The most-reported Ram run is 1D7HU18DX4S (2004 builds) with 31 complaints, 12.4× the typical run. Structure problems make up 21% of reports; 2004 is the worst model year at 4.6 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 70 recall campaigns for Ram model years 1994–2011.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Dodge Ram has 3,284 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 2% of every Ram complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1D7HU18DX4S•••••• | 2004 | 2 | — | |
| 1D7HU18D74S•••••• | 2004 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1D7HU18D44S•••••• | 2004 | 2 | 2 | |
| 1D7HU18D64S•••••• | 2004 | 4 | — | |
| 1D7HU18D04S•••••• | 2004 | 1 | — | |
| 1D7HU18D84S•••••• | 2004 | 3 | — | |
| 1D7HU18D54S•••••• | 2004 | 2 | — | |
| 1D7HU18D24S•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| 1D7HA18N23S•••••• | 2003 | 3 | — | |
| 3B7HF13Z11G•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| 3B7HF13Z51G•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| 3B7HF13Z81G•••••• | 2001 | 2 | 1 |
Each of the other 3,272 Ram runs has 19 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 363 Ram VINs so far, most often 2012, 2011, 2008 builds; 2 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Dodge Ram the gap between build years is 2.6×: a 2004 car draws 4.6 complaints per run, a 1995 one 1.8.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 974 | 212 | 74 | |
| 2003 | 1099 | 285 | 72 | |
| 2002 | 705 | 282 | 57 | |
| 2001 | 1625 | 508 | 120 | |
| 2000 | 472 | 257 | 54 | |
| 1999 | 729 | 365 | 76 | |
| 1998 | 758 | 368 | 93 | |
| 1997 | 869 | 454 | 69 | |
| 1995 | 651 | 362 | 62 | |
| 1994 | 459 | 246 | 49 |
Heaviest year here is 2004 at 4.6 complaints per run; lightest is 1995 at 1.8.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 21% of everything Dodge Ram owners report: Structure, 1,635 of 8,342 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 27 | 11 | |
| Air Bags | 400 | 8 | |
| Power Train | 73 | 19 | |
| Service Brakes | 106 | 20 | |
| Hydraulic | 91 | 10 | |
| Electrical System | 12 | 128 | |
| Suspension | 38 | 1 | |
| Steering | 70 | 8 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 70 recall campaigns on the Dodge Ram; the 6 below cover build years 1994 to 2009. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 09E012000 | Exterior Lighting | 1994–2005 |
| 09E009000 | Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer | 2002–2009 |
| 07E066000 | Equipment:electrical | 2000–2007 |
| 09E025000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1994–2001 |
| 08E050000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1994–2001 |
| 06E060000 | Exterior Lighting | 1994–2001 |
The Ram against its rivals
The Ram draws 2.5 complaints per production run; the Lincoln Mark LT 1.4. That is the highest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Ram | 8,342 | 3,284 | 8.7% | |
| Lincoln Mark LT | 36 | 25 | 22.2% |
How serious were they
Of the 8,342 reports on the Dodge Ram, 8.7% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Dodge Ram | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 8,342 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 726 (8.7%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 265 (3.2%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 709 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 27 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 50% above the all-vehicle rate.
You know what it is. Find out what it's worth.
- Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
- The original window sticker and factory options
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Dodge Ram share of that is 8,342 complaints over 3,284 runs, 0.75% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Dodge Ram VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 8,342 NHTSA complaints from 3,284 Ram runs and 70 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Ram production run has the most complaints?
1D7HU18DX4S, a 2004 build, with 31 complaints, 2 of them after a crash. The typical Ram run has 2.5.
Which Ram years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2004 is heaviest at 4.6 complaints per run and 1995 lightest at 1.8.
Does the Ram get more complaints than the Lincoln Mark LT?
Yes: 2.5 complaints per production run for the Ram against 1.4 for the Lincoln Mark LT.
How many Ram complaints involve a crash?
8.7% of 8,342 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 265 involved a fire.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.