Short answer
Among Ram 2500 model years through 2024, 2011 and 2012 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2013 and 2014 have the most (14). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Ram 2500: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 17 (2009–2026)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 65
- Fewest recalls
- 2011 and 2012 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2013 and 2014 (14)
- Most recalled system
- Air bags (21)
Ram 2500 Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Recent: still collecting recalls | 7 | Not rated | Electrical system, Back over prevention, Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2025 Recent: still collecting recalls | 6 | Not rated | Electrical system, Air bags, Exterior lighting |
| 2024 | 5 | Not rated | Back over prevention, Air bags, Power train |
| 2023 | 8 | 4 stars | Power train, Back over prevention, Air bags |
| 2022 | 12 | 4 stars | Back over prevention, Electrical system, Air bags |
| 2021 | 8 | 4 stars | Electrical system, Air bags, Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2020 | 10 | 4 stars | Power train, Structure, Visibility |
| 2019 | 12 | Not rated | Air bags, Fuel system, diesel, Structure |
| 2018 | 9 | 4 stars | Air bags, Back over prevention, Electrical system |
| 2017 | 11 | 4 stars | Latches/locks/linkages, Power train, Air bags |
| 2016 | 12 | 4 stars | Air bags, Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling |
| 2015 | 13 | 4 stars | Air bags, Equipment, Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2014 | 14 | 4 stars | Air bags, Electrical system, Equipment |
| 2013 | 14 | Not rated | Air bags, Engine and engine cooling, Equipment |
| 2012 | 0 | 3 stars | None on record |
| 2011 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2009 | 1 | Not rated | Air bags |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20267 recalls
- 20256 recalls
- 20245 recalls
- 20238 recalls
- 202212 recalls
- 20218 recalls
- 202010 recalls
- 201912 recalls
- 20189 recalls
- 201711 recalls
- 201612 recalls
- 201513 recalls
- 201414 recalls
- 201314 recalls
- 20120 recalls
- 20110 recalls
- 20091 recall
Ram 2500: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Ram 2500 recalls are air bags (21), electrical system (19), power train (18), back over prevention (11) and steering (11). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 10 of these 17 model years. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Ram 2500 Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Ram 2500?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2011 and 2012 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Ram 2500 model years have the most recalls?
2013 and 2014 have the most, with 14 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "2500", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy