Ram 3500 years to avoid and best years
Newer Ram 3500 years have about the same owner complaints per year as the older ones. 2022 has the most complaints per year, at 50 (189 complaints). Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2023 at 4 (from 17 complaints), 2021 at 10 (from 62 complaints), and 2024 at 15 (from 44 complaints). The Ram 3500 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet. On the 2022 Ram 3500, 96 of 189 complaints name Powertrain.
Data as of .
2023
2021
2024
2025–26
Ram 3500 reliability by year
Each year is complaints filed in that year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. A model year younger than 3 years is too early to compare, so it is left out of the years named as having the fewest or the most complaints. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market Ram 3500. How we count.
By model year
| Year | Per year on the road | Complaints | Recalls | Most-filed complaint | Avg. combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 → Too early | 27 | 27 | 4 | Electrical system | — |
| 2025 → Too early | 21 | 42 | 5 | Powertrain, Electrical system, Service brakes | — |
| 2024 → Fewest | 15 | 44 | 2 | Electrical system | — |
| 2023 → Fewest | 4 | 17 | 5 | Seat belts | — |
| 2022 → Most | 50 | 189 | 12 | Powertrain | — |
| 2021 → Fewest | 10 | 62 | 9 | Electrical system | — |
| 2020 → | 24 | 116 | 11 | Diesel fuel system | — |
| 2019 → | 17 | 135 | 14 | Diesel fuel system | — |
| 2018 → | 18 | 802 | 11 | Service brakes | — |
| 2017 → | 21 | 310 | 13 | Service brakes | — |
| 2016 → | 18 | 134 | 16 | Steering | — |
| 2015 → | 18 | 136 | 16 | Powertrain | — |
| 2014 → | 31 | 202 | 17 | Steering | — |
| 2013 → | 17 | 114 | 18 | Steering | — |
| 2012 | 0 | 0 | 9 | — | — |
Years with a → link have a full model-year page.
What owners file about
Generations
- Body styles
- Pickup
- Oil
- Diesel oil per Cummins CES / API CK-4 (see manual by climate) · 12 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 275/70R18, 285/60R20 (SRW); 235/80R17 (DRW)
Known issues for this generation
Pre-2019 Ram 3500 diesels retain the older Bosch CP3 high-pressure fuel pump layout that later trucks briefly left behind. Shared HD campaigns still matter on these years, including power-locking tailgate latch failures covered under NHTSA 19V-347 (and related expansions) on many 2013–2018 Ram 1500/2500/3500 pickups where the actuator limiter tab could fracture and let the tailgate open while driving. Confirm open tailgate and other HD recalls on the VIN; diesel trucks also accumulate DEF/EGR and emissions-system complaints typical of post-2013 Cummins trucks.
- Body styles
- Pickup
- Oil
- Diesel oil per Cummins CES / API CK-4 (see manual by climate) · 12 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 275/70R18, 285/60R20 (SRW); 235/80R17 (DRW)
Known issues for this generation
2019–2020 Ram 3500 (and sibling 2500/4500/5500) trucks with the 6.7L Cummins are covered by NHTSA campaign 21V-880 (FCA Y78): the Bosch CP4.2 high-pressure fuel pump may fail prematurely, send metal debris through the fuel system, and cause fuel starvation or loss of motive power. The remedy inspects/replaces the HPFP (dealers move affected trucks to a more durable CP3-style pump arrangement) and cleans contaminated fuel systems as needed. Later fifth-gen years leave that CP4 window; still verify 21V-880 completion on any 2019–2020 VIN and watch open emissions and software campaigns that continue on current HD trucks.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ram 3500 years have fewer owner complaints?
Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2023 at 4 (from 17 complaints), 2021 at 10 (from 62 complaints), and 2024 at 15 (from 44 complaints).
Which Ram 3500 year has the most owner complaints?
2022 has the most complaints per year, at 50 (189 complaints). On the 2022 Ram 3500, 96 of 189 complaints name Powertrain.
How do Ram 3500 owner complaints compare by year?
Newer Ram 3500 years have about the same owner complaints per year as the older ones.
Which Ram 3500 years are too early to compare?
The Ram 3500 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet.
What oil does a Ram 3500 Cummins take?
Diesel oil per Cummins CES / API CK-4 (see manual by climate)
What does NHTSA recall 21V-880 cover on the Ram 3500?
2019–2020 Ram 3500 (and sibling 2500/4500/5500) trucks with the 6.7L Cummins are covered by NHTSA campaign 21V-880 (FCA Y78): the Bosch CP4.2 high-pressure fuel pump may fail prematurely, send metal debris through the fuel system, and cause fuel starvation or loss of motive…
What generation is the 2013 Ram 3500?
Fourth-generation HD (2012-2018).