The 2018 draws 8.07 complaints per run and the 2014 1.87, a 4.3-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 5 years of age, so 81.3% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Service Brakes, with 2,975 complaints, typically at 5.4 years.
RAM 2500 years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 107 | 64 | too new | |
| 2020 | 156 | 81 | yes | |
| 2019 | 191 | 108 | yes | |
| 2018 | 2575 | 319 | yes | |
| 2017 | 689 | 203 | yes | |
| 2016 | 242 | 128 | yes | |
| 2015 | 204 | 122 | yes | |
| 2014 | 314 | 168 | yes | |
| 2013 | 165 | 85 | yes |
Does the market discount it? In our listings a 2018 2500 asks a median $29,995, against $35,777 for a 2019, the next model year: about 16% less, so sellers do price some of the trouble in.
Among the 4 RAM 2500 years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2018, 2017, 2016; the three worth hunting are 2014, 2016, 2017.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 4.3% | covered | |
| 1 year | 11.5% | covered | |
| 2 years | 18.7% | covered | |
| 3 years | 26.1% | you pay | |
| 4 years | 38.5% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 61.9% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 82.3% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 92.6% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 97.3% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 98.9% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 99.6% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 99.9% | you pay | |
| 12 years | 100% | you pay | |
| 13 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 18.7% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 81.3% 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 15% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the RAM 2500, the early trouble is Power Train and Engine — reported at around 3.8 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Service Brakes at 5.4 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 5.4 yrs | 42 | 4 | |
| Electrical System | 4.7 yrs | 10 | 22 | |
| Hydraulic | 6.1 yrs | 12 | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4.8 yrs | 7 | 1 | |
| Power Train | 3.8 yrs | 26 | 9 | |
| Engine | 3.7 yrs | 6 | 20 | |
| Steering | 3.7 yrs | 15 | 2 | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 5.3 yrs | 2 | — |
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Alerts if a recall lands on a car in your garage
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Frequently asked questions
Is the RAM 2500 reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 3.64 against 3.73 for the average car.
Which 2500 years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2018, 2017, 2016. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2014, 2016, 2017. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do 2500 problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 5 years of age. The most reported system is Service Brakes, typically at 5.4 years, followed by Electrical System.
Will the warranty cover 2500 problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 18.7% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 15% of the complaints here.
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