Dodge RAM 1500 problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 591 owner complaints and 16 recalls on file for the Dodge RAM 1500 (2005–2014). The 2012 RAM 1500 has the most serious complaints, most often about fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion.

Complaints
591
Recalls
16
Model years
9
Worst year
2012

Complaints by model year

4720053720062420073620083820095720101362011215201212014
NHTSA complaints per Dodge RAM 1500 model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Dodge RAM 1500 years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2012 Dodge RAM 1500 — 215 complaints, 4 crashes, 4 fires; top problem: Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
  2. 2011 Dodge RAM 1500 — 136 complaints, 8 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Electrical System
  3. 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 — 36 complaints, 4 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Steering
  4. 2010 Dodge RAM 1500 — 57 complaints, 4 crashes, 2 fires; top problem: Electrical System
  5. 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 — 47 complaints, 2 crashes; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2014 (1 complaints).

Every Dodge RAM 1500 model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2014 RAM 150010000Steering
2012 RAM 15002154426Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
2011 RAM 15001368154Electrical System
2010 RAM 1500574204Electrical System
2009 RAM 1500381012Electrical System
2008 RAM 1500364155Steering
2007 RAM 1500242124Electrical System
2006 RAM 1500371204Transmission & Drivetrain
2005 RAM 1500472034Transmission & Drivetrain

Most common Dodge RAM 1500 problem areas (all years)

  • Electrical System
    168 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    154 complaints
  • Engine
    148 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    107 complaints
  • Airbags
    43 complaints
  • Steering
    37 complaints
  • Brakes
    32 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    28 complaints
  • Suspension
    25 complaints
  • Lighting
    14 complaints

Complaint trend

2020202120222023202420252026
Complaints about the Dodge RAM 1500 received by NHTSA each month.

Dodge RAM 1500 recalls

  • Recall 18V160000Mar 8, 2018218,617 vehiclesModel years 2010–2012

    Risk: If the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fuel tank may not remain secured to the vehicle, possibly causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence in an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 17V824000Dec 21, 201761,791 vehiclesModel years 2012

    Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.

  • Recall 17V821000Dec 20, 20171,482,874 vehiclesModel years 2010–2012

    Risk: Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

  • Recall 16V352000May 24, 20164,648,270 vehiclesDo not driveModel years 2005–2008

    Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 15V459000Jul 22, 20151,059,444 vehiclesModel years 2012

    Risk: This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

  • Recall 15V313000May 26, 20154,077,169 vehiclesDo not driveModel years 2005–2008

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 14V795000Dec 16, 201454,164 vehiclesModel years 2006–2007

    Risk: Broken springs can result in a no-start condition, or cause unintended movement when the ignition is cranked, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

  • Recall 14V796000Dec 16, 2014257,065 vehiclesModel years 2005

    Risk: If the pinion nut loosens, the rear axle may seize, and/or the driveshaft may detach resulting in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 14V770000Dec 3, 2014250,896 vehiclesModel years 2005

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 13V528000Nov 6, 2013706,664 vehiclesModel years 2006–2008

    Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 13V529000Nov 6, 2013271,733 vehiclesModel years 2008

    Risk: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 13V038000Feb 6, 2013278,674 vehiclesModel years 2009–2012

    Risk: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.

  • Recall 12V474000Oct 2, 201244,300 vehiclesModel years 2009–2010

    Risk: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.

  • Recall 12V192000May 2, 2012129 vehiclesModel years 2012

    Risk: If installed, the incorrectly sized spare tire may unexpectedly activate the electronic stability control (esc) system, altering the effectiveness of the esc system, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 11V350000Jul 6, 2011242,780 vehiclesModel years 2008

    Risk: This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 10V656000Dec 24, 201060,382 vehiclesModel years 2011

    Risk: A failure of the bearing could cause the vehicle to stall increasing the risk of a crash.

Other Dodge models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology