Dodge RAM Problems by Year
NHTSA has 3,318 owner complaints and 53 safety recalls on file for the Dodge RAM, across 17 model years (1995–2011). The 1996 model year has the most complaints (625). The most reported problem area overall is service brakes, hydraulic.
Dodge RAM years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical RAM year: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1996 RAM: 625 complaints, 10 recalls
- 1995 RAM: 611 complaints, 12 recalls
- 1998 RAM: 483 complaints, 13 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2009 RAM: 9 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2007 RAM: 17 complaints, 1 recall
- 2006 RAM: 25 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Dodge RAM problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems | 670 | 13 | 76 |
| Power Train problems | 560 | 15 | 27 |
| Air Bags problems | 322 | 14 | 254 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 305 | 15 | 3 |
| Steering problems | 304 | 15 | 35 |
| Suspension problems | 293 | 16 | 16 |
| Electrical System problems | 277 | 15 | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control problems | 171 | 13 | 21 |
| Structure problems | 163 | 13 | 6 |
| Visibility problems | 149 | 15 | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline problems | 140 | 13 | 1 |
| Tires problems | 135 | 15 | 8 |
| Exterior Lighting | 88 | 13 | 1 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 80 | 10 | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 75 | 11 | 25 |
| Equipment | 70 | 12 | 1 |
| Wheels | 63 | 13 | 5 |
| Seats | 50 | 10 | 5 |
| Trailer Hitches | 35 | 9 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 26 | 8 | 1 |
| Parking Brake | 12 | 7 | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 12 | 5 | 2 |
| Engine | 10 | 7 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Child Seat | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Dodge RAM problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2001: steering (53) · power train (50)
- 1999: service brakes, hydraulic (82) · power train (53)
- 1998: service brakes, hydraulic (107) · power train (80) · air bags (66)
- 1997: service brakes, hydraulic (78) · power train (71)
- 1996: service brakes, hydraulic (170) · power train (135) · engine and engine cooling (57)
- 1995: service brakes, hydraulic (147) · power train (91) · electrical system (72) · suspension (59) · engine and engine cooling (51)
All Dodge RAM model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 RAM | 0 | 4 | — | — | |
| 2010 RAM | 27 | 5 | — | Power Train | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2009 RAM | 9 | 5 | — | Steering | |
| 2008 RAM | 25 | 2 | — | Steering | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2007 RAM | 17 | 1 | — | Power Train | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2006 RAM | 25 | 0 | — | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2005 RAM | 40 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2004 RAM | 58 | 1 | — | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2003 RAM | 53 | 2 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2002 RAM | 116 | 2 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2001 RAM | 318 | 9 | — | Steering | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2000 RAM | 147 | 6 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1999 RAM | 366 | 9 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1998 RAM | 483 | 13 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1997 RAM | 398 | 7 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1996 RAM | 625 | 10 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1995 RAM | 611 | 12 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Dodge: all Dodge models · Dodge VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge RAM years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1995 (611), 1996 (625), 1997 (398), 1998 (483), 1999 (366), 2000 (147), 2001 (318), 2002 (116) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical RAM year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Dodge RAM?
Service Brakes, Hydraulic, with 670 complaints across 13 model years.
How many recalls does the Dodge RAM have?
53 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.