21 of the
275 complaints about the 1997 Dodge RAM 2500 are about the
electrical system — 8% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
145,000 miles.
F
21
Complaints
0
Crashes
10
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Electrical System
628.6%
Front Underhood
314.3%
Wiring
314.3%
Horn
29.5%
Interior/Under Dash
29.5%
12V/24V/48V Battery
14.8%
Ignition
14.8%
Relay
14.8%
Solenoid
14.8%
Instrument Cluster/Panel
14.8%
Electrical System across every Dodge RAM 2500 year
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED, TO THE POINT THAT PIECES DETACH WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT-END SUSPENSION WAS FRACTURED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/09/16*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10819532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,650 milesCarson City, NV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TRAVELLING AT NIGHT WITH HIGH BEAMS ENGAGED WHEN ALL LIGHTS WENT OUT. I MADE AN EMERGENCY STOP BY THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. I PROCEEDED AND A FEW MINUTES LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. EVENTUALLY I DETERMINED THAT IT I LEFT THE HIGH BEAMS OFF IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN. TOOK TRUCK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH. PROBLEM RECURRED ABOUT 1 MONTH LATER. REPLACED MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH ON MY OWN THIS TIME. PROBLEM RECURRED AGAIN AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS, THIS TIME HOT/BURNING WIRES COULD BE SMELLED. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY FINALLY DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED LIGHT SWITCH IN DASH. BY THIS TIME ONE OF THE WIRES HAD NEARLY BURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE MAIN HARNESS. REPLACED SWITCH AND ALL FINE FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. BEEN LIVING WITH NO HIGH BEAMS WAITING FOR TIME TO RIG A RELAY TO TAKE LOAD OFF SWITCH. CHRYSLER HAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT HONOR IT DUE TO MY VIN NOT BEING ONE OF THE TARGETED MODELS... COMPLETE [XXX]!
NHTSA complaint #10690359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 225,000 milesGrand Rapids, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEN ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL, CERTAIN FUNCTIONS FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE SPECIFICS ON THE FUNCTIONS THAT FAILED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 225,000.
NHTSA complaint #10667386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 129,000 milesNorth Attleboro, MAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS NOT SAFE TO HANDLE LOAD OF ELECTRICITY FROM THE HEADLIGHT AND MARKER LIGHT WIRES. I HAVE REPLACED SWITCH 4 TIMES AND STILL SAME PROBLEM. LIGHTS STOP WORKING BECAUSE THE SWITCH MELTS AND BEGINS TO BURN. THE RECALL FOR 1997 DODGE RAM HEADLIGHT SWITCH SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXTENDED FOR ALL MODELS BUILT IN THAT YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10479925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesWoodruff, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1997 DODGE RAM 2500, WITH OVERHEATING HEAD LAMP SWITCH. CONCERNS WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE!
NHTSA complaint #10421362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesLenoir City, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMALL CRACKS IN THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL CLUSTER. THE CRACKS MANIFESTED INTO LARGE, TRIANGULAR, SHARP, PLASTIC CHUNKS THAT ARE FALLING INWARD INTO THE VEHICLE AND ALSO FLYING THROUGH THE WINDOW WHEN HE WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THEY HAD CALLS IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE, BUT THEY DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10360254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesOregon City, OR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
DT: CONSUMER NOTICED THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WHILE DRIVING. IMMEDIATELY CONSUMER TURNED THE ENGINE AND THE HEADLIGHTS OFF. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES IT STOPPED SMOKING. AFTER WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES, THE ENGINE STARTED, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON. CONSUMER CALLED DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR MAKE AND MODEL. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT CHECKED THIS VEHICLE. CONSUMER CHECKED THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND FOUND A RECALL FOR THE 3500 SERIES BUT NOT THE 2500 SERIES. DISCOVERED THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET DUE TO EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #10122044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 161,000 milesRIO Rancho, NMFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE OUTER DASH SILENCER PAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED THE CLUTCH AND FUEL LINES. IT FRIED THE COMPUTER, THE OCCUPANTS WERE ALMOST KILLED. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED #737, IN AUGUST 1997. THE CUSTOMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER PAID ALL REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE CLAIM WAS DENIED. CHRYSLER WILL NOT HELP THE CONSUMER WITH THE REPAIR BILLS, TOM KELLY MADE A DECISION AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT HE DOES NOT COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE AND HIS DECISION WAS FINAL. THE CONSUMER HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE BEFORE THE INCIDENT AND WAS OUT OF STATE WHEN IT HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER REALIZED THE RECALL WAS FOR DODGE TRUCKS BUILT MARCH 7, 1997 THROUGH MAY 15, 1997 AND THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS BUILT ON MAY 16, 1997. *JB THE ALTERNATOR WAS INOPERATIVE DUE TO A BAD PCM WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE A/C HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE AFTER THE PCM WAS REPLACED. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10120838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 248,000 milesErwin, TNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE DRIVING HOME LATE ONE EVENING IN LATE NOVEMBER 2004, THE LIGHTS ON MY DODGE RAM 2500 WENT COMPLETELY OUT. WITH THIS LOSS OF LIGHTING I WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD, FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT SERIOUS CONSEQUENCE. THE FAULT WAS THE MAIN LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE (SHORTING OUT) CREATING A SHORT AND SMALL FIRE IN THE DASH. THIS IS THE THIRD SWITCH I HAVE REPLACED IN THIS VEHICLE. *JB I RESEARCHED THIS TYPE OF FAILURE AND HAVE FOUND THAT IS A FAIRLY COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THE RAM TRUCKS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING WHICH CAN BE DONE TO MAKE THIS A SAFER VEHICLE TO OPERATE.
