1997 Dodge RAM 2500 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 4%of 213 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 11,050miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the visibility of the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500, 4% of the 213 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 11,050 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The motorized exterior rear view mirrors moved to an inward position by themselves while the vehicle was in motion, this resulted in no visibility, the dealership replaced the mirrors but the problem recurred. Mirrors replaced again. Headlights failed. Multifunction switch replaced. Passenger side window won't go down when using switch.”
NHTSA complaint #10002407, filed 2003-01, 22,000 miles“Outside rear view mirrors do not stay fixed in place. The wind and shutting the door cause the mirrors to fold inside and require constant readjustment”
NHTSA complaint #10040855, filed 2003-09, 100 miles“Dodge pickup 1997 tilt wheel, wires in steering column broke, disabled air bag, electric windows and other stuff. 4x4 steering is loose lots of steering wheel play to keep vehicle strait on road, like that since new.”
NHTSA complaint #10341381, filed 2010-07“Mirror foldaway detent failed and mirror folded back and wouldn't stay in proper position. This occurred while towing a travel trailer. This has occured with three different mirrors. The problem exisits with all 1996 and 1997 ram pickups, with power mirrors.”
NHTSA complaint #725208, filed 2000-07“The reaview mirrors mounted on the outside of the vehicle have, on a daily basis, folded back while the vehicle is going down the roadway. It depends on the speed because the wind is sometimes stronger on other days and the different directions of the wind. I have taken the vehicle to several Dodge service shops and they all say that it is a design flaw with the Dodge ram vehicles and there is nothing they can do to fix/repair it to make it stop moving. If this is such a problem, why hasn't there been a recall to keep an accident from happening. …”
NHTSA complaint #762558, filed 2002-06Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 0% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 0% |
| 2008 | 15 | 5% |
| 2007 | 7 | 2% |
| 2006 | 62 | 9% |
| 2005 | 17 | 4% |
| 2004 | 30 | 5% |
| 2003 | 45 | 7% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 6 | 1% |
| 2000 | 1 | 0% |
| 1999 | 4 | 1% |
| 1998 | 7 | 3% |
| 1997 | 9 | 4% |
| 1996 | 5 | 2% |
| 1995 | 3 | 1% |
| 1994 | 4 | 2% |
| 1993 | 1 | 3% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500
39 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
32 complaintsTires
26 complaintsSuspension
20 complaintsFuel system
19 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsAir bags
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 28, 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