Is the 2014 Ram 1500 a bad year?
1,781 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 1500 years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2014 Ram 1500 are in line with other 1500 years. Steering, fuel system, brakes and 1 more stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2014 1500 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 83,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 510 (29%) | 49k–120k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 276 (15%) | 47k–110k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 183 (10%) | 45k–114k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 111 (6%) | 32k–96k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Engine | 341 (19%) | 42k–110k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 246 (14%) | 25k–90k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Stability control | 17 (1%) | 39k–102k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 9 (1%) | 15k–122k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 8 (0%) | 54k–113k miles · around this mileage | Exhaust leak repair $200–$1,500 · Catalytic converter replacement $500–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 192 (11%) | 17k–73k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 126 (7%) | 22k–82k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 89 (5%) | 15k–77k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 42 (2%) | 5k–61k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 39 (2%) | 8k–72k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 83,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,781 complaints: 99 mention a crash · 24 mention a fire · 56 report an injury · 106 say the car was towed.
139 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
While driving at interstate speeds for approximately 130 miles (2.5 hours), vehicle sputtered and lost power, it stabilized at~40 mph.
After having the aem update completed, I lost 5MPG in fuel economy (From 23 mpg combined, to 18 mpg combined), I also am experiencing an incredibly unsafe amount of acceleration lag (4-6 seconds).
The V08 emission recall has despite what the manufacturer claims decreased my mpg, increased turbo lag, made it unsafe to drive due to literally slower than acceptable throttle response, and daily diesel regeneration.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 83,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2014 Ram 1500: 17
The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation. Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold. Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving. If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged… If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Certain driving conditions, such as driving off-road or debris striking the vehicle may cause the roll rate sensor to trigger a fault within the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). If this fault occurs, the rollover side curtain air bag and the seat belt pretensioner will be disabled from deploying. If the rollover side curtain air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a crash that necessitates activation of these safety systems.
These Mopar canvas seat covers were sold through Chrysler dealerships beginning October 15, 2015. The seat covers can impede the deployment of the seat thorax airbags. If the seat cover impedes the air bag deployment, the seat thorax air bags may not provide adequate protection in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of a injury.
The affected vehicles are equipped with side air bag inflatable curtains (SABIC) that may not fully overlap the C-pillars in the event of a vehicle crash. In the event of a vehicle crash, if a SABIC does not inflate as intended, there is an increased risk of injury to the rear seat occupant.
The affected vehicles have a battery harness that may rub against the frame bracket for the right engine mount resulting in an electrical short. If the harness shorts, the vehicle may stall and there is an increased risk of a fire.
The affected vehicles are equipped with radios that have software vulnerabilities that can allow third-party access to certain networked vehicle control systems. Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.
In the affected vehicles, the side impact sensor calibrations may be overly sensitive, and as a result, the side air bag inflatable curtains and seat air bags may unexpectedly deploy and the seat belt pre-tensioners may activate. Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring. This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Due to an insufficient weld, the rear shocks may detach from the vehicle at one end and possibly damage other chassis components, the tire or result in reduced braking. Damage to the tire or reduced braking increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
In the affected vehicles, the transmission case may have been improperly machined which can result in the park pawl not properly engaging when the transmission is in the 'Park' position. If the park pawl does not properly engage, the vehicle may rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Randomly, the warning lights in the instrument cluster may fail to illuminate as designed. Inoperative warning lights may not properly warn the driver of vehicle problems, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ram: 343
Repair instructions Ram sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2014 Ram 1500. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission
CEL (Check Engine Lamp) C006A-49 Multi-Axis Acceleration Sensor Internal Electronic Failure And C10CC-00 ESC Sensors
Dual EVAP System Extreme Duty Vapor Canister Filter Kit Customers operating fleet or severe/extreme duty gasoline vehicles in continuous dusty driving…
Throttle Blade Icing Service Fix Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination
NHTSA defect investigations: 5
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
Intermittent/Comp Loss of Power Steering
High pressure fuel pump failure
Vehicle Rollaway
Software security vulnerability
Neighbouring years
2013 1500: 1,283 complaints, keep it · 2015 1500: 1,461 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Ram 1500 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All 1500 years side by side
Other Ram models: Ram 2500 · Ram 3500 · Ram 5500 · Ram Promaster. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2014 Ram 1500 a bad year?
1,781 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 1500 years. At 83,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Ram 1500?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (510), fuel system (276), brakes (183), suspension (111), engine (341).
How many recalls does the 2014 Ram 1500 have?
17 recall campaigns list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 23V-411), Fuel system (NHTSA 22V-406), Engine (NHTSA 20V-475), Exhaust (NHTSA 19V-757) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.