1997 Dodge RAM 2500 Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 9%of 213 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the fuel system of the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500, 9% of the 213 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Fuel guage is broken for the second time. First was under warranty in 1999. The sending unit was replaced. Now it is broken again but the dealer says it is out of warranty and will cost $$$. After speaking with other owners and some mechanics I found this to be a common problem and feel it sould be a recall item.”
NHTSA complaint #10004964, filed 2003-01, 65,000 miles“Throttle on 1997 Dodge RAM 2500 diesel sticks at wide open throttle and won,t come back. This has happened three times. The first time the dealer freed up the linkage. The second time they replaced the linkage. The third time they freed up the new likage.”
NHTSA complaint #10129946, filed 2005-07, 75,000 miles“1997 Dodge diesel 2500: fuel line directly behind drivers side front wheel has a hole worn in it by way of contact with neighboring fuel or other line. The neighboring line has a connector or fitting that through vibration and direct contact has worn a hole in the metal fuel line. The line is pressurized adn releases diesel fuel through the hole onto the vehicle frame and undercarriage. Rate of leakage is suffucient to release approximately one gallon of fuel in a 20 minute period. …”
NHTSA complaint #10038734, filed 2003-09, 141,500 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Dodge RAM 2500. The contact stated that the fuel tank detached from the vehicle as a result of the straps being corroded. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop who diagnosed that the straps were broken due to corrosion. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 108,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10400618, filed 2011-05, 108,000 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Dodge RAM 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked for several weeks and approximately one quarter tank of gasoline evaporated. The failure recurred fifteen times. The vehicle was taken to two different dealers but neither could determine the cause for the failure. Fifteen years passed and the contact began to smell gasoline when exiting the vehicle. He also noticed gasoline fuel leaking from the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10507509, filed 2013-04, 6 milesFuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 34 | 12% |
| 2011 | 21 | 7% |
| 2010 | 10 | 4% |
| 2009 | 6 | 3% |
| 2008 | 7 | 2% |
| 2007 | 17 | 5% |
| 2006 | 20 | 3% |
| 2005 | 20 | 5% |
| 2004 | 33 | 6% |
| 2003 | 8 | 1% |
| 2002 | 24 | 15% |
| 2001 | 32 | 7% |
| 2000 | 17 | 8% |
| 1999 | 31 | 10% |
| 1998 | 19 | 8% |
| 1997 | 19 | 9% |
| 1996 | 23 | 8% |
| 1995 | 25 | 9% |
| 1994 | 12 | 7% |
| 1992 | 7 | 22% |
| 1991 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500
39 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
32 complaintsTires
26 complaintsSuspension
20 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology