2007 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about two broad groups of problems: front-end and steering complaints (loose or worn tie rods and ball joints, vibration and shaking at highway speed, pulling to one side) and electrical faults, including the multi-function switch behind turn signals and wipers, and the integrated power module (TIPM) affecting starting, lighting and fuel-pump relay operation. The largest single complaint category is the airbag inflator recall, where most reports are about waiting for parts rather than a new failure; the rest of the reports cluster between roughly 30,000 and 130,000 miles, with steering and suspension symptoms usually showing up earlier and engine, fuel-system and ignition complaints later.

1. 1
   Steering

   Front-end shake, vibration and steering wander

   • 65 complaints (13%)
   • median 57,400 mi at 5.5 yrs old (58 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,800 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2023

   Complaints describe violent steering-wheel shaking after hitting a bump or bridge joint at highway speed, truck pulling hard to one side, and wandering that follows lane lines. Several owners report repeated alignments, new tires, and replacement of tie rod ends, ball joints, hubs and steering gear with the symptom returning; dealers in some reports said nothing was wrong or that the truck drove as designed. Spread across the sample from very low miles up to about 100,000, with most reports between roughly 30,000 and 80,000 miles, often at highway speeds and after bumps or expansion joints.

   Recall 13V5280004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive it at highway speed over expansion joints and check for shake or wander, and have a shop inspect tie rod ends, ball joints and the drag link. Ask whether recall 13V528000 (left tie rod) applies to the VIN and whether it was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought the truck 10/29/10 with 22 k miles on it and have 29950k now. I have had to replace the whole front end, rack and pinion steering system tie rod ends, leaky back window, third brake light, balance and rotate tires 3 times, rail dust, new carpet, leaky third light, new rotors and brakes at 24k, air cleaner, wipers. I questioned the front end when I bought it and was told it as just tires out of balance. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10340834, filed 2010-06, 22,000 miles

   “During normal driving conditions on the interstate 64 in richmond va, I experienced the so called death wobble after going over a bridge expansion joint. The front of my truck began to vibrate and shake uncontrollably. It stopped once the vehicle slowed to approx. 45 MPH.”

   NHTSA complaint #10544727, filed 2013-09, 49,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Stalling, hard starting and no-crank (TIPM / ignition)

   • 61 complaints (12%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 8.5 yrs old (59 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2024

   Owners describe the engine shutting off while driving with loss of power steering, long cranking before start, a key that will not turn in the ignition, and headlights flickering. Reports point to the integrated power module (TIPM) or a failed fuel-pump relay, and to ignition switch or interlock problems; dealers in several reports replaced the TIPM at owner expense, and one owner was told the exact recall remedy applied even though the VIN was not listed. Scattered from about 30,000 to over 200,000 miles, with several reports in the 80,000 to 130,000 mile range.

   Recall 14V7950002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Start the truck several times cold and hot, confirm the key turns freely, and check that headlights and interior lamps behave; ask whether the TIPM or fuel-pump relay has been replaced, and whether recall 14V795000 (manual-transmission clutch interlock switch) applies and is done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Hello I have a 2007 Dodge RAM 1500 and as I was driving my keys fell out of the ignition switch & also a few times my radio would stay on didn't know so my battery would die but wats weird is I don't even have to turn the keys all the way to start posting to start the truck .....jenna”

   NHTSA complaint #11311996, filed 2020-02, 212,000 miles

   “I received a frantic phone call from my son stating his truck died in the middle of the road. At this time he couldn't start the vehicle and the area was pitch black and he was on a blind curve. My 17 year old son was driving home at approx. 10:00 p.m. On the winding, dark, mountain roads of our community. He was driving his 2007 Dodge ram hemi 5.7 litre pickup. This pickup has very few miles on it for it's year. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10451887, filed 2012-03, 83,517 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light and inflator recall parts

   • 163 complaints (32%)
   • median 86,500 mi at 8.4 yrs old (40 state mileage)
   • 26 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2024

   The bulk of airbag complaints are about the Takata inflator recalls: owners describe waiting months for replacement parts, inconsistent dealer communication, and in a few reports airbags that did not deploy in a collision. Smaller numbers describe the airbag warning light coming on and dealers asking to diagnose before saying more. Reported across a wide mileage span, from near-new vehicles up to about 200,000 miles, and the recall-related reports concentrate in 2015 through 2019 filings.

