What years of the Dodge Ram 5500 should I avoid?

NHTSA complaint data flags 2009 and 2012 as Avoid years, with complaint index scores of 75 and 100, the two highest among the 5 model years covered.

Is there a best year for the Dodge Ram 5500?

No. Every model year from 2008 to 2012 is capped by recall campaigns, so none reaches a Good or Best verdict. 2008 and 2011 are the lowest-risk years, both rated Caution.

What is the most common problem on the Dodge Ram 5500?

Steering is the top problem area across all years, accounting for 53 of 89 total complaints, a 60% share, largely tied to tie rod assembly failures.

Does the 2012 Dodge Ram 5500 have a fire risk?

NHTSA lists 4 fires reported for 2012, more than any other year, with some tied to a recall for the diesel fuel heater electrical connector and electrical system complaints about the TIPM smoking.

Why is the 2011 Ram 5500 only rated Caution instead of Good?

2011 has a complaint index of 50 and 4 recall campaigns, which caps it below Good even though it has no Do Not Drive recalls.

Dodge Ram 5500 Best and Worst Years (2008–2012)

Avoid the 2009 and 2012 Dodge Ram 5500, which score highest on complaint index (75 and 100) and both carry Avoid verdicts. No year earns a Good or Best rating because every year is capped by recall campaigns; 2008 and 2011 are the lowest-risk choices available, both rated Caution.

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

Avoid 2009 Avoid 2012Lowest-risk years:Caution 2008 Caution 2011

Model years: 5; 2008–2012
NHTSA complaints: 89
Recall campaigns: 12
Crashes reported: 2
Fires reported: 9
Top problem area: Steering

Ram 5500 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 5500 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2008	Caution	25	19	0	2	3 !	Steering	—	—
2009	Avoid	75	7	1	1	3 !	Steering	—	—
2010	No verdict	0	0	0	0	1 !	—	—	—
2011	Caution	50	23	1	2	4	Steering	—	—
2012	Avoid	100	40	0	4	9	Steering	—	—

Ram 5500 years to avoid: what went wrong

2012 Dodge Ram 5500 Index 100 · 40 complaints · 9 recalls

The 2012 Ram 5500 has the highest complaint index of all years (100) and ranks worst overall. Steering issues account for 53% of complaints, with owners reporting wandering or unstable steering at highway speed and median failure mileage near 34,814. Electrical system complaints (18% share) describe the TIPM smoking or catching fire at low mileage. This year carries nine recall campaigns, including one tied to a diesel fuel heater electrical connector fire and one for lug nut torque specifications. Four fires were reported.

2012 steering problems →

2009 Dodge Ram 5500 Index 75 · 7 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2009 Ram 5500 has a complaint index of 75 out of 5 model years and ranks 2nd worst. Steering complaints dominate, making up 71% of reports, mostly tie rod failures. Owners describe the front driver-side tie rod fracturing at low speed, sometimes after a prior dealer repair for the same issue, with median failure mileage around 54,424. The truck carries three recall campaigns, two of them Do Not Drive, tied to airbags and the tie rod assembly. One fire and one crash were reported for this year.

Most common Dodge Ram 5500 problems (all years)

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

Steering53 (60%)
Electrical System12 (13%)
Engine12 (13%)
Transmission & Powertrain10 (11%)
Fuel System9 (10%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (8%)
Airbags4 (4%)
Other4 (4%)
Structure & Body2 (2%)
Visibility & Wipers1 (1%)

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 5500 should I avoid?: NHTSA complaint data flags 2009 and 2012 as Avoid years, with complaint index scores of 75 and 100, the two highest among the 5 model years covered.
Is there a best year for the Dodge Ram 5500?: No. Every model year from 2008 to 2012 is capped by recall campaigns, so none reaches a Good or Best verdict. 2008 and 2011 are the lowest-risk years, both rated Caution.
What is the most common problem on the Dodge Ram 5500?: Steering is the top problem area across all years, accounting for 53 of 89 total complaints, a 60% share, largely tied to tie rod assembly failures.
Does the 2012 Dodge Ram 5500 have a fire risk?: NHTSA lists 4 fires reported for 2012, more than any other year, with some tied to a recall for the diesel fuel heater electrical connector and electrical system complaints about the TIPM smoking.
Why is the 2011 Ram 5500 only rated Caution instead of Good?: 2011 has a complaint index of 50 and 4 recall campaigns, which caps it below Good even though it has no Do Not Drive recalls.