Ram tools & data
By CarWhere Research · Updated
CarWhere’s Ram hub collects free research for Ram truck shoppers and owners: 13 engine and transmission guides from the 12-valve and 6.7 Cummins to the 5.7 Hemi and Hurricane six, 50 trim levels with dated base MSRPs and Ram-published towing, 17 known issues and recalls, plus VIN and pricing tools.
Two Ram trucks with the same badge can differ in engine, transmission, axle ratio, cab, bed and a long list of packages, and those choices move towing ratings by thousands of pounds. These pages explain what each engine, trim and generation offered and what to check on a specific truck before you buy it.
Decode a Ram
Start from the VIN or the original paperwork.
Ram engines and transmissions
Years, Stellantis-rated output, known problems and recalls.
Ram trim levels
Current and previous-generation trims with dated base MSRPs, engines and equipment.
Buying a used Ram
What goes wrong, which years drew complaints, and how values hold up.
Ram research by model
| Model | Trim levels | Known issues | Years to avoid | Depreciation | Build sheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ram 1500 | Ram 1500 trims | Ram 1500 problems | Ram 1500 years to avoid | Ram 1500 depreciation | Ram 1500 build sheet |
| Ram 2500 | Ram 2500 trims | Ram 2500 problems | Ram 2500 years to avoid | Ram 2500 depreciation | Ram 2500 build sheet |
| Ram 3500 | Ram 3500 trims | — | Ram 3500 years to avoid | Ram 3500 depreciation | Ram 3500 build sheet |
| Ram ProMaster | — | — | Ram ProMaster years to avoid | Ram ProMaster depreciation | — |
Know exactly how your Ram was built at the factory.
See what a specific Ram VIN was factory-built with. The CarWhere Ram build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find out what options my Ram has?
The original window sticker lists the trim, engine, packages and options a Ram was built with. If it is lost, a build sheet reconstructed from the VIN shows factory colors, options and packages where detailed build data exists, and the free VIN decoder shows basics such as engine, body and plant.
Which Cummins engine is in my Ram?
Ram heavy-duty trucks used the 5.9L Cummins from 1989 to 2007 (12-valve through 1998, then 24-valve) and the 6.7 Cummins from mid-2007 on. The engine code in the VIN and the build record identify which version and output a specific truck has.
Is a Ram the same as a Dodge Ram?
Yes, the trucks are the same line. Chrysler split Ram off from Dodge as its own truck brand in 2009–2010; trucks from the 2011 model year on carry the Ram make, while earlier ones are titled as Dodge Ram.
How do I check a Ram for recalls?
Enter the 17-character VIN on NHTSA’s recall lookup or Ram’s owner site, or ask a dealer to run it. Recall repairs are free. CarWhere’s known-issues pages list major recall campaign numbers by model and generation.
Sources
Each linked page lists its own detailed sources. The hub's figures come from these datasets and references.
- CarWhere Stellantis engines dataset (13 engines and transmissions) — CarWhere
- CarWhere Ram trim-levels dataset (50 trims) — CarWhere
- CarWhere Ram known-issues dataset (17 issues) — CarWhere
- Stellantis North America media — Stellantis
- NHTSA recalls and vPIC VIN decoding — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Stellantis or Cummins Inc. Ram, Jeep, Dodge, HEMI, SRT, Hellcat, Hurricane and the model names are trademarks of their owners.