Ram

4500

Heavy Duty Chassis Cab · model years 2014 to 2024

See all 26 4500 trims All Ram cars

The verdict

Best year: 2024. complaints: 1, below this model's typical 2; recalls: 2, below this model's typical 7.

Worst year: 2014. complaints: 8, about 1.6x this model's typical 5; recalls: 9, above this model's typical 7.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Ram 4500
Year	Trims	HP	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	Top complaints
2014	3Diesel	no data	9	8	2 (1 open)	ENGINE 50%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 10%
complaints: 8, about 1.6x this model's typical 5 recalls: 9, above this model's typical 7 complaints reporting a fire: 1 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 33 of 100, where higher is better.
2015	5Diesel, Gas	no data	8	7	3 (1 open)	SERVICE BRAKES 18%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 18%, WHEELS 18%
complaints: 7, below this model's typical 8 recalls: 8, above this model's typical 7 complaints reporting a fire: 2 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 56 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	1Diesel	no data	7	1	2 (1 open)	STRUCTURE 100%
complaints: 1, below this model's typical 2 recalls: 7, in line with this model's typical 7 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 70 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	3Diesel	no data	7	5	2 (1 open)	POWER TRAIN 25%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 25%, AIR BAGS 13%
complaints: 5, in line with this model's typical 5 recalls: 7, in line with this model's typical 7 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 59 of 100, where higher is better.
2018	5Diesel, Gas	no data	7	9	1 (1 open)	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 36%, SERVICE BRAKES 29%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%
complaints: 9, above this model's typical 8 recalls: 7, in line with this model's typical 7 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 58 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	3Diesel	no data	9	6	2 (1 open)	ENGINE 25%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 25%, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 13%
complaints: 6, above this model's typical 5 recalls: 9, above this model's typical 7 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 50 of 100, where higher is better.
2020	2Diesel	no data	9	4	2 (1 open)	VISIBILITY 40%, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 20%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 20%
complaints: 4, above this model's typical 3 recalls: 9, above this model's typical 7 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 46 of 100, where higher is better.
2022	3Diesel	360	4	3	1 (1 open)	POWER TRAIN 100%
complaints: 3, below this model's typical 5 recalls: 4, below this model's typical 7 NHTSA advised parking the 2022 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 47 of 100, where higher is better.
2024	1Diesel	no data	2	1	0	POWER TRAIN 50%, STEERING 50%
complaints: 1, below this model's typical 2 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 7 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 84 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Owner complaints2014: 8 to 2024: 1

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Ram 4500 to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.