Dodge RAM 1500 reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 1,873 complaints about the Dodge RAM 1500 with NHTSA since 2010, most often about transmission and drivetrain and electrical system. Dodge has filed 2 warranty extensions and 3 service campaigns for it, and there are 8 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Dodge RAM 1500? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the RAM 1500 a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 1,873
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 2
- Filed by Dodge
- Service campaigns
- 3
- Filed by Dodge
- Safety recalls
- 8
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the RAM 1500 with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | Steering (100%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 697 | Electrical system (25%) | 6 | 2 |
| 2011 | 689 | Electrical system (31%) | 4 | 0 |
| 2010 | 486 | Transmission and drivetrain (47%) | 4 | 3 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single RAM 1500 model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Dodge
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Dodge filed with NHTSA for the RAM 1500, in its own words. A warranty extension means Dodge pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionJul 2016· Engine and cooling· model years 2012
Engine Surge Or Hard Start (X63 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves replacing the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve, if code P0404 is set.
- Warranty extensionJun 2016· Engine and cooling· model years 2012
(X63) exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve - 2012 - 2013 Ram pickup (ds) to announce an extended warranty for the EGR valve on the following select vehicles: 2012-2013 Ram 1500 equipped with a 4.7L V8 engind (sales code eve)
- Service campaignApr 2011· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010
HVAC software are causing actuator gears to make noise and break. This could make the HVAC controls inoperable. 2010 Ram.
- Service campaignOct 2010· Body and structure· model years 2010
Mopar chrome front bumper corrosion. The mopar replacement chrome front bumper on certain vehicles may experience a corrosion condition on the chrome surface of the bumper. The front bumper must be replaced on all involved vehicles. Csc letter was received.
- Service campaignSep 2010· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010
Reprogram HVAC control head and inspect/replace actuators. The HVAC mode door actuator gears on vehicles may break and result in the inability to fully control the HVAC functions. Csc letter was rec'd.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every RAM 1500 model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Transmission and drivetrain497 (27%)
- Electrical system460 (25%)
- Engine375 (20%)
- Fuel and propulsion247 (13%)
- Other or unspecified141 (8%)
- Steering133 (7%)
- Airbags80 (4%)
- Suspension68 (4%)
Safety recalls
8 recalls cover at least one RAM 1500 model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Exposure to environmental conditions such as water mixed with road salt may cause the front fuel tank strap frame "T-Slot" bracket to corrode, possibly causing the fuel tank to drop and make contact with the ground.
A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf.
Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position.
The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring.
The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2010, Ram 1500 and Dodge Dakota trucks, manufactured from July 1, 2009, through November 30, 2009, because the rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to a lack of adhesive.
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 Ram 1500 trucks, manufactured from january 5, 2012 Through january 6, 2012.
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from september 2009 Through december 2010.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- EA19001Engineering analysis· opened Apr 2019, closed Sep 2024· Airbags· model years 2010–2012
Electrical overstress
Led to recall 20V024.
NHTSA's own page for the 2015 Dodge RAM 1500 has the complaint text and every document.
Was the work actually done on the car you're looking at?
Model-year records can't tell you about one car. A Dodge service history check returns that vehicle's own dealer records by VIN.
Check a Dodge's service historyCommon questions
Is the Dodge RAM 1500 reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 1,873 owner complaints, 2 warranty extensions and 3 service campaigns Dodge filed, and 8 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2012 (697), 2011 (689), 2010 (486). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Dodge RAM 1500?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name transmission and drivetrain (27%), electrical system (25%), engine (20%). Dodge has filed 2 warranty extensions covering the RAM 1500, listed on this page.
Which RAM 1500 model years have the most complaints?
2012 (697), 2011 (689), 2010 (486). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the RAM 1500 with each other rather than with other models.
Has Dodge extended the warranty on the RAM 1500?
Yes: engine and cooling (model years 2012); engine and cooling (model years 2012). A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a RAM 1500?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 8 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.