What years should I avoid on the Ram 2500?

NHTSA data flags 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2022 as Avoid years for the Ram 2500. The 2018 model year is the worst, with a complaint index of 100 and 2,590 complaints, most involving brakes.

Is there a good year for the Ram 2500?

Only 2025 earns a Good verdict, with a complaint index of 31 and 62 complaints. Most other years are rated Caution because of recall campaign counts, even when complaint indexes are moderate.

What is the most common problem on the Ram 2500?

Across all model years, brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 3,025 complaints, or 59% of all complaints filed with NHTSA for this model.

Does the Ram 2500 have brake recalls?

Yes. The 2017 and 2018 model years were subject to a brake hydraulic control unit recall (campaign 24V896000) that can cause anti-lock brake system malfunctions.

Why is the 2018 Ram 2500 rated Avoid?

The 2018 model year has the highest complaint index (100) among all Ram 2500 years and 2,590 total complaints, with brakes making up 90% of them, plus 9 recall campaigns.

Ram 2500 Best and Worst Years (2009–2025)

Ram 2500 years to avoid are 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2022, led by 2018 with a complaint index of 100 and 2,590 complaints, mostly brakes. No Ram 2500 year earns a Good or Best verdict except 2025; the rest carry Caution or Avoid status due to heavy recall activity and brake-related complaints.

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

Avoid 2014 Avoid 2017 Avoid 2018 Avoid 2022

Model years: 14; 2009–2025
NHTSA complaints: 5,092
Recall campaigns: 62
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.

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

Ram 2500 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2009	Caution	0	5	0	0	1 !	Steering	—	—
2013	Caution	15	178	7	7	14	Engine	—	—
2014	Avoid	77	341	13	4	14	Engine	—	—
2015	Caution	38	214	13	3	13	Engine	—	—
2016	Caution	69	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	Caution	46	193	8	9	12	Fuel System	—	—
2020	Caution	62	162	5	4	10	Fuel System	—	4★
2021	Caution	23	108	6	8	8	Electrical System	—	4★
2022	Avoid	85	181	9	5	12	Electrical System	—	—
2023	Caution	8	48	4	1	8	Electrical System	—	—
2024	Caution	54	59	7	2	5	Brakes	—	—
2025	Good	31	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 is the worst year in this lineup, with 2,590 complaints and the highest complaint index at 100, plus 9 recall campaigns. Brakes accounted for 90% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 59,000 miles. Owners reported diesel trucks suddenly limited to low speed on highways due to emissions system errors, fires shortly after purchase while towing, vehicles rolling away after being parked with the engine idling, and airbags failing to deploy in serious crashes. Recalls covered airbag inflators and brake hydraulic control units.

2018 brakes problems →2018 electrical system problems →2018 engine problems →

2017 Ram 2500 Index 92 · 693 complaints · 11 recalls

The 2017 Ram 2500 had 693 complaints and a complaint index of 92, with 11 recall campaigns. Brakes dominated at 74% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 60,000 miles; electrical issues followed at 18% (50,697 miles). Owners reported transmission overheating with smoke and fire near the dashboard, trucks jumping out of park and rolling backward, pinched wiring near the spare tire causing fires, and long delays getting parts for an engine-related recall. Recalls addressed airbag inflators, brake hydraulic control units, and tailgate latches.

2017 brakes problems →2017 electrical system problems →2017 engine problems →

2022 Ram 2500 Index 85 · 181 complaints · 12 recalls

The 2022 Ram 2500 had 181 complaints and a complaint index of 85, with 12 recall campaigns. Electrical system issues topped complaints at 34% with a median failure mileage of 47,696 miles, followed by transmission/powertrain problems at 28% (9,900 miles) and engine issues at 21% (11,500 miles). Owners reported adaptive steering and lane-keep assist failing to prevent road departures, unintended rapid acceleration after a car wash, spongy and inoperable brakes leading to crashes, and airbags that failed to deploy in high-speed collisions. Recalls addressed steering column control modules, radio software, and ABS control module software.

2022 electrical system problems →2022 transmission & powertrain problems →2022 engine problems →

2014 Ram 2500 Index 77 · 341 complaints · 14 recalls

The 2014 Ram 2500 logged 341 complaints and a complaint index of 77, with 14 recall campaigns. Engine problems led at 26% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 12,152 miles, followed by steering issues at 25% (48,110 miles) and transmission/powertrain issues at 18% (43,984 miles). Owners reported small electrical fires originating under the vehicle, vehicles rolling away unexpectedly while in park, weak acceleration, and rear differential lockups while towing that caused loss of braking and near-rollovers. NHTSA recalls covered tailgate latches, steering linkage jam nuts, and engine/powertrain software.

2014 engine problems →2014 steering problems →2014 transmission & powertrain problems →

Most common Ram 2500 problems (all years)

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

Brakes3,025 (59%)
Electrical System976 (19%)
Engine940 (18%)
Transmission & Powertrain453 (9%)
Steering382 (8%)
Other344 (7%)
Collision Avoidance & Cameras329 (6%)
Fuel System270 (5%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires244 (5%)
Structure & Body127 (2%)

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 should I avoid on the Ram 2500?: NHTSA data flags 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2022 as Avoid years for the Ram 2500. The 2018 model year is the worst, with a complaint index of 100 and 2,590 complaints, most involving brakes.
Is there a good year for the Ram 2500?: Only 2025 earns a Good verdict, with a complaint index of 31 and 62 complaints. Most other years are rated Caution because of recall campaign counts, even when complaint indexes are moderate.
What is the most common problem on the Ram 2500?: Across all model years, brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 3,025 complaints, or 59% of all complaints filed with NHTSA for this model.
Does the Ram 2500 have brake recalls?: Yes. The 2017 and 2018 model years were subject to a brake hydraulic control unit recall (campaign 24V896000) that can cause anti-lock brake system malfunctions.
Why is the 2018 Ram 2500 rated Avoid?: The 2018 model year has the highest complaint index (100) among all Ram 2500 years and 2,590 total complaints, with brakes making up 90% of them, plus 9 recall campaigns.