Ram 3500 Reliability Problems

3500 owners have made 145 complaints over 9 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it second to last in overall reliaibility, with significant suspension and engine concerns.

6 Common Ram 3500 Problems

A list of some of the most common issues 3500 owners have to deal with.

  1. TRW Crash Sensor Defect

    There's growing concern that some sort of electrical overstress is messing with airbag control units (ACU) in certain Ram trucks. At this time the problem is believed to be responsible for as many as eight deaths which has sparked an invest…

    Continue reading article "TRW Crash Sensor Defect" ZF Headquarters

  2. UConnect Frozen with Blank Screen

    The uConnect infotainment system will often boot into a blank screen, becoming unresponsive to the touch, or reboot at random times. Each time it'd force owners to turn off their cars, restart, and just hope for a better outcome. And an ove…

    Continue reading article "UConnect Frozen with Blank Screen" Ram console with uConnect loaded on the infotainment screen

  3. uConnect Hacked, Should You Be Concerned?

    On July 21, 2015 a report surfaced that hackers had remotely taken control of a Jeep Cherokee through its UConnect system. They turned on the A/C, cranked the volume of the radio, and even killed the transmission while the vehicle was on th…

    Continue reading article "uConnect Hacked, Should You Be Concerned?" Ram console with uConnect loaded on the infotainment screen

  4. Ram Death Wobble

    Death wobble is a violent shaking of the front end of the vehicle while driving. It usually happens after hitting a bump while traveling at highway speeds, and doesn’t stop until the truck slows down.

    Continue reading article "Ram Death Wobble" Dismantled suspension component

  6. Ram Vehicles with Recalled Takata Airbags

    Parts supplier, Takata, manufactured defective, shrapnel-hurling airbag inflators that need to be recalled. The issue affects 37 million+ vehicles spread out across 24 brands, making it one of the largest (and most dangerous) recalls in aut…

    Continue reading article "Ram Vehicles with Recalled Takata Airbags" Crash test dummy about to hit an airbag with the Takata logo super-imposed on top

What 3500 Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

3500 Generations

The 3500 has 2 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 4th generation (2012–2018).

3500 Key Numbers

  1. 145 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 627 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 31 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Recent 3500 News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  2. More than 228,000 Ram trucks might suddenly roll away, even when the key isn’t in the ignition.

    The problem is caused by pins in the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) that stick open in higher temperatures. Fiat-Chrysler is expanding a previous recall of 1.8 million vehicles to include trucks with column shifters that were built between 01/01/2017 and 01/10/2018.

    keep reading article "Ram Expands Rollaway Recall to Include More Trucks"

  3. Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks because their steering linkages may separate over time.

    This drag link separation will likely cause a complete loss of steering control which is … not ideal. FCA hasn’t said when the recall will begin but they better hurry up as the problem is already responsible for 8 accidents.

    I hate to be a drag, but that number is only going to rise if this takes much longer.

    keep reading article "Ram 2500 and 3500 Recalled for Steering Separation Problems"

  5. A lawsuit concerning hacking vulnerabilities in Fiat-Chrysler’s (FCA) Uconnect system is headed to trial this October.

    The lawsuit was filed after researchers showed how a Jeep could be controlled remotely through the infotainment system. FCA has called the case meritless and tried to get it dismissed. When that didn’t work they turned to the U.S. Supreme Court. To FCA’s surprise, the court refused to even hear the appeal.

    It’s almost as if FCA thought the were in control of the situation and then suddenly they weren’t 🤔

    This post originally appeared on JeepProblems.com.

    keep reading article "Uconnect Hacking Vulnerability Trial Date Set"

  6. Fiat-Chrysler was able to get most of the claims of a 2015 lawsuit thrown out, however the case won't be completely dismissed.

    Attorneys for Chrysler told the judge there is no evidence hackers have affected the vehicles since those vehicles were remedied under the recall and none of the owners say they changed their driving habits due to the hacking incident ... The judge dismissed most of the claims, three of those dismissed with prejudice, but ruled the plaintiffs do have standing to pursue damages for loss in value and overpayments for the vehicles.

    It's possible those plaintiffs will receive some sort of settlement if they carry on with the case, but it's looking less likely for a nationwide compensation settlement.

    keep reading article "Uconnect Lawsuit is Still Alive. Barely."

  7. It doesn't appear the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is going to do anything about Fiat-Chrysler's radio hack recall.

    NHTSA concludes Chrysler vehicles that weren't part of the recalls don't have radios with built-in cellular access or short-range wireless features, which allegedly eliminate the hacking threat. In addition, third-party testing showed potential cellular vulnerabilities were fixed by wireless carrier Sprint or repaired through updates to the Uconnect software.…

    keep reading article "Safety Regulators Close Their Investigation Into Uconnect Hacking Vulnerabilities"

  8. Consumers don't seem convinced that Fiat-Chrysler's (FCA) recall is doing enough to protect them against hacking.

    The hack was possible because of the Harmon Kardon uConnect infotainment systems installed in the affected Jeeps and other vehicles. The plaintiffs claim the uConnect 3G systems in the vehicles should be physically disconnected from the controller area network bus. The CAN bus links together the electronics of the vehicle, including vital functions such as the braking system and transmission.…

    keep reading article "Consumers Aren't Thrilled with FCA's Response to Hacked Uconnect Radios"

See All 3500 News

What Owners Say About Their 3500

Death Wobble Makes Your Truck Shake Like a Washing Machine

Driving down the road and hit a small bump. The front end started wobbling very bad. The only way I was able to stop it was to slow down below 30 mph (I was in a 55 mph zone). This is very dangerous. I pull a 12000 pound trailer. I can't afford to lose steering with a trailer that size.

2013 Ram 3500 Owner

Other Ram Models