Ram 3500 Best and Worst Years (2007–2025)
For the Ram 3500, 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2022 are the years to avoid, with 2018 topping the list at a complaint index of 100 and 802 complaints, mostly brake-related. No year earns a Best rating; 2007 and 2025 are rated Good, the lowest-risk picks based on NHTSA data.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 16
- 2007–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,316
- Recall campaigns
- 61
- Crashes reported
- 76
- Fires reported
- 49
- Top problem area
- Brakes
3500 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 3500 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Good | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2008 | No verdict | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Steering | — | — |
| 2009 | No verdict | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 ! | Brakes | — | — |
| 2013 | Caution | 33 | 114 | 3 | 7 | 16 | Engine | — | — |
| 2014 | Caution | 67 | 202 | 9 | 7 | 15 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2015 | Caution | 40 | 136 | 3 | 5 | 14 | Engine | — | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 53 | 134 | 12 | 5 | 14 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2017 | Avoid | 87 | 310 | 9 | 1 | 12 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2018 | Avoid | 100 | 802 | 15 | 2 | 10 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2019 | Caution | 73 | 135 | 10 | 5 | 14 | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2020 | Avoid | 80 | 116 | 6 | 7 | 11 | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2021 | Caution | 27 | 62 | 0 | 4 | 9 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2022 | Avoid | 93 | 189 | 4 | 5 | 12 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2023 | Caution | 20 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 5 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2024 | Caution | 60 | 44 | 5 | 1 | 2 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2025 | Good | 47 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 5 | Electrical System | — | — |
3500 years to avoid: what went wrong
2018 Ram 3500 Index 100 · 802 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2018 Ram 3500 is the worst-rated year, with a complaint index of 100 and 802 complaints, the highest of any year covered. Brakes account for 83% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 55,921 miles. Electrical system and engine problems follow at 17% and 16%. NHTSA recorded 10 recalls, including two separate side curtain airbag inflator campaigns and the same brake hydraulic control unit issue seen in 2017. This year also had 15 reported crashes and 1 death.
2018 brakes problems →2018 electrical system problems →2018 engine problems →
2022 Ram 3500 Index 93 · 189 complaints · 12 recalls
The 2022 Ram 3500 has a complaint index of 93 with 189 complaints. Transmission and powertrain problems dominate at 60%, with a median failure mileage of 16,000 miles, described by owners as unexpected slipping out of park. Engine and electrical issues follow at 16% and 14%. NHTSA lists 12 recalls, including a steering column control module defect that can prevent airbag deployment and an ABS software malfunction that disables stability control. This year had 4 crashes and 7 injuries.
2022 transmission & powertrain problems →2022 engine problems →2022 electrical system problems →
2017 Ram 3500 Index 87 · 310 complaints · 12 recalls
The 2017 Ram 3500 carries a complaint index of 87 with 310 complaints. Brakes dominate at 61% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 54,000 miles. Engine issues follow at 20%, failing around 31,800 miles. NHTSA lists 12 recalls for this model year, including a brake hydraulic control unit that can disable anti-lock braking and a side curtain airbag inflator rupture risk. Owners also reported suspension and electrical problems. Crashes tied to this year total 9, with 2 injuries reported.
2017 brakes problems →2017 engine problems →2017 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2020 Ram 3500 Index 80 · 116 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2020 Ram 3500 has a complaint index of 80 from 116 complaints. Fuel system problems lead at 49%, with a median failure mileage of 22,000 miles, followed by engine issues at 28% around 30,900 miles. NHTSA lists 11 recalls, including a transmission dipstick tube fluid leak and an ABS control module software defect that could disable stability control. Owners reported fires tied to fuel system and engine failures. This year recorded 7 fires and 6 injuries.
Most common Ram 3500 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Brakes984 (42%)
- Engine462 (20%)
- Electrical System373 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain321 (14%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires288 (12%)
- Steering211 (9%)
- Fuel System203 (9%)
- Other171 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras107 (5%)
- Structure & Body51 (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 of the Ram 3500 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaint and recall data, 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2022 are rated Avoid, with 2018 the worst at a complaint index of 100 and 802 complaints.
- Which Ram 3500 model year is best?
- No Ram 3500 year earns a Best or Good-without-caveat rating across the board; 2007 and 2025 are rated Good and represent the lowest-risk years based on NHTSA data.
- What is the most common problem with the Ram 3500?
- Brakes are the top complaint area overall, accounting for 984 complaints and 42% of all reported issues across model years 2007-2025.
- Does the 2018 Ram 3500 have a brake recall?
- Yes. NHTSA campaign 24V896000 covers a hydraulic control unit that may fail and disable the anti-lock brake system on 2017-2018 Ram 3500 trucks.
- Is the 2022 Ram 3500 reliable?
- The 2022 Ram 3500 is rated Avoid, with a complaint index of 93 and 189 complaints, 60% of them related to the transmission and powertrain.