2018
New 2021
Used 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

Ram 2500 Change Vehicle

Unlock Ratings
Looking for a true workhorse? Look no further than the Ram 2500. This big heavy-duty (HD) truck enjoys the same improvements that the Ram 1500 benefited from over the last few years. Namely, the coil-spring rear suspension delivers a ride that is a bit more civilized than those of competing heavy-duty trucks. The Ram also benefits from an easy-to-use infotainment system.
Alerts
There are 7 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.
2018
New 2021
Used 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

Ram 2500

Reliability
See All
Owner Satisfaction
See All
Crash and Rollover Tests
IIHS Front Moderate Overlap NA
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver NA
IIHS Side Crash NA
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Driver
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Passenger
See All

Road Test Results

Performance
Acceleration Acceleration Acceleration tests are conducted on a smooth, flat pavement straightaway at the track. Time, speed, and distance measurements are taken with a precise GPS-based device that’s hooked to a data-logging computer.
0 to 60 mph 0 to 60 mph (sec.) The time in seconds that a vehicle takes to reach 60 mph from a standstill with the engine idling.
Transmission Transmission Transmission performance is determined by shifting smoothness, response, shifter action, and clutch actuation for manual transmissions.
Braking Braking The braking rating is a composite of wet and dry stopping distances and pedal feel. Braking distance is from 60 mph, with no wheels locked.
Emergency Handling Emergency Handling Several factors go into the rating, including the avoidance maneuver speed and confidence, as well as how the vehicle behaves when pushed to its limit.
Comfort / Convenience
Ride Ride Our expert judgment of how well the suspension isolates and absorbs road imperfections and how steady it keeps the body on various road surfaces.
Noise Noise Our expert judgment of the vehicle's interior noise level in everyday driving.
Front Seat Comfort Front Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the front seat is for drivers of various heights.
Rear Seat Comfort Rear Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the rear seat is for two passengers to sit across.
Interior Fit and Finish Interior Fit and Finish An expert evaluation of the interior quality and craftsmanship.
Trunk/Cargo Area Trunk/Cargo Area Our rating is based on the amount of luggage or cargo space that a vehicle has in the trunk or cargo area.
Fuel Economy & Emissions
Fuel Economy Fuel Economy We perform our own fuel-economy tests, independent of the government's often-quoted EPA figures and the manufacturers' claims. Using a precise fuel-flow measuring device spliced into the fuel line, we run two separate circuits to represent city and highway consumption.
CR's Overall Mileage CR's Overall Mileage CR's overall mileage is a composite of measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course and highway cruising; and CR's 150-mile test trip of mixed driving, if tested. In recent road tests, we've discontinued the 150-mile trip test.
CR's City Mileage CR's City Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course.
CR's Highway Mileage CR's Highway Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed highway cruising.
Annual Fuel Cost Annual Fuel Cost The cost and amount of fuel used in 12,000 miles and is calculated from CR's overall mileage.
Greenhouse Gas Greenhouse Gas The Greenhouse Gas Rating represents the amount of carbon dioxide the vehicle emits compared to other vehicles of the same model year. This score from the EPA ranges from 1 (worst) to 10 (best).
NA
Smog Rating Smog Rating The Smog Rating represents the amount of health-damaging and smog-forming airborne pollutants the vehicle emits compared to other vehicles of the same model year. This score from the EPA ranges from 1 (worst) to 10 (best).
NA

