Ram 2500 owners filed 4,548 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2015–2025 (see the Car Problem Index for all 60 models), and NHTSA lists 55 recall campaigns for the same years. The 2018 Ram 2500 drew the most complaints (2,576); across all years, owners complain most about brakes (52% of complaints).
Key findings
- Worst model year: 2018, with 2,576 complaints, led by brakes (1,829) and 10 recalls.
- Complaints vs recalls: Brakes drew 2,362 complaints and 3 recalls.
- Stop-driving recalls: 2 recalls told owners to park outside until repaired (23V060000, 21V798000).
- Over-the-air fixes: recalls 24V436000, 20V191000 can be repaired by a software update, without a dealer visit (2 of 55).
- Spike years, compared with a typical model year: 2017 (3.9 times as many complaints), 2018 (14.4 times as many complaints).
- Earliest-failing area: engine complaints came at a median 23k mi.
- Fire and crash reports: 48 complaints mention a fire and 117 a crash, with 70 injuries and 2 deaths reported.
Ram 2500 complaints and recalls by model year
| Model year | Complaints | Top problem areas |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 15 recalls | 214 | Transmission / powertrain (44), Steering (43), Engine (34) median 35k mi · 13 crashes · 3 fires |
| 2016 14 recalls | 258 | Transmission / powertrain (64), Engine (53), Steering (43) median 24k mi · 15 crashes · 3 fires |
| 2017 12 recalls | 692 | Brakes (410), Electrical system (120), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (94) median 46k mi · 12 crashes · 6 fires |
| 2018 10 recalls | 2,576 | Brakes (1,829), Electrical system (473), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (449) median 52k mi · 38 crashes · 5 fires |
| 2019 12 recalls | 193 | Fuel system (40), Engine (32), Electrical system (29) median 9k mi · 8 crashes · 9 fires |
| 2020 10 recalls | 162 | Fuel system (40), Engine (33), Fuel System, Diesel (30) median 11k mi · 5 crashes · 4 fires |
| 2021 8 recalls | 107 | Electrical system (35), Engine (26), Transmission / powertrain (25) median 34k mi · 6 crashes · 8 fires |
| 2022 12 recalls | 179 | Electrical system (61), Transmission / powertrain (50), Engine (29) median 18k mi · 9 crashes · 5 fires |
| 2023 8 recalls | 48 | Engine (11), Electrical system (9), Exterior lights (8) median 35k mi · 4 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2024 5 recalls | 58 | Brakes (13), Electrical system (11), Engine (9) median 12k mi · 7 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2025 6 recalls | 61 | Electrical system (37), Exterior lights (14), Engine (8) median 2k mi · 2 fires |
One recall campaign often covers several model years, so the recall column adds up to 112, more than the 55 separate campaigns. Newer years have had less time to collect reports.
Most-reported Ram 2500 problems, and what they cost to fix
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Recalls | Median mileage | Estimate the repair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 2,362 | 52% | 3 | 32k mi | Brake repair cost |
| Electrical system | 861 | 19% | 6 | 27k mi | Alternator / electrical repair cost |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 560 | 12% | 3 | 60k mi | Brake repair cost |
| Speed control / acceleration | 467 | 10% | 0 | 30k mi | — |
| Transmission / powertrain | 368 | 8% | 7 | 26k mi | Transmission repair cost |
| Engine | 311 | 7% | 3 | 23k mi | Engine overhaul cost |
| Automatic emergency braking / collision warning | 308 | 7% | 0 | 46k mi | — |
| Steering | 261 | 6% | 4 | 30k mi | Power steering repair cost |
Top problem areas only; one complaint can count twice.
What Ram 2500 owners report
Owners’ own words; dollar figures are what they reported.
Brakes
ABS and traction control systems are malfunctioning. Dodge dealer states that the ABS module and hcu need to be replaced which both are on back order. Roughly $1500 worth of parts and labor are required to fix issue at my cost. Truck has 80,000 miles currently and problem started about 1000 miles/month ago. Both ABS and traction control lights flash on/off constantly.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11507326
At roughly 38000 miles the ABS and traction control light began going on and off intermittently. Took to local dealer and the replaced the ABS hcu and module to the tune of $1000. Now 2 years later and 54000 miles and it has failed again doing the same thing. This is a well-known issue for the 2017 & 2018 Ram 2500 pickups like mine. This is a serious safety issue which needs to be addressed and fixed by ram.
