Dodge RAM Van Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 215 consumer complaints across the 10 model years of the Dodge RAM Van (1994–2003) that have at least 5 complaints. 1999 has the most, with 47. Across all years, the part named most often is electrical system (40 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst RAM Van years →
All RAM Van 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 | 16 | 50,000 | 0 | 19 | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 14 | 56,030 | 1 | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 33 | 60,000 | 1 | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 29 | 49,000 | 0 | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 47 | 71,000 | 0 | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 22 | 111,374 | 1 | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 16 | 95,000 | 0 | 10 | — | Stable |
| 1996 | 18 | 31,365 | 0 | 9 | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 14 | 144,000 | 0 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 1994 | 6 | — | 0 | 2 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Electrical system40 21%
- Body and structure26 13%
- Brakes26 13%
- Steering25 13%
- Transmission and drivetrain23 12%
- Suspension21 11%
- Engine cooling17 8.8%
- Tires16 8.2%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2000: “Year 2000 Dodge Ram Van driver side front brake line rubs on chassis and eventually ruptures under hard stopping condition. Has happened to two yr 2000 Dodge ram vans in our fleet, one a 1500 model, one a 2500 model. Interesting the replacement brake lines we purchased had a different bend to clear the chassis but no recall has been issued.”
NHTSA complaint #10329084, filed 2010-05, 140,000 miles2001: “I have found multiple recalls on the same make, model, year that address issues all affecting my vehicle yet they do not show on a VIN search of open recalls. Most of these recalls affect brakes both in increased longevity in stopping and leaking at the rear axle, headlights in terms of federal standards on luminosity, tire size concerning load size ( have had more then six blowouts in 15,000 miles), air bags disabling due to sound dampener and the corresponding lights on the dashboard lighting ineffectually due to these issues.”
NHTSA complaint #10821810, filed 2016-01, 100,000 miles2002: “Total loss of steering due to severe frame rot, which LED to the detachment of the steering mounts on the passenger side. Luckily it happened at a slow speed, at that point had to be towed. Had just exited highway at speeds of 65 MPH. I informed Dodge of this problem approximately 6 months ago, basically they don't care. Vehicle is only 8 years old. If it is happening to my van it is happening to all vans. Action needs to be taken quickly in order to save lives.”
NHTSA complaint #10397262, filed 2011-04, 140,000 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