10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
100,454 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Dodge Ram 2500 lights problems

lights problem

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1997 Dodge Ram 2500 Owner Comments

problem #6

Nov 262000

Ram 2500 4WD 6-cyl

  • 68,650 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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]!

- Carson City, NV, USA

problem #5

Mar 242014

Ram 2500

  • 225,000 miles
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.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #4

Jul 302012

Ram 2500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 129,000 miles
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.

- North Attleboro, MA, USA

problem #3

Jan 012011

Ram 2500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 180,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1997 Dodge Ram 2500, with overheating head lamp switch. Concerns with the potential for fire!

- Woodruff, SC, USA

problem #2

Jun 041997

Ram 2500

  • 36 miles
I purchased this 1997 Dodge 2500 diesel pickup brand new from the Dodge dealership in Oregon. The worst vehicle that I have ever owned regarding being able to see at night with their headlight design. I have had many close calls trying to see the road as it is almost impossible to see even the road directly in front of the pickup with this style of headlamps that Dodge engineered for this year pickup night driving. At night. I have taken it to several Dodge dealerships to see if they can help. They have not been able to remedy this to this day. Very dangerous to drive at night. Help!

- Albany, OR, USA

problem #1

Jun 041997

Ram 2500

  • 36 miles
I purchased this 1997 Dodge 2500 diesel pickup brand new from the Dodge dealership in Oregon. The worst vehicle that I have ever owned regarding being able to see at night with their headlight design. I have had many close calls trying to see the road as it is almost impossible to see even the road directly in front of the pickup with this style of headlamps that Dodge engineered for this year pickup night driving at night. I have taken it to several Dodge dealerships to see if they can help. They have not been able to remedy this to this day. Very dangerous to drive at night. Help

- Albany, OR, USA

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