   Recall 16V352000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 15V313000 · DO NOT DRIVE

   What to check: Check the VIN against both inflator recalls (16V352000 and 15V313000) and confirm the work was completed, and make sure the airbag warning light goes out after start-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall:still waiting for a replacement part for a recall that was started july 1st. I love several miles from a dealership and don't have a lot of time to make several trips to get recalls fixed on my truck. Both airbags have been recalled for this truck (r25/s43) but only r25 has the parts available. When will these parts be available??”

   NHTSA complaint #10919933, filed 2016-10, 122,000 miles

   “They are still trying to fix my new truck I bought it 8/10/07 on the 8/15/07 I brought it back electricity problem on the 8/22/07 they order parts for it it is in the shop now the airbag light came on and would not go out the manual said my air bags would not work I want a new truck I am paying 42000 for this trunck that I am afraid of electricity pooblem is not good this is a 2007 Dodge can you help me the dealer is rick keffer out of yulee,fl.”

   NHTSA complaint #10201133, filed 2007-08, 30 miles
4. 4
   Exterior lighting

   Turn signals or wipers work incorrectly (multi-function

   • 47 complaints (9%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (43 state mileage)
   • filed 2008–2024

   Owners report that selecting one direction makes the opposite turn signal flash, that signals or hazard flashers stop working, and that the same stalk-mounted switch also makes windshield wipers run or fail. Complaints describe the switch being replaced and the problem returning, and some dealers called it a common failure while others could not duplicate it. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 130,000 miles in this sample, though a few owners describe it from near-new mileage.

   What to check: Test both turn signals and hazard flashers, and run the wipers at each speed and interval setting, before buying; ask whether the multi-function switch has been replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2007 Dodge RAM 1500 quad cab. I bought this vehicle approx. July 2011 and since I can remember, the vehicle has done the same thing. The problem is in the multi switch( windshield wipers, and turn signals). When I flip the turn signal down the right blinker will come on. This happens about 50% of the time when engaging that switch. In this same switch is the windshield wipers. This is also affected sometimes by not engaging them or not running correctly. This has caused me many problems and am worried it could result in a wreck.”

   NHTSA complaint #10459050, filed 2012-05, 75,000 miles

   “Vehicle was experiencing turn signal recurring failures. While driving at any speed the turn signals either would not function or the opposite turn signal from intended signal would illuminate. Service writer suggested to replace multi-function switch to correct problem, his comment was that this is a common failure. Ultimately the multi-function switch was replaced with no other issue identified as the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10422010, filed 2011-08, 43,957 miles
5. 5
   Fuel system

   Fuel spills or spit-back while refueling

   • 35 complaints (7%)
   • median 90,450 mi at 9.5 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • filed 2007–2024

   Complaints describe fuel spilling on the ground or spraying back out of the filler neck during refueling, a fuel smell, and check-engine or gas-cap warnings. Owners report clogged or broken tank vents, a faulty inlet check valve in the tank, a pinholed tank, and a rusted tank strap; dealers in these reports quoted several hundred to several thousand dollars for a new tank, and some owners said the VIN was not covered by a recall. Mostly reported above roughly 75,000 miles and up to about 300,000 miles, at fill-ups and sometimes while parked.

   What to check: Fill the tank near full and watch for spill-back or a strong fuel smell, and inspect the tank, its vent line and the tank strap for corrosion or cracking.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The fuel emissions vent broke off of fuel tank. I can not fill my tank cause gas will spill all over the ground. Engine light comes on and gascap on mileage display. Dodge told me $800 for a new tank. Said that it should not have broke off and it looked as if it has been that way for a while.”

   NHTSA complaint #10533765, filed 2013-08, 76,000 miles

   “I own a 2007 RAM 1500 that spits fuel back out and is not safe to the person filling it. It also creates a hazard with fuel on the ground. Dodge claims it was resolved in 2016 when I first had the problem. They are now unwilling to resolve their own repair for the same problem. Fuel 'spit-back' through the filler neck has been a longstanding problem in several chrysler, Dodge and jeep models, caused by the inlet check valve (icv) mounted in the fuel tank. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11171928, filed 2019-01, 130,500 miles

Buying note. Spend the test drive on the front end and electrical behavior: highway-speed shake, steering wander, turn signals, wipers and cold starts are the things owners write about most. Ask for proof that the airbag inflator recalls were completed and check fuel filling for spill-back before deciding.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.