2014 Ram 3500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
75/100
#4 most-complained of 13 3500 years
NHTSA lists 202 complaints and 15 recalls for the 2014 Ram 3500, with a complaint index of 75, ranking it 4th worst among 13 model years and earning an Avoid verdict. Suspension, wheels & tires is the top problem area at 25% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 202
- Recalls
- 15
- Crashes / fires
- 9 / 7
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2014 Ram 3500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires51 (25%)
- Engine45 (22%)
- Steering41 (20%)
- Transmission & Powertrain39 (19%)
- Electrical System27 (13%)
- Fuel System22 (11%)
- Other20 (10%)
- Brakes17 (8%)
- Airbags10 (5%)
- Structure & Body7 (3%)
What owners report
- Front passenger side wheel rims have fractured while driving around 60 mph, sending the truck off the road.
- Airbags have failed to deploy in frontal and head-on crashes at speeds near 35 to 65 mph.
- Owners report engine compartment fires starting while the truck was parked, with no prior smoke or odor.
- Brakes have activated on their own without pedal input, or failed entirely, sometimes tied to abs and throttle sensor faults.
- The blower motor resistor has failed and burned into the wiring harness, filling the cabin with smoke and heating the dash panel.
- Owners describe repeated powertrain control module failures requiring multiple software updates, including one that caused the truck to shut down while towing.
2014 Ram 3500 recalls
15 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V398000May 27, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires447,985 vehicles
Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Risk: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.
- 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.
2014 compared with other 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Ram 3500 reliable?
- Compared to other Ram 3500 model years, 2014 ranks poorly. NHTSA data gives it a complaint index of 75 and a rank of 4th worst out of 13 model years, with 202 complaints and 15 recalls.
- What year Ram 3500 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaint index scores, 2018 (100), 2022 (92), 2017 (83), and 2014 (75) are the worst-ranked Ram 3500 years. The 2013, 2021, and 2023 model years score lowest and rank as Best.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2014 Ram 3500?
- Suspension, wheels & tires is the top problem area, accounting for 25% of complaints (51 total), with a median failure mileage of 34,000 miles. Steering and engine issues are also common.
- Does the 2014 Ram 3500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 15 recalls for the 2014 Ram 3500, covering suspension/wheel lug nut torque specs, a tailgate latch, steering linkage jam nuts, an electrical software flash, and a water pump on the Cummins diesel engine.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2014 Ram 3500?
- NHTSA lists 202 complaints for the 2014 Ram 3500, including 9 crashes, 7 fires, and 9 injuries, with a median mileage at failure of 35,375 miles.