What years of the Ram 1500 should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2019 Ram 1500 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 92, 77, 85, and 100 respectively and 16 to 29 recall campaigns each.

What is the best year for the Ram 1500?

The 2024 Ram 1500 is rated Best, with a complaint index of only 8 across 74 complaints and 6 recall campaigns. The 2009 model year is rated Good.

Does the 2019 Ram 1500 have a lot of recalls?

Yes. The 2019 Ram 1500 has 29 recall campaigns, the most of any year covered, including seat belt anchor and airbag defects.

What are the most common problems with the Ram 1500?

Across all model years, engine issues make up 26 percent of the 11,628 total complaints, followed by steering at 23 percent, electrical system at 21 percent, fuel system at 13 percent, transmission and powertrain at 12 percent, and brakes at 11 percent.

Is the 2018 Ram 1500 a good choice?

The 2018 Ram 1500 has a relatively low complaint index of 23, but its verdict is capped to Caution because it has 15 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.

Ram 1500 Best and Worst Years (2009–2025)

Avoid the 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2019 Ram 1500 model years, which carry the highest complaint indexes (92, 77, 85, and 100 out of the range) and 16–29 recall campaigns each. The 2024 model year is the Best pick with a complaint index of only 8, while 2009 is rated Good.

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

Avoid 2014 Avoid 2015 Avoid 2016 Avoid 2019 Best 2024

Model years: 14; 2009–2025
NHTSA complaints: 11,628
Recall campaigns: 93
Crashes reported: 620
Fires reported: 185
Top problem area: Engine

1500 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

Ram 1500 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2009	Good	0	37	0	0	2	Transmission & Powertrain	—	—
2013	Caution	46	1,276	72	10	11	Steering	17	4★
2014	Avoid	92	1,766	98	24	16	Steering	19	4★
2015	Avoid	77	1,448	79	58	17	Engine	19.5	4★
2016	Avoid	85	1,541	90	36	16	Engine	19.5	4★
2017	Caution	62	878	80	16	13	Engine	19	4★
2018	Caution	23	661	25	8	15	Engine	19	4★
2019	Avoid	100	1,477	76	11	29	Electrical System	19	5★
2020	Caution	31	628	24	6	14	Engine	19	5★
2021	Caution	54	678	27	4	15 !	Engine	19	5★
2022	Caution	38	612	23	6	16	Engine	20	—
2023	Caution	15	201	10	1	11	Electrical System	19	—
2024	Best	8	74	7	2	6	Electrical System	19.5	—
2025	Caution	69	351	9	3	8	Electrical System	21	—

1500 years to avoid: what went wrong

2019 Ram 1500 Index 100 · 1,477 complaints · 29 recalls

The 2019 Ram 1500 has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, with 1,477 complaints and 29 recall campaigns, the most of any year. Electrical system complaints lead at 26 percent, occurring at a low median mileage of 16,700, alongside steering complaints at 23 percent and engine issues at 20 percent. Owners report steering wheels that would not turn after low-speed impacts and airbags that failed to deploy in crashes. Recalls include seat belt anchor defects, airbag inflator ruptures, and improperly connected driver's side airbags.

2019 electrical system problems →2019 steering problems →2019 engine problems →

2014 Ram 1500 Index 92 · 1,766 complaints · 16 recalls

The 2014 Ram 1500 has a complaint index of 92, the second-highest of any year, with 1,766 total complaints and 16 recall campaigns. Steering problems dominate, making up 28 percent of complaints at a median mileage of 83,000, including reports of steering locking up or losing power assist. Engine issues follow at 23 percent, with owners describing stalling and smoke from the tailpipes. Fuel system complaints, tied to 3.0L diesel high-pressure fuel pump failures, and electrical system issues round out the top concerns. NHTSA recalls cover crankshaft position sensor and fuel pump defects on diesel-equipped trucks.

2014 steering problems →2014 engine problems →2014 fuel system problems →

2016 Ram 1500 Index 85 · 1,541 complaints · 16 recalls

The 2016 Ram 1500 carries a complaint index of 85 from 1,541 complaints and 16 recall campaigns, with 5 reported deaths and 36 fires. Engine issues top the list at 28 percent of complaints with a median failure mileage of 62,000, including engine fires reported both while driving and parked. Steering problems follow at 20 percent, and brakes and fuel system issues each account for 18 percent. Owners also report airbags failing to deploy in crashes. Recalls cover side curtain airbag inflator ruptures and diesel engine sensor defects.

2016 engine problems →2016 steering problems →2016 brakes problems →

2015 Ram 1500 Index 77 · 1,448 complaints · 17 recalls

The 2015 Ram 1500 posts a complaint index of 77 across 1,448 complaints and 17 recall campaigns, including four reported deaths. Engine problems lead at 31 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 71,600, including stalling and engine fires. Steering complaints follow at 24 percent, with owners reporting front axle detachment and loss of control. Fuel system and transmission complaints round out the pattern. Recalls address diesel fuel pump failures and side airbag inflator issues.

2015 engine problems →2015 steering problems →2015 fuel system problems →

Most common Ram 1500 problems (all years)

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

Engine3,063 (26%)
Steering2,640 (23%)
Electrical System2,439 (21%)
Fuel System1,511 (13%)
Transmission & Powertrain1,425 (12%)
Brakes1,298 (11%)
Other1,249 (11%)
Airbags565 (5%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires560 (5%)
Structure & Body499 (4%)

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 Ram 1500 should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2019 Ram 1500 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 92, 77, 85, and 100 respectively and 16 to 29 recall campaigns each.
What is the best year for the Ram 1500?: The 2024 Ram 1500 is rated Best, with a complaint index of only 8 across 74 complaints and 6 recall campaigns. The 2009 model year is rated Good.
Does the 2019 Ram 1500 have a lot of recalls?: Yes. The 2019 Ram 1500 has 29 recall campaigns, the most of any year covered, including seat belt anchor and airbag defects.
What are the most common problems with the Ram 1500?: Across all model years, engine issues make up 26 percent of the 11,628 total complaints, followed by steering at 23 percent, electrical system at 21 percent, fuel system at 13 percent, transmission and powertrain at 12 percent, and brakes at 11 percent.
Is the 2018 Ram 1500 a good choice?: The 2018 Ram 1500 has a relatively low complaint index of 23, but its verdict is capped to Caution because it has 15 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.