1997 Dodge RAM 3500 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 125 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 198,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Dodge RAM 3500, 3% of the 125 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 198,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Incident occurred at home/vehicle was not in motion. Got in driver seat to move vehicle and the airbag deployed for no reason/. No accident had occurred. Owner was injured by blow to the head, causing bruising and headaches. No parts replaced due to insurance company and manufacturer not feeling responsible for the problem. Airbag) no longer in use, and all functions on steering wheel did not work.”
NHTSA complaint #10195429, filed 2007-07, 204,000 miles“Owner/driver was making a righthand turn into a parking lot and was going about three miles per hour. As he was turning with his arm across the steering wheel, the airbag suddenly deployed. Driver's arms were pushed to the back window by the impact. The truck filled with smoke. Driver's right wrist was fractured and owner suffered tear in right rotator cuff that required surgery to correct. He will now need physical therapy. Driver is currently experiencing pain in left rotator cuff and wants to have it examined. Dodge will inspect the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10417160, filed 2011-08, 140,000 miles“The contact stated the vehicle is having problems with the cruise control. The vehicle was taken to a dealership to have the vehicle inspected. The mechanics found the problem was a malfunctioning clock spring assembly. There is a NHTSA recall, # 01v153000, regarding the airbags. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.”
NHTSA complaint #10149543, filed 2006-02, 198,000 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 15 | 4% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 12 | 11% |
| 2008 | 18 | 10% |
| 2007 | 36 | 17% |
| 2006 | 33 | 13% |
| 2005 | 33 | 17% |
| 2004 | 43 | 20% |
| 2003 | 80 | 28% |
| 2002 | 4 | 9% |
| 2001 | 11 | 8% |
| 2000 | 2 | 3% |
| 1999 | 5 | 5% |
| 1998 | 9 | 9% |
| 1997 | 4 | 3% |
| 1996 | 2 | 2% |
| 1995 | 2 | 2% |
| 1994 | 2 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1997 Dodge RAM 3500
26 complaintsExterior lighting
25 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsTires
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Dodge RAM 3500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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