1997 Dodge RAM 3500 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 8%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 10 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Dodge RAM 3500, 8% 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“Power steer/brake fluid master cylinder leaked into cab of truck saturating the carpets before it could be discovered. Safety fear of carpet soaked with power steering fluid.”
NHTSA complaint #10608223, filed 2014-07, 198,000 miles“The steering wheel had too much play in it, which made it difficult to steer while driving, also the front end swayed. The dealership serviced the vehicle 3 times, in which they tightened the steering box and adjusted the tie rods, however the problem recurred.”
NHTSA complaint #10079467, filed 2004-07, 7,000 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Dodge RAM 3500. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle started to shake violently. The contact stated that the when the transmission was shifted into reverse, it failed to engage. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10745392, filed 2015-07, 70,000 miles“The contact owns a 2007 chevrolet impala. The contact was driving approximately 45 MPH and changing lanes when the steering wheel and brake pedal exhibited an unusual clicking noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed the failure within the intermediate shaft, which would need replacing. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 36,700.”
NHTSA complaint #10370570, filed 2010-12, 225,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 222 | 61% |
| 2011 | 164 | 73% |
| 2010 | 92 | 61% |
| 2009 | 69 | 66% |
| 2008 | 94 | 54% |
| 2007 | 88 | 42% |
| 2006 | 75 | 29% |
| 2005 | 61 | 31% |
| 2004 | 41 | 19% |
| 2003 | 37 | 13% |
| 2002 | 8 | 18% |
| 2001 | 17 | 13% |
| 2000 | 5 | 9% |
| 1999 | 11 | 11% |
| 1998 | 8 | 8% |
| 1997 | 10 | 8% |
| 1996 | 10 | 8% |
| 1995 | 5 | 5% |
| 1994 | 7 | 10% |
| 1993 | 4 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1997 Dodge RAM 3500
26 complaintsExterior lighting
25 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsAir bags
4 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 29, 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