Dodge RAM 4500 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 38 owner complaints and 12 safety recalls on file for the Dodge RAM 4500, across 5 model years (2008–2012). The 2011 model year has the most complaints (14). The most reported problem area overall is steering.
Dodge RAM 4500 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No RAM 4500 model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2011 RAM 4500: 14 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2012 RAM 4500: 10 complaints, 9 recalls
- 2008 RAM 4500: 10 complaints, 3 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 4500 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 26 | 4 | 1 |
| Suspension | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Power Train | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Dodge RAM 4500 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 RAM 4500 | 10 | 9 | — | Power Train | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2011 RAM 4500 | 14 | 4 | — | Steering | More complaints than other years |
| 2010 RAM 4500 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2009 RAM 4500 | 4 | 3 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2008 RAM 4500 | 10 | 3 | — | Steering | About as many complaints as other years |
More from Dodge: all Dodge models · Dodge VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge RAM 4500 years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 2011 (14), 2012 (10), 2008 (10). 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 4500?
Steering, with 26 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Dodge RAM 4500 have?
12 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.