MYRModel Year Report

1997 Dodge RAM 2500

● Typical for this model
1997 Dodge RAM 2500
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge RAM 2500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1991: 16 complaints 1991 1992: 32 complaints 1993: 39 complaints 1994: 168 complaints 1994 1995: 267 complaints 1996: 291 complaints 1997: 213 complaints 1997 1998: 225 complaints 1999: 313 complaints 2000: 211 complaints 2000 2001: 468 complaints 2002: 155 complaints 2003: 661 complaints 2003 2004: 579 complaints 2005: 422 complaints 2006: 668 complaints 2006 2007: 361 complaints 2008: 317 complaints 2009: 214 complaints 2009 2010: 236 complaints 2011: 297 complaints 2012: 282 complaints 2012
1997: 213 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199116
199232
199339
1994168
1995267
1996291
1997213
1998225
1999313
2000211
2001468
2002155
2003661
2004579
2005422
2006668
2007361
2008317
2009214
2010236
2011297
2012282

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 15 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
TIRES 6%

6% of complaints: tires — 13 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6%

6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE PROCEEDING TO LEAVE THE MALL PARKING LOT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI report, 20031021

TIRES 5%

5% of complaints: tires — 11 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20191129

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120407

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 5%

5% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 10 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20030923 — DP (closed 20040408)

SEAT BACK FAILURE

R 20060420 — engine and engine cooling

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 PERFORMAN

Remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

Campaign 06E024000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Dodge RAM 2500 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E024000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1992 ▲ 1993 ▲ 2002

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ■ 2003 ■ 2004

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500 is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 7% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500 have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.