CarModelProblems.com

1997 Dodge RAM 2500 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 1.6× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
213Complaints
1Recalls
9Crashes
14Fires
6Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip (7% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 1.6× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip15 · 7%not available
Tires:tread/belt14 · 6.6%not available
Vehicle Speed Control12 · 5.6%not available
Tires11 · 5.2%not available
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components10 · 4.7%not available
Power Train:manual Transmission8 · 3.8%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP15 · 7%
TIRES:TREAD/BELT14 · 6.6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL12 · 5.6%
TIRES11 · 5.2%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS10 · 4.7%
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION8 · 3.8%
Unspecified / other8 · 3.8%
SUSPENSION7 · 3.3%
STRUCTURE7 · 3.3%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION6 · 2.8%

Percentages are the share of the 213 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 1 campaign

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 06E024000 · 2006 · reported 03/15/2006

A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“BRAKES PULLED HARD RIGHT, REPLACED BRAKES AND HAD THEM SERVICED, NOW THEY PULL HARD LEFT. REQUIRES MAJOR STEERING CORRECTION TO MAINTAIN INTENDED VEHICLE COURSE. OCCURRS…”NHTSA complaint 744147 — filed 04/17/2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“DUE TO DESIGN OF BRAKES IT CONSTANTLY PULLS ONE DIRECTION OR THE OTHER WHEN BRAKING.IF MAKING HARD STOP IT PULLS MORE.THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP…”NHTSA complaint 742106 — filed 03/08/2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“VEHICLE SWAYS AND PULLS TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. CHRYSLER REP SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT SO FAR NO…”NHTSA complaint 864275 — filed 06/26/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

1320041332006972008152010732012322014322016212021

Frequently asked questions

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

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 15 of 213 NHTSA complaints (7%), followed by tires:tread/belt (14), vehicle speed control (12), tires (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500 have?

213 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 9 involved a crash, 14 involved a fire, and 6 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500 have any recalls?

Yes — 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign, including campaign 06E024000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.