Dodge Ram 3500 Reliability
3,815 NHTSA complaints (1991–2012). Complaint rate: 1193.3 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 2003–2007 Dodge Ram 3500 (131 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 3500 Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 841 | 4.2% |
| AIR BAGS | 283 | 8.5% |
| SUSPENSION | 201 | 3.0% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 200 | 2.0% |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 130 | 26.2% |
| POWER TRAIN | 114 | 9.6% |
| STRUCTURE | 102 | 0.0% |
| ENGINE | 99 | 2.0% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 90 | 3.3% |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 81 | 1.2% |
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 | — | 5 | 0 | — | View 1991View→ |
| 1992GOOD | — | 11 | 0 | — | View 1992View→ |
| 1993GOOD | — | 26 | 0 | — | View 1993View→ |
| 1994 | — | 102 | 4 | 9 | View 1994View→ |
| 1995 | — | 132 | 11 | 7 | View 1995View→ |
| 1996 | — | 182 | 8 | 12 | View 1996View→ |
| 1997 | — | 153 | 5 | 12 | View 1997View→ |
| 1998 | — | 134 | 13 | 17 | View 1998View→ |
| 1999 | — | 146 | 11 | 6 | View 1999View→ |
| 2000GOOD | — | 77 | 5 | 12 | View 2000View→ |
| 2001 | — | 168 | 15 | 4 | View 2001View→ |
| 2002GOOD | — | 59 | 4 | — | View 2002View→ |
| 2003AVOID | — | 330 | 10 | 1 | View 2003View→ |
| 2004AVOID | — | 275 | 52 | 5 | View 2004View→ |
| 2005AVOID | — | 240 | 31 | 9 | View 2005View→ |
| 2006AVOID | — | 349 | 19 | 6 | View 2006View→ |
| 2007AVOID | — | 284 | 19 | 21 | View 2007View→ |
| 2008 | — | 221 | 13 | 21 | View 2008View→ |
| 2009 | — | 130 | 9 | 2 | View 2009View→ |
| 2011AVOID | — | 293 | 5 | 7 | View 2011View→ |
| 2012AVOID | — | 498 | 6 | 11 | View 2012View→ |
See also: Dodge Ram 3500accident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
Buying a Dodge Ram 3500?
Check the specific VIN for hidden accidents, title issues, and full vehicle history — just $4.99.
Check VIN Free