Dodge RAM 1500 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 12,422 consumer complaints across the 21 model years of the Dodge RAM 1500 (1991–2012) that have at least 5 complaints. 2005 has the most, with 1,173. Across all years, the part named most often is transmission and drivetrain (2,391 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst RAM 1500 years →
All RAM 1500 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 698 | 70,875 | 6 | 282 | 53 · Typical | Stable |
| 2011 | 689 | 75,557 | 4 | 250 | 55 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 488 | 64,600 | 4 | 218 | 34 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 670 | 67,074 | 2 | 40 | 24 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 554 | 65,000 | 5 | 55 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 517 | 69,250 | 4 | 68 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 792 | 61,110 | 9 | 51 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 1,173 | 86,000 | 4 | 37 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 1,099 | 70,992 | 5 | 35 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 1,171 | 70,000 | 1 | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 815 | 70,000 | 3 | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 1,112 | 70,000 | 2 | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 513 | 78,000 | 2 | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 610 | 85,000 | 0 | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 520 | 95,000 | 0 | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 361 | 99,000 | 0 | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 298 | 122,000 | 0 | 9 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 213 | 117,500 | 0 | 3 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 116 | 108,250 | 0 | 3 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1993 | 6 | 100,003 | 0 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 7 | — | 0 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Transmission and drivetrain2,391 21%
- Air bags2,217 20%
- Body and structure2,029 18%
- Electrical system1,400 12%
- Suspension865 7.7%
- Steering851 7.5%
- Brakes766 6.8%
- Other or unknown764 6.8%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2001: “Several times while I have been driving on a highway or busy road and the engine gets to normal operating temperature, the engine stalls and shuts off. Then I have to maneuver it to the side of the road and let it cool off approximately 15 minutes and then it cranks back up and I can drive 5 minutes and it does the same thing again, very dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #11406817, filed 2021-04, 198,000 miles2012: “My airbag light came on and stayed on and my horn or cruise control does not work. Not sure if I got in an accident that my air bag would actually deploy.. Thinking it is a clock spring issue.. Had a recall on my 2011 wrangler and same thing was happening to that vehicle also..this happened right after I started the vehicle after work today.”
NHTSA complaint #11389291, filed 2021-01, 98,000 miles2011: “My vehicle was in motion on the interstate. The cam shaft lifters fail, causing damage to the cam shaft. This is a very common problem. There is also an issue with the manifold bolts breaking off inside the engine. When I spoke with the Dodge dealer, he advised me that he does these repairs on a daily basis. It is a very common and well known issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11306958, filed 2020-02, 128,000 milesOther Dodge models
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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology