Equipment complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 3 | 0% | 31,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 0% | 40,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 0% | 59,000 miles |
| 2009 | 7 | 1% | 31,000 miles |
| 2007 | 6 | 1% | 22,000 miles |
| 2006 | 8 | 1% | 37,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 0% | 61,000 miles |
| 2004 | 11 | 1% | 35,000 miles |
| 2003 | 7 | 1% | 73,000 miles |
| 2002 | 10 | 1% | 85,000 miles |
| 2001 | 14 | 1% | 78,000 miles |
| 2000 | 10 | 2% | 75,000 miles |
| 1999 | 11 | 2% | 30,000 miles |
| 1998 | 12 | 2% | 130,000 miles |
| 1997 | 12 | 3% | 58,000 miles |
| 1996 | 5 | 2% | 132,000 miles |
| 1995 | 3 | 1% | 245,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accessories, trailer hitches and other equipment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the radio was hacked. The safety features became inoperable and the vehicle attempted to crash. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V461000 (Equipment). The manufacturer was notified, but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
Dodge Ram laramie1500 4x4 crew cab built in June 2012 has factory 20x9 aluminum chrome clad wheels with Goodyear wrangler hp p275/60r20 tires. Problem with this is the spare tire & the factory jack. Had a rear passenger side tire blow out and had to jack the truck to fix the flat. First, the spare tire size is p235/85r17, my wheels are 20" rims and 1-1/4 higher over all. This truck has the electronic stability control (ESC) which states to have the proper size rims & tires as this system May not function properly if they are different sizes. Secondly, the jack Dodge provides can't hold the weight of these trucks. This jack collapsed soon after raising the flat truck tire 1-2" off the ground, the worm gear looks like a u-bolt. Called both the dealer I purchased the truck from in December 2012 and Dodge. Neither is willing to help remedy these problems. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. While the vehicle was stationary, the heating system and the defroster stopped working. The contact stated that the windows would not defrost and the heating system blew cold air in the winter of 2015. A dealer was not contacted about the failures. In addition, while driving 75 MPH, the steering wheel began to vibrate violently. An independent mechanic replaced the front driver and passenger sides outer tie rods to correct the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The contact stated that the vehicle was recalled per NHTSA campaign number: 09V158000 (equipment) prior to purchasing the vehicle in regards to the HVAC system failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that there was an abnormal knocking sound underneath the dashboard. When the knocking sound stopped, the ventilation system failed and caused the defrost to fail. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact was advised that the air blend door and the actuators needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
I bought the truck 10/29/10 with 22 k miles on it and have 29950K now. I have had to replace the whole front end, rack and pinion steering system tie rod ends, leaky back window, third brake light, balance and rotate tires 3 times, rail dust, new carpet, leaky third light, new rotors and brakes at 24K, air cleaner, wipers. I questioned the front end when I bought it and was told it as just tires out of balance. When I picked it up and asked if the front end looked good because I noticed the front tie rod ends had a lot of play and I was concerned with issues due to that. I was told the front end was fine no problems with it. I later took it back and had all the front steering components replaced. I picked up the vehicle and had no alignment and was told they only set the toe. I had to keep the steering wheel a full half turn to the left to go straight. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Dodge Ram quad cab, with Goodyear wrangler hp 275/60r20 tires. While driving 70 MPH the driver side rear tire blew-out, which caused him to swerve to the shoulder of the road. He could not change the tire because the jack nor the wheel nut that's standard, did not come with the vehicle. The failure mileage was 10,406. Updated 12/01/09 updated 12/29/09 the consumer stated the tire that blew out had dry rot. The consumer realized the only way the spare tire can be released from the cable is from underneath the truck after jacking it up on the frame, pushing the spare tire up to the frame and releasing the cable from the rim. The consumer also stated there was not enough spare tire cable length. Updated 12/31/09. Additional information from consumer. Updated 01/21/10.
Brakes pressure increases while driving dealer replace 4 times front 2 times rear still brakes fail also tie rods fall off or go bad 2 time all under 18000 miles also there was other problems with front end hubs ,ect.
I tried to get the scissors jack from under the passenger seat. The handled screw that screws it to the floor would not turn and the jack couldn't be removed. I tried to clean the threads that protrude through the truck's floor, to no avail (fine threads). After removing it later with pliers, I ran a thread die over it, reinstalled it, and painted it.
Related recalls (3)
Equipment
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.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 Ram 1500 trucks, manufactured from January 5, 2012 through January 6, 2012. The affected vehicles have a spare tire that does not match the specifications listed on the tire placard.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair vehicles as neccessary free of charge. The safety recall began on May 21, 2012. Owners should contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Equipment › Other › Labels
The vehicle certification label on some pickup trucks lists incorrect tire, wheel, and recommended inflation pressure information which does not conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, 'tire selection and rims for vehicles other than passenger cars.'
Remedy: Owners will be provided with vehicle certification label overlays containing the corrected information relative to vehicle tire and rim size, and recommended inflation pressure. This recall began on May 5, 2004.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Ram 1500 years have equipment problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (14), 1997 (12), 1998 (12), 1999 (11) and 2004 (11) model years. Equipment complaints make up 1% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Dodge Ram 1500 equipment problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 17V-824 (equipment, Dec 21, 2017); 12V-192 (labels, May 2, 2012); 04V-221 (labels, May 6, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Ram 1500 equipment problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles; 51% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the electrical › radio/tape deck/cd etc. (14 mentions), followed by the mechanical › accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift (10).
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.