Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 219 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Dodge Ram 2500, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 52 | 24% |
| Steering | 28 | 13% |
| Service brakes | 18 | 8% |
| Suspension | 14 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 9 | 4% |
| Power train | 9 | 4% |
| Tires | 8 | 4% |
| Air bags | 8 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 6 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 equipped with Mastercraft Tires, Tire Line: Courser AXT, Tire Size:245/75/R16, DOT Number: [XXX] . The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormal
NHTSA complaint: Tires
The dash has completely desegregated exposing all the wires, air conditioning unit, and airbag parts. This is a huge hazard because my headlight switch hangs with nothing to attach to. My airbags are completely visible a
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
In Muskogee County.By the grace of God, I finally gain control of my vehicle, after applying the brakes that failed on me, to avoid an accident, I pulled over to inspect my vehicle. I did a walk around inspection and not
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
They Did Not INCLUDE THE 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 Yet I have had the same experience several times.When travelling at highway speeds and hitting a bump or pot-hole in the road, the front end begins to shake violently and doe
NHTSA complaint: Steering
DASH CRACKED AND SHATTERED TO PIECES, WITH NO REASON APPARENT REASON AND/OR WITHOUT OPERATOR'S CONTROL. PART OF IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint: Structure
VAN FRAME IS RUSTING OUT, STEERING BOX THAT IS MOUNTED TO FRAME IS LIKELY TO FALL OFF SOON. TIE ROD TO FRAME CONNECTION ALSO IS RUSTING OUT. TO MY KNOWLEDGE AND AFTER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THERE IS NO REASONABLE FIX
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED. THE DASHBOARD WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED TWICE FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AFRAID THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD DEPLOY WIT
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, RADIO, AND HEAT/AC CONTROLS IS BREAKING INTO PIECES. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL BE A SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE SHARP AND JAGGED EDG
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2000 Dodge Ram 2500. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999,
Risk: A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.
Fix: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORT
Risk: WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON T
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOC
| Reliability | 67 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 67 | good |
| Maintenance | 49 | below average |
| Depreciation | 81 | excellent |
| Performance | 79 | good |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 219 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 52 of them (24%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 67/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 67/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.