1997 DODGE RAM 3500 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
153
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
1
Service Bulletin
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1997 DODGE RAM 3500
The 1997 DODGE RAM 3500 has received a total of 153 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Exterior Lightingheadlightsswitch (16 complaints), Power Trainautomatic Transmission (12 complaints), and Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip (10 complaints).
Recalls for the 1997 DODGE RAM 3500
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 1997 DODGE RAM 3500, potentially affecting up to 79,366 vehicles.
Recall 99V024000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
| 79,366 vehicles affected
Defect: 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: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1997 DODGE RAM 3500
153 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 DODGE RAM 3500. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. CALLAWAY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (809 S WESTMINSTER AVE, FULTON, MO 65251, (855) 486-1440) DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 253,363.
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.
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED APPROX IN 2007 BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTICE ON RECALLS. THERE WAS SOMETHING ONE TIME I TOOK INTO FEAR LET ABOUT WINDOW I THINK. RECENTLY I WAS TALKING WITH PREVIOUS OWNER AND FOUND OUT THEY WERE STILL GETTING INFO ON TRUCK OCCASIONAL BUT THREW AWAY AS THEY'D SOLD AND ASSUME I WAS GETTING SAME RECALL NOTICES. I'VE HAD REPLACE TRANSMISSION CAUSE BURN OUT ON LONG TRIP FROM FAIRBANKS APPROX 1 1/2 YEAR AGO LOST MOST FLUID JUST AS I PULL IN TO WASILLA. PAINT HAS PEAKED IN AREA OR TWO AND MY HEADLIGHTS STARTED WORKING INTERMITTENT YESTERDAY. HAD ISSUES WITH POWER BOAST AS WELL IN PAST ALONG WITH LACK OF HEAT IN WINTER. REPLACED INJECTORS SAME YEAR I PURCHASED
A PASSENGER SAT AN ITEM ON THE DASH, THE DASH SHATTERED AND PIECE FLEW IN MY EYE WHILE DRIVING, I ALMOST WRECKED THE TRUCK ON BUSY INTERSTATE 75. ITEM WASN'T VERY HEAVY AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN THE DASH, IT'S LIKE THE WHOLE DASH ROTTED AT ONCE & CAME APART, VERY DANGEROUS.
WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, WATER ENTERED AND NEARLY FILLED THE HEADLAMP ENCLOSURE CAUSING THE HALOGEN LAMP TO BURST.
Safety Rating for the 1997 DODGE RAM 3500
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 DODGE RAM 3500 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 DODGE RAM 3500
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 1997 DODGE RAM 3500. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
9002888 — EQUIPMENT
When replacing the transmission pan: Replace 52118804 pan with 52118780AD pan AND 52118789 filter. The 52118780AD pan is 0.59" deeper than the 52118804 pan and requires the 52118789 filter.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 DODGE RAM 3500
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the DODGE RAM 3500
- 1992 DODGE RAM 3500 — 11 complaints
- 1993 DODGE RAM 3500 — 26 complaints
- 1994 DODGE RAM 3500 — 102 complaints
- 1995 DODGE RAM 3500 — 132 complaints
- 1996 DODGE RAM 3500 — 182 complaints
- 1997 DODGE RAM 3500 (current)
- 1998 DODGE RAM 3500 — 134 complaints
- 1999 DODGE RAM 3500 — 146 complaints
- 2000 DODGE RAM 3500 — 77 complaints
- 2001 DODGE RAM 3500 — 168 complaints
- 2002 DODGE RAM 3500 — 59 complaints
Other DODGE Models
- DODGE DURANGO — 19,139 total complaints
- DODGE GRAND CARAVAN — 18,729 total complaints
- DODGE RAM 1500 — 15,420 total complaints
- DODGE CARAVAN — 14,266 total complaints
- DODGE DAKOTA — 9,227 total complaints
- DODGE CHARGER — 8,114 total complaints
- DODGE RAM 2500 — 8,092 total complaints
- DODGE INTREPID — 8,078 total complaints