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2023 Ram 2500 problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
53% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2023 Ram 2500 are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.
Worse than 70% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 15 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 37%).
Does the 2023 Ram 2500 have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 18 of 34 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2023 Ram 2500 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (53%), and the largest group is filed under engine (11). For comparison, the 2022 scores 51%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2023 compares with other Ram 2500 years
Of the 13 Ram 2500 years with enough complaints to score, the 2023 is the 2nd-worst on engine and transmission share (53%). The worst is the 2021 (53%), the best the 2018 (4%). By volume, the 2023 drew 49 complaints (18 drivetrain), against 181 for the 2022.
Ram 2500 years to avoid and best years →
2011 2500 problems · 2012 2500 problems · 2013 2500 problems · 2014 2500 problems · 2015 2500 problems · 2016 2500 problems · 2017 2500 problems · 2018 2500 problems · 2019 2500 problems · 2020 2500 problems · 2021 2500 problems · 2022 2500 problems · 2023
The rest of the picture on the 2023 Ram 2500
- What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 18 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2023 Ram 2500 transmission recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns on the 2023 Ram 2500 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 8 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2023-2026 Ram 2500 Pick up trucks. A software error in the powertrain control module may improperly allow the vehicle speed to exceed the tire speed rating, which can result in a loss of vehicle control.
Risk: Loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is…
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. An insufficient weld in the transmission control unit can allow transmission fluid to leak on to electrical components, resulting in a loss of drive power or loss of park function.
Risk: A loss of drive power or a loss of park function increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the valve body and control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expecting to be mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US,…
FCA US, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ram 2500 and 2020-2022 Ram 3500 vehicles. A build-up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube.
Risk: Leaking transmission fluid may contact an ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the transmission dipstick and transmission vent assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at…
5 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model; one of NHTSA's listings did not answer when this page was built, so the list may be incomplete. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2023 Ram 2500? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
Get a history report from EpicVIN Before you pay: EpicVIN’s $1 offer is a 3-day trial (up to 5 reports) that renews at $49.99 a month unless you cancel. Other plans are listed under “View all our packages” at checkout. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It does not change what this page reports.Questions people ask about the 2023 Ram 2500
Does the 2023 Ram 2500 have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 18 of 34 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2023 Ram 2500 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (53%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.
What is the most common problem with the 2023 Ram 2500?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2023 Ram 2500 is engine: 11 of 49 complaints (22%) name it, followed by electrical system (10) and exterior lighting (9). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap.
Is the 2023 Ram 2500 reliable?
On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 53% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (high signal). That is worse than 70% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 13 Ram 2500 years we score, it ranks 2nd-worst. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2023 Ram 2500?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns on the 2023 Ram 2500 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 8 in total: 26V288000 (power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)), 24V413000 (power train: automatic transmission), 22V835000 (power train: automatic transmission). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Ram 2500 years are better?
Among the Ram 2500 years we track, the 2018 (4%), the 2017 (12%) and the 2011 (20%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2023 (53%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/ram-2500
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 3 body styles NHTSA files separately.