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Dodge RAMYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 4,023 NHTSA owner complaints across 24 model years, the Dodge RAM years to avoid are 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001, and the strongest years are 1989, 2006, 2008 and 2010. The RAM has 63 safety recalls on record.

Dodge RAM
Years to avoid'94 '95 '96 '97 '98 '99 '00 '01Use caution: 2002Best years'89 '06 '08 '10Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints4,023Top: Service brakes, hydraulicSafety recalls631988–2011 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years. Photo: Kaz Andrew from Edmonton,Alberta, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0.

Best & worst years

Dodge RAM years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RAM median. Tap a year for its full report.

'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2011Not rated–/1000 complaints · 4 recalls2010Best68/10027 complaints · 5 recalls2009Not rated–/1009 complaints · 5 recalls2008Best71/10025 complaints · 2 recalls2007Not rated–/10017 complaints · 1 recall2006Best76/10025 complaints · 0 recalls2005Solid61/10040 complaints · 0 recalls2004Solid50/10058 complaints · 1 recall2003Solid54/10053 complaints · 2 recalls2002Caution34/100116 complaints · 2 recalls2001Avoid16/100318 complaints · 9 recalls2000Avoid25/100147 complaints · 6 recalls1999Avoid14/100366 complaints · 9 recalls1998Avoid11/100483 complaints · 13 recalls1997Avoid14/100398 complaints · 7 recalls1996Avoid9/100625 complaints · 10 recalls1995Avoid9/100611 complaints · 12 recalls1994Avoid12/100469 complaints · 18 recalls1993Solid57/10054 complaints · 0 recalls1992Solid54/10058 complaints · 1 recall1991Solid59/10051 complaints · 2 recalls1990Not rated–/10023 complaints · 0 recalls1989Best68/10028 complaints · 0 recalls1988Not rated–/10022 complaints · 0 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Dodge RAM problems

All model years combined: 4,023 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic79096
Power train66453
Steering37546
Electrical system36794
Engine and engine cooling35937
Air bags349282
Suspension34918
Vehicle speed control21731
Fuel system, gasoline20518
19 other systems1238119
63 recalls

Dodge RAM recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Linkages: tie rod assembly10V-657 · 2008–2011 · Dec 24, 2010 · 15,271 vehicles–Hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid10V-616 · 2010–2011 · Dec 7, 2010 · 62,166 vehicles–Steering: electric power assist system10V-475 · 2011 · Oct 7, 2010 · 23,237 vehicles–Other: labels10V-474 · 2011 · Oct 7, 2010 · 772 vehicles–Foundation components: master cylinder10V-315 · 2010 · Jul 7, 2010 · 20,626 vehicles–Ignition: module10V-200 · 2010 · May 11, 2010 · 37,335 vehicles–Service brakes, hydraulic10V-009 · 2009–2010 · Jan 11, 2010 · 20,045 vehicles–Appliance: air conditioner09V-158 · 2009 · May 8, 2009 · 36,793 vehicles–Windshield wiper/washer: motor09V-084 · 2008–2009 · Mar 13, 2009 · 65,896 vehicles–Clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)09V-078 · 2009 · Mar 10, 2009 · 504 vehicles–Driveline: driveshaft07V-413 · 2007 · Sep 12, 2007 · 1,498 vehicles–Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator04V-385 · 2004 · Aug 3, 2004 · 2,261 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 63 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

22 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the RAM

  1. Outer Tie Rod FailurePE11009 · 2008–2011 · closed Feb 6, 2012
    Led to recall 11V-350
  2. 2000-2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP HOOD LATCHPE08047 · 2000–2001 · closed Dec 17, 2008
    No recall
  3. ENGINE STALLEA05018 · 2004 · closed Aug 29, 2007
    No recall
  4. FALSE PARKEA04025 · 2003–2004 · closed Dec 22, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-462
  5. SEAT BACK FAILUREDP03006 · 1994–1997 · closed Apr 8, 2004
    No recall
  6. STEERING COLUMN SEPARATIONDP03002 · 1993–1995 · closed Jul 22, 2003
    No recall
  7. REAR AXLE FAILUREPE02096 · 2002 · closed May 15, 2003
    No recall
  8. HOOD LATCHRQ00012 · 1994–1997 · closed Apr 20, 2001
    Led to recall 01V-040
  9. STEERING COLUMN FIREDP00002 · 1994–1996 · closed Apr 24, 2000
    No recall
  10. STEERING COLUMN FIRESEA99027 · 1994–1996 · closed May 30, 2000
    Led to recall 00V-135