Ram 3500 Engine Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Not unusually. 267 of the 2,249 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2025 Ram 3500 (11.9%) name the engine, below the 19.4% median share across the 152 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst year is 2014.
Engine complaints
267
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
11.9%
of 2,249 complaints for this model
Engine recalls
7
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Ram 3500 engine complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Engine and Engine Cooling. Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Engine recalls | Engine TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 0 | 0% | 0 | — | 45 |
| 2009 | 0 | 0% | 0 | — | 49 |
| 2013 | 29 | 25.4% | 3 | 17V56200014V63500013V122000 | 121 |
| 2014WORST | 33 | 16.3% | 3 | 17V56200014V635000 | 126 |
| 2015 | 30 | 22.1% | 4 | 17V562000 | 77 |
| 2016 | 25 | 18.8% | 1 | 17V56200015V592000 | 67 |
| 2017 | 31 | 10.3% | 0 | 17V562000 | 52 |
| 2018 | 18 | 2.3% | 1 | — | 42 |
| 2019 | 25 | 18.7% | 4 | 21V43900020V511000 | 146 |
| 2020 | 28 | 25% | 4 | 21V43900020V511000 | 66 |
| 2021 | 13 | 21% | 2 | — | 51 |
| 2022 | 25 | 13.6% | 2 | 22V642000 | 47 |
| 2023 | 4 | 26.7% | 0 | — | 33 |
| 2024 | 5 | 13.5% | 1 | — | 37 |
| 2025 | 1 | 2.9% | 0 | — | 24 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- No row for 2010–2012: NHTSA's complaints data returned no records for those years under this model's names.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the engine.
Common Ram 3500 engine problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 267 engine complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Ram 3500 years to avoid for the engine
2014 Ram 3500
33 engine complaints (16.3% of the year's 202). Most often described: loss of power or limp mode. Covered by engine recalls 17V562000, 14V635000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 engine complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Ram 3500 years to avoid.
Ram 3500 engine recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Engine for any Ram 3500 model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 22V642000 · 2022-08-26 · 2022 models
The engine control module (ECM) may have been built with a misaligned capacitor that can short-circuit, resulting in an internal loss of communication.
- 21V439000 · 2021-06-10 · 2019–2020 models
The engine calibration software may not warn about low oil volume.
- 20V511000 · 2020-08-27 · 2019–2020 models
Inadequate warmup protection can cause a lack of oil film on the engine connecting rod bearings while the engine is reaching operating temperature. This can result in engine damage and connecting rod failure, which could potentially puncture the engine block.
- 17V562000 · 2017-09-12 · 2013–2017 models
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2017 RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines that have Concentric-brand water pumps without a vent hole. These water…
- 15V592000 · 2015-09-23 · 2016 models
In the affected vehicles, the Engine Control Module (ECM) may short circuit, causing the engine to stall without warning.
- 14V635000 · 2014-10-08 · 2010–2014 models
In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
- 13V122000 · 2013-04-03 · 2013 models
The engine cover may trap an excessive amount of heat under the cover.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2014 Ram 3500 have engine problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 33 engine complaints with NHTSA for the 2014 Ram 3500, 16.3% of all 202 complaints for that year. The most common description is "loss of power or limp mode" (4 complaints). 2 engine-related recalls cover it: 17V562000, 14V635000. 3 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Ram 3500 years have the most engine complaints?
2014 (33), 2017 (31) and 2015 (30), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the engine. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Ram 3500 engine problems?
In the 267 engine complaints, owners most often describe smoke, burning smell or fire (12.7%), stalling or shutting off while driving (12.4%) and misfire or check-engine light (11.6%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a engine failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Ram 3500 model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a engine complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Engine and Engine Cooling.
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 engine complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration