Model Year Problem Record

Dodge RAM 3500 1997 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1997 Dodge RAM 3500: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

125Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

2Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

17Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Lighting27

Power Train26

Brakes20

Fuel and Propulsion System15

Steering11

Suspension8

Engine7

Vehicle Speed Control6

Trailer Hitches and Towing2

Seat Belts1

Visibility1

Seats1

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Lighting27 complaints

27 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 99V024000.

Power Train26 complaints

26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Trailer Hitches and Towing2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

99V024000Reported February 5, 1999 - 79,366 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on February 5, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 79,366 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP03006Opened September 23, 2003 - Closed April 8, 2004

SEAT BACK FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP03006Opened September 23, 2003 - Closed April 8, 2004

SEAT BACK FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

199710

19989

199915

200011

200110

200211

200312

20047

20055

20066

20076

20082

20092

20105

20114

20121

20131

20142

20152

20162

20181

20191

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.