Dodge RAM 3500 reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 741 complaints about the Dodge RAM 3500 with NHTSA since 2010, most often about steering and suspension. Dodge has filed 1 warranty extension and 3 service campaigns for it, and there are 13 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Dodge RAM 3500? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the RAM 3500 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
- 741
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 1
- Filed by Dodge
- Service campaigns
- 3
- Filed by Dodge
- Safety recalls
- 13
- 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 3500 with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 366 | Steering (61%) | 8 | 0 |
| 2011 | 225 | Steering (73%) | 5 | 1 |
| 2010 | 150 | Steering (61%) | 9 | 4 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single RAM 3500 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 3500, in its own words. A warranty extension means Dodge pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2013· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2011
Fluid Leak From Washer Reservoir (X44 Warranty Extension 5 Years/100,000 Miles (160,000 KMS)) This bulletin involves inspecting and/or replacing the washer reservoir.
- 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 campaignFeb 2011· Engine and cooling· model years 2010
Malfunction light is on due to a software error in the emissions system. 2010 Ram.
- 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 3500 model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Steering478 (65%)
- Suspension87 (12%)
- Electrical system79 (11%)
- Engine73 (10%)
- Fuel and propulsion50 (7%)
- Transmission and drivetrain45 (6%)
- Brakes16 (2%)
- Wheels15 (2%)
Safety recalls
13 recalls cover at least one RAM 3500 model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge…
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 are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.
Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and…
The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring.
In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
The left tie rod assembly may break.
Due to a loose snap ring inside the transmission, there may be a loss of power transfer through the transmission to the wheels.
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Dodge ram 2500/3500 4X4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; model year 2008-2011 Dodge ram 3500 cab chassis 4X2, manufactured from february…
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- EA21002Engineering analysis· opened Sep 2021, still open· Airbags· model years 2010
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
- 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 3500 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 3500 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: 741 owner complaints, 1 warranty extension and 3 service campaigns Dodge filed, and 13 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2012 (366), 2011 (225), 2010 (150). 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 3500?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name steering (65%), suspension (12%), electrical system (11%). Dodge has filed 1 warranty extension covering the RAM 3500, listed on this page.
Which RAM 3500 model years have the most complaints?
2012 (366), 2011 (225), 2010 (150). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the RAM 3500 with each other rather than with other models.
Has Dodge extended the warranty on the RAM 3500?
Yes: equipment and accessories (model years 2010–2011). A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a RAM 3500?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 13 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.