Ram 2500 Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Ram 2500 model year (1994–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Ram 2500 Years to Avoid
5 recalls · 1915 complaints
3 reported injuries
Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES
Problem score: 1936
4 recalls · 528 complaints
3 reported injuries
Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES
Problem score: 546
3 recalls · 448 complaints
22 reported injuries
3 reported deaths
Top issue: STEERING
Problem score: 516
Best Ram 2500 Years to Buy
4 recalls · 27 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 39
4 recalls · 32 complaints
Main area: SERVICE BRAKES
Problem score: 44
1 recall · 37 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 46
Found the right year? Verify that specific 2500 with a free VIN report.
Ram 2500 — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 32 | — | — | 44 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 3 | 56 | 1 | — | 67 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 1 | 37 | 3 | — | 46 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 4 | 27 | — | — | 39 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 7 | 141 | 1 | — | 164 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 5 | 85 | 3 | — | 106 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 4 | 129 | 6 | — | 153 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 6 | 146 | 6 | — | 176 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 5 | 1915 | 3 | — | 1936 | Avoid |
| 2017 | 4 | 528 | 3 | — | 546 | Good |
| 2016 | 6 | 197 | 12 | 1 | 244 | Good |
| 2015 | 6 | 140 | 12 | — | 182 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 7 | 247 | 1 | — | 270 | Good |
| 2013 | 8 | 138 | 1 | — | 164 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 2 | 176 | 5 | — | 192 | Excellent |
| 2011 | 2 | 191 | — | — | 197 | Good |
| 2010 | 2 | 174 | 8 | — | 196 | Good |
| 2009 | 2 | 151 | 4 | — | 165 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 4 | 191 | 4 | — | 211 | Good |
| 2007 | 5 | 221 | 3 | 2 | 252 | Good |
| 2006 | 3 | 455 | 11 | — | 486 | Good |
| 2005 | 3 | 260 | 22 | 3 | 328 | Good |
| 2004 | 5 | 377 | 6 | 2 | 414 | Good |
| 2003 | 3 | 448 | 22 | 3 | 516 | Good |
| 2002 | 0 | 112 | 5 | 1 | 127 | Excellent |
| 2001 | 1 | 273 | 12 | — | 300 | Good |
| 2000 | 1 | 148 | 1 | — | 153 | Excellent |
| 1999 | 0 | 237 | 31 | — | 299 | Good |
| 1998 | 0 | 175 | 13 | — | 201 | Good |
| 1997 | 0 | 156 | 2 | — | 160 | Excellent |
| 1996 | 0 | 183 | 3 | — | 189 | Excellent |
| 1995 | 0 | 176 | 3 | — | 182 | Excellent |
| 1994 | 0 | 125 | 5 | — | 135 | Excellent |
All 33 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Ram 2500 Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2023Recent 2500 models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2023 stands out with just 39 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2013Mid-decade 2500 units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2013 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder 2500 models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year 2500 should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2018 Ram 2500 if possible. It has 5 recalls, 1915 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 1936 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year 2500 to buy?+
The 2023 Ram 2500 is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 39. It has only 4 recalls and 27 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which 2500 has the fewest problems?+
The 2023, 2026, 2024 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Ram 2500 Research
Check a Specific Ram 2500 VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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