What years of the Dodge Ram 2500 should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, 2005 and 2006 are the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 86 and 100, the two highest across the 2005-2012 range. Steering is the top reported problem area in both years.

What is the best year for the Dodge Ram 2500?

2010 and 2011 are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 0 and 14, the lowest in the lineup. 2012 is rated Good with a complaint index of 29.

Why is 2009 only rated Caution instead of Good?

The 2009 model year has a complaint index of 43, but its verdict is capped at Caution because it has a Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall on file, despite the relatively low complaint count.

What is the most common problem area across all Dodge Ram 2500 years?

Steering is the top problem area overall, accounting for 1,384 complaints, or 49% of all complaints across the 2005-2012 Ram 2500 model years.

Does the 2005-2006 Dodge Ram 2500 have airbag recalls?

Yes. Both years are covered by Do Not Drive recalls for airbag inflators, including campaigns 16V352000 and 15V313000, in addition to other recall campaigns for each year.

Dodge Ram 2500 Best and Worst Years (2005–2012)

2005 and 2006 are the Dodge Ram 2500 years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 86 and 100, the highest in the lineup, driven mostly by steering complaints. 2010 and 2011 are rated Best with complaint indexes of 0 and 14, and 2012 is Good at 29.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2005 Avoid 2006 Best 2010 Best 2011

Model years: 8; 2005–2012
NHTSA complaints: 2,801
Recall campaigns: 16
Crashes reported: 133
Fires reported: 55
Top problem area: Steering

Ram 2500 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Dodge Ram 2500 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Avoid	86	422	44	8	6 !	Steering	—	—
2006	Avoid	100	670	35	4	6 !	Steering	—	—
2007	Caution	71	361	20	9	8 !	Steering	—	—
2008	Caution	57	317	12	8	7 !	Steering	—	—
2009	Caution	43	214	6	3	5 !	Steering	—	—
2010	Best	0	236	5	4	4	Steering	—	—
2011	Best	14	298	3	7	4	Steering	—	—
2012	Good	29	283	8	12	4	Steering	—	—

Ram 2500 years to avoid: what went wrong

2006 Dodge Ram 2500 Index 100 · 670 complaints · 6 recalls

The 2006 Ram 2500 has the highest complaint index in the model lineup, at 100, and ranks worst overall. Steering makes up 34% of complaints and electrical system issues another 28%, with median mileage near 70,000 for electrical failures and 89,000 for steering. NHTSA lists 6 recalls, including the same 2 Do Not Drive airbag inflator campaigns affecting the 2005 model. Owners report vehicles unexpectedly shifting out of park, airbags not deploying during crashes, and throttle bodies sticking in cold weather.

2006 steering problems →2006 electrical system problems →2006 suspension, wheels & tires problems →

2005 Dodge Ram 2500 Index 86 · 422 complaints · 6 recalls

The 2005 Ram 2500 carries a complaint index of 86, the second-worst in the lineup. Steering accounts for 36% of complaints, followed by suspension, wheels and tires at 19% and airbags at 18%. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this year, including 2 Do Not Drive campaigns tied to airbag inflators. Owners report airbags failing to deploy in crashes and transmissions unexpectedly shifting out of park. Median mileage at failure for steering problems runs around 95,925 miles, while transmission issues showed up much earlier, near 25,000 miles.

2005 steering problems →2005 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2005 airbags problems →

Most common Dodge Ram 2500 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Steering1,384 (49%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires491 (18%)
Electrical System396 (14%)
Engine275 (10%)
Airbags259 (9%)
Transmission & Powertrain207 (7%)
Fuel System135 (5%)
Brakes93 (3%)
Other92 (3%)
Visibility & Wipers91 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Dodge Ram 2500 should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, 2005 and 2006 are the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 86 and 100, the two highest across the 2005-2012 range. Steering is the top reported problem area in both years.
What is the best year for the Dodge Ram 2500?: 2010 and 2011 are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 0 and 14, the lowest in the lineup. 2012 is rated Good with a complaint index of 29.
Why is 2009 only rated Caution instead of Good?: The 2009 model year has a complaint index of 43, but its verdict is capped at Caution because it has a Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall on file, despite the relatively low complaint count.
What is the most common problem area across all Dodge Ram 2500 years?: Steering is the top problem area overall, accounting for 1,384 complaints, or 49% of all complaints across the 2005-2012 Ram 2500 model years.
Does the 2005-2006 Dodge Ram 2500 have airbag recalls?: Yes. Both years are covered by Do Not Drive recalls for airbag inflators, including campaigns 16V352000 and 15V313000, in addition to other recall campaigns for each year.