Owner Reports

Worse Better
Reliability History Reliability History The reliability charts are based on responses on hundreds of thousands of vehicles from our latest Annual Auto Survey. Consumer Reports subscribers reported on any serious problems they had with their vehicles during the past 12 months that they considered serious because of cost, failure, safety, or downtime, in any of the trouble spots included in the table below. The results are presented relative to the average model that year. Extra weight is given to the more serious areas such as major engine or transmission problems. Based on this data and further analysis, we predict reliability for the latest year. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
NA
2012
NA
2013
NA
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
NA
Reliability Trouble Spots
Engine Major Engine Major Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.
NA
Engine Minor Engine Minor Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.
NA
Engine Cooling Engine Cooling Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.
NA
Transmission Major Transmission Major Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.
NA
Transmission Minor Transmission Minor Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.
NA
Drive System Drive System Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.
NA
View all Reliability
Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction To learn about satisfaction, CR has collected survey data from our annual survey on more than half a million vehicles. Our subscribers provide great insights into their satisfaction by answering one simple question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? In addition, respondents also rate their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
NA
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
NA
Driving Experience Driving Experience Includes acceleration and handling
Comfort Comfort Includes seats, climate control, noise, and ride
Value Value Did you get what you wanted relative to the price you paid?
Styling Styling How it looks inside and out
View all Owner Satisfaction
Safety Equipment
ABS standard. ESC standard from 2012. Head protection air bags standard.
Road Test

Looking for a true workhorse? Look no further than the Ram 2500. This big heavy-duty (HD) truck enjoys the same improvements that the Ram 1500 benefited from over the last few years. Namely, the coil-spring rear suspension delivers a ride that is a bit more civilized than those of competing heavy-duty trucks. The Ram also benefits from an easy-to-use infotainment system.

Most HD buyers are likely to opt for the torque-rich 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel inline-six-cylinder engine instead of Chrysler's powerful 383-hp, 5.7-liter V8. This strong-pulling diesel is a bit noisy with some engine clatter, however. And, it's a different, more heavy-duty truck engine than the passenger-car oriented diesel engine offered on the Ram 1500. At any rate, our Cummins-equipped Ram delivered stump-pulling torque and was able to sprint the Ram 2500 to 60 mph in less than 9 seconds. We also measured 14 mpg overall -- about on par with other HD trucks.

Seating
2 front, 3 rear
Drive Wheels
4WD , Rear
Warranty
Coverage varies among versions of this vehicle

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties
Body Styles
mega cab
regular cab
crew cab
Transmissions Available
  • 6-speed Automatic
  • 6-speed Manual
Engines Available
  • 5.7-liter V8 (383 hp)
  • 6.4-liter V8 (410 hp)
  • 6.7-liter 6 turbodiesel (385 hp)

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2018 Ram 2500 owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

In-car Electronics

CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.

What Owners Say

Display screen freezes up

"GPS and display screen did not work when purchased. Upon return to the dealership, they said it would take three months to fix. After three months and multiple trips to the dealership, to include a lengthy unsuccessful mediation which was a sham, they ordered a new unit. The new unit has a GPS that works but other features lock up regularly and become unfunctional. Amazing they have problems with electronics in this day and age, on a $75,000 vehicle."

John W., KY (2018 Ram 2500 Laramie 6.7-L 6 Cyl diesel)
Display screen goes blank

"Sometimes when I start the truck the display will go blank. When that happens you cannot operate anything associated with it, no ventilation controls, no radio or CD, no steering wheel controls... I can usually correct it by stopping and restarting the truck."

Anonymous, CA (2018 Ram 2500 SLT 6.7-L 6 Cyl diesel)
Phone pairing (e.g., Bluetooth)

"I was originally able to pair my cell phone to the truck and it stayed paired following the 1st system update. Then a 2nd update came in and the phone was not paired after that and could not be paired."

Anonymous, CA (2018 Ram 2500 SLT 6.7-L 6 Cyl diesel)
Radio

"The navigation system read inaccurately. It showed I was 40 miles from my actual location. I took it to a dealer where they tried to update the software. During that process the entire system locked up. The radio (which included the navigation system) had to be replaced. This whole process took over a month to get the problem identified and corrected. The cost was covered under the factory warranty."

Anonymous, IA (2018 Ram 2500 Laramie 6.7-L 6 Cyl diesel)
Software update fixes

"Started July 2020. Shows me at a location 400 miles away. Dealer said they would try to reprogram. Radio froze. Waiting on new radio."

