Dodge Ram 2500 Problems by Year

We compared every Dodge Ram 2500 model year from 1995–2012 using 6,188 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 22 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2006, 2003 and 2004, which drew far more complaints than other Ram 2500 years at the same age. The best years are 2002, 2000 and 1998.

18model years
6,188complaints
22recalls
2006, 2003worst years
2002, 2000best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12267291213225313211469155661582422670361317214236298283
Owner complaints per model year, Dodge Ram 2500. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
2012283typical4SteeringAverage
20112981.2×4SteeringAverage
2010236typical4SteeringAverage
2009214−18%5SteeringAverage
20083171.2×7SteeringAverage
20073611.2×8SteeringAverage
20066702.0×6SteeringAvoid
2005422typical6SteeringAverage
20045821.4×6SteeringCaution
20036611.4×6SteeringCaution
2002155−56%—BodyGood
20014691.4×1BodyAverage
2000211−39%1BodyAverage
1999313typical—BrakeAverage
1998225−30%—BrakeAverage
1997213−29%—BrakeAverage
1996291typical—BrakeAverage
1995267typical—BrakeAverage

* Complaints compared with the median Ram 2500 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Dodge Ram 2500 problems

Latest Dodge Ram 2500 recalls

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.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 15V-312 · May 26, 2015 · 385,686 vehiclesDo not drive

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured August 29, 2002, to July 25, 2003 to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 15V-313 · May 26, 2015 · 4,077,169 vehiclesDo not drive

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and…

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners.

All 22 Dodge Ram 2500 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Dodge Ram 2500 should you avoid?

2006, 2003 and 2004 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Ram 2500 years at the same age, led by steering problems in the 2006.

What is the best year for the Dodge Ram 2500?

2002 has the fewest complaints compared with other Ram 2500 years at the same age, followed by 2000 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 2500 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the steering (1,914), suspension (840) and body & structure (623). Steering complaints peak in the 2006 model year.

How many recalls has the Dodge Ram 2500 had?

22 recalls across 1995–2012. The model year with the most is 2007. See all Dodge Ram 2500 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.