Is the 2023 Ram 1500 a bad year?
199 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 1500 years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2023 Ram 1500 are in line with other 1500 years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2023 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 17,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 70 (35%) | 8k–46k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 47 (24%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 31 (16%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 29 (15%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 18 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 18 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 16 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 15 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
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 17,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 199 complaints: 10 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 3 report an injury · 10 say the car was towed.
83 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.
Recalls for the 2023 Ram 1500: 11
The second-row center and left-side seat belt buckle anchors may have been improperly installed. An improperly installed seat belt buckle anchor may fail to properly restrain occupants, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The driver's side air bag may not be connected properly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended. A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The mirror glass may detach from the driver's side heated trailer tow rearview mirror. Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The turn signal self-canceling feature may not function properly. Turn signals that do not function properly may fail to indicate the driver's intention to change vehicle direction, increasing the risk of a crash.
Due to a software malfunction, the anti-lock brake system (ABS) control module may disable the electronic stability control system. Driving with a disabled electronic stability control system can increase the risk of a crash.
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. A loss of drive power or a loss of park function increase the risk of a crash.
The steering column control module may not be welded properly, which can prevent the driver's air bag from deploying in a crash. An air bag that does not deploy in a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The steering column control module may cause the high beams to activate when the turn signal is used or activate the turn signal when the high beams are used. In addition, the turn signal self-canceling feature may not function properly. Turn signals and/or high beams that do not function as intended may cause confusion or reduced visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail. Fuel pump failure can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The trailer reverse steering control module (TRSCM) may prevent the rearview image from displaying when the vehicle is placed in reverse. A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility of the rear view, increasing the risk of injury or 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: 423
Repair instructions Ram sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2023 Ram 1500. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The Customer May Complain About a Popping Noise, Grinding Noise, or an Intermittent No Reverse or Forward Transmission Engagement
Engine PNs: MY 24-26 WD/DT (5.7L) Code P00B is being misdiagnosed and incorrect parts are being installed causing over repair
Transmission Control Module (TCM) Updates Customers may comment on one or more of the following: SYMPTOM: Harsh or slipping feeling during upshifts (1st - 5th)
Check Engine Light (CEL) Illuminated with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0106 Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor Performance Setting In The Powertrain Control…
Neighbouring years
2022 1500: 639 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2024 1500: 78 complaints, keep it.
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 2023 Ram 1500 a bad year?
199 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 1500 years. At 17,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Ram 1500?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (70), engine (47), brakes (31), transmission and drivetrain (29), fuel system (18).
How many recalls does the 2023 Ram 1500 have?
11 recall campaigns list this model year: Seat belts (NHTSA 26V-495), Electrical system (NHTSA 25V-298), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 24V-754), Steering (NHTSA 24V-729) 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.