVehicle speed control

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 10520556
11. Filed Apr 8, 2013Failure Nov 1, 19966 milesTuscon, AZFuel system, Pressure relief devices

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AND APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK OF GASOLINE EVAPORATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIFTEEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS BUT NEITHER COULD DETERMINE THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. FIFTEEN YEARS PASSED AND THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE. HE ALSO NOTICED GASOLINE FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING AND BASED ON THE COMPONENTS THAT WERE SURROUNDING THE FUEL PUMP, HAD BEEN LEAKING FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THE PRESSURE RELIEF ROLL OVER VALVE WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,385. UPDATED 6/14/13 *CN

    NHTSA complaint 10507509
12. Filed Oct 12, 2012Failure Jul 30, 2012129,000 milesNorth Attleboro, MAElectrical system, Exterior lightingFire

    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 RAM HEADLIGHT SWITCH SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXTENDED FOR ALL MODELS BUILT IN THAT YEAR. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10479925
13. Filed Apr 7, 2012Failure Apr 4, 2012223,121 milesLefors, TXTires

    BOUGHT A SET OF B.F. GOODRICH ALL TERRAIN T/A KO LT235/85R16 LRE DOT BFORUH21 ON NOV.21, 2011. MY TRUCK IS A 1997 DODGE 2500 4X4 5.9L DIESEL. HAD 217,260 MILES ON IT. ON WEDNESDAY, APR. 4, 2012 AT ABOUT 10:30 P.M. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING US HOME. THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE TREAD CAME COMPLETELY OFF IN ONE PIECE AND ALL THAT WAS LEFT ON THE RIM WAS THE PERFECT SIDEWALLS. I SEE B.F. GOODRICH HAS RECALLED THIS SAME TIRE BEFORE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10454406
14. Filed Aug 24, 2011Failure Jan 1, 2011180,000 milesWoodruff, SCElectrical system, Exterior lighting

    1997 DODGE RAM 2500, WITH OVERHEATING HEAD LAMP SWITCH. CONCERNS WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE! *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10421362
15. Filed Aug 24, 2011Failure May 1, 2008175,000 milesWoodruff, SCStructure

    1997 DODGE RAM 2500 WITH DASH DISINTEGRATION. I BELIEVE THE MATERIAL USED IN THIS PART TO BE DEFECTIVE AND NOW POSES SAFETY ISSUES! *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10421360
16. Filed May 12, 2011Failure Mar 1, 2011108,000 milesMenasha, WIFuel system, Gasoline

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE STRAPS BEING CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRAPS WERE BROKEN DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10400618
17. Filed Feb 8, 2011Failure Jul 7, 201070,000 milesSAN Diego, CAFuel system, Gasoline

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. HE LATER DISCOVERED A FUEL LEAK AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V199000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10381143
18. Filed Feb 3, 2011Failure Jul 1, 2008150,000 milesPowhatan, VAStructure

    I HAVE A 1997 DODGE 2500 DODGE RAM PICKUP. THE DASHBOARD BEGAN CRACKING IN 2008. THE PROBLEM BEGAN AS HAIR LINE CRACKS AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD. OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS THE DASHBOARD HAS INCREASINGLY GOTTEN WORSE. NOW THE ENTIRE DASH HAS CRACKED WITH LARGE GAPING HOLES. A SECTION APPROXIMATELY 6" X 11" HAS COMPLETELY BROKEN LOOSE AND IS LYING INSIDE THE PANEL. MANY OF THE OTHER SEGMENTS HAVE CRACKED AND SEPARATED CREATING KNIFE LIKE POINTS. THE FAILURE OF THE DASH CREATES A SAFETY CONCERN DURING A COLLISION AS WELL AS A FIRE HAZARD DUE TO WIRING BECOMING EXPOSED TO THE SUNLIGHT. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10380160
19. Filed Jan 23, 2011Failure Dec 23, 2010ST. Charles, MOFrontCrash

    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 USUALLY OCCURS WHEN YOU'RE ON HIGHWAYS AT HIGH SPEEDS AND IT CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. MORE DETAILS INCLUDE SEVERE TRUCK SHAKING AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. TO SEE THIS HAPPEN ON CAMERA, PLEASE GO TO HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=Z6H5EH261GW. MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM!! IT HAS EVEN BEEN REPORTED WITH JEEP WRANGLERS. PLEASE SENT OUT A RECALL FOR ALL DODGE RAM TRUCKS AND JEEP WRANGLERS!!! *LN

    NHTSA complaint 10378324
20. Filed Oct 13, 2010Failure Oct 13, 2009100,000 milesLenoir City, TNInstrument cluster/panel

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMALL CRACKS IN THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL CLUSTER. THE CRACKS MANIFESTED INTO LARGE, TRIANGULAR, SHARP, PLASTIC CHUNKS THAT ARE FALLING INWARD INTO THE VEHICLE AND ALSO FLYING THROUGH THE WINDOW WHEN HE WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THEY HAD CALLS IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE, BUT THEY DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 100,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10360254