NHTSA complaint #10102749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Neenah, WIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN THE CONSUMER PULLED OUT OF A GAS STATION, THERE WAS A SMELL OF PLASTIC BURNING. SUDDENLY FLAMES APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE MECHANIC STATED THE MAIN BOLT FOR THE 120 AMP VIBRATED OFF, WHICH CAUSED THE WIRING TO HEAT UP AND CATCH FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10019826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Benton, MSFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER SAW FLAMES UNDER HOOD. DEALER REPLACED RELAY SWITCH AND SOLENOID.
NHTSA complaint #8011843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Benton, MSFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER SAW FLAMES UNDER HOOD. DEALER REPLACED RELAY SWITCH AND SOLENOID.
NHTSA complaint #8011843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Benton, MSFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER SAW FLAMES UNDER HOOD. DEALER REPLACED RELAY SWITCH AND SOLENOID.
NHTSA complaint #8011843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Columbia, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE ENGINE WOULD NOT STOP RUNNING. WIRING TO FUEL SOLENOID STARTED BURNING. ENGINE STARTED TO SHUTDOWN AND THE STARTER ENGAGED. THIS APPEARS TO BE COMMON BECAUSE A CUMMINS DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THAT IT HAPPENS OFTEN ON DODGE TRUCKS AND SO DID ANOTHER DODGE DEALERSHIP ONCE THE VEHICLE GETS AROUND OR ABOVE 75,000 MILES. THE NEW SOLENOID IS DIFFERENT FROM THE ORIGINAL. HOW EVER DODGE SAYS THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF STD WARRANTY AND WILL NOT ASSIST. IF RESERACHED YOU WILL FIND THAT IN OTHER APPLICATIONS THIS ENGINE DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SOLENOID.
NHTSA complaint #756384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grayling, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
AROUND 6 MONTHS AGO A PLUME OF THICK BLACK SMOKE EXITED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I INSPECTED THE ENGINE BUT COULD NOT LOCATE THE SOURCE AND FIGURED IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOMETHING FALLING ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. RECENTLY I DISCOVERED MELTED AND CORRODED WIRES LEADING TO THE FUEL PREHEATER. NO FUSE WAS BLOWN. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THIS VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR YET, SO THE COST ESTIMATE IS SIMPLY A GUESS. IF A SHORT EXISTED IN THE PREHEATER, THEN THE FUSE SHOULD HAVE BLOWN. EITHER THE FUSE IS TO LARGE, OR THE WIRE SIZE IS TOO SMALL FOR THE APPLICATION.
NHTSA complaint #750270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverside, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN AND HORN BUTTON FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #606288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murrieta, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY & IGNITION FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #606669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murrieta, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
BATTERY & IGNITION FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #606669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Germino, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WIRING HARNESS AND RELAYS BURNT DAMAGING BATTERY.
NHTSA complaint #521155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vacaville, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN IS NOT LOUD ENOUGH. IT CAN BARELY BE HEARD ABOVE THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE AT IDLE. DRIVE RHAD TWO INCIDENTS WHERE HE HAD TO USE THE HORN WHERE THE OTHER DRIVER APPARENTLY COULD NOT HEAR IT. IT COULD RESULT IN A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #523263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Highlands Ranch, COFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ENGINE: EXPERIENCED A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FIRE TOOK PLACE BECAUSE OF THE CHEAP MATERIAL THAT IS USED FOR THE FIREWALL.
NHTSA complaint #814019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.