Ram 3500
Problems & Worst Years
Every reported problem for the Ram 3500, model year by model year — ranked from 744 federal NHTSA complaints across 2017–2022.
Complaint volume for the Ram 3500 spikes hard in 2017 and 2018, and the pattern is consistent: anti-lock brake system failures. The 2018 model year logged 688 total complaint occurrences across nine categories, six of them safety-rated, led by ABS module failure (271 reports), an intermittent ABS warning light (102), and combined ABS/HCU malfunction (60), on top of 106 reports describing delayed recall repairs and 84 describing cruise control malfunctions flagged safety-related. The 2017 model tells a similar story at smaller scale: 288 total complaints, ABS module failure again the top entry (90), plus the ABS system randomly disabling itself (46) and tire pressure monitoring system failures (45). Recalls 17V562, 17V821, 18E096, 18V100, 18V332, 19V021, and 24V896 apply to 2017 trucks — but 2018 shows no recalls logged here despite the same failure pattern, so confirming with a dealer that any ABS-related recall work was completed, not just delayed, is worthwhile.
Later years calm down considerably. The 2019 truck (73 complaints) shifts toward engine stalling during operation (19) and general transmission issues, with recalls 19V635, 20V043, 20V511, 21V439, and 22V140 on file. The 2020 model (59 complaints) adds a cluster around high-pressure fuel system failure leading to engine stalling (13), alongside recalls 20V043, 20V511, 21V439, 21V880, 22V140, and 22V835. By 2022, concern shifts to the transmission: 52 reports describe transmission failure while towing, rated safety-severity, plus snap ring failures in the transmission and clutch — relevant to anyone planning to use this truck for towing. Recalls 21V798, 22V140, 22V835, and 23V060 apply that year.
None of this should be read as a blanket condemnation — a heavy-duty truck accumulates towing-related wear reports by nature — but a 2017 or 2018 Ram 3500 specifically deserves an ABS system test and a recall-completion check before buying. As always, these are owner-filed reports, not a measured failure rate, and a thorough pre-purchase inspection matters more than the model year by itself.
Ram 3500 problems by year
Complaint volume by model year (bar = relative to the worst year). Theworst yearsare the most-complained-about, weighted by safety-risk problems.
| Year | Complaint volume | Problems | Safety / High | Most common problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017worst | 167 | 11 | 4/3 | ABS Module Failure Brakes · 90 complaints |
| 2018worst | 372 | 9 | 6/1 | ABS Module Failure Brakes · 271 complaints |
| 2019 | 63 | 11 | 0/2 | Engine Stall During Operation Engine · 19 complaints |
| 2020 | 55 | 8 | 0/6 | Recall Repair Delays Other · 28 complaints |
| 2022worst | 87 | 6 | 1/3 | Transmission Failure During Towing Transmission · 52 complaints |
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls, 2017–2022. Problem clustering and year rankings are derived from the complaint record; complaint volume reflects reports filed, not total incidence or fault rate. Vehicle image is illustrative.