Anonymous, (2018 Ram 2500 SLT 6.7-L 6 Cyl diesel)

"passenger restraint update and software updates still haven't been done due to worthless dealer"

Anonymous, WA (2018 Ram 2500 SLT 6.7-L 6 Cyl diesel)
Speakers

"Front door speakers, can barely hear them, has hardly any volume. Adjustments were made by me and the Dealer.. Dealer changed them out or said they did, and there is no difference in the volume Not satified with them but have not gone back to the Dealer to have this fixed, Will soon."

Norman H., CO (2018 Ram 2500 Laramie 6.7-L 6 Cyl diesel)
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Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Springs or torsion bars

"Ram has a problem with its truck. People are calling it the Dodge Death Wobble. When your driving along, and hit a bump you'll momentarily loose any control of the vehicle. It's a very serious situation."

Anonymous, NV (2018 Ram 2500 Laramie 6.7-L 6 Cyl diesel)
Steering linkage (includes rack and pinion)

"Factory Recall- Drag Link nut could come loose causing loss of steering control."

Anonymous, CA (2018 Ram 2500 Laramie 6.4-L V8)

"drag link recall where steering linkage will fall off is a bit of a problem"

Anonymous, WA (2018 Ram 2500 SLT 6.7-L 6 Cyl diesel)

"Warranty repair for jam nut on front drag link could become loose. Ram tightened and welded nut"

Steve G., IL (2018 Ram 2500 Laramie 6.7-L 6 Cyl diesel)
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Brakes

Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear.

What Owners Say

Antilock system (ABS)

"Error message from in-dash notification. No actual problem with the brakes was found."

Anonymous, (2018 Ram 2500 Laramie 6.7-L 6 Cyl diesel)

"False ABS failure system indication, which in turn disabled the cruise control."

Anonymous, MS (2018 Ram 2500 SLT 6.4-L V8)
Rotors

"Right front brake pads, stuck in the applied position. Pads got very hot and smoked. Had to replace the pads and rotor only on the right front wheel. No problem since. Happened at about 2000 miles from New.."

Norman H., CO (2018 Ram 2500 Laramie 6.7-L 6 Cyl diesel)

Transmission Minor

Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.

What Owners Say

Rough shifting

"Would not shift at times, then shift hard."

Anonymous, MD (2018 Ram 2500 Unsure 6.4-L V8)
Slipping transmission

"At the same as the other problem at times would slip."

Anonymous, MD (2018 Ram 2500 Unsure 6.4-L V8)

Body Integrity

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Squeaks or rattles

"Rattle from behind the dash, after a day of repaire found it was the brake lines in the engine compartment rattling together. Took approx 10 - 11 hours labor to find the rattle. All covered by warranty."

Anonymous, MN (2018 Ram 2500 SLT 6.7-L 6 Cyl diesel)
Wind noise

"The engine cooling fan would stick on with the A/C on above 30 MPH."

Anonymous, MN (2018 Ram 2500 SLT 6.7-L 6 Cyl diesel)

Fuel System

Check engine light, sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor), emission control devices (includes EGR), engine computer, engine computer, fuel cap, fuel gauge/sender, fuel injection system, fuel pump, fuel leaks, stalling or hesitation.

What Owners Say

Emission control devices (includes EGR)

"DEF sensor was bad. Dealership told us that a foreign substance was in the DEF tank. It was crystalized DEF. Dealership is a bunch of idiots"

Anonymous, KS (2018 Ram 2500 6.7-L 6 Cyl diesel)

Body Hardware

Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top.

What Owners Say

Tailgate, hatch or trunk

"Ram box lid tops expand upwards as the heat warps the inside plastic so the lid is an inch higher"

Anonymous, FL (2018 Ram 2500 Power Wagon 6.4-L V8)

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.

What Owners Say

Differential

"noticeable whine at higher speeds"

Anonymous, CA (2018 Ram 2500 Laramie 6.4-L V8)

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, leaks.

What Owners Say

Other/unsure

"factory recall"

Anonymous, TN (2018 Ram 2500 TRX 6.4-L V8)

Climate System

Blower (fan) motor, A/C compressor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, electrical failure.

Power Equipment

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, remote engine start, alarm or security system

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust.

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.

Electric System

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery and related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, distributor or rotor failure, spark plugs and wires failure.

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