10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,801 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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1997 Dodge Ram 2500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Mar 272019

Ram 2500

  • miles

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

Frame rusting through and cracked near starring gear box and stabilizer bar bushing mounts.

- Lebanon Jct, KY, USA

problem #22

Sep 012011

Ram 2500

  • miles
Cracked dash.

- Anderson, SC, USA

problem #21

Oct 182006

Ram 2500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles
The upper dash cover cracking in multiple areas. The cracks started small at the corners of the defrost vents and have extended over the entire area of the dash. The cracks are more severe on the drivers side.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #20

May 102002

Ram 2500 6-cyl Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

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

Dash cracked in maltiple places with pieces falling out and windshild cracking

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #19

Sep 152003

Ram 2500

  • Manual transmission
  • 0 miles
Paint began peeling off on the roof of the truck approzimately 1 year ago. Since then the all of the paint on the roof has peeled off and now the hood of the vehicle has started peeling.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

problem #18

Aug 152001

Ram 2500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
My 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 truck has severe paint delamination that began in 2001 and continues to get worse every year. I am in the process of going through small claims court because Chrysler refuses to help me. They say that my vehicle is out of warranty. I understand that Chrysler had paint problems with a defect at that time. Can you please send me some info on this? a manufacturers paint job should last more than five years. Please help.

- York, SC, USA

problem #17

Mar 152003

Ram 2500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,000 miles

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

- Traverse City, AL, USA

problem #16

Jun 152003

Ram 2500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 138,400 miles
The paint on my 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 truck turned a milky white color on the hood and the top of the cab. Estimated cost of repair to paint the truck is $3,400. Mileage on the truck is 138,400 miles.

- Gulfport, MS, USA

problem #15

Dec 152002

Ram 2500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles
Paint peeling, of course

- Middletown, DE, USA

problem #14

May 242002

Ram 2500 4WD

  • 97,360 miles
On trip to camping ground in Sierra Nevada mountains, started to smell "hot brakes" although I had not been using them at that point. Thought brake shoe may be dragging or that it could be another motorist. Approached camp ground with growing certainty it had to be my truck. After parking in camping space and shutting down motor, I noticed smoke issuing from under hood. Opened hood to investigate and found flames licking up firewall/toe board. Inspection revealed that firewall insulation had fallen down onto exhaust pipe and started on fire between the insulation and the toe board/firewall. Some exhaust "header wrap" was on the exhaust pipe but it had loosened. The area of contact with the insulation was covered with the "header wrap" but it did no good. I was unable to push the remaining insulation piece out of contact with the exhaust so the return trip home days later) was very nerve wrecking. The recall service was improperly done. ***dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis***762404

- Carson City , NV, USA

problem #13

May 152003

Ram 2500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

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

The cup holder in my 1997 Dodge Ram 3/4 ton pickup is not properly designed. As supplied the cup holder has cut outs on the sides. The cup holder also has a base plate that supports the bottom of the cup. The base plate does not allow cups to fit low enough into the holder to enable the front and back portions of the cup holder to make good contact. Taller cups like the typical fast food drink cup is only supported by the bottom with no side support or just around the ring where the cup changes sizes in the case of the larger cups. With the majority of coffee cups the cup holder provides support in only a couple of locations. The problem is when the cup holder is in use as designed and the driver makes a right or left turn at normal driving speeds the cup will flip out of the cup holder spilling the contents on the occupants and the electronic systems of the vehicle. This has happened a number of times in my vehicle. I have not had a motor vehicle accident involving other vehicles but have sustained comprehensive damage due to a soft drink being spilled in the radio/cd/tape player. I have not met anyone yet who owns or owned a Dodge pickup of this body style that has not experienced this same problem. An employee at the dealership I purchased this vehicle from in 1998 agreed that the cup holder was unsafe and poorly designed when I brought the vehicle in the first time this happened to me resulting in the destruction of the sound system. When I tried to inform people about the problem the dealer threatened to sue me. The Dodge corporation complaint hot line indicated that I was the only person who had ever called and complained when I called in the spring of 1999.

- Kennewick, WA, USA

problem #12

Apr 012003

Ram 2500

  • 59,981 miles
The vehicles oil pan was coated with paint. The paint came off, clogged the oil filter and as a result the oil was unable to flow through the engine.

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #11

Dec 302002

Ram 2500 6-cyl

  • 117,679 miles
The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repair of the fuel gauge, fifth gear and recall. When the vehicle was picked up two weeks later the other work was done but the recall work was not performed.

- Yakima, WA, USA

problem #10

Feb 142003

(reported on)

Ram 2500

  • miles
Consumer requested the status of 2 previous complaints that were submitted.

- Livingston, TX, USA

problem #9

Nov 162001

Ram 2500 4WD

  • miles
Made three trips to dealer for engine light over a period of 45 days. First trip was on 10/3/01with a charge of $132.25 tech found torque converter not working. Cleaned torque converter solenoid. Second trip to dealer was made on 10/30/01 with check engine light on again. Tech found same problem again and replaced torque converter solinoid for charge of $246.58. Third trip was made on 11/13/01 with check engine light again on. This time tech said probably an internal leak "somewhere" but don't know where. Said ok to drive until transmission starts slipping. Check engine light came on again on the way home and trans began slipping next day. Returning to dealer on 11/15/01 the transmission gave out completely and had to be towed. Dealer called on 11/16/01 stating that the front plate in transmission had failed and probably could never get all the metal out of transmission. Now cost will be $2200 for a rebuilt transmission.

- Cabool, MO, USA

problem #8

Aug 312000

(reported on)

Ram 2500

  • miles
No summary

- Cameron Park, CA, USA

problem #7

May 152000

(reported on)

Ram 2500

  • miles
While traveling noticed gear slipping, and sensor indicator light coming on. Dealer has been notified, and stated that transmission needed to be replaced.

- Madris, OR, USA

problem #6

Mar 261998

Ram 2500 Diesel

  • miles
The brake problem has been on going since the first few month of service. The first brake failure was at 9557 miles, the second failure was at 23,744 miles and the third failure of the brakes was at 29, 875 miles. The brakes have been replaced, rotors ground, , new rear axle seals, and new calipers, pads, and brake shoes have been installed. The problem still exists and the dealer in turlock auto center, turlock, ca. Is ordering new parts again making the fourth brakes on this pickup including the original ones.

- Ceres, CA, USA

problem #5

Oct 041997

Ram 2500

  • miles
Recall component failure prior to recall notice resulting in fire, recall repairs after incident were not performed properly (97V-126). Mjs

- Key Largo, FL, USA

problem #4

Apr 141999

(reported on)

Ram 2500

  • miles
So far this has been a very good, comfortable vehicle, with little main. Problems. Mjs ( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

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