2018 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11628927
Related recalls: 24V896000 (2017–2018): A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash. 22V140000 (2019–2022): An ESC malfunction indicator light that fails to illuminate during an electronic stability control problem can increase the risk of a crash. 19V635000 (2019): The swollen seals can cause the brakes to drag, potentially overheating the brakes and increasing the risk of a crash.
2,362 owners reported brakes problems; the brake repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Electrical system
At around 50,000 miles the ABS light started coming on. This affects traction control and speed control. Dealer said it was the ABS control module and is a known issue but not a recall. Finally repaired at my cost of $ 1,103.32. St 57,377 miles on 9/13/2022. Less than 12 months later it is doing it again on 7/29/2023 at 69,649 miles. This seems to be hazard as the ABS does not work or traction control.
2018 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11535507
At approximately 101,000 miles, the service electronic braking system and service antilock braking system warnings began showing up intermittently on the dash. I have taken the vehicle to a dealership and have been quoted between $1,500 and $3,000 for repairs once parts are available, with a 6 month wait for parts. I was notified that parts had become unavailable in the second half of 2023.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11606098
Related recalls: 18V332000 (2015–2018): If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash. 26V225000 (2025): An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as gear selection and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash. 25V826000 (2025): An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or gear selection, increases the risk of a crash.
861 owners reported electrical system problems; the alternator / electrical repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
My 2018 Ram 2500 is under recall for the abs. My ABS light comes on and dings all the time. I'm planning a 2000 mile trip pulling my camper in july and when I took my truck to my dealer they said the parts aren't available for the 2500 only for certain Model 3500. Since this is a safety issue Ram should have a correction by now! I received my notification over a year ago!
2018 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11739648
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24V896000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were still not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11702839
Related recalls: 24V896000 (2017–2018, described above). 22V140000 (2019–2022, described above). 19V635000 (2019, described above).
560 owners reported service brakes, hydraulic problems; the brake repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Ram 2500 recalls
Check these first: 23V060000 (2021–2023, electrical system: park outside); 21V798000 (2021–2022, electrical system: park outside).
Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for your car’s open recalls.
| Campaign | Announced | Model years | System | Risk (NHTSA's wording) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V327000 | 2026-05-21 | 2024 | Backup camera / rear sensors | A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 26V288000 | 2026-05-07 | 2023–2025 | Transmission / powertrain | Loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash. |
| 26V225000 | 2026-04-09 | 2025 | Electrical system | An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as gear selection and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash. |
| 26V059000 | 2026-02-02 | 2025 | Exterior lights | Trailer brake lights and turn signals that do not illuminate reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, trailer brakes that fail increase the risk of a crash. |
| 25V882000 | 2025-12-18 | 2025 | Air bags | Driving with a disabled electronic stability control system increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, a driver's side air bag or seat belt pretensioner that does not deploy increases the risk of injury in a crash. |
| 25V824000 | 2025-12-01 | 2019 | Air bags | An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury. |
| 25V826000 | 2025-12-01 | 2025 | Electrical system | An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or gear selection, increases the risk of a crash. |
| 25V765000 | 2025-11-06 | 2021–2022 | Air bags | A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash. |
| 25V592000 | 2025-09-11 | 2018 | Air bags | An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury. |
| 25V297000 | 2025-05-08 | 2025 | Transmission / powertrain | An inaccurate gear selection display may mislead the driver as to what gear is actually selected, leading to unexpected vehicle movement and increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 25V010000 | 2025-01-16 | 2016–2020 | Air bags | An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury. |
| 24V896000 | 2024-11-27 | 2017–2018 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | A loss of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, or traction control can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 24V436000 (OTA) | 2024-06-13 | 2022 | Backup camera / rear sensors | A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 24V415000 | 2024-06-06 | 2022 | Electronic Stability Control (esc) | Driving with a disabled electronic stability control system can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 24V413000 | 2024-06-06 | 2023 | Transmission / powertrain | A loss of drive power or a loss of park function increase the risk of a crash. |
| 24V199000 | 2024-03-14 | 2023–2024 | Air bags | An air bag that does not deploy in a crash can increase the risk of injury. |
