Dodge Ram 3500 Reliability Problems

Ram 3500 owners have made 548 complaints over 18 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 16th in overall reliability out of 29 Dodge models, with real interior and suspension concerns.

5 Common Dodge Ram 3500 Problems

A list of some of the most common issues Ram 3500 owners have to deal with.

  3. Stuck in Park

    Can't shift the car into reverse or drive! Now what? This is most commonly reported from Dodge Avenger owners, but there have also been similar complaints about other Dodge makes as well as other Chrysler and Jeep vehicles having a similar …

    Continue reading article "Stuck in Park" Red arrow points at a disassembled gear shifter

  4. Cracked Dashboards

    Is your Dodge dashboard falling apart and breaking into pieces? Have you been watching the cracks grow bigger and bigger with each passing month? Do you feel helpless as your dashboard caves in on itself? Trust me, you're not alone.

    Continue reading article "Cracked Dashboards" A common example of a Dodge Ram dashboard

What Ram 3500 Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Ram 3500 Generations

The Ram 3500 has 3 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 3rd generation (2003–2009).

Ram 3500 Key Numbers

  1. 548 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 548 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 96 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Ram 3500 Class-Action Lawsuits

The Ram 3500 has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Settled

    Shaun Sater, et al. v. FCA US LLC

    5:14-cv-00700

    1. Settled

      The class-action lawsuit will be settled after Chrysler agreed to the settlement terms that allege Ram trucks were built with tie rods that can break and cause crashes and injuries.

    2. Case Filed

      Chrysler has been hit with a class-action lawsuit that claims tie rods can break in numerous models of trucks and cause a total loss of steering.

    Problem
    Ram Death Wobble
    Class Vehicles
    • 2010-2014 Ram 2500
    • 2010-2014 Ram 3500
    • 2010-2014 Ram 4500
    • 2010-2014 Ram 5500
    Class Members
    California owners only
    Location
    California
  • Settled

    Velasco, et al. v. Chrysler Group LLC.

    1. Settled

      Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee TIPM problems will finally be fixed after a federal judge granted preliminary approval to a "totally integrated power module" (TIPM) class-action lawsuit.

    2. Case Filed

      The lawsuit alleges the named vehicles have defective Totally Integrated Power Modules, also known as TIPMs. The TIPM controls and distributes power to all of the electrical functions of the vehicle, including the vehicle safety and ignition systems.

    Problem
    Defective TIPM Causes Multiple Electrical Problems
    Class Vehicles
    • 2011-2012 Dodge Durango
    • 2010-2014 Dodge Grand Caravan
    • 2010 Dodge Journey
    • 2012-2014 Ram Cargo Van
    • 2010-2012 Ram 1500
    • 2010-2012 Ram 2500
    • 2010-2012 Ram 3500
    • 2011-2012 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis
    • 2011-2013 Ram 4500 Cab Chassis
    • 2011-2013 Ram 5500 Cab Chassis
    Location
    California

Recent Ram 3500 News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Is that a light at the end of the Takata tunnel?

    Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) says they’ve entered the _ fourth and final stage_ of Takata recalls with a campaign to replace the passenger-side inflators in 1.6 million vehicles.

    The bulk of the vehicles are in the US and include the 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, 4500, 5500, the 2010-2011 Dakota, the 2010-2014 Challenger, and the 2011-2015 Charger.…

    keep reading article "FCA Recalls 1.6 Million Takata Inflators in 'Fourth and Final Stage'"

  2. Did you know it’s been almost five years since the first Takata recall?

    And just like the ongoing nightmare it’s become, we find ourselves staring down the barrel of yet another recall expansion.

    Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) is recalling 317,000 vehicles, including the Dodge Challenger, Charger, Dakota, and older Ram trucks. David Woods of CarComplaints.com has the full breakdown of which model years and in what zones.…

    keep reading article "It’s Happening Again. More Dodge Vehicles Recalled with Dangerous Takata Airbags."

  3. As 2016 wraps up, the last thing we need is another diesel emissions scandal.

    Volkswagen's coverup of their NOx-spewing diesel cars made headlines. So. Many. Headlines. And now, according to a recent lawsuit, Ram trucks might be next.

    Dodge Ram trucks equipped with Cummins diesel engines have been named in a class-action lawsuit that alleges the trucks emit nitrogen oxide emissions up to 14 times above legal limits.…

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says Ram Trucks Emit Illegal Emissions"

  5. When the engine is running, your vehicle's alternator helps charge the battery and supplies additional power to the vehicle's electrical systems.

    But for 86,000 Dodge Ram (and RAM) trucks it's also supplying something else – electrical shorts and fires. #notafeature

    "Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) says the problem occurs with the alternator near maximum amperage in hot temperatures, conditions more likely to be experienced with corporate fleet vehicles compared to typical consumer driving."…

    keep reading article "Ram HD Truck Alternators Providing a Charge and Then Maybe a Flame, Too"

  7. Late last year, FCA US (Chrysler) announced a recall of 67,000 trucks because of a problem in the clutch ignition interlock system.

    The recall was expected to begin in February 2015, so why bring it up now? It's important to make sure everyone who needs these repairs, gets them.

    The defect allows the trucks to move just by turning the ignition, without ever having to engage the clutch. According to reports, this allowed something truly awful to happen to one family:

    "A child got behind the wheel of a Ram 3500 and turned the key. Even though the clutch pedal was not pushed, the truck lunged forward and hit and killed another child."…

    keep reading article "A Recall Reminder for the Clutch Interlock Switch Defect"

  8. J

    ust a few days after switching its name, FCA US is issuing a massive recall for 3.3 million older vehicles with Takata airbag inflators.** The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been not-so-subtly suggesting automakers ditch regional recalls and expand nationwide. It looks like FCA US has listened.

    FCA US says it's aware of one injury related to exploding Takata airbag inflators, but that incident occurred in Florida. The automaker said there have been no other reports of accidents or injuries. In addition, FCA US says over 1,000 laboratory tests have been conducted on airbag inflators but no problems were discovered.

    The recalled vehicles include the 2004-2007 Dodge Ram 1500 / 2500 / 3500 / 3500 Chassis Cab, Durango, Charger, Magnum, and Dakota.

    keep reading article "Regional Recall Issued for Takata Airbag Inflators"

See All Ram 3500 News

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