1997 Dodge Ram 2500: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Dodge Ram 2500: 0 recalls, 213 owner complaints.

Recalls
0 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Engine & cooling Equipment recall #06E024000 · 2006 · 44,386 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain replacement k&n fuel performance kits, p/nos. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, and 57-1530. Also, a small percentage of these kits were sold under the mopar performance parts brand name (p/nos. P5007069 and p5007070). All kits were manufactured from April 20, 1999, through September 23, 2004. These assemblies were manufactured as replacement equipment for certain Dodge pickup trucks…
Why it matters: A jammed open throttle could cause unintended acceleration of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash or increased stoping distances when braking.
The fix: K&n will provide owners with a free repair kit along with repair instructions. The recall began on April 20, 2006.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 14 mention a fire, 6 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (36): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (8).
- Transmission & drivetrain (32): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (8), leaks (6), noise or vibration (4).
- Tires (26): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (26).
- Suspension (20): the most common themes are steering problems (2), noise or vibration (2).
The 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 has 213 owner complaints, ranking #16 of 22 Ram 2500 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 293). Complaints peaked in 1999 (29 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 97,655 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (291 complaints, 0 recalls), 1998 (225 complaints, 0 recalls).
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1997 Dodge Ram 2500.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 have any recalls?
NHTSA doesn't list any vehicle recalls for the 1997 Dodge Ram 2500, but 1 equipment or tire recalls may apply. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.
What are the most common 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 problems?
Owners have filed 213 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (36), transmission & drivetrain (32), tires (26).
Where can I get a 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.