1997 Dodge Ram 2500 Recalls

No recalls on record Updated July 2026

No NHTSA recalls on record for the 1997 Dodge Ram 2500. That means NHTSA has no open safety campaign for this vehicle — it does not guarantee the absence of problems. Owners have filed 275 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
15
1crashes
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
14
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
12
1crashes
TIRES
11
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
10
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
8
2fires
STRUCTURE
7
SUSPENSION
7
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
6
3fires
Total complaints275

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“While driving truck down road air bag exploded for no apparent reason , no large bumps or impacts to vehicle..cab filled with dust and smoke luckily was able to stop although my hearing is greatly impaired now..”

AIR BAGS · reported 2021-06-10

“While driving a dodge ram 2500, without any load and at a speed of 35 mph on a straight smooth road the rear right tire burst for no apparent reason. A local firestone dealer believes that the tire was punctured and at a low pressure. I do not believe that as a visual inspection prior to the trip…”

TIRES · reported 2019-11-29

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

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2019-03-27

“Dean mud terrain radial sxt lt265/75r16 manufactured january 2006. Tire's with 22,000 miles. Tread separated from casing causing a bubble, tire replaced. Second tire had a blowout three weeks later after tire inspection.”

TIRES · reported 2015-08-14

“Tl* 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…”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · reported 2014-03-24

“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph and depressing the accelerator pedal, the pedal remained depressed even after contact removed their foot. The contact had to open the hood and physically engage the throttle cable in order for the pedal to…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2013-06-18

“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that the when adjusting the steering wheel, certain functions failed on the vehicle. The specifics on the functions that failed were not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2013-01-11

“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…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2012-07-30

Defect investigations

Investigation DP03006 Opened 2003-09-23 · closed 2004-04-08

SEAT BACK FAILURE

ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207.…

Investigation DP03006 Opened 2003-09-23 · closed 2004-04-08

SEAT BACK FAILURE

ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 30 INCIDENTS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A REAR IMPACT CRASH.THESE INCIDENTS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 23 INJURIES AND TWO DEATHS.THE DATA PRESENTED TO ODI SHOW THAT THE SEAT BACK STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SEATS COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207.…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.