Ram 1500 Problems by Year

We compared every Ram 1500 model year from 2009–2026 using 11,840 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 97 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2025, 2019, 2022 and 2016, which drew far more complaints than other 1500 years at the same age. The best years are 2024, 2013 and 2023.

15model years
11,840complaints
97recalls
2025, 2019worst years
2024, 2013best years

Complaints by model year

’09’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26371.3k1.8k1.5k1.6k8836651.5k64068362720377365101
Owner complaints per model year, Ram 1500. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20261013.5×9ElectricalAvoid
20253653.3×8ElectricalAvoid
202477−55%6ElectricalGood
2023203−25%11ElectricalAverage
20226271.6×16EngineCaution
20216831.4×15EngineAverage
2020640typical14EngineAverage
20191,4922.4×29ElectricalAvoid
2018665−22%15ElectricalAverage
2017883−22%13SteeringAverage
20161,5541.5×16EngineCaution
20151,4591.3×17EngineAverage
20141,7751.3×16SteeringAverage
20131,279−44%11SteeringGood
200937−99%2TransmissionGood

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

Most common Ram 1500 problems

Latest Ram 1500 recalls

Tires › Pressure monitoring and regulating systems

NHTSA recall 26V-623 · Sep 29, 2026 · 16,385 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Ram 1500 vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system sensors may fail to detect low tire pressure and/or fail to illuminate the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light as intended.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the tire pressure sensors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 27, 2026.

Air bags › Side/window

NHTSA recall 26V-622 · Sep 29, 2026 · 5 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Ram 1500 vehicles. A connector for the driver and front passenger side air bags may not be secured properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the sensor connections, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 27, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403.

Back over prevention › Software

NHTSA recall 26V-560 · Sep 1, 2026 · 239,130 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 vehicles. A radio software error may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Remedy: The radio software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403.

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 26V-531 · Aug 13, 2026 · 844,027 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Gladiator, Jeep Compass, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Jeep Grand Wagoneer L, Ram Promaster, Ram Promaster EV, Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid, Chrysler Voyager, and 2026-2027 Chrysler…

Remedy: Radio software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning September 2, 2026.

Seat belts › Rear/other › Anchorage

NHTSA recall 26V-495 · Jul 30, 2026 · 1,271,294 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2026 Ram 1500 vehicles. The second-row center and left-side seat belt buckle anchors may have been improperly installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and attach the seat belt buckle anchor to the body structure as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 18, 2026.

All 97 Ram 1500 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Ram 1500 should you avoid?

2025, 2019, 2022 and 2016 — these years have the most complaints relative to other 1500 years at the same age, led by electrical system problems in the 2025.

What is the best year for the Ram 1500?

2024 has the fewest complaints compared with other 1500 years at the same age, followed by 2013 and 2023. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Ram 1500 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (2,675), steering (2,667) and electrical system (2,377). Engine complaints peak in the 2015 model year.

How many recalls has the Ram 1500 had?

97 recalls across 2009–2026. The model year with the most is 2019. See all 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.