1997 Dodge RAM 3500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe headlight switch and wiring problems that leave the lights dead or the switch melted, sometimes with smoke or a burning smell, and many say their truck was not covered by the related headlight switch recall. Transmission and driveline complaints come next, including mis-shifting or failed engagement and fluid leaks, while brake and fuel-tank mounting reports tend to appear on higher-mileage trucks. Many of the lighting complaints arrive at low to moderate mileage, whereas brake, fuel and steering reports cluster well past 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Exterior lighting

   Headlight switch melts and lights quit

   • 20 complaints (16%)
   • median 108,000 mi at 11.2 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2019

   Complaints describe headlights or all running lights going out while driving, often preceded by a burning smell or a warm wiring connector. Owners who opened up the switch or pigtail report melted plastic and burnt wiring at the connector, with some replacing the switch and plug more than once. Several say the dealer told them a headlight switch recall existed but their truck was not included by build date or VIN. Reported from roughly 15,000 to 253,000 miles, with many cases between 30,000 and 130,000 miles and several tied to night driving or trailer towing.

   Recall 99V024000

   What to check: Ask whether the headlight switch, pigtail and overlay harness have been replaced, and check the connector for discoloration or a burnt smell after running the lights. Confirm by VIN whether the headlight switch recall applies to the truck.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Head lights go out wires get hot. There was a recall for the headlight switch on my model truck ( 1997 Dodge RAM 3500 ) but I was told my truck was not included in this recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10216531, filed 2008-01, 108,000 miles

   “Was driving and headlights unexpectedly went out. Turned switch off and back on and lights would come back on each time, but would immediately go back off. Did so three consecutive times. Turned on emergency flashers to get home. They went off a total of 6 times in a 3 mile trip. I found a recall on light duty only, but nothing on my truck. They need to be included in the recall. This is very hazardous , almost wrecked the truck because this happened at 1130 at night when I went to pick up my son from a football game. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10643097, filed 2014-10, 140,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission and driveline vibration or failure

   • 26 complaints (21%)
   • median 97,305 mi at 8.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2015

   Owners describe the automatic transmission failing to engage in reverse, losing power while towing, and violent shaking or bucking at speed that persists after shocks, drivelines and rear-end parts were replaced. Complaints also describe transmission cooler lines rubbing together and leaking fluid, with one reporting a fire. Some note that dealers could not identify the cause or found no fault. Spread from about 15,000 to 200,000 miles, with many reports while towing a trailer or at highway speed.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check transmission fluid level and condition, look for weeping or chafed cooler lines, and drive at highway speed and in reverse to feel for shudder, delayed engagement or vibration. Ask about fluid and filter service history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle is unable to pull adequate trailer weight. Vehicle will not exceed 55 MPH in speed, it will start decreasing speed and jerk forward when it gets to 55 MPH. The dealership cannot locate cause.”

   NHTSA complaint #10029714, filed 2003-07, 15,000 miles

   “Consumer complains of vehicle shuddering violently as the clutch and fly wheel become inoperable, vehicle pulls to the right, dealer rotated tires and vehicle still shakes violently, dealer replaced dampening shock, pitman arm, tie rod, and steering box. Possible steering or suspension problem, dealer couldn't remedy problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #781961, filed 1999-02
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake pedal fade and pulling under braking

   • 12 complaints (10%)
   • median 139,275 mi at 8.3 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2014

   Complaints describe a brake pedal that intermittently goes soft or to the floor, dashboard brake and ABS lights coming and going, and vibration through the pedal. Others report the truck veering sharply left or right during hard stops and rear ABS that grabbed and released, lengthening stopping distance. One owner reported rusted brake lines that let the pedal sink to the floor. Mostly reported between about 86,000 and 208,000 miles, often during hard or sudden stops.

   What to check: Have the brake lines and hoses inspected for rust or seepage, check fluid level and pedal feel, and test a firm stop on a safe empty road for pulling or pulsation. Ask whether the ABS light has been coming on.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Anti-lock brake failure - the brake failure was accompanied by the brake and anti-lock brake light indicators on the dash to intermittantly appear and disappear. The brake pedal intermittantly ranges from soft to hard. A periodic vibration in the pedal is noted with nearly a total loss in brake pressure.”

   NHTSA complaint #10081016, filed 2004-07, 128,000 miles

   “Dt: brake lines rusted. This happened without warning. The caller had to replace the brake lines. He was coming to a stop sign and when hitting the brake pedal it went to the floor. The rear brakes lost all the fluid. He pumped the brake and got vehicle to stop. The caller said that when they were trying to find where a hole was the fluid sprayed out and vehicle caught on fire. Dealer and manufacturer have not been contacted yet.”

   NHTSA complaint #10132814, filed 2005-08, 86,000 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Fuel tank straps and tank mounting

   • 11 complaints (9%)
   • median 97,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2013

   Owners report the fuel tank hanging from a single strap, with one finding the tank supported only by a rear hanger at an oil change. Another says the plastic tank collapsed twice and a dealer attributed it to the cap and venting, and complaints also describe a fuel gauge that stopped reading, prompting owners to track mileage and refill on a schedule. Reported between about 70,000 and 175,000 miles, generally on older, higher-mileage trucks.

   What to check: Look under the truck at both tank straps and hangers for rust or separation, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly through a full-to-empty cycle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At engine oil change, serviceman noticed fuel tank hanging by aft fuel hanger strap only. First failure of the fuel tank hanger strap assembly. Had the tank completely failed on the road, the 35 gallons of diesel fuel could have caused a burned up vehicle and or injury/ loss of life.”

   NHTSA complaint #10321448, filed 2010-03, 208,000 miles

   “While driving at 55 to 60 MPH tire tread separated, and the steel belts ruptured the gas tank. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, and gas tank was replaced. Consumer seeking reimbursement for repair.”

   NHTSA complaint #10063499, filed 2004-03, 65,000 miles
5. 5
   Fuel system

   Throttle linkage breaks or sticks

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the throttle linkage rod or cable breaking or sticking, leaving the engine at idle or at elevated speed with limited control. Several owners mention being told their truck was not covered by a linkage recall because of VIN, and one says a dealer declined recall work after the linkage had been welded in the field. Reported across the model's life, including a case at interstate speed; mileage was not stated in most of these complaints.

   What to check: Inspect the throttle cable and linkage for wear, binding or field repairs, and confirm with a dealer by VIN whether any linkage campaign applies.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Throttle was stuck while traveling on the interstate at 70 MPH. Vehicle had to be shut down to stop. There is a recall for this problem, but this vehicle was not included due to VIN. Please provide any further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #8001416, filed 2002-01

   “While driving 5 MPH up a hill the throttle cable and linkage broke which resulted in the brake pedal going to the floor board, causing loss of vehicle control. Dealer has been contacted. Please give any further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #8010404, filed 2002-05

Buying note. On this model year the lighting circuit and the throttle and transmission hardware are the areas worth checking closely before purchase, and high-mileage examples often show brake line and fuel tank strap wear as well. A pre-purchase inspection that covers the headlight switch and connector, brake lines, tank mounting and a highway test drive will tell you more than service records alone.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.