Dodge Ram 2500 Reliability
8,092 NHTSA complaints (1991–2012). Complaint rate: 1347.1 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 2003–2004 Dodge Ram 2500 (97 crash-related complaints). The 2002 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: STEERING.
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 2500 Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 1,577 | 3.7% |
| AIR BAGS | 526 | 10.1% |
| SUSPENSION | 511 | 3.7% |
| STRUCTURE | 424 | 0.5% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 394 | 2.0% |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 229 | 20.1% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 203 | 1.5% |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 202 | 1.0% |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 199 | 3.0% |
| POWER TRAIN | 190 | 8.4% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991GOOD | — | 16 | 2 | — | View 1991View→ |
| 1992GOOD | — | 43 | 6 | 2 | View 1992View→ |
| 1993GOOD | — | 55 | 5 | — | View 1993View→ |
| 1994GOOD | — | 210 | 15 | 8 | View 1994View→ |
| 1995 | — | 354 | 31 | 20 | View 1995View→ |
| 1996 | — | 365 | 21 | 18 | View 1996View→ |
| 1997 | — | 275 | 11 | 18 | View 1997View→ |
| 1998 | — | 310 | 22 | 3 | View 1998View→ |
| 1999 | — | 422 | 26 | 3 | View 1999View→ |
| 2000 | — | 269 | 13 | 9 | View 2000View→ |
| 2001AVOID | — | 561 | 23 | 18 | View 2001View→ |
| 2002GOOD | — | 210 | 14 | 3 | View 2002View→ |
| 2003AVOID | — | 866 | 44 | 3 | View 2003View→ |
| 2004AVOID | — | 753 | 53 | 7 | View 2004View→ |
| 2005 | — | 540 | 56 | 8 | View 2005View→ |
| 2006AVOID | — | 899 | 48 | 8 | View 2006View→ |
| 2007 | — | 505 | 27 | 11 | View 2007View→ |
| 2008 | — | 405 | 15 | 13 | View 2008View→ |
| 2009 | — | 261 | 8 | 5 | View 2009View→ |
| 2011 | — | 389 | 5 | 8 | View 2011View→ |
| 2012 | — | 384 | 16 | 24 | View 2012View→ |
See also: Dodge Ram 2500accident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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