Dodge Ram Reliability
5,481 NHTSA complaints (1981–2010). Complaint rate: 13533.3 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 1994–2002 Dodge Ram (540 crash-related complaints). The 2006–2010 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Dodge Ram Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 420 | 17.1% |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 330 | 5.8% |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 258 | 86.4% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 166 | 14.5% |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 138 | 2.9% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 131 | 2.3% |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 121 | 9.1% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 117 | 4.3% |
| SUSPENSION | 106 | 3.8% |
| TIRES | 95 | 6.3% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981GOOD | — | 2 | 0 | 1 | View 1981View→ |
| 1984GOOD | — | 2 | 0 | 1 | View 1984View→ |
| 1985GOOD | — | 14 | 1 | 1 | View 1985View→ |
| 1986GOOD | — | 20 | 3 | 5 | View 1986View→ |
| 1987GOOD | — | 21 | 0 | — | View 1987View→ |
| 1988GOOD | — | 27 | 4 | 1 | View 1988View→ |
| 1989GOOD | — | 35 | 6 | 2 | View 1989View→ |
| 1990GOOD | — | 23 | 2 | 5 | View 1990View→ |
| 1991 | — | 63 | 3 | 2 | View 1991View→ |
| 1992 | — | 75 | 4 | 5 | View 1992View→ |
| 1993 | — | 66 | 4 | 1 | View 1993View→ |
| 1994AVOID | — | 623 | 53 | 31 | View 1994View→ |
| 1995AVOID | — | 852 | 82 | 39 | View 1995View→ |
| 1996AVOID | — | 905 | 84 | 26 | View 1996View→ |
| 1997AVOID | — | 513 | 51 | 19 | View 1997View→ |
| 1998AVOID | — | 644 | 94 | 9 | View 1998View→ |
| 1999AVOID | — | 496 | 52 | 9 | View 1999View→ |
| 2000AVOID | — | 212 | 37 | 12 | View 2000View→ |
| 2001AVOID | — | 417 | 66 | 11 | View 2001View→ |
| 2002AVOID | — | 152 | 21 | 4 | View 2002View→ |
| 2003 | — | 65 | 9 | 1 | View 2003View→ |
| 2004 | — | 71 | 10 | — | View 2004View→ |
| 2005 | — | 47 | 5 | 1 | View 2005View→ |
| 2006GOOD | — | 36 | 1 | 1 | View 2006View→ |
| 2007GOOD | — | 20 | 1 | 1 | View 2007View→ |
| 2008GOOD | — | 33 | 7 | 2 | View 2008View→ |
| 2009GOOD | — | 13 | 0 | 1 | View 2009View→ |
| 2010GOOD | — | 33 | 4 | 3 | View 2010View→ |
See also: Dodge Ramaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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