RAM 1500 Problems by Year
RAM 1500 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 1500 year: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2014 1500: 1,773 complaints, 16 recalls
- 2016 1500: 1,549 complaints, 16 recalls
- 2019 1500: 1,492 complaints, 29 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2009 1500: 37 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2024 1500: 76 complaints, 6 recalls
- 2026 1500: 101 complaints, 9 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 RAM 1500 problems (all years)
RAM 1500 problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2025: electrical system (188) · engine (75) · exterior lighting (59) · forward collision avoidance (51)
- 2023: electrical system (69)
- 2022: engine (248) · electrical system (197) · power train (103) · forward collision avoidance (57) · service brakes (56) · fuel/propulsion system (55)
- 2021: engine (276) · electrical system (197) · power train (99) · fuel/propulsion system (69) · service brakes (54) · forward collision avoidance (52) · steering (50)
- 2020: electrical system (164) · engine (155) · steering (65) · power train (63) · visibility/wiper (53)
- 2019: electrical system (382) · steering (340) · engine (232) · power train (207) · service brakes (114) · air bags (93) · structure (81) · fuel/propulsion system (80) · visibility/wiper (67) · vehicle speed control (53)
- 2018: electrical system (159) · engine (110) · steering (88) · fuel/propulsion system (81) · power train (60) · fuel system, diesel (52)
- 2017: steering (228) · engine (156) · electrical system (109) · power train (98) · service brakes (91) · fuel/propulsion system (89) · air bags (53) · suspension (50)
- 2016: steering (312) · engine (291) · service brakes (245) · power train (202) · electrical system (192) · fuel/propulsion system (191) · vehicle speed control (111) · fuel system, diesel (81) · suspension (68) · engine and engine cooling (62)
- 2015: steering (342) · engine (335) · power train (226) · fuel/propulsion system (166) · electrical system (159) · service brakes (140) · vehicle speed control (86) · fuel system, diesel (67) · engine and engine cooling (63) · air bags (61) · suspension (56)
- 2014: steering (505) · engine (304) · electrical system (246) · fuel/propulsion system (213) · power train (192) · service brakes (145) · air bags (125) · suspension (111) · vehicle speed control (89) · engine and engine cooling (50)
- 2013: steering (640) · electrical system (227) · engine (123) · air bags (94) · power train (86) · service brakes (69)
All RAM 1500 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 1500 | 101 | 9 | — | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2025 1500 | 361 | 8 | — | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2024 1500 | 76 | 6 | — | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2023 1500 | 203 | 11 | — | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2022 1500 | 624 | 16 | — | Engine | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2021 1500 | 682 | 15 | 5★ | Engine | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2020 1500 | 639 | 14 | 5★ | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2019 1500 | 1,492 | 29 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2018 1500 | 664 | 15 | 4★ | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2017 1500 | 882 | 13 | 4★ | Steering | More complaints than other years |
| 2016 1500 | 1,549 | 16 | 4★ | Steering | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2015 1500 | 1,459 | 17 | 4★ | Steering | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2014 1500 | 1,773 | 16 | 4★ | Steering | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2013 1500 | 1,279 | 11 | 4★ | Steering | More complaints than other years |
| 2012 1500 | 0 | 0 | 3★ | — | |
| 2011 1500 | 0 | 0 | 3★ | — | |
| 2010 1500 | 0 | 0 | — | — | |
| 2009 1500 | 37 | 2 | — | Power Train | Far fewer complaints than other years |
More from RAM: all RAM models · RAM VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which RAM 1500 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2014 (1,773), 2015 (1,459), 2016 (1,549), 2019 (1,492) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 1500 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 RAM 1500?
Steering, with 2,661 complaints across 15 model years.
How many recalls does the RAM 1500 have?
97 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.