The most-reported 2500 run is 3C6UR5CL1JG (2018 builds) with 56 complaints, 15.6× the typical run. Service brakes problems make up 48% of reports; 2018 is the worst model year at 8.1 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 66 recall campaigns for 2500 model years 2013–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The RAM 2500 has 1,274 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 6% of every 2500 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3C6UR5CL1JG•••••• | 2018 | 1 | — | |
| 3C6UR5CL4JG•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| 3C6UR5CL3JG•••••• | 2018 | 1 | — | |
| 3C6UR5CL7JG•••••• | 2018 | 1 | — | |
| 3C6UR5CL0JG•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| 3C6UR5CL6JG•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| 3C6UR5FL9JG•••••• | 2018 | 2 | — | |
| 3C6UR5CL9JG•••••• | 2018 | 3 | 1 | |
| 3C6UR5FL4JG•••••• | 2018 | 1 | — | |
| 3C6UR5FL1JG•••••• | 2018 | 1 | — | |
| 3C6UR5FL3JG•••••• | 2018 | 1 | 1 | |
| 3C6UR5DL7JG•••••• | 2018 | 1 | — |
Each of the other 1,262 2500 runs has 41 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 767 2500 VINs so far, most often 2026, 2024, 2027 builds; 3 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 RAM 2500 the gap between build years is 4.8×: a 2018 car draws 8.1 complaints per run, a 2015 one 1.7.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 107 | 64 | 6 | |
| 2020 | 156 | 81 | 5 | |
| 2019 | 191 | 108 | 8 | |
| 2018 | 2575 | 319 | 37 | |
| 2017 | 689 | 203 | 12 | |
| 2016 | 242 | 128 | 14 | |
| 2015 | 204 | 122 | 13 | |
| 2014 | 314 | 168 | 12 | |
| 2013 | 165 | 85 | 6 |
Heaviest year here is 2018 at 8.1 complaints per run; lightest is 2015 at 1.7.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 48% of everything RAM 2500 owners report: Service Brakes, 2,975 of 4,643 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 42 | 4 | |
| Electrical System | 10 | 22 | |
| Hydraulic | 12 | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 1 | |
| Power Train | 26 | 9 | |
| Engine | 6 | 20 | |
| Steering | 15 | 2 | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 66 recall campaigns on the RAM 2500; the 6 below cover build years 2013 to 2020. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 19V347000 | Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch | 2013–2018 |
| 17V824000 | Equipment | 2013–2018 |
| 18E096000 | Steering:linkages | 2013–2018 |
| 25V010000 | Air Bags:side/window:curtain:inflator | 2016–2020 |
| 19V021000 | Steering:linkages:drag:link:connection | 2014–2018 |
| 18V332000 | Electrical System:wiring | 2014–2018 |
19V347000 was opened in 2019 on cars built from 2013: 6 years on the road before the recall.
How serious were they
Of the 4,643 reports on the RAM 2500, 2.4% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | RAM 2500 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 4,643 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 113 (2.4%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 49 (1.1%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 63 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 59% below the all-vehicle rate.
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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 RAM 2500 share of that is 4,643 complaints over 1,274 runs, 0.42% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a RAM 2500 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 4,643 NHTSA complaints from 1,274 2500 runs and 66 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which 2500 production run has the most complaints?
3C6UR5CL1JG, a 2018 build, with 56 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical 2500 run has 3.6.
Which 2500 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2018 is heaviest at 8.1 complaints per run and 2015 lightest at 1.7.
How many 2500 complaints involve a crash?
2.4% of 4,643 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 49 involved a fire.
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