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2014 Ram 4500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 8 owner complaints about the 2014 Ram 4500, most often about the engine. It is covered by 9 safety recalls, and for recall 17V-824 the manufacturer reports only 44% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls9Lowest repair rate 44%Owner complaints81 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage64kEngine, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 27, 2021. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2014 Ram 4500 has problems

8 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
Engine51
Electrical system10
Fuel/propulsion system11
Steering10
Suspension10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

9 recalls

2014 Ram 4500 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

75%repaired · 2019 Q4

Electrical system: software

Recall 18V-332 · May 17, 2018 · 4,815,661 vehicles · 3,629,629 repaired

Risk. If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

44%repaired · 2019 Q2

Equipment

Recall 17V-824 · Dec 21, 2017 · 61,791 vehicles · 27,012 repaired

Risk. If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

58%repaired · 2019 Q4

Lever and linkage: column shift

Recall 17V-821 · Dec 20, 2017 · 1,482,874 vehicles · 860,137 repaired

Risk. Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 5 more recalls
80%repaired · 2019 Q4

Engine: diesel

Recall 17V-562 · Sep 12, 2017 · 443,874 vehicles · 355,950 repaired

Risk. The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

99%repaired · 2017 Q1

Electrical: radio/tape deck/cd etc.

Recall 15V-461 · Jul 23, 2015 · 1,416,903 vehicles · 1,397,612 repaired

Risk. Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

75%repaired · 2016 Q4

Air bags: frontal

Recall 15V-459 · Jul 22, 2015 · 1,059,444 vehicles · 789,522 repaired

Risk. This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

83%repaired · 2016 Q3

Tires

Recall 15V-290 · May 18, 2015 · 1,771 vehicles · 1,467 repaired

Risk. If the vehicle exceeds the tires' maximum speed rating, the tires may suddenly fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

71%repaired · 2016 Q3

Engine: diesel

Recall 14V-635 · Oct 8, 2014 · 315,325 vehicles · 223,744 repaired

Risk. If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ram.

Best & worst years

2014 vs. every other 4500 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 4500 median. How we score

'08'09'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2014 Ram 4500, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Software security vulnerabilityRQ15004 · closed Jan 5, 2016
    Led to recall 15V-508
  2. Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) FailureRQ25003 · still open
    Open
In owners' words

What 4500 owners report

Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 RAM 4500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE SITTING IN HIS WORK PARKING LOT. DUE TO THE PROXIMITY TO THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE PARKED IN FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE ALSO CAUGHT FIRE. A BYSTANDER HAD CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO THEN…
Complaint 11415786 · May 10, 2021 · 125,000 miles
MY OIL PAN IT RUSTING OUT FAST. NOTHING ON THE WHOLE TRUCK IS RUSTED AT ALL, ONLY MINOR SURFACE RUST. THE OIL PAN IS RUSTING VERY FAST AND THE TRUCK IS NOW LEAKING OIL. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO GOODBROTHERS DODGE AND THEY QUOTED ME THE REPAIRS TO BE AROUND 1200.00. I DROPPED THE TRUCK OFF AND THE…
Complaint 11268100 · Oct 12, 2019 · 50,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 RAM 4500. WHILE THE CONTACT'S EMPLOYEE WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHUT OFF. THE DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MCPEEK'S CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF ANAHEIM (LOCATED AT 1221 S AUTO CENTER…
Complaint 11256913 · Sep 20, 2019 · 93,881 miles

Own a 2014 4500?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.