Dodge RAM Pickup Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 145 consumer complaints across the 9 model years of the Dodge RAM Pickup (1995–2003) that have at least 5 complaints. 1999 has the most, with 33. Across all years, the part named most often is body and structure (41 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All RAM Pickup 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 14 | 16,000 | 0 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 22 | 49,500 | 1 | 4 | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 20 | 44,000 | 0 | 1 | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 8 | 67,000 | 0 | 2 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 33 | 67,500 | 0 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 18 | 122,500 | 0 | 1 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 17 | 45,004 | 0 | 1 | — | Stable |
| 1996 | 6 | 10,500 | 0 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 7 | 132,000 | 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.
- Body and structure41 32%
- Transmission and drivetrain19 15%
- Brakes17 13%
- Air bags16 12%
- Electrical system11 8.5%
- Other or unknown9 7.0%
- Engine cooling9 7.0%
- Vehicle speed control7 5.4%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2001: “My dashboard began to crack about a year ago so I purchased an aftermarket cover. It did not stop the cracking and now the top of the dash has shattered and in danger of collapsing. My concern is there are multiple sharp and pointed pieces of plastic that could cause a serious if not fatal injury in a crash, particularly if the airbag deploys.”
NHTSA complaint #10457552, filed 2012-05, 83,000 miles1998: “I was driving on the road after driving up and down the steep hill,when I heard pop, and look at my rear view mirror and my truck was on fire mostly around the left hand rear tire and around right behind the driver's side. I drove to the side of the road and got, than I call the police and fire dept. For assistant/help.”
NHTSA complaint #10242096, filed 2008-09, 160,000 miles1999: “My 99 Dodge Ram Pickup has less than 70,000 miles and while driving it today a brake line ruptured, upon looking at the line, it appears to be of steel and is a mass of rust. Luckily no accident resulted, but I wonder if this has been a problem and if there is a safety recall, or should be. Thanks, dick carleton.”
NHTSA complaint #10243811, filed 2008-09, 70,000 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