Dodge RAM 2500 problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 153 owner complaints and 10 recalls on file for the Dodge RAM 2500 (2005–2012). The 2006 RAM 2500 has the most serious complaints, most often about steering.

Complaints
153
Recalls
10
Model years
8
Worst year
2006

Complaints by model year

17200541200617200711200872009142010152011312012
NHTSA complaints per Dodge RAM 2500 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 2500 years to buy

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

  1. 2006 Dodge RAM 2500 — 41 complaints, 3 crashes; top problem: Steering
  2. 2012 Dodge RAM 2500 — 31 complaints, 1 crash; top problem: Engine
  3. 2005 Dodge RAM 2500 — 17 complaints, 2 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Steering
  4. 2007 Dodge RAM 2500 — 17 complaints; top problem: Steering
  5. 2008 Dodge RAM 2500 — 11 complaints, 1 fire; top problem: Electrical System

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2009 (7 complaints).

Every Dodge RAM 2500 model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2012 RAM 2500311004Engine
2011 RAM 2500150204Electrical System
2010 RAM 2500140014Steering
2009 RAM 250070104Steering
2008 RAM 2500110105Electrical System
2007 RAM 2500170015Steering
2006 RAM 2500413035Steering
2005 RAM 2500172105Steering

Most common Dodge RAM 2500 problem areas (all years)

  • Steering
    41 complaints
  • Electrical System
    33 complaints
  • Engine
    26 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    14 complaints
  • Suspension
    13 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    11 complaints
  • Lighting
    11 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    10 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    9 complaints
  • Airbags
    9 complaints

Complaint trend

20202021202220232026
Complaints about the Dodge RAM 2500 received by NHTSA each month.

Dodge RAM 2500 recalls

  • 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 2005–2009

    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 2005–2009

    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 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 14V635000Oct 8, 2014315,325 vehiclesModel years 2010–2012

    Risk: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 13V529000Nov 6, 2013271,733 vehiclesModel years 2008–2012

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

  • Recall 13V528000Nov 6, 2013706,664 vehiclesModel years 2005–2008

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

  • Recall 11V350000Jul 6, 2011242,780 vehiclesModel years 2005–2011

    Risk: This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, 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