Ram 2500 Best and Worst Years (2013–2025)
Avoid the 2017, 2018, 2022, and 2024 Ram 2500 model years, based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. The 2018 has a complaint index of 100 (the highest of all years, 2,590 complaints, 90% brake-related), while 2013, 2021, and 2023 score lowest and are the best picks.
Avoid 2017Avoid 2018Avoid 2022Avoid 2024Best 2013Best 2021Best 2023
- Model years
- 13
- 2013–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 5,087
- Recall campaigns
- 61
- Crashes reported
- 137
- Fires reported
- 59
- Top problem area
- Brakes
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.
Ram 2500 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Best | 8 | 178 | 7 | 7 | 14 | Engine | — | — |
| 2014 | Caution | 67 | 341 | 13 | 4 | 14 | Engine | — | — |
| 2015 | Good | 33 | 214 | 13 | 3 | 13 | Engine | — | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 58 | 258 | 15 | 3 | 12 | Engine | — | 4★ |
| 2017 | Avoid | 92 | 693 | 12 | 6 | 11 | Brakes | — | 4★ |
| 2018 | Avoid | 100 | 2,590 | 38 | 5 | 9 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2019 | Good | 42 | 193 | 8 | 9 | 12 | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2020 | Good | 25 | 162 | 5 | 4 | 10 | Fuel System | — | 4★ |
| 2021 | Best | 17 | 108 | 6 | 8 | 8 | Electrical System | — | 4★ |
| 2022 | Avoid | 83 | 181 | 9 | 5 | 12 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2023 | Best | 0 | 48 | 4 | 1 | 8 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2024 | Avoid | 75 | 59 | 7 | 2 | 5 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2025 | Caution | 50 | 62 | 0 | 2 | 6 | Electrical System | — | — |
2500 years to avoid: what went wrong
2018 Ram 2500 Index 100 · 2,590 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2018 Ram 2500 ranks worst of all years covered, with a complaint index of 100 and 2,590 total complaints. Brakes account for 90% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 59,000. Electrical system and engine problems follow, with 478 and 380 complaints. NHTSA lists 9 recalls, including two separate curtain airbag inflator rupture campaigns and the brake hydraulic control unit recall shared with the 2017. Owners reported brake pedals going to the floor without stopping the truck and a diesel exhaust system that could limit speed to 5 mph on the highway.
2018 brakes problems →2018 electrical system problems →2018 engine problems →
2017 Ram 2500 Index 92 · 693 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2017 Ram 2500 has a complaint index of 92, the second-highest of any model year, with 693 total complaints. Brakes dominate, making up 74% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 60,000. Electrical system and engine issues follow, with median mileage around 49,000-51,000. NHTSA lists 11 recalls for this year, including a brake hydraulic control unit issue that can affect anti-lock braking and a curtain airbag inflator that may rupture. Owners also reported a transmission fire and a truck that jumped out of park unexpectedly.
2017 brakes problems →2017 electrical system problems →2017 engine problems →
2022 Ram 2500 Index 83 · 181 complaints · 12 recalls
The 2022 Ram 2500 carries a complaint index of 83, the third-highest of any year, from 181 complaints. Electrical system problems lead at 34% with a median failure mileage of 47,696, followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 28% with a much lower median of 9,900 miles. NHTSA lists 12 recalls, including a steering column control module that may prevent the driver's airbag from deploying and an ABS control module software issue that can disable stability control. Owners also reported spongy, inoperable brakes and unintended acceleration after a car wash.
2022 electrical system problems →2022 transmission & powertrain problems →2022 engine problems →
2024 Ram 2500 Index 75 · 59 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2024 Ram 2500 has a complaint index of 75 from 59 total complaints, ranking fourth-worst. Brakes lead problem areas at 25% with a median failure mileage of 15,000, followed by electrical system issues at 20% with a median of just 6,022 miles. NHTSA lists 5 recalls, including a central vision processing module issue affecting cameras and a powertrain control module software error that can let vehicle speed exceed tire ratings. Owners reported brake pedals that failed to stop the truck and an engine fire linked to a faulty heater grid.
Most common Ram 2500 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Brakes3,024 (59%)
- Electrical System976 (19%)
- Engine939 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain453 (9%)
- Steering378 (7%)
- Other343 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras329 (6%)
- Fuel System270 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires240 (5%)
- Structure & Body127 (2%)
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Ram 2500 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017, 2018, 2022, and 2024 Ram 2500 model years rank worst, with 2018 having the highest complaint index of 100 out of 2,590 total complaints.
- What is the best year for the Ram 2500?
- The 2013, 2021, and 2023 Ram 2500 model years rank best based on NHTSA data, with 2023 having a complaint index of 0 from just 48 complaints and 2021 at 17 from 108 complaints.
- Is the 2018 Ram 2500 reliable?
- The 2018 Ram 2500 has the highest complaint index (100) among all covered years, driven largely by brake complaints, which made up 90% of its 2,590 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 59,000.
- What is the most common problem area for the Ram 2500?
- Across all model years, brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 59% of the 5,087 total complaints logged with NHTSA, followed by electrical system issues at 19% and engine issues at 18%.
- Does the Ram 2500 have brake recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists a brake hydraulic control unit recall (24V896000) covering 2017-2018 Ram 2500 trucks that can affect anti-lock braking, part of 61 total recall campaigns logged across all model years.