Seat complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 4 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 0% | 60,000 miles |
| 2009 | 8 | 1% | 37,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2007 | 2 | 0% | 27,000 miles |
| 2006 | 3 | 0% | 20,000 miles |
| 2005 | 8 | 1% | 31,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 0% | 25,000 miles |
| 2003 | 5 | 0% | 0 miles |
| 2002 | 4 | 0% | 70,000 miles |
| 2000 | 2 | 0% | — |
| 1999 | 3 | 0% | 217,000 miles |
| 1998 | 4 | 1% | — |
| 1997 | 6 | 2% | 149,000 miles |
| 1996 | 7 | 2% | 132,000 miles |
| 1995 | 3 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tamara recall- so on June of 2017 I was driving from texas to colorado. I was at the passing by trinidad, co when the truck just gave out going up the hill. It literally left me stranded in the middle of the hill while cars wer driving by 70 miles an hour. M and m towing towed it to trinidad and they informed me the transfer case was bad and so was the right front drive shaft. I paid 2500 dollars to have that repaired. Well now since September of 2012 the truck keeps giving me problems. It turns off literally while I'm driving making me loose any steering or break power. The heating seats have stopped working, the traction light keeps turning off and on. The light trailer disconnected message is permanently on. The shifter won't move outta park almost everyday when I first start the truck. The truck turns on and immediately shutts off. The remote start only works half of the time. …
My Ram 1500 had valve springs break. It has a tick in the engine and the mechanic said it was a lifter. He said 2012 rams always get bad lifters, also the front seats the way they are shaped, when getting in or out the edges are rubbed and my leather is torn. The lifter is a major issue. I'll never by another Ram again because of it. My truck sounds awful. I have 97000 mile it's 2012, looks beautiful, and sounds like a beater. It ticks when I start it and sounds worse when I drive. When my springs broke I was driving 70 on the intetstate.. The lifter issue came first, not sure if it caused the springs to break.
The electrical system keeps telling me that there is an issue with the fan system, but it only happens when it rains. When this happens the check engine light comes on and the eco system shuts off. After a day or 2 from rain, the system works properly again. It can so sometimes bypass the issue by pulling the battery and re-installing it. The seats also wear down to the point they need to be replaced after just 20K miles
We bought a 2011 Dodge Ram express truck which is a single cab truck. Behind the seat is the place for the anchor hook but there are no hooks in the crease of the seat. The dealership says if I buckle up the seatbelt around the car seat it engages the airbag. This means that my son cannot ride in this vehicle. This just makes no sense to me. I thought all vehicles had to have the latch hook in the seat too.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer (ancira Chrysler, Jeep in san antonio, tx, [phone]) per an unknown manufacturer recall to replace the seat covers on the front driver and passenger heated seats. The NHTSA campaign number could not be retrieved. The contact stated that the dealer used an incompatible material to replace the seat covers , which caused them to show signs of wear. The contact was concerned that the heated seats could burn. The contact also stated that the new seat covers did not fit properly and were replaced seven times to get the right size. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure was not remedied. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.
Frame appears bad in several spots, so much rust. Rust on virtually every panel on the body. Above windshield middle of of door. It literally everywhere. The leather seats are junked. I understand it's a 11 year old vehicle but truck is falling apart everywhere you look. You can look inside the truck has been very well cared for drives horribly makes so many sounds from rattles to clunks.mostly on 2 lane roads afraid to drive much interstate after having tire blowing out sidewalk going down interstate eats tires on the inside on both sides been lined up still same result. Exhaust manifolds leaking bad.
The drivers seat foam is falling apart due contact with sharp edges in the support basket and frame welds. The seat motor has also stopped working. I contacted Dodge customer service (care #[redacted])and was referred to the dealership to have the vehicle inspected. I had the vehicle inspected and Dodge refused to make repairs. The vehicle only has 33,000 miles and the seat foam has to be replaced, along with the cloth fabric, that has a hole due to the rubbing of the fabric in the metal frame. I had to cover the seat with a towel to protect my pants, after I ripped three pair of pants on the sharp edges. I looked at a number of Dodge owner websites and many owners are complaining about the same problem. One owner even posted detailed photos of how he repaired the sharp parts and replaced the seat foam after Dodge refused to repair his truck. …
I have been noticing since I got my truck in March that the front driver side seat makes a popping noise when going around corners. It also feels like it is coming up off the ground or out of the track. I checked it and it is securely fastened to the ground. I took it into freemont Dodge yesterday to get some recall work done, and they informed me that the brackets and the pinions in the track of the seat are defective. They tried to get the parts but they are on backorder. How long do they have to fix this problem and how dangerous is it. The dealership says it is OK but my wife drives the truck and I want to make sure that she will be safe.
NHTSA investigations
Seat back failure
Odi has identified 30 incidents where it is alleged the seat back collapsed in a rear impact crash.these incidents are alleged to have contributed to 23 injuries and two deaths.the data presented to odi show that the seat back strength of the front seats comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 207.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Ram 1500 years have seat problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (8), 2009 (8), 1996 (7), 1997 (6) and 2003 (5) model years. Seat complaints make up 1% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Dodge Ram 1500 seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats recall for any Dodge Ram 1500 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Dodge Ram 1500 seat problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles; 60% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front assembly › recliner (8 mentions), followed by the front assembly › power adjust (5).
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.