Ram 3500 Reliability

3,399 NHTSA complaints (2007–2026). Complaint rate: 99.1 per 1,000 vehicles.

Severity Score
151.0
Complaints
3,399
Crash Rate
3.2%
Fire Rate
2.5%
Injuries
83
Fatalities
4

Which Years to Buy & Avoid

Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.

Bottom line: Avoid the 2017–2018 Ram 3500. The 2023 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: SERVICE BRAKES.

Avoid These Years

2017–2018
~752/yr complaints · 31 crashes
2014
~302/yr complaints · 15 crashes

Average

2010
~214/yr complaints
2013
~182/yr complaints
2015–2016
~190/yr complaints
2019–2020
~165/yr complaints

Better Years

2023
~17/yr complaints
2021
~86/yr complaints
2007–2009
~8/yr complaints

Too New

2024–2026
126 complaints so far

Need 3+ years on the road for reliable complaint data.

Looking at a specific Ram 3500?

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

Ram 3500 — Complaints by Model YearPeak: 2018 (1,087)
03136259381,250200720092013201520172019202120232025

Common Ram 3500 Problems

Most reported component complaints to NHTSA

ComponentComplaintsCrash %
SERVICE BRAKES7282.9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3380.9%
POWER TRAIN3152.9%
STEERING2863.8%
ENGINE2511.6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1831.6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1535.2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1441.4%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1422.8%
SUSPENSION1333.0%

Year-by-Year Breakdown

NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.

YearGenerationComplaintsCrashesFiresDetails
2007GOOD110View
2008GOOD80View
2009GOOD40View
201021458View
2013182512View
2014AVOID302159View
2015204312View
2016176178View
2017AVOID41611View
2018AVOID1,087203View
2019176138View
2020154810View
2021GOOD8605View
202223668View
2023GOOD170View
2024TOO NEW5161View
2025TOO NEW530View
2026TOO NEW220View

See also: Ram 3500accident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.

Buying a Ram 3500?

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Ram 3500 Years to Avoid (2007–2026) — Reliability, Problems & Best Years to Buy | VinItel