Dodge Ram 1500 Problems by Year

We compared every Dodge Ram 1500 model year from 1995–2012 using 12,292 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 28 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2001, which drew far more complaints than other Ram 1500 years at the same age. The best years are 1997, 2005 and 1998.

18model years
12,292complaints
28recalls
2001worst years
1997, 2005best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’122132983615206105131.1k8151.2k1.1k1.2k792517554670488689698
Owner complaints per model year, Dodge Ram 1500. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20126981.3×6ElectricalAverage
20116891.4×4ElectricalAverage
2010488typical4TransmissionAverage
20096701.4×2TransmissionAverage
2008554typical5AirbagAverage
2007517−20%4AirbagAverage
2006792typical9AirbagAverage
20051,172−35%4TransmissionAverage
20041,099typical5AirbagAverage
20031,171typical1AirbagAverage
20028151.3×3BodyAverage
20011,1121.9×2BodyCaution
2000513−20%2BodyAverage
1999610−15%—BodyAverage
1998520−23%—BodyAverage
1997361−51%—BodyGood
1996298−53%—TransmissionGood
1995213−69%—BodyGood

* Complaints compared with the median Ram 1500 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Dodge Ram 1500 problems

Latest Dodge Ram 1500 recalls

Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting

NHTSA recall 18V-160 · Mar 8, 2018 · 218,617 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks currently, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and…

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will bolt a bracket reinforcement to the frame, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Equipment

NHTSA recall 17V-824 · Dec 21, 2017 · 61,791 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018.

Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift

NHTSA recall 17V-821 · Dec 20, 2017 · 1,482,874 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 16V-352 · May 24, 2016 · 4,648,270 vehiclesDo not drive

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab…

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company.

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 15V-459 · Jul 22, 2015 · 1,059,444 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2011, to October 7, 2014, and equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center option.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness. Additionally, protective caps will be added to the air bag retainer spring ends.

All 28 Dodge Ram 1500 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Dodge Ram 1500 should you avoid?

2001 — this year has the most complaints relative to other Ram 1500 years at the same age, led by body & structure problems in the 2001.

What is the best year for the Dodge Ram 1500?

1997 has the fewest complaints compared with other Ram 1500 years at the same age, followed by 2005 and 1998. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Dodge Ram 1500 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the transmission & drivetrain (2,383), air bags (2,209) and body & structure (2,020). Transmission complaints peak in the 2005 model year.

How many recalls has the Dodge Ram 1500 had?

28 recalls across 1995–2012. The model year with the most is 2006. See all Dodge Ram 1500 recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.