1997 Dodge Ram 2500

Reliability tier: verified - see /disclosure/

Engine: 5.9L 6BT 12v (P7100) (Cummins, 5.9L)

Applicable failure modes (3)

• Killer Dowel Pin (KDP) on the 12v P-pump engines
• 12v overflow valve weak (hard start / low power)
• Turbo wastegate actuator seize / boost control (HX35W, HE351CW)

Applicable parts (9)

• cummins-5_9: engine-gasket-set (honest catalog gap)
• 5.9L Cummins Head Gasket Set, 12v (PSP MLS, 89-98)
• cummins-5_9: injector-seal-kit (honest catalog gap)
• 5.9L Cummins Killer Dowel Pin Tab Kit (Power Driven)
• 5.9L Cummins Fuel Lift Pump, 12v (Alliant Power)
• 5.9L Cummins Overflow Valve, P7100 12v (Dynomite Diesel)
• 5.9L Cummins Turbocharger HX35W (PurePower new / Holset)
• 5.9L Cummins Water Pump (Diesel Site cast iron / XDP Xtra Cool)
• cummins-5_9: turbo-actuator (honest catalog gap)

Platform recipes (4)

• Common-rail injector replacement for 2003-2007 trucks (mode fm-c59-cr-injector-wear): worn nozzles and copper-seal blow-by ('chuffing')
• Fuel supply health across all three 5.9 generations (mode fm-c59-lift-pump-failure): every electric frame pump on these trucks is a consumable, and 2005+ moved it in-tank
• Killer Dowel Pin (KDP) prevention for the 12v P-pump engines (mode fm-c59-kdp-dowel-pin): the dowel pin that locates the front cover can back out and drop into the gear case
• VP44 death cascade repair for 1998.5-2002 24v trucks (mode fm-c59-vp44-failure)

Recalls that include this truck (2)

• 02V-161 (June 14, 2002) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES ONLY, THE THROTTLE LINKAGE JOINTS CAN CORRODE AND CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BIND OR STICK.
• 97V-126 (August 18, 1997) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINES. THE EXHAUST PIPE CONTACTS OR IS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE OUTER DASH PANEL SILENCER PAD.

Matched by the model and model year NHTSA lists for each recall - a recall often covers only part of a year's production, so read its text for the build dates and versions it names. Whether a recall is still open on your VIN is not known here; check nhtsa.gov/recalls. All recalls, investigations and bulletins for this engine: /recalls/cummins-5_9/

Reference for this truck