2014 Ram 2500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2014 Ram 2500 has a complaint index of 77 and ranks 4th worst out of 14 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 341 complaints, 14 recall campaigns, and a median failure mileage of 30,000 for reported issues, with Engine problems the top complaint area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 77/100
- #4 of 14 2500 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 341
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 14
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 13
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2014 Ram 2500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine87 (26%)
- Steering86 (25%)
- Transmission & Powertrain62 (18%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires55 (16%)
- Electrical System45 (13%)
- Fuel System31 (9%)
- Other28 (8%)
- Brakes23 (7%)
- Airbags17 (5%)
- Structure & Body17 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report engine acceleration that feels dangerously weak, making it hard to merge or pass other traffic.
- Some describe the rear differential locking up suddenly while towing, causing loss of control.
- Several report the vehicle rolling away unexpectedly while parked, in one case striking another vehicle.
- Owners describe front wheel shaking at speed accompanied by a burning smell and smoke, followed by ABS and brake failure.
- Multiple reports describe airbags failing to deploy during crashes, including after a prior Takata airbag recall repair.
- Owners report engine compartment fires, including one where flames spread quickly after white smoke appeared under the hood.
2014 Ram 2500 recalls
14 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V347000May 9, 2019Structure & Body1,103,209 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with an 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. Chrysler is also recalling all 2013-2014 and 2018 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks built before April 1, 2018 with a 6 or 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. On August 29, 2019 Chrysler expanded the recall to include an additional 693,128 model year 2013-2014 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving.
Risk: If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. The recall began May 23, 2019. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded population on October 18, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's number for this recall is V44. Note: 2015-2017 MY Ram 1500 pickup trucks with truck beds other than 8 foot, are currently covered under NHTSA recall 18V-486 for this issue.
- NHTSA 19V021000Jan 25, 2019Steering795,575 vehicles
Steering:linkages:drag:link:connection
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Ram 3500 and 2014-2018 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab and Ram 2500 vehicles. The outboard steering linkage jam nut may loosen, allowing one end of the drag link to separate.
Risk: A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will check the steering linkage jam nut tightness, replacing the drag link assembly or welding the nut to the adjuster sleeve, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V06.
- NHTSA 18V332000May 17, 2018Electrical System4,815,661 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
2014 compared with other 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Ram 2500 reliable?
- Compared to other Ram 2500 model years, 2014 ranks 4th worst out of 14 years tracked, with a complaint index of 77 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Ram 2500?
- NHTSA complaint data shows Engine issues lead at 26% of complaints, followed by Steering at 25%, Transmission & Powertrain at 18%, and Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 16%.
- Does the 2014 Ram 2500 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for the 2014 Ram 2500, covering areas including steering linkage, engine water pumps, electrical software, airbags, and tailgate latches.
- At what mileage do 2014 Ram 2500 problems typically show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 30,000 across reported complaints, though Engine and Fuel System issues showed lower median mileages of about 12,000.
- How does the 2014 Ram 2500 compare to other years?
- The 2014 model's complaint index of 77 is higher than 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023, but lower than 2017, 2018, and 2022, which also carry Avoid verdicts.