Dodge RAM 4500 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints across the 3 model years of the Dodge RAM 4500 (2008–2012) that have at least 5 complaints. 2011 has the most, with 14. Across all years, the part named most often is steering (24 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All RAM 4500 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 | 10 | 32,000 | 9 | 263 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 14 | 68,000 | 4 | 236 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 10 | 59,000 | 3 | 39 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Steering24 52%
- Suspension6 13%
- Transmission and drivetrain5 11%
- Brakes4 8.7%
- Fuel system3 6.5%
- Engine cooling2 4.3%
- Wheels1 2.2%
- Other or unknown1 2.2%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2008: “Driver was turning the truck around in our lumberyard with a partial load on the bed and the left steering tie rod ball stud sheared off causing a serious problem with control of the vehicle he was going less than 5 MPH. The original tie rod was replaced by Dodge in may 2011 we were under the impression the part replaced solved the shearing or fracturing problem with the steering.”
NHTSA complaint #10664504, filed 2014-12, 90,000 miles2012: “Left outer tie rod broke!!! Luckily only making a u turn when it happened. Recall is about a year old and still no parts available but chrysler we will take care of it and have the dealer install factory part that could break again but at least it will get you back on the road again and maybe it will last until we get the correct part.mind you this is a part that could break and cause loss of control of your vehicle and possibly kill someone. …”
NHTSA complaint #10678938, filed 2015-01, 77,953 miles2011: “Dodge has refused to replaced the critical part as indicated in the recall. I was notified by Dodge early in 2014 about the recall. Dealer said that replacement would be made in may 2014. When contacted in may dealer said the replacement would not be made until september 2014. Truck has a serious pull to the right side and shows extreme wear on the right front tire. Given the safety aspects of this recall I would like the replacement as soon as possible without the continual delays by Dodge.”
NHTSA complaint #10604262, filed 2014-06, 87,000 milesOther Dodge models
13,779 complaintsDodge Grand Caravan
13,511 complaintsDodge RAM 1500
12,422 complaintsDodge Caravan
10,523 complaintsDodge Dakota
6,626 complaintsDodge RAM 2500
6,443 complaintsDodge Intrepid
6,223 complaintsDodge Charger
5,732 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology