Dodge Ram years to avoid
The Dodge Ram years to avoid are 1996, 1995, 1998, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2000, 2002, 1992, 2004, 1993, 2003, 1991 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2011 is the cleanest year on record.
5,489
Total complaints
73
Recall campaigns
1976–2011
Years covered
14
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Ram years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | High complaints + open investigation | 905 | |
| 1995 | High complaints + open investigation | 852 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 644 | |
| 1994 | High complaints + open investigation | 623 | |
| 1997 | High complaints + open investigation | 513 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 496 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 417 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 212 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 152 | |
| 1992 | High complaint rate | 75 | |
| 2004 | High complaint rate | 71 | |
| 1993 | High complaint rate | 66 | |
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 65 | |
| 1991 | High complaint rate | 63 |
Every Ram year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 0 | 4 | |
| 2010 | 33 | 5 | |
| 2009 | 13 | 6 | |
| 2008 | 33 | 4 | |
| 2007 | 20 | 4 | |
| 2006 | 36 | 4 | |
| 2005 | 47 | 5 | |
| 2004avoid | 71 | 7 | |
| 2003avoid | 65 | 7 | |
| 2002avoid | 152 | 6 | |
| 2001avoid | 417 | 14 | |
| 2000avoid | 212 | 11 | |
| 1999avoid | 496 | 13 | |
| 1998avoid | 644 | 17 | |
| 1997avoid | 513 | 11 | |
| 1996avoid | 905 | 14 | |
| 1995avoid | 852 | 16 | |
| 1994avoid | 623 | 22 | |
| 1993avoid | 66 | 1 | |
| 1992avoid | 75 | 2 | |
| 1991avoid | 63 | 3 | |
| 1990 | 23 | 0 | |
| 1989 | 35 | 0 | |
| 1988 | 27 | 0 | |
| 1987 | 21 | 0 | |
| 1986 | 20 | 0 | |
| 1985 | 14 | 0 | |
| 1984 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1981 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1979 | 4 | 0 | |
| 1977 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1976 | 2 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst Dodge Ram years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Ram years to avoid are 1996, 1995, 1998, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2000, 2002, 1992, 2004, 1993, 2003, 1991. The cleanest year on record is 2011.
What is the best year for the Dodge Ram?
By complaint volume, 2011 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Ram years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Dodge Ram have?
Across all model years, the Ram has 73 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 5,489 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.