Complaints
153
Crashes
5
Fires
12
Injuries
11
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Dodge 3500 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#116 complaints
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
Avg mileage:134,451 mi
Fires:4
#212 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:15,000 mi
Fires:1
#310 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:128,000 mi
Crash-related:1
Considering a 1997 Dodge 3500?
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Dodge 3500.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 16 | — | 4 | 134,451 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 12 | — | 1 | 15,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 10 | 1 | — | 128,000 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 7 | — | 1 | 81,518 mi | |
| Manual Transmission | 7 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 7 | — | — | 140,800 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 5 | — | — | 65,000 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Trailer Hitches | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages | 2 | — | — | — |
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
4
Avg Miles
134,451
Automatic Transmission
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
15,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
128,000
Headlight/Taillight Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
81,518
Manual Transmission
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
140,800
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,000
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wiring & Fuses
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking-Brake Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Trailer Hitches
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Dodge 3500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge 3500 Years
Wider context: See the full Dodge 3500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Dodge 3500
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99