Ram Years to Avoid by Model
Ram years to avoid: the 2018 2500 (2,591 complaints), 2019 1500 (1,449 complaints), 2018 3500 (775 complaints) and 2023 ProMaster (64 complaints). 4 of the 6 Ram models we track have at least one avoid-rated year; the cleanest records include the 2009 1500 and 2023 3500. Based on 20,878 NHTSA owner complaints, rated model year by model year.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, recall campaigns & service bulletins · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
Ram years to avoid, model by model
| Model | Years to avoid | Best years | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ram 1500 | 201420152016201920212022 | 2009 | 12,308 (2008–2025) |
| Ram 3500 | 201420172018201920202022 | 2023 | 2,247 (2008–2025) |
| Ram 2500 | 201720182022 | — | 5,555 (2008–2025) |
| Ram 4500 | None rated avoid | — | 45 (2008–2025) |
| Ram 5500 | None rated avoid | — | 149 (2008–2025) |
| Ram ProMaster | 2019202120222023 | — | 574 (2014–2025) |
Verdicts are each model’s own, rated against that model’s history (see the methodology); counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.
The worst year for each Ram model
2018 Ram 2500: 2,591 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2017, 2018 and 2022 · Full 2500 breakdown →
2019 Ram 1500: 1,449 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2022 · Full 1500 breakdown →
2018 Ram 3500: 775 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022 · Full 3500 breakdown →
2023 Ram ProMaster: 64 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023 · Full ProMaster breakdown →
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Frequently asked questions
What Ram years should you avoid?
By model: 1500 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2022; 3500 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022; 2500 2017, 2018 and 2022; ProMaster 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Each verdict matches that model's own years-to-avoid page, built from NHTSA owner-complaint and recall records.
What are the best Ram years to buy?
The cleanest federal records by model: 1500 2009; 3500 2023.
Which Ram model has the most years to avoid?
The Ram 1500, with 6 avoid-rated model years (2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2022) across 18 years on record (2008–2025).
How are Ram years to avoid rated?
Each model year's NHTSA owner complaints are weighted for severity, converted to a rate per year on the road, compared with the rest of that model's own history and adjusted for recalls. Full method at /research/years-to-avoid/methodology.
Where does the Ram data come from?
Federal records: 20,878 NHTSA owner complaints across 6 Ram models, plus NHTSA recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins filed with NHTSA. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.