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In this no-nonsense guide, I’ll break down the best and worst years for these brawny machines, so you can make a smart choice when picking your next ride.
I’ve examined the numbers from primary sources like NHTSA and Consumer Reports. We’re talking reliability scores, safety ratings, frequent complaints from actual owners, and those pesky recalls. Plus, I’ll highlight the major changes between generations, so you know exactly what you’re getting into.
Ready to separate the steadfast from the lemons?
Let’s hit the broad road!
Table of ContentsShow
Dodge Ram (RAM) Generations
The Dodge Ram, now strutting its stuff as simply RAM, has been turning heads in the full-size pickup world since the early ’80s. Back then, it shook things up with its bold looks and strength under the hood.
Here’s a brief history lesson: Dodge and Ram parted ways in 2011. So, from that point on, we’re talking RAM vehicles.
To give you the lay of the land, I’ve whipped up a table showing the recent generations. It’s like a family tree for trucks – you’ll see how these enormous vehicles have evolved over the years.
| Generation | Years |
|---|---|
| 3rd Generation (DR/DH/D1/DC/DM) | 2002-2008 |
| 4th Generation (DS/DJ/D2) | 2009-2018 |
| 5th Generation (DT) | 2019-Present |
The leap from one generation to the next often means significant changes. Keep that in mind when you’re hunting for your perfect Dodge Ram or RAM – it could make or break your decision.
Dodge Ram (RAM) Best, Neutral, and Worst Years
Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks. When I’m evaluating the finest and worst years for Dodge Ram (RAM) across different generations, I’m not just pulling opinions out of thin air. I’m looking at a comprehensive bunch of factors:
- What actual owners are saying about reliability
- How much you’ll be shelling out for maintenance each year
- Safety ratings (because who doesn’t want to stay in one piece?)
- Consumer Reports’ reliability scores
- How satisfied owners are, according to Consumer Reports
- NHTSA recalls, investigations, and complaints (the official stuff)
- Ratings from Edmunds, JD Power, Kelley’s Blue Book (KBB), VehicleHistory, and Cars.com (because more opinions are better)
I’ve crunched all these numbers and ratings into one tidy graph. It’s like a report card for every Dodge Ram year – you’ll see at a glance which ones made the honor roll and which ones… well, let’s just say they need enhancement.
Now, feast your eyes on this chart. I’ve sorted each Dodge Ram (RAM) model year into the outstanding, the poor, and the “meh” categories.
| Generation | Best Years | Neutral Years | Worst Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd Generation (DR/DH/D1/DC/DM) | 2007 2008 | N/A | 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 |
| 4th Generation (DS/DJ/D2) | 2009 2010 2011 2012 2017 2018 | 2013 | 2014 2015 2016 |
| 5th Generation (DT) | 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 | N/A | 2019 |
Remember, from 2011 on, we’re discussing RAM vehicles.
Those “Neutral Years”? They’re the middle-of-the-road performers. Not terrible, not outstanding – just typical in terms of how they run, how dependable they are, and how satisfied they make their owners.
Keep in mind, things like NHTSA recalls can really ding a truck’s reliability score. Multiple complaints and recalls usually mean that particular year might be more trouble than it’s worth.
Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of the Dodge Ram (RAM)’s greatest hits, ordinary joes, and complete duds.
Best & Worst Years for Dodge Ram 3rd Generation (2002-2008)
The 2002 Dodge Ram
The third-gen Dodge Ram, running from 2002 to 2008, came out swinging with a more daring look, superior interiors, and a focus on brute force and durability.
If you’re eyeing this generation, aim for 2007 and 2008 – they’re the pinnacle of the crop. But steer clear of the early years; they’re the lemons you’ll want to shun.
The Best Years: 2007, 2008
The 2007 and 2008 models? These are the years when Dodge really reached its pinnacle with the Ram.
Under the hood, you had options: the 3.7L PowerTech V6, the robust 5.7L HEMI V8, or the 6.7L Cummins ISB turbo I6 diesel – arguably the most reliable Dodge Ram diesel engine ever made.
Fuel economy for the 3.7L models? Think 14 mpg in the city and 20 on the highway. Not winning any environmental awards, but not awful for a big rig.
Safety-wise, these trucks stepped up with enhanced airbags and ABS brakes.
You could pick your flavor of Ram, from a basic work truck to a lavish ride with leather seats and all the tech bells and whistles.
Now, they weren’t perfect – there were some recalls for tie rod issues. But overall, these years were solid, reliable performers that owners loved. They’re the top dogs of this generation.
The Worst Years: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Now, 2002-2006? These are the Dodge Ram years you want to avoid like a huge hole on the highway.
These trucks were plagued with issues. We’re talking cracked dashboards, frames rusting out, and A/C systems giving up the ghost. The 2002 and 2003 models had a terrible habit of letting their driveshafts break loose – not exactly what you want happening at freeway speeds.
Move to 2004 and 2005, and you’re looking at engines that failed and extra driveshaft turmoil.
By 2006, fresh gremlins emerged: headlights going dark and the notorious “death wobble” in the suspension. Not pleasant.
These models were recall magnets. Airbags acting up, defective air intake systems, ABS modules corroding, steering column wiring going haywire, and hub assemblies deteriorating.
Want to see the horrific details?
Check out the NHTSA recalls and complaints for 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 Dodge Rams. It’s not appealing.
Best & Worst Years for Dodge Ram (RAM) 4th Generation (2009-2018)
The 2009 Dodge Ram
The fourth-gen Dodge Ram (RAM), hitting the streets in 2009, was like a truck that hit the gym and got a PhD. It looked aerodynamic, thought smarter, and performed like a winner.