| 23V799000 | 2023-11-28 | 2023–2024 | Steering | Turn signals and/or high beams that do not function as intended may cause confusion or reduced visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 23V654000 | 2023-09-28 | 2022–2024 | Backup camera / rear sensors | A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 23V060000 | 2023-02-09 | 2021–2023 | Electrical system | An electrical short in the relay can result in an engine compartment fire with the ignition on or off, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 23V059000 | 2023-02-09 | 2023 | Backup camera / rear sensors | A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility of the rear view, increasing the risk of injury or crash. |
| 22V904000 | 2022-12-08 | 2019–2022 | Body structure | An unintended tailgate opening while driving may result in a loss of unsecured cargo, possibly creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 22V835000 | 2022-11-10 | 2020–2023 | Transmission / powertrain | Leaking transmission fluid may contact an ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 22V642000 | 2022-08-26 | 2022 | Engine and cooling | An internal loss of communication can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 22V407000 | 2022-06-09 | 2022 | Backup camera / rear sensors | A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 22V140000 | 2022-03-10 | 2019–2022 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | An ESC malfunction indicator light that fails to illuminate during an electronic stability control problem can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 22V035000 | 2022-01-27 | 2019–2020 | Visibility (windows, mirrors, wipers) | Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash. |
| 21V925000 | 2021-11-24 | 2021–2022 | Air bags | An air bag that deploys improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash. |
| 21V880000 | 2021-11-12 | 2019–2020 | Fuel System, Diesel | An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. |
| 21V798000 | 2021-10-14 | 2021–2022 | Electrical system | A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury. |
| 21V632000 | 2021-08-12 | 2015–2016 | Air bags | A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash. |
| 21V163000 | 2021-03-11 | 2021 | Electrical system | A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury. |
| 20V622000 | 2020-10-08 | 2020 | Visibility (windows, mirrors, wipers) | Missing driver side mirror glass reduces visibility and increases the risk of a crash. |
| 20V580000 | 2020-09-24 | 2019 | Seat belts | In the event of a crash, if the front seat belts fail to lock, there is an increased risk of injury. |
| 20V191000 (OTA) | 2020-09-10 | 2019–2020 | Backup camera / rear sensors | The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 20V207000 | 2020-04-09 | 2019–2020 | Body structure | A bed step that unexpectedly fails while in use increases the risk of injury to the user. |
| 20V043000 | 2020-01-24 | 2019–2020 | Transmission / powertrain | The leaking transmission fluid may contact the turbocharger or another ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 19V635000 | 2019-08-29 | 2019 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | The swollen seals can cause the brakes to drag, potentially overheating the brakes and increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 19V498000 | 2019-06-27 | 2019 | Fuel System, Diesel | A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. |
| 19V347000 | 2019-05-09 | 2015–2018 | Latches and locks | 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. |
| 19V021000 | 2019-01-25 | 2015–2018 | Steering | A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash. |
| 18E096000 | 2018-10-16 | 2015–2018 | Steering | The weakened connection may result in a fractured steering drag link, causing a loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 18V486000 | 2018-07-27 | 2015–2017 | Body structure | If the tailgate latch releases and the tailgate opens while driving, cargo may fall out, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 18V398000 | 2018-06-14 | 2018 | Backup camera / rear sensors | A loss of image in the rearview camera while backing up can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 18V332000 | 2018-05-17 | 2015–2018 | Electrical system | If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash. |
| 18V100000 | 2018-02-08 | 2017–2018 | Transmission / powertrain | Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash. |
| 17V824000 | 2017-12-21 | 2015–2018 | Equipment / accessories | If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire. |
| 17V821000 | 2017-12-20 | 2015–2017 | Transmission / powertrain | Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash. |
| 17V562000 | 2017-09-12 | 2015–2017 | Engine and cooling | The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire. |
| 17V499000 | 2017-08-10 | 2015–2017 | Wheels | If the wheel fractures, a loss of vehicle control can occur, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 17V302000 | 2017-05-09 | 2015–2016 | Air bags | If the rollover side curtain air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a crash that necessitates activation of these safety systems. |
| 16V559000 | 2016-07-26 | 2015 | Steering | If the bracket components separate from the frame, the vehicle may have a reduced response to steering input, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 16E041000 | 2016-05-16 | 2015–2016 | Equipment / accessories | If the seat cover impedes the air bag deployment, the seat thorax air bags may not provide adequate protection in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of a injury. |
| 15V592000 | 2015-09-23 | 2016 | Engine and cooling | An engine that stalls without warning increases the risk of a crash. |
| 15V461000 | 2015-07-23 | 2015 | Equipment / accessories | Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 15V460000 | 2015-07-22 | 2015 | Seat belts | Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury. |
What this data can and can't tell you
4,548 unverified owner reports, not adjusted for sales. Method.
Other Ram models in the index
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation consumer complaint files (nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-25; NHTSA recalls database (nhtsa.gov/recalls), retrieved 2026-09-23. Model years 2015–2025. Free to cite with a link to this page.