Dodge RAM 3500 problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 92 owner complaints and 17 recalls on file for the Dodge RAM 3500 (2005–2012). The 2012 RAM 3500 has the most serious complaints, most often about electrical system.

Complaints
92
Recalls
17
Model years
8
Worst year
2012

Complaints by model year

13200532006520076200852009122010142011342012
NHTSA complaints per Dodge RAM 3500 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 3500 years to buy

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

  1. 2012 Dodge RAM 3500 — 34 complaints, 1 crash, 2 fires; top problem: Electrical System
  2. 2010 Dodge RAM 3500 — 12 complaints, 1 fire; top problem: Electrical System
  3. 2011 Dodge RAM 3500 — 14 complaints, 1 fire; top problem: Electrical System

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2006 (3 complaints).

Every Dodge RAM 3500 model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2012 RAM 3500341218Electrical System
2011 RAM 3500140105Electrical System
2010 RAM 3500120119Electrical System
2009 RAM 350050014Brakes
2008 RAM 350060105Electrical System
2007 RAM 350050205Engine
2006 RAM 350030005Airbags
2005 RAM 3500132123Wheels & Tires

Most common Dodge RAM 3500 problem areas (all years)

  • Electrical System
    30 complaints
  • Engine
    20 complaints
  • Steering
    17 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    14 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    13 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    11 complaints
  • Airbags
    7 complaints
  • Suspension
    7 complaints
  • Brakes
    5 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    4 complaints

Complaint trend

20212025
Complaints about the Dodge RAM 3500 received by NHTSA each month.

Dodge RAM 3500 recalls

  • Recall 21V398000May 27, 2021447,985 vehiclesModel years 2012

    Risk: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.

  • Recall 19V018000Jan 15, 20191,413,222 vehiclesDo not driveModel years 2010

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

  • Recall 18V021000Jan 9, 2018328,177 vehiclesDo not driveModel years 2010

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • 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 16V947000Dec 22, 201612,691 vehiclesDo not driveModel years 2010

    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 16V739000Oct 13, 201674,811 vehiclesModel years 2010–2012

    Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 16V352000May 24, 20164,648,270 vehiclesDo not driveModel years 2006–2010

    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 2006–2009

    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 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 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 13V344000Aug 6, 201385 vehiclesModel years 2012

    Risk: An unexpected loss of power transfer may increase 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