Ram 3500: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Ram 3500 problems by model year, from 2,225 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (sold as the Ram 3500 Heavy Duty). For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Worst years to avoid: 2022 (74%, 136 drivetrain complaints), 2020 (51%, 58 drivetrain complaints) and 2021 (43%, 25 drivetrain complaints). 8 of the 10 Ram 3500 years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share; 1 of them is at the very high level (60% or more), where every model year we track has a documented failure behind it.
Best years on this measure: 2018 (5%) and 2017 (17%). A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
The sharpest change between consecutive years is from 2018 (5%) to 2019 (42%), up 37 points. The complaint pattern shifts at that year, so check which year the car in front of you is.
By raw volume, the 2022 drew the most drivetrain complaints (136 of 578 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
2023 has fewer than 25 complaints on record so far, too few to score. Newer cars have had less time to collect complaints.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Ram 3500 year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 3500 | high | 40% | 44 | 114 | 6/10 | 18 |
| 2014 3500 | elevated | 39% | 74 | 202 | 7/10 | 17 |
| 2015 3500 | high | 41% | 52 | 136 | 5/10 | 16 |
| 2016 3500 | elevated | 33% | 41 | 134 | 8/10 | 16 |
| 2017 3500 | no elevated signal | 17% | 52 | 312 | 9/10 | 13 |
| 2018 3500 | no elevated signal | 5% | 40 | 806 | 10/10 | 11 |
| 2019 3500 | high | 42% | 56 | 136 | 4/10 | 14 |
| 2020 3500 | high | 51% | 58 | 116 | 2/10 | 11 |
| 2021 3500 | high | 43% | 25 | 62 | 3/10 | 9 |
| 2022 3500 | very high | 74% | 136 | 190 | 1/10 | 12 |
| 2023 3500 | too few to score | – | 4 | 17 | – | 5 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Ram 3500 years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Ram 3500 engine and transmission recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns on the Ram 3500 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 54 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2013 | 13V122000 | engine and engine cooling | 2013 |
| Oct 2014 | 14V635000 | engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel | 2013–2014 |
| Sep 2015 | 15V592000 | engine and engine cooling: engine | 2016 |
| Jul 2016 | 16V495000 | power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive) | 2016 |
| Sep 2017 | 17V562000 | engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel | 2013–2017 |
| Dec 2017 | 17V821000 | power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift | 2013–2017 |
| Feb 2018 | 18V100000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2017–2018 |
| Jun 2019 | 19V498000 | fuel system, diesel | 2019 |
| Jan 2020 | 20V043000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2019–2020 |
| Aug 2020 | 20V511000 | engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication | 2019–2020 |
| Jun 2021 | 21V439000 | engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication | 2019–2020 |
| Nov 2021 | 21V880000 | fuel system, diesel: delivery: fuel pump | 2019–2020 |
| Aug 2022 | 22V642000 | engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ecu/ecm) | 2022 |
| Nov 2022 | 22V835000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2020–2022 |
40 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2013 | 13V237000 | exterior lighting: turn signal | 2013 |
| Jun 2013 | 13V240000 | exterior lighting: headlights | 2013 |
| Oct 2013 | 13V486000 | electrical system: instrument cluster/panel | 2014 |
| Jul 2015 | 15V459000 | air bags: frontal | 2013–2014 |
| Jul 2015 | 15V460000 | seat belts | 2013–2015 |
| Jul 2015 | 15V461000 | equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/cd etc. | 2013–2015 |
| Aug 2015 | 15V541000 | steering | 2013–2014 |
| May 2016 | 16E041000 | equipment | 2013–2016 |
| Jul 2016 | 16V559000 | steering | 2015 |
| Oct 2016 | 16V739000 | electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator | 2013 |
| May 2017 | 17V302000 | air bags | 2014–2016 |
| Aug 2017 | 17V499000 | wheels | 2013–2017 |
| Dec 2017 | 17V824000 | equipment | 2013–2018 |
| May 2018 | 18V332000 | electrical system: wiring | 2014–2018 |
| Jun 2018 | 18V398000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2018 |
| Jul 2018 | 18V486000 | structure: body: tailgate | 2015–2017 |
| Oct 2018 | 18E096000 | steering: linkages | 2013–2018 |
| Jan 2019 | 19V021000 | steering: linkages: drag: link: connection | 2013–2018 |
| May 2019 | 19V347000 | latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch | 2013–2018 |
| Aug 2019 | 19V635000 | service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper | 2019 |
| Apr 2020 | 20V207000 | structure | 2019–2020 |
| Sep 2020 | 20V191000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2019–2020 |
| Mar 2021 | 21V163000 | electrical system | 2021 |
| May 2021 | 21V398000 | wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs | 2013–2021 |
| Aug 2021 | 21V632000 | air bags: side/window: curtain: inflator | 2015–2016 |
| Oct 2021 | 21V798000 | electrical system: wiring: relays/solenoids | 2021–2022 |
| Nov 2021 | 21V925000 | air bags: side/window: curtain | 2021–2022 |
| Jan 2022 | 22V035000 | visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages | 2019–2020 |
| Mar 2022 | 22V140000 | service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module | 2019–2022 |
| Jun 2022 | 22V407000 | back over prevention: display function | 2022 |
| Dec 2022 | 22V904000 | structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments | 2019–2022 |
| Feb 2023 | 23V060000 | electrical system: wiring: relays/solenoids | 2021–2022 |
| Sep 2023 | 23V654000 | back over prevention: display function | 2022 |
| Jun 2024 | 24V415000 | electronic stability control (esc): control module | 2022 |
| Jun 2024 | 24V436000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2022 |
| Nov 2024 | 24V896000 | service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module | 2017–2018 |
| Jan 2025 | 25V010000 | air bags: side/window: curtain: inflator | 2016–2019 |
| Sep 2025 | 25V592000 | air bags: side/window: curtain: inflator | 2018 |
| Nov 2025 | 25V765000 | air bags: frontal | 2021–2022 |
| Dec 2025 | 25V824000 | air bags: side/window: curtain: inflator | 2019 |
What the free pages leave out on the Ram 3500
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Ram 3500
What are the worst years for the Ram 3500?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Ram 3500 years are the 2022 (74% of relevant complaints, very high), the 2020 (51% of relevant complaints, high) and the 2021 (43% of relevant complaints, high). 8 of 10 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Ram 3500?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best Ram 3500 years are the 2018 (5%) and the 2017 (17%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the Ram 3500 have transmission problems?
In some years. Across the 10 scored years, 578 of 2,166 relevant NHTSA complaints (27%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is power train. The years with an elevated share are 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Is the Ram 3500 reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 8 of 10 Ram 3500 years we score have an elevated complaint share and 2 do not. Pooled across those years, 27% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Ram 3500?
Yes. NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Ram 3500 years we track, out of 54 in total: 21V880000 (Nov 2021, 2019–2020), 22V642000 (Aug 2022, 2022), 22V835000 (Nov 2022, 2020–2022), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.