1997 Dodge RAM 2500 problems
Owners have filed 275 complaints about the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500 with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 15.6% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of power train at 13.1%.
Complaints275
Crashes11
Fires18
Injuries6
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Service brakes, hydraulic 15.6% · 43
Power train 13.1% · 36
Tires 9.8% · 27
Suspension 8.7% · 24
Electrical system 7.6% · 21
Vehicle speed control 5.8% · 16
Engine and engine cooling 5.5% · 15
Fuel system, gasoline 4.4% · 12
Severity
Of those complaints, 11 describe a crash, 18 describe a fire and 6 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 19 model years of the Dodge RAM 2500 in this data, 1997 sits 15th by complaint volume. 2006 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 8 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 92,370 miles.
In owners' own words
When brakes are applied they go to the floor and do not hold. The master cylinder has been replaced 3 times. This is a reoccuring problem, and the consumer is afraid for her family. Consumer states that this problem occurs about every 10k to 12k miles. Consumer feels unsure/unsecure about this vehicle and feels that chrysler needs to address this matter before someone is possibly killed. *Scc Service brakes, hydraulic
While driving on highway put on brakes lightly and vehicle pulled to the left and jerked to the other lane. *Akthis problem occurs with each braking since about 45000 miles, the consumer has been unable to get it repaired, sometime the pulling while braking is mild yet sometimes it is severe, the tires were changed but there was no effect on the braking. *Nlm Service brakes, hydraulic
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 this at bay is to constantly remove and relube slide pins on the front calipers.When dealer replaced front brake pads,they were adviced about the pull and as usual response was could not duplicate or fix. Service brakes, hydraulic
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Dodge RAM 2500 years
1994 210 complaints · 21.0% service brakes, hydraulic 1995 354 complaints · 20.6% service brakes, hydraulic 1996 365 complaints · 23.3% service brakes, hydraulic 1998 310 complaints · 15.8% service brakes, hydraulic 1999 422 complaints · 18.5% service brakes, hydraulic 2000 269 complaints · 21.2% structure