The Most Common Ram Problems
The “death wobble” is one of the most common Ram issues, but transmission problems and faulty airbags plague Ram vehicles as well.
Written by Kara Vanderbeek
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Violent shaking or wobbling on the road is one of the most common Ram problems, with defective collision sensor systems coming in as a close second.
As the fastest-growing truck company in the United States, Ram is known for their heavy-duty towing capabilities and luxurious interiors. However, these pickups have also earned a reputation for generally poor reliability, with several recalls and class-action lawsuits filed against earlier models.
To learn more about the most common Ram problems, look no further than this guide to Ram reliability and mechanical quality, created by
Jerry
, your go-to super app for car insurance
and savings on Ram insurance costs
.What are the most common Ram problems?
Formerly known as the Ram Truck Division of
Chrysler
, Ram has developed its own lineup of solid, heavy-duty vehicles equipped with impressive power capabilities. However, these trucks have been prone to issues over the years, with major complaints including:- Defective airbags
- Aggressive wobbling at highway speeds
- Transmission issues
- Electrical system failures
The 2016 model of the
Ram 1500
saw the most problems, with a total of 14 recalls and a variety of complaints reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
. The trucks seem to have turned a corner in their reliability, however, with the 2022 model of the
2500
earning a high reliability rating with few reported problems.For a complete breakdown of the most common Ram problems in the models on the market in 2022, check out the table below.
Model | Starting price | J.D. Power reliability rating | Most common problems | Years to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1500 | $37,695 | 76/100 | Broken exhaust manifolds, faulty windows, coolant leaks, 4WD issues, oil sludge | 2003, 2010-2013 (5.7-liter V8), 2014, 2015, 2016 |
2500 | $42,660 | 86/100 | Faulty electrical systems, transmission issues, defective cruise control, violent wobbling | 2012, 2013 |
3500 | $42,660 | N/A | Defective airbags, faulty shifting, violent wobbling | 2012, 2013 |
4500 | $37,265 | N/A | Defective crash sensors, electrical problems, violent wobbling | 2014 |
5500 | $39,920 | N/A | Violent wobbling, faulty airbags | 2016, 2018 |
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversMost common Ram 1500 problems
Average annual repair cost: $670
CarComplaints.com complaints: 6,267
Owners of the Ram 1500 have reported damage and failure of the truck’s exhaust manifold bolts, particularly in the 1995 and 1997-2010 models, as well as coolant and water leaks caused by voids in the rear window seals and faulty gaskets.
Drivers of this truck have experienced
camshaft position sensor
failure, wherein the engine fails to start or intermittently stalls. This truck has also developed 4-wheel drive and suspension problems, resulting in decreased control of the vehicle. Finally, in 2002 models, several reports indicated that oil sludge caused the motor or engine to fail.
Most common Ram 2500 problems
Average annual repair cost: $1,070
CarComplaints.com complaints: 215
One of the most common complaints associated with the Ram 2500 is a faulty electrical system. Interior accessories, including radios and Uconnect displays, have been prone to failure, with some drivers even reporting that their wiring harnesses caught fire.
Transmission issues have also been a sore spot for Ram 2500 drivers, with reports of fluid leaks, smoke, erratic shifting, and in some cases, engine failures in the middle of the road.
The 2014 to 2018 models of the 2500 have been impacted by faulty cruise control systems, which have resulted in drivers losing control of the vehicle.
Cruise control not working
is a dangerous issue—so dangerous, that it prompted a 2018 recall of over 4.8 million Ram trucks. One of the most commonly reported issues with the 2500 is a violent shaking of the vehicle, or as it has been nicknamed the “death wobble”. While mechanics have been largely unable to fix this issue, having a
stabilizer bar
installed has been effective for some vehicles. Most common Ram 3500 problems
Average annual repair cost: $1,079
CarComplaints.com complaints: 170
In 2018, the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
launched an investigation into Ram 3500
models following reports of defective airbag control units, wherein airbags failed to deploy in crashes. Other major problems reported in this vehicle have included gear shifters that get stuck in park (which prompted a 2010 recall) and front-end shaking of the vehicle, which prompted a redesign of the steering system in 2013. If you're not able to change gears predictably, make an appointment with your mechanic.
Most common Ram 4500 problems
Average annual repair cost: $25,134
CarComplaints.com complaints: 11
Defective crash sensors in the Ram 4500 have been a major headache for owners of this vehicle, who have subsequently experienced seatbelt and airbag failures.
The
NHTSA
has continued to investigate the problem and has hinted at a possible recall of vehicles with such electrical overstress. In addition to this vehicle’s safety concerns, drivers have reported faulty Uconnect systems, along with the violent wobbling.
Most common Ram 5500 problems
Average annual repair cost: $25,202
CarComplaints.com complaints: 12
The “death wobble” plagues a number of Ram models, and the 5500 is no exception. These violent vibrations have prompted a class-action lawsuit against Ram, with accusations of uncontrollable wobbling at highway speeds.
Further, the defective crash sensors in the 4500 have caused similar problems in the 5500, with as many as eight deaths reported as a result of the issue.
Unfortunately, the safety concerns don’t stop there, as the 5500 was impacted by the largest automotive recall in U.S. history: the Takata airbag recall. This recall affected 100 million vehicles worldwide, after rupturing airbags shot metal fragments into the cabin and caused as many as 27 deaths.
Are Ram cars reliable?
When it comes to reliability, Ram has suffered from their fair share of growing pains. Ram trucks have steadily scored below
J.D. Power's
industry average, with Consumer Reports
ranking 2014 and 2015 models as their worst. While Ram trucks made before 2011 were not particularly reliable, these scores have improved since 2012, with the 2013, 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021 models receiving the highest reliability scores from J.D. Power.
According to Consumer Reports, 2017 was the best year for the automotive company, but the 2022 Ram 2500 has received great reliability scores too.
The least reliable Ram model: 2016 Ram 1500
Most common problem: Powertrain issues
NHTSA complaints: 716
There are a whopping 14 safety recalls on this Ram, with recent Consumer Reports indicating a 2/5 reliability rating.
The vehicle’s most common problems include:
- Electrical wiring problems
- Engine issues
- Power steering assist failure
- Problems with emergency spare tires
- Formal NHTSA investigation launched into the powertrain
- Fuel system problems
In addition, the 2016 Ram 1500 has been named in a class-action lawsuit regarding the truck's
exhaust gas recirculation cooler
, which has led to engine compartment fires and sudden loss of vehicle power. The most reliable Ram model: 2022 Ram 2500
Most common problem: Electrical system issues
NHTSA complaints: 8
The most recent model of the Ram 2500 has received a 4/5 reliability rating from
NHTSA
, with only 8 complaints against the vehicle and 0 formal investigations. While the vehicle has had its share of electrical system problems, this heavy-duty pickup’s J.D. Power’s quality and reliability score of 86/100 slid the Ram model into the “Great” category.
How to buy hassle-free car insurance
Owning a Ram can come with a variety of common problems, but finding a low
Ram insurance cost
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FAQs
How long do Rams last?
Generally speaking, Rams can last anywhere between 200,000 and 250,000 miles or 13-17 years when properly maintained and regularly serviced.
Why is Ram unreliable?
Ram has a reputation for poor reliability ratings. Ram trucks have suffered from powertrain issues, vehicle shaking, and defective crash sensors, which have impacted vehicle safety and reliability ratings.
However, in recent years, Ram has redesigned and fixed such issues, and the 2022 model has received higher reliability ratings than its earlier counterparts.
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