The 2001 draws 3.2 complaints per run and the 1995 1.8, a 1.8-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 5 years of age, so 68.4% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Structure, with 1,635 complaints, typically at 6.7 years.
Dodge Ram years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 974 | 212 | yes | |
| 2003 | 1099 | 285 | yes | |
| 2002 | 705 | 282 | yes | |
| 2001 | 1625 | 508 | yes | |
| 2000 | 472 | 257 | yes | |
| 1999 | 729 | 365 | yes | |
| 1998 | 758 | 368 | yes | |
| 1997 | 869 | 454 | yes | |
| 1995 | 651 | 362 | yes | |
| 1994 | 459 | 246 | yes |
Among the 5 Dodge Ram years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2001, 1998, 1999; the three worth hunting are 1995, 1997, 1999.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 12.2% | covered | |
| 1 year | 23% | covered | |
| 2 years | 31.6% | covered | |
| 3 years | 40.4% | you pay | |
| 4 years | 48.7% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 56.3% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 62.9% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 68.7% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 73.6% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 77.4% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 81.3% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 87.7% | you pay | |
| 12 years | 94.7% | you pay | |
| 13 years | 97.2% | you pay | |
| 14 years | 99% | you pay | |
| 15 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 31.6% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 68.4% 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 13% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Dodge Ram, the early trouble is Service Brakes and Hydraulic — reported at around 2.8 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Structure at 6.7 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 6.7 yrs | 27 | 11 | |
| Air Bags | 8.4 yrs | 400 | 8 | |
| Power Train | 4.8 yrs | 73 | 19 | |
| Service Brakes | 2.8 yrs | 106 | 20 | |
| Hydraulic | 2.3 yrs | 91 | 10 | |
| Electrical System | 5.4 yrs | 12 | 128 | |
| Suspension | 4.1 yrs | 38 | 1 | |
| Steering | 3.9 yrs | 70 | 8 |
What else in this class
6 models share the Ram's vehicle class. Per production run, the Ford F-150 draws 2.5, the RAM 1500 3.06 and the Chevrolet Silverado 3.05, against 2.54 for the Ram.
| Same class as the Ram | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 | 466 | 1981–2026 | |
| RAM 1500 | 201 | 2013–2026 | |
| Chevrolet Silverado | 445 | 1999–2026 | |
| GMC Sierra | 419 | 1989–2026 | |
| Ford Ranger | 280 | 1982–2026 | |
| Nissan Frontier | 142 | 1998–2026 |
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 reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 2.54 against 3.73 for the average car, and in the middle of its class rivals.
Which Ram years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2001, 1998, 1999. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 1995, 1997, 1999. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do Ram problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 5 years of age. The most reported system is Structure, typically at 6.7 years, followed by Air Bags.
Will the warranty cover Ram problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 31.6% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 13% of the complaints here.
Is the Ram more reliable than the Ford F-150?
No: 2.54 complaints per production run for the Ram against 2.5 for the Ford F-150.
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