Dodge RAM 2500 Problems by Year
Dodge RAM 2500 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical RAM 2500 year: 2003, 2004, 2006. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2006 RAM 2500: 670 complaints, 6 recalls
- 2003 RAM 2500: 661 complaints, 6 recalls
- 2004 RAM 2500: 582 complaints, 6 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2002 RAM 2500: 155 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2000 RAM 2500: 211 complaints, 1 recall
- 1997 RAM 2500: 213 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 2500 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering problems | 1,914 | 18 | 77 |
| Suspension problems | 840 | 18 | 36 |
| Structure problems | 623 | 18 | 6 |
| Power Train problems | 613 | 18 | 85 |
| Air Bags problems | 584 | 18 | 93 |
| Electrical System problems | 518 | 18 | 10 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems | 372 | 15 | 34 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 265 | 18 | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting problems | 263 | 18 | 2 |
| Tires problems | 200 | 18 | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control problems | 172 | 18 | 23 |
| Engine problems | 168 | 15 | 1 |
| Visibility problems | 148 | 15 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Diesel problems | 119 | 17 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline problems | 107 | 14 | 6 |
| Wheels | 99 | 17 | 5 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 97 | 16 | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 96 | 17 | 9 |
| Visibility/wiper | 75 | 10 | 1 |
| Equipment | 68 | 15 | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 62 | 16 | 10 |
| Fuel System, Other | 54 | 12 | 1 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 36 | 12 | 5 |
| Seats | 32 | 15 | 2 |
| Trailer Hitches | 21 | 8 | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 16 | 10 | 1 |
| Parking Brake | 15 | 11 | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 12 | 6 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Child Seat | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Dodge RAM 2500 problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2012: steering (109) · electrical system (51)
- 2011: steering (210)
- 2010: steering (152)
- 2009: steering (155)
- 2008: steering (175)
- 2007: steering (199) · suspension (93)
- 2006: steering (231) · electrical system (131) · exterior lighting (122) · suspension (106) · air bags (77)
- 2005: steering (153) · suspension (77) · air bags (76) · power train (63)
- 2004: steering (140) · power train (110) · suspension (106) · air bags (90)
- 2003: steering (159) · structure (146) · air bags (138) · suspension (122) · power train (55)
- 2001: structure (181) · steering (69)
- 2000: structure (56)
- 1999: service brakes, hydraulic (69) · structure (53)
- 1996: service brakes, hydraulic (74)
- 1995: service brakes, hydraulic (59)
All Dodge RAM 2500 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 RAM 2500 | 283 | 4 | — | Steering | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2011 RAM 2500 | 298 | 4 | — | Steering | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2010 RAM 2500 | 236 | 4 | — | Steering | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2009 RAM 2500 | 214 | 5 | — | Steering | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2008 RAM 2500 | 317 | 7 | — | Steering | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2007 RAM 2500 | 361 | 8 | — | Steering | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2006 RAM 2500 | 670 | 6 | — | Steering | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2005 RAM 2500 | 422 | 6 | — | Steering | More complaints than other years |
| 2004 RAM 2500 | 582 | 6 | — | Steering | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2003 RAM 2500 | 661 | 6 | — | Steering | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2002 RAM 2500 | 155 | 0 | — | Structure | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2001 RAM 2500 | 469 | 1 | — | Structure | More complaints than other years |
| 2000 RAM 2500 | 211 | 1 | — | Structure | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 1999 RAM 2500 | 313 | 0 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | About as many complaints as other years |
| 1998 RAM 2500 | 225 | 0 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 1997 RAM 2500 | 213 | 0 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 1996 RAM 2500 | 291 | 0 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | About as many complaints as other years |
| 1995 RAM 2500 | 267 | 0 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | About as many complaints as other years |
More from Dodge: all Dodge models · Dodge VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge RAM 2500 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2003 (661), 2004 (582), 2006 (670) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical RAM 2500 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 2500?
Steering, with 1,914 complaints across 18 model years.
How many recalls does the Dodge RAM 2500 have?
22 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.