1997 Dodge RAM 3500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 21%of 125 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Dodge RAM 3500, 21% of the 125 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Both problems could have LED to crashes if not caught and major injuries and or fatalities. We have been dealing with the problems ever since they have started and the truck has been in the shop more than it has been out. We know that breakdowns do exsist and will happen but this much and the same parts is a little ridiculous.”
NHTSA complaint #706561, filed 1999-05“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“I bought new a 1998 roadtrex, class b motorhome on a 1997 Dodge 3500 maxi-van. Since new it would sway, sometimes almost uncomtrolable when I would drive in the ruts on freeways caused by trucks and studded tires . I tried diffrent things to try to correct this, hd shocks, high tire pressures, air bags on the rear axle. I talk to others that had changed tires and nothing seemed to work. Then I found out that the rear axle is narrower than the front axle, so the rear tires were not following the front tires. That is what was causing the sway when driving in the ruts. …”
NHTSA complaint #10002739, filed 2003-01“Consumer was traveling at approximately 60 MPH in 5th gear when vehicle lost all power in 5th gear, but it did have power in all of the other gears. Consumer stated this occurred in 1998 the first time, exact same thing happened and was repaired under warranty the first time. The dealership stated that the fifth gear nut came loose.”
NHTSA complaint #887122, filed 2001-04Related service bulletins
- 10148822Jun 11, 2018This SKU is an Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Line. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for improperly crimped hose fittings. Improperly…
- 10188700May 1, 2013Part Description: Filter Assy - Trans Oil Sump Issue Description: When replacing the filter: Use 52118789 filter with 52118780AD pan. Use 3515996 filter with 52118804 pan. The…
- 10188656Apr 17, 2013When replacing the transmission pan: Replace 52118804 pan with 52118780AD pan AND 52118789 filter. The 52118780AD pan is 0.59" deeper than the 52118804 pan and requires the…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 28 | 8% |
| 2011 | 9 | 4% |
| 2010 | 8 | 5% |
| 2009 | 4 | 4% |
| 2008 | 10 | 6% |
| 2007 | 14 | 7% |
| 2006 | 22 | 9% |
| 2005 | 32 | 16% |
| 2004 | 64 | 30% |
| 2003 | 26 | 9% |
| 2002 | 5 | 11% |
| 2001 | 14 | 11% |
| 2000 | 8 | 14% |
| 1999 | 22 | 21% |
| 1998 | 19 | 18% |
| 1997 | 26 | 21% |
| 1996 | 19 | 15% |
| 1995 | 19 | 18% |
| 1994 | 10 | 14% |
| 1992 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1997 Dodge RAM 3500
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 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 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