Brand record
Ram Recalls by Model: Reliability and Common Problems
Every Ram model in NHTSA's owner complaint file, 2013 to 2025: the recall campaigns for each model, which models and years owners complain about most, and the problems they report.
NHTSA owner complaintsChecked Oct 3, 202619,583 complaints8 models
The Ram 1500 drew the most owner complaints of any Ram in NHTSA's file for 2013 to 2025, then the Ram 2500 and the Ram 3500. The Ram 1500 and the Ram 2500 have the most recall campaigns, 94 and 63.
Best-sellers draw the most reports, so a high count is not a failure rate. Check one car with its VIN.
Recall 19V-347 covers the power-locking tailgate on many 2013 to 2018 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups, whose actuator tab can break and let the tailgate open while driving. The dealer repairs the latch free.
On Ram pickups with a column shifter, 2009 to 2017 for the 1500 and 2010 to 2017 for the 2500 and 3500, holding the brake a long time in Park can stick the shift interlock pin, so the truck can leave Park without the brake or the key. Recall 17V-821 updates the software and replaces the part if needed.
The 2015 and 2016 Ram 1500 can lose power steering assist from contamination on the steering control board, and recall 16V-167 replaces the electric power steering unit free. Recall 18V-332 covers a wiring short that can keep cruise control from switching off on the 2014 to 2019 Ram 1500 and the 2014 to 2018 Ram 2500 and 3500.
Ram recalls by model
Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for each Ram model, model years 2013 to 2025, read Oct 3, 2026. Each campaign counts once per model, however many years it covers. Recall repairs are free at the dealer; check one car with its VIN.
- Ram 1500Most often: airbag system94
- Ram 2500Most often: airbag system63
- Ram 3500Most often: airbag system62
Ram complaints by model
Owner complaints to NHTSA for each Ram model with at least 1,000 of them, model years 2013 to 2025, and the year that drew the most. A best-seller draws more reports than a rare model, so read these as counts, not failure rates. 5 smaller models are left out.
- Ram 1500Most: 2014 · steering11,422
- Ram 2500Most: 2018 · braking system5,012
- Ram 3500Most: 2018 · braking system2,276
Ram model years with the most complaints
The ten Ram model years owners complained about most, with the system they named most. These are the years to inspect hardest before you buy, not a verdict on every car.
- 2018 Ram 2500Braking system71%2,547
- 2014 Ram 1500Steering28%1,750
- 2016 Ram 1500Steering20%1,526
- 2019 Ram 1500Electrical system25%1,463
- 2015 Ram 1500Steering23%1,436
- 2013 Ram 1500Steering49%1,263
- 2017 Ram 1500Steering25%865
- 2018 Ram 3500Braking system63%794
- 2017 Ram 2500Braking system60%680
- 2021 Ram 1500Engine41%667
Most common Ram problems
The systems owners named most across every Ram model and year in the file, counted from each model year's six most-named systems.
- Braking system21% of the complaints4,075
- Electrical system18% of the complaints3,605
- Engine16% of the complaints3,052
- Steering15% of the complaints2,889
- Powertrain11% of the complaints2,145
- Fuel and power delivery6% of the complaints1,097
Our guides for these problems
Check engine codes Ram owners name
The OBD-II codes owners wrote into their complaints for the 3 Ram model years we have read in full, one count per complaint. None of these codes has a guide yet.
Common questions
Are Rams reliable?
The complaint file can't grade a brand, because it counts reports, not failures per car sold. What it shows is where Ram owners report trouble: the braking system most, then the electrical system, and the Ram 1500, Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 draw the most complaints.
Which Rams should you stay away from?
No model is bad in every year. The model years with the most owner complaints are 2018 Ram 2500, 2014 Ram 1500, 2016 Ram 1500 and 2019 Ram 1500; inspect those hardest and check their recalls before you buy.
Which Ram has the most recalls?
The Ram 1500, with 94 recall campaigns across model years 2013 to 2025, then the Ram 2500 with 63.
What is the most common problem with Rams?
Owners name the braking system most, in 4,075 complaints, 21% of the Ram record, then the electrical system, in 3,605.
How do I check if my Ram has a recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN in our free recall checker or on NHTSA's recall page. It lists open recalls for that one car, and the dealer does the repair for free.