But not all years are created equal. Steer clear of 2014-2016 – they’re trouble with a capital T. On the flip side, 2009-2012, 2017, and 2018 are the perfect years of this present generation.
The Best Years: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2018
After crunching the numbers, I can tell you that 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2017, and 2018 are the exceptional years of the fourth-generation Dodge Ram (RAM) show.
These trucks came packing heat: a 3.6L Pentastar V6, the mighty 5.7L HEMI V8, a 3.0L EcoDiesel V6, and the 6.7L Cummins ISB turbo I6 diesel for the heavy lifters.
Transmission-wise, you’re looking at either a 6-speed or 8-speed automatic, depending on the specific year and engine.
Fuel economy? The V6 models could manage about 17 mpg in the urban area and 25 on the highway. The HEMI V8? Expect around 15 local and 22 highway.
These trucks didn’t skimp on safety, boasting stability control, smart airbag systems, and trim levels from basic to near luxury.
Inside, you got Uconnect infotainment systems with touchscreens that truly made sense to operate.
Now, I’ve got to be honest with you – even these peak years had some hiccups with rear axle pinion bolts, exhaust manifold bolts, and transmission quirks. So do yourself a favor and run a comprehensive inspection before you purchase.
The Neutral Year: 2013
The 2013 RAM is like that friend who’s decent, but not your first call for a road trip. It’s not awful, but it’s not outstanding either.
You still got the 3.6L V6 and the 5.7L HEMI V8 engines, with 6-speed and 8-speed automatic transmissions. Safety features and technology were comparable with other years, including that helpful Uconnect system.
But here’s the rub – the 2013 model had a tendency for losing power steering. Not exactly what you want when you’re trying to maneuver a massive truck.
It also got hit with recalls for faulty Electronic Stability Control, tailgates that liked to pop open for no reason, and a few other gremlins.
The Worst Years: 2014, 2015, 2016
Now, if you see a 2014, 2015, or 2016 RAM, run the opposite direction. These years were like a flawless storm of problems, racking up over 1000 complaints each on the NHTSA website.
Owners were pulling their hair out over electrical gremlins, engines malfunctioning, and powertrains throwing fits.
We’re talking power steering giving up the ghost, exhaust manifolds and bolts breaking, fuel gauges and sensors going berserk, and fuel tank straps corroding through.
These trucks were recall magnets. Cruise control with a mind of its own, instrument clusters going dark, crankshaft sensors failing, EGR coolers cracking in the 3.0L Eco Diesel, fuel pumps giving up, shock absorbers falling off, and tailgates with severe anxiety.
Want to witness the terrifying spectacle for yourself?
Check out the NHTSA recalls and complaints for 2014, 2015, and 2016 RAMs. It’s not for the faint of heart.
Best & Worst Years for RAM 5th Generation (2019-Present)
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The fifth-gen RAM, kicking off in 2019, is like the truck world’s version of a Swiss Army knife – it can do it all, and it looks attractive doing it.
If you’re shopping this generation, aim for 2020 to 2024 – they’re the finest of the crop. But that 2019 model? It’s the black sheep of the family. Skip it if you can.
The Best Years: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Want to know which RAM is the most dependable? After digging through NHTSA complaints and Edmunds reviews, I can confidently say that 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 are the top dogs of the fifth generation.
These trucks come with a buffet of engine options: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 with eTorque for the fuel-conscious, the robust 5.7L HEMI V8 for those who need more oomph, and the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 for the long-distance crowd. All of these are paired with smooth 8-speed automatic transmissions.
That HEMI V8? It’s an excellent spot of power and efficiency, giving you about 15 mpg in the city and 21 on the highway.
Safety-wise, these RAMs are loaded. We’re talking adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings, and blind-spot monitoring – it’s like having a protective angel riding shotgun.
Step inside, and you’ll see why these years are champions. From the basic Tradesman to the luxurious Limited, they all come with Uconnect infotainment systems that actually make sense to use.
The Worst Year: 2019
Now, that 2019 RAM? It’s the troublesome child of the fifth generation. It’s got more complaints and recalls than a politician in an election year.
Owners were tearing their hair out over defective infotainment systems, instrument clusters going dark, exhaust manifold bolts snapping, transmissions acting up, and power steering playing hide and seek.
The recall list for the 2019 RAM reads like a novel: airbag issues, rearview cameras going blind, cruise control with a mind of its own, temperamental crankshaft sensors, EGR coolers cracking, fuel pumps failing, driveshafts giving up, defective airbag controllers, brake pedals falling off (yes, really), power steering disappearing, tailgates with separation anxiety, and windshield wipers going on rebellion.
As of writing this, there are 25 recalls on the NHTSA website for the 2019 RAM. That’s not just a scarlet flag – it’s a whole parade of them.
Want to witness the devastation for yourself?
Check out the NHTSA recalls and complaints for the 2019 RAM. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Dodge Ram (RAM) Resale Values
Intrigued about how well these trucks hold their value? Take a gander at this graph showing the typical resale values for Dodge Ram (RAM) over the years.
Conclusion
So, there you have it – the good, the poor, and the ugly of Dodge Ram (RAM) trucks. If you’re in the market, aim for the 2009-2012, 2017, 2018, and 2020-2024 models. They’re the most dependable and feature-packed options out there.
But for the love of all things automotive, steer clear of the 2002-2006, 2014-2016, and 2019 models. They’re more problematic than they’re worth.
Now, I want to hear from you. Have you owned any of these Dodge Ram (RAM) trucks? Got thrilling stories or love letters to share?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
Your experience could save someone from a catastrophe – or guide them to their ideal truck!
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