Dodge RAM 3500 — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

3 model years to avoid, 5 to watch and 3 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid3 years

Caution5 years

Best bets3 years

Complaint history

1991: 4 complaints, Not enough data 1991 1992: 10 complaints, Not enough data 1993: 20 complaints, Not enough data 1994: 70 complaints, Recommended 1994 1995: 108 complaints, Recommended 1996: 124 complaints, Recommended 1997: 125 complaints, Recommended 1997 1998: 105 complaints, Recommended 1999: 104 complaints, Recommended 2000: 58 complaints, Recommended 2000 2001: 130 complaints, Recommended 2002: 44 complaints, Recommended 2003: 286 complaints, Avoid 2003 2004: 214 complaints, Caution 2005: 196 complaints, Caution 2006: 257 complaints, Avoid 2006 2007: 210 complaints, Caution 2008: 173 complaints, Caution 2009: 105 complaints, Recommended 2009 2010: 150 complaints, Recommended 2011: 225 complaints, Caution 2012: 365 complaints, Avoid 2012 2012 · 365
1991: 4 complaints, Not enough data 1991 1992: 10 complaints, Not enough data 1993: 20 complaints, Not enough data 1993 1994: 70 complaints, Recommended 1995: 108 complaints, Recommended 1995 1996: 124 complaints, Recommended 1997: 125 complaints, Recommended 1997 1998: 105 complaints, Recommended 1999: 104 complaints, Recommended 1999 2000: 58 complaints, Recommended 2001: 130 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 44 complaints, Recommended 2003: 286 complaints, Avoid 2003 2004: 214 complaints, Caution 2005: 196 complaints, Caution 2005 2006: 257 complaints, Avoid 2007: 210 complaints, Caution 2007 2008: 173 complaints, Caution 2009: 105 complaints, Recommended 2009 2010: 150 complaints, Recommended 2011: 225 complaints, Caution 2012: 365 complaints, Avoid 2012 2012 · 365
1991: 4 complaints, Not enough data 1991 1992: 10 complaints, Not enough data 1992 1993: 20 complaints, Not enough data 1993 1994: 70 complaints, Recommended 1994 1995: 108 complaints, Recommended 1995 1996: 124 complaints, Recommended 1996 1997: 125 complaints, Recommended 1997 1998: 105 complaints, Recommended 1998 1999: 104 complaints, Recommended 1999 2000: 58 complaints, Recommended 2000 2001: 130 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 44 complaints, Recommended 2002 2003: 286 complaints, Avoid 2003 2004: 214 complaints, Caution 2004 2005: 196 complaints, Caution 2005 2006: 257 complaints, Avoid 2006 2007: 210 complaints, Caution 2007 2008: 173 complaints, Caution 2008 2009: 105 complaints, Recommended 2009 2010: 150 complaints, Recommended 2010 2011: 225 complaints, Caution 2011 2012: 365 complaints, Avoid 2012 2012 · 365
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2012 ■ Avoid 365 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2011 ◆ Caution 225 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2010 ● Recommended 150 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2009 ● Recommended 105 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2008 ◆ Caution 173 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2007 ◆ Caution 210 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2006 ■ Avoid 257 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2005 ◆ Caution 196 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2004 ◆ Caution 214 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2003 ■ Avoid 286 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2002 ▲ Recommended 44 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2001 ● Recommended 130 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2000 ▲ Recommended 58 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1999 ● Recommended 104 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1998 ● Recommended 105 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1997 ● Recommended 125 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1996 ● Recommended 124 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1995 ● Recommended 108 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1994 ▲ Recommended 70 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1993 ○ Not enough data 20 Only 20 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1992 ○ Not enough data 10 Only 10 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1991 ○ Not enough data 4 Only 4 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

37

recalls on file across every Dodge RAM 3500 model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Dodge models