Half of all complaints arrive by 7 years of age, so 72.7% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Power Train, with 8 complaints, typically at 4.8 years.
Dodge Ram Wagon years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 3 | 3 | yes | |
| 2000 | 3 | 3 | yes | |
| 1999 | 4 | 3 | yes | |
| 1998 | 4 | 4 | yes | |
| 1996 | 5 | 5 | yes |
Among the 5 Dodge Ram Wagon years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 1999, 1996, 1998; the three worth hunting are 2002, 2000, 1998.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 18.2% | covered | |
| 2 years | 27.3% | covered | |
| 6 years | 36.4% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 54.5% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 63.6% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 72.7% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 90.9% | you pay | |
| 14 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 27.3% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 72.7% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 48% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
What waits further out is Power Train at 4.8 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 4.8 yrs | — | — | |
| Steering | 10.7 yrs | — | — | |
| Suspension | 8 yrs | — | — | |
| Service Brakes | 8 yrs | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 8 yrs | — | — | |
| Wheels | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System | 7.5 yrs | — | — | |
| Seats | — | — | — |
What else in this class
1 models share the Ram Wagon's vehicle class. Per production run, the Chevrolet Express draws 1.29, against 1.05 for the Ram Wagon. That is the fewest complaints of the group.
| Same class as the Ram Wagon | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Express | 187 | 1997–2026 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Dodge Ram Wagon reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 1.05 against 3.73 for the average car, and fewer than each of the 1 class rivals we compared.
Which Ram Wagon years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 1999, 1996, 1998. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2002, 2000, 1998. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do Ram Wagon problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 7 years of age. The most reported system is Power Train, typically at 4.8 years, followed by Steering.
Will the warranty cover Ram Wagon problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 27.3% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 48% of the complaints here.
Is the Ram Wagon more reliable than the Chevrolet Express?
Yes: 1.05 complaints per production run for the Ram Wagon against 1.29 for the Chevrolet Express.
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