Enter a Ram 2500 VIN for a free NHTSA vPIC decode: build details and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. Owner reports follow below.
VIN prefix3C63C7
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Ram 2500
About the Ram 2500
Ram has sold the 2500 in the US since the 1994 model year. Across those years NHTSA lists 84 vehicle recall campaigns and 11,486 owner complaints. The 2018 has the most complaints of any model year (2,597). EPA rates it at 12–14 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
US model years1994–2026
EPA classStandard Pickup Trucks
NHTSA recall campaigns84
Owner complaints11,486 at NHTSA
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations
Ram 2500 at a glance
One generation in the data, 1994–2026: 84 NHTSA recall campaigns and 11,486 owner complaints.
1 / 1
1994
2500
1994–2026Standard Pickup Trucks
1994200020052010201520202025
1994–2026
Ram 2500
EPA classStandard Pickup Trucks
EPA combined mpg12–14
NHTSA recalls84
Engines (EPA)
5.2 L 8-cyl · 1994–1996
5.9 L 8-cyl · 1994–1996
Drive & transmission (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
automatic (1994–1996), manual (1994–1996)
Known issues to check
Brakes (3,547)Steering (2,359)Electrical system (1,508)21 high-risk recall campaigns
Mentions in 11,486 NHTSA complaints.
Sample VIN pattern · 25003C6UR5CL?JG······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2018 Ram 2500 ST, built in Saltillo, Coahuila
NHTSA has 84 campaigns on file for 2500 model years 1994–2026, and the 2013 and 2014 show up in the most (14 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
2014
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Owner reports · NHTSA complaints
What Ram 2500 owners report
Owner summaries + NHTSA data
Complaints peak with the 2018 (2,597 of 11,486). Tap any bar or generation.
11,486NHTSA complaints, 1994–2026
485mention a crash
193mention a fire
300injuries reported
Owner complaints by model year2500: 11,486 complaints · most for the 2018 (2,597)
The 2018 is the outlier. On its own it has 2,597 of the ’s 11,486 complaints (23%), more than any other 2500 model year, and owners across the generation name brakes most often (3,547 mentions), then steering (2,359).
What Ram 2500 owners report across recent generations
Owner summary
2019–present (5th generation)
Owner data is thin for this generation. NHTSA complaints on the 2019 center on the fuel system, especially diesel trucks that lose power or stall as if running out of fuel, and on the 2022 electrical faults lead. CarComplaints has only a few reports, led for 2020 by a tailgate that will not stay shut or open and a warped RamBox lid. Recalls cover diesel fuel lines that may leak on 2019 trucks, high pressure fuel pumps that may fail on 2019–2020 diesels and transmission fluid that can leak from the dipstick tube on 2019–2023 trucks. [1][2][3]
2010–2018 (4th generation)
ABS failures dominate NHTSA complaints for the 2017 and 2018, with owners describing ABS warning lights, beeping and a loss of anti-lock braking while waiting for recall parts. A recall covers the hydraulic control unit on 2017–2018 trucks, which can fail and disable ABS, stability and traction control, and another covers a steering drag link jam nut on 2014–2018 trucks that may loosen. CarComplaints ranks a check engine light first for 2013, followed by death wobble and complete engine failure at highway speed. [4][5]
✓
What to check before buying
Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the ABS control unit and drag link recalls on 2014–2018 trucks and the fuel line, fuel pump and transmission recalls on 2019–2023 trucks.
Ask for front end and steering repair records.
On the drive, watch for ABS or check engine lights, feel for shaking in the steering over bumps and, on diesels, note any hesitation or stall under load.
EPA lists 24 2500 versions for model years 1994–1996. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 635 g/mi (1996). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
25001994–1996
12–14 mpg · CO₂ 635–741 g/mi
1996
14combined MPG
635CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$4,800EPA yearly fuel cost
—/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
not ratedGreenhouse gas rating
—Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 1996: 2WD · Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.2 L — 14 MPG · 635 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
Gas
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Alternative fuels · DOE
2500 alternative-fuel versions
DOE data
1 heavy-duty alternative-fuel Ram 2500 listing in the Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center.
Take 1994–2026. NHTSA lists 84 recall campaigns for the 2500, against 120 for the Ford F-250 and 133 for the Chevrolet Silverado. Pick a range to compare.
Ram 2500
Model years 1994–2026
NHTSA recall campaigns
84
NHTSA owner complaints
11,486
EPA combined mpg
12–14
Engines (EPA)
8-cyl 5.2, 5.9 L
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Brakes 3,547
Steering 2,359
Electrical system 1,508
Ford F-250
Model years 1994–2026
NHTSA recall campaigns
120
NHTSA owner complaints
10,408
EPA combined mpg
11–15
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 4.9 L · 8-cyl 4.6–5.8 L
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Steering 3,318
Suspension 3,026
Engine and cooling 1,673
Chevrolet Silverado
Model years 1994–2026
NHTSA recall campaigns
133
NHTSA owner complaints
31,934
EPA combined mpg
10–27
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.7 L · 6-cyl 3.0, 4.3 L · 8-cyl 4.8–6.2 L · Electric
Also listed
hybrid, turbo, diesel
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Brakes 9,596
Electrical system 4,311
Engine and cooling 4,200
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Ram 2500 VIN number location
Where to find the VIN on a 2500
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
The Ram 2500 carries its primary VIN on the dashboard plate at the base of the windshield. The frame rail near the front suspension crossmember carries a secondary stamp. A door jamb sticker and cab corner stamp round out the identification points on this work-duty model.
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ
Common Ram 2500 VIN questions
Which Ram 2500 model years have the most owner complaints?
The 2018 leads with 2,597, ahead of the 2017 (697) and 2006 (670). Those first two alone make up 29% of the 11,486 2500 complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
How many recalls has the Ram 2500 had?
NHTSA’s recall records show 84 vehicle campaigns for model years 1994–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.
Which Ram 2500 recalls are high risk?
15V-312, 15V-313, 16V-352, 25V-010, 25V-592 and 25V-824 cover air bag inflators that can rupture. 18V-021 covers an air bag inflator module and how it deploys. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 03V-503, 07V-247, 08V-641, 14V-635, 13V-122, 16V-739, 17V-562, 17V-824 and 6 more. Do-not-drive advisories came with 15V-312, 15V-313, 16V-352 and 18V-021. Park-outside advisories came with 21V-798 and 23V-060. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.
What fuel economy does the Ram 2500 get?
It varies. EPA rates the 1994–2026 2500 at 12–14 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).
How does the Ram 2500 compare with the Ford F-250 and Chevrolet Silverado on recalls?
For 1994–2026 models the 2500 has 84 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Ford F-250 has 120, the Chevrolet Silverado 133. Complaints run 11,486, 10,408 and 31,934 in that order, with no sales adjustment.
