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 68 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Dodge Ram 3500, and it carries 1 recall. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 11 | 16% |
| Structure | 9 | 13% |
| Power train | 7 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 6% |
| Steering | 4 | 6% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 4% |
| Air bags | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
THE CRACKING HAS DONE NOTHING BUT GET WORSE. THE DASH HAS BEGUN HAVING CHUCKS OF BROKEN PLASTIC FALL OFF INTO THE INSTRUMENTATION AND ON THE FLOOR. IT HAS DISPROPORTIONATELY DEVALUED THE TRUCK. THE DASH SHOULD BE REPLACE
NHTSA complaint: Structure
HAD A CAR PULL OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN CRASH. EXCESSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE, INSURANCE TOTALED TRUCK. ALSO HAD A FRIEND 2 WEEKS PRIOR INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH EXCESSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE, INSURANCE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
DODGE CASE # [XXX] CRACKED DASHBOARD DUE TO DEFECTIVE PLASTIC WHEN TRUCK WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2000. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN AN INSULATED ENCLOSED GARAGE EXCEPT WHEN BEING DRIVEN. DUE TO THE SEVERE CRACKS, SHARP PIECES CO
NHTSA complaint: Structure
ON APRIL 2, 2012 I WENT TO A RANCH THAT I WORK AT, PUT MY TRUCK IN PARK, PUT THE BRAKE ON, AND OPENED THE GATE. I DROVE THROUGH AND DID THE SAME PROCEDURE TO GO TO CLOSE THE GATE. MY TRUCK POPPED OUT OF PARK,RAN THROUG
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE DI
NHTSA complaint: Engine
CONSUMER STATES DODGE RAM 3500 DIESEL POPPED OUT OF PARK CAUSING INJURIES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR OF THE VEHICLE HIT HER AND THE TRUCK RAN OVER HER, BREAKING BOTH OF HER LEGS. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS SEVERELY CRACKED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWA
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE 3500. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TURNING INTO HIS DRIVEWAY HE HEARD A LOUD CLANGING NOISE. WHEN HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO RUST.
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2000 Dodge Ram 3500. 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.
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 | 74 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 45 | 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 68 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 11 of them (16%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 74/100 (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 70/100, 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 68/100. 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.