7.2

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
7,728 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Dodge Ram 3500 accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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1997 Dodge Ram 3500 Owner Comments

problem #16

Nov 242004

Ram 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Both exterior mirrors get out of adjustment while driving or closing doors. It is very dangerous as a lone driver not being able to see out of the right-hand mirror. Also when changing lanes to avoid an accident, discovering the left-hand mirror is out of adjustment. I have had to change lanes blindly. The mirrors have been falling out of adjustment since I purchased the vehicle. They fell out of adjustment when I was doing a test drive. The salesman said they would be tightened, but they have not stayed in place. I am inquiring if there has been a recall notice? I have heard several complaints over the internet about the same problem and no one has come up with a solution.

- Ojai, CA, USA

problem #15

May 082003

Ram 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles
Passenger exterior mirror will not stay locked in position and folds back when pulling off from a stop.

- Virginia, VA, USA

problem #14

Mar 242003

Ram 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,650 miles
The side mirrors failed to stay in the position in which they were set in.. both side mirrors folded against the doors which was caused by various wind currents at various speeds, which made it difficult to see when attempting to change lanes.

- Bartlett, TN, USA

problem #13

Aug 181998

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Intermediate shaft was defective, causing steering column to break. After contacting dealer. Consumer had the intermediate shaft replaced twice within 20,000 miles. The driver side mirror was loose. Because of the noise in the steering while turning, the clock spring was removed and the steering wheel reinstalled. The problem still existed. Rear speaker was inoperative and replaced.

- Owings Mills, MD, USA

problem #12

May 232002

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer states when the vehicle is being driven on the highway, the side view mirrors turn inward facing the cab of the vehicle, and will not remain in the set position. When this problem occurrs the driver can not determine the distance of on coming traffic and can not safely change lanes.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #11

Jan 012001

Ram 3500

  • miles
Side mirror motions back and forth without prior warning. Dealership is aware of problem.

- Hurlay, NM, USA

problem #10

Nov 132001

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While traveling at highway speed driver's side mirror would fold in, causing poor visibility when changing lanes.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #9

Dec 011997

Ram 3500 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Rear view mirrors mounted on both doors of vehicle failed to remain in one position and "flopped in wind". dealership was unwilling to assist consumer in repair of this problem.

- Adelanmto, CA, USA

problem #8

Oct 101999

Ram 3500 4WD

  • miles
Side mirrors fold back at highway speeds, impossible to keep adjusted.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #7

Nov 282000

(reported on)

Ram 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The outside passenger mirror freely goes back and forth while driving, the dealer stated to repair this, a kit needed to be ordered, the consumer feels this is a safety defect and the dealer should fix the problem.

- Gardnerville, NV, USA

problem #6

Oct 242000

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When driving at speeds of 40 to 45mph exterior mirrors started to fold inward. Dealer said there was no solution.

- Davenport, IA, USA

problem #5

Sep 112000

(reported on)

Ram 3500

  • miles
Whenever driving exterior mirrors would turn inward. Driver would need to use interior mirrors to see other vehicles on side. Took to dealership & mechanic refused to correct problem due to vehicle being over 35,000 miles.

- Battle Mountain, NV, USA

problem #4

May 012000

Ram 3500

  • miles
I own a 1997 Dodge Ram truck and the drivers and passengers outside mirror will not hold into position (they swing in towards the door glass while driving). I contacted the Dodge dealer in my area and they confirmed that there is a concern with the mirrors, in fact they told me that Dodge redesigned the mirrors for that reason. The replacement mirrors are the old design and they told me that in a matter of time the new ones will do the same thing. Because this is a safety matter I would hope that the mirrors could be retrofit to the new style or a permanent fix be made.

- Allen Park, MI, USA

problem #3

Jan 202000

Ram 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at highway speeds driver's and passenger's manual mirrors moves inward constantly which obstructed the rear view to the driver. This may cause a crash.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #2

Aug 011999

Ram 3500

  • miles
Both sideview mirrors collapse inward when traveling at 60mph.

- Garland, TX, USA

problem #1

Feb 201997

Ram 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Driver's side rearview mirror replaced several times due to vibration, however still continues to vibrate.

- Shelby, OH, USA

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