MYRModel Year Report

1997 Dodge RAM 3500

● Typical for this model
1997 Dodge RAM 3500
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:35:25.230Z

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 3500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1991: 4 complaints 1991 1992: 10 complaints 1993: 20 complaints 1994: 70 complaints 1994 1995: 108 complaints 1996: 124 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 105 complaints 1999: 104 complaints 2000: 58 complaints 2000 2001: 130 complaints 2002: 44 complaints 2003: 286 complaints 2003 2004: 214 complaints 2005: 196 complaints 2006: 257 complaints 2006 2007: 210 complaints 2008: 173 complaints 2009: 105 complaints 2009 2010: 150 complaints 2011: 225 complaints 2012: 365 complaints 2012
1997: 125 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19914
199210
199320
199470
1995108
1996124
1997125
1998105
1999104
200058
2001130
200244
2003286
2004214
2005196
2006257
2007210
2008173
2009105
2010150
2011225
2012365

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 22%

22% of complaints: exterior lighting — 27 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and headlights.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190325

THERE IS NO RELAY TO HEADLIGHT SWITCH CAUSING PIGTAIL TO MELT MULTIPLE TIMES. COULD CAUSE FIRE WHILE DRIVING.... PIGTAIL MELTS AND HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF DURING DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180130

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1997 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120827

POWER TRAIN 21%

21% of complaints: power train — 26 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION TUBES WERE RUBBING TOGETHER CAUSING A FIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH

NHTSA ODI report, 20030117

VEHICLE SUFFERED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SHIFTED FROM "PARK INTO DRIVE." VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THREE OTHER VEHICLES. *MR

NHTSA ODI report, 20021004

TRUCK JUST BLEW UP WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE JUST STARTED TO BURN. DEFECTIVE DTRANSMISSION STARTED FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19980804

SERVICE BRAKES 15%

15% of complaints: service brakes — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH FIRE
STEERING 9%

9% of complaints: steering — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing pinion shaft and linkages.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

POWER STEER/BRAKE FLUID MASTER CYLINDER LEAKED INTO CAB OF TRUCK SATURATING THE CARPETS BEFORE IT COULD BE DISCOVERED. SAFETY FEAR OF CARPET SOAKED WITH POWER STEERING FLUID. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20140704

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 7%

7% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tank assembly and mounting.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

FUEL SHUT OFF AND SOLENOID OVERHEATED, CAUSING A FIRE IN THE VEHICLE. ALSO, VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. *AK *MR

NHTSA ODI report, 20040204

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19990614 — exterior lighting

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 OU

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH INCLUDING A RELAY IN THE PARK LAMP WIRING CIRCUIT.

Campaign 99V024000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20030923 — DP (closed 20040408)

SEAT BACK FAILURE

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Dodge RAM 3500 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (27 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (26 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 99V024000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2002 ▲ 2000 ▲ 1994

WORST YEARS

■ 2012 ■ 2003 ■ 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Dodge RAM 3500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Dodge RAM 3500 is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Dodge RAM 3500?

The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Dodge RAM 3500 have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.