Dodge RAM 2500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6,024 owner complaints analyzed
22 distinct recall campaigns
74,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 to 2012 model years. Data snapshot: . 3,748 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1,715 of 6,024 complaints (28.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 1,537 | 25.5% |
| Braking behavior | 731 | 12.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 320 | 5.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 280 | 4.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 177 | 2.9% |
| Engine operation | 161 | 2.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 1715 |
| Suspension | 536 |
| Air Bags | 531 |
| Structure | 425 |
| Electrical System | 414 |
| Unknown Or Other | 210 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 205 |
| Exterior Lighting | 204 |
Steering: 1,715; Suspension: 536; Air Bags: 531; Structure: 425; Electrical System: 414; Unknown Or Other: 210; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 205; Exterior Lighting: 204
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 549 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 657 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 682 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 591 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 743 |
| 150,000 and above | 526 |
Under 25,000: 549; 25,000 to 49,999: 657; 50,000 to 74,999: 682; 75,000 to 99,999: 591; 100,000 to 149,999: 743; 150,000 and above: 526
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (743). 2,276 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 66 |
| 1996 | 34 |
| 2000 | 198 |
| 2001 | 194 |
| 2002 | 172 |
| 2003 | 203 |
| 2004 | 218 |
| 2005 | 219 |
| 2006 | 188 |
| 2007 | 251 |
| 2008 | 211 |
| 2009 | 248 |
| 2010 | 386 |
| 2011 | 397 |
| 2012 | 292 |
| 2013 | 239 |
| 2014 | 934 |
| 2015 | 601 |
| 2016 | 336 |
| 2017 | 230 |
| 2018 | 121 |
| 2019 | 81 |
| 2020 | 61 |
| 2021 | 43 |
| 2022 | 30 |
| 2023 | 30 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 15 |
1995: 66; 1996: 34; 2000: 198; 2001: 194; 2002: 172; 2003: 203; 2004: 218; 2005: 219; 2006: 188; 2007: 251; 2008: 211; 2009: 248; 2010: 386; 2011: 397; 2012: 292; 2013: 239; 2014: 934; 2015: 601; 2016: 336; 2017: 230; 2018: 121; 2019: 81; 2020: 61; 2021: 43; 2022: 30; 2023: 30; 2024: 15; 2025: 11; 2026: 15
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1,537 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 731 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 320 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 964044 · 1995-04-20 (April 20, 1995)
THERE IS A NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 964044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 969515 · 1995-07-28 (July 28, 1995)
CONSUMER FRIEND WAS BACKING UP AND THE STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF . TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 969515 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960527 · 1995-02-24 (February 24, 1995)
ABS BRAKES LOCKED UP TWICE, ONCE RESULTIN GIN AN ACCIDENT/INJURIES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960527 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962527 · 1995-03-24 (March 24, 1995)
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR DUE TO THE PUMP ON THE ANTI- LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962527 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802594 · 1996-09-18 (September 18, 1996)
CONSUMER STATES THAT HE HAS EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION FAILURES AT 38,000 MILES AND ALSO AT 60,000 MILES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802594 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 964060 · 1995-04-20 (April 20, 1995)
TRANSMISSION KEEP SHIFT DOWN TO A LOWER GEAR THIS TRUCK IS ON THREE TRANSMISSIONS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 964060 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 965951 · 1995-05-26 (May 26, 1995)
VEHICLE PARKED OVERNIGHT IN DRIVEWAY; SOMETIME DURING NIGHT, STEERING COLUMN/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTED OUT CAUSING FIRE; NO WARNING. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 965951 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 985583 · 1996-06-12 (June 12, 1996)
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE STEERING COLUMN, CAUSING THE WIRING HARNESS TO BURN AND THE VEH CAUGHT FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 985583 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10117033 · 2005-03-29 (March 29, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH FUEL TANKS STRAPS SNAPPED. THIS CAUSED THE TANK TO DROP AND FUEL TO LEAK. CONSUMER CONTINUED TO DRIVE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK... FUEL TANK STRAPS BROKE AT POINT OF ATTACHMENT TO FRAME OF TRUCK, WEIGHT OF FUEL DROPPED TANK DOWN, CAUSING FUEL FILLER TUBE TO BE JERKED FROM SIDE OF TANK, CAUSING EXTREME SPILL ONTO HIGHWAY. THE FUEL TANK STRAPS BROKE DUE TO METAL FATIGUE AT POINT OF STRESS, AND BECAUSE OF MANUFACTURING DESIGN IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO EXAMINE UNLESS THE STRAPS WERE COMPLETELY …
Owner-reported narrative. 118,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10117033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 896997 · 2001-09-27 (September 27, 2001)
FUEL INJECTORS MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO, VEHICLE STARTED REVVING AND HAD TO BE PUT IN NEUTRAL WHEN DRIVING TO KEEP IT FROM HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALSO, VEHICLE WOULD JUST GO FORWARD AND HAD TO APPLY BRAKES TO STOP. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER OF A RECALL REGARDING THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMPS, HOWEVER CONSUMERS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED, CONSUMER FEELS HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL, CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE TPS SWITCH HAS GONE BAD AND BEEN REPLACED, HOWEVER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED THAT THIS TOO WAS A RECALL COMPONENT THAT N…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 896997 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8019448 · 2002-09-25 (September 25, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE CLIPS ON THE LINE THAT GOES INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN LOST OF FUEL, VEHICLE STALLED OUT. REPLACED PART PROBLEM REACCURED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8019448 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 893522 · 2001-08-06 (August 6, 2001)
WITH ENGINE IN IDLE AND APPLYING BRAKES MORE THAN TWICE, THE THIRD TIME LOSS OF POWER BRAKES WILL OCCUR. DEALER HAS INSTALLED NEW CHECK VALVE, BUT DEFECT KEEPS OCCURRING. CONSUMER FEELS DIESEL ENGINE DOES NOT PRODUCE ENOUGH VACCUM WHILE IN IDLE , 800 RPMS. CHRYSLER HAS NOW DEVELOPED A FIX TO INSTALL A VACCUM ACCUMALATOR AT CONSUMER COSTS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 893522 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 4 |
1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2002: 0; 2003: 6; 2004: 6; 2005: 6; 2006: 6; 2007: 8; 2008: 7; 2009: 5; 2010: 4; 2011: 4; 2012: 4