Ram models we see most
| Model | US model years | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| 1500 | 2011-present | Trucks from 2009-2012 in Illinois and other salt states were recalled for fuel tank strap brackets that rust (18V160000). |
| 1500 EcoDiesel (first generation) | 2014-2019 | The 3.0-liter diesel is in recalls for EGR cooler fires (19V757000) and stalling from a failing tone wheel (23V411000). |
| 2500 and 3500 | 2011-present | Heavy Duty pickups, many with the Cummins diesel; high weight and drivetrain parts keep them valuable even when wrecked. |
| ProMaster | 2014-present | Ram's full-size front-wheel-drive van, adapted from the Fiat Ducato. |
| ProMaster City | 2015-2022 | A small cargo and passenger van based on the Fiat Doblo. |
| Dakota | 2011 | The midsize pickup's final model year, sold under the Ram brand rather than Dodge. |
| C/V | 2012-2015 | A cargo-van version of the Dodge Grand Caravan sold as a Ram work vehicle. |
Known Ram problems that end up at the scrapyard
Rusting fuel tank strap brackets on 2009-2012 Ram 1500
Recall 18V160000 covers 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks ever registered in Illinois and other salt states. Water mixed with road salt can corrode the front fuel tank strap T-slot bracket on the frame until the tank drops and drags on the ground, risking a fuel leak and a tank that may not stay attached in a crash. Look under the bed before driving one. source
EGR cooler cracks and intake fires on 2014-2019 EcoDiesel
Recall 19V757000 covers 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic trucks with the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel. The exhaust gas recirculation cooler can crack and let vaporized coolant into the EGR system, where it can ignite in the intake manifold. Coolant loss with no visible leak on one of these trucks is a reason to have it checked before driving further. source
Crankshaft tone wheel stalls on the 3.0 EcoDiesel
Recall 23V411000 covers 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Grand Cherokee diesels. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel can delaminate, so the engine loses the ability to time fuel injection and camshaft position and may stall. Because the tone wheel sits inside the engine, a truck that already failed this way can face a major repair, which is when selling starts to look reasonable. source
Ram is Dodge’s truck line under its own name
Chrysler spun Ram off from Dodge in 2009, taking the name of the Dodge Ram pickup. Trucks built from 2011 on carry the Ram badge, and the brand added work vans: the full-size ProMaster, the small ProMaster City and, for a few years, the C/V cargo version of the Grand Caravan. If you have an older truck badged as a Dodge Ram, it’s covered on our Dodge page instead.
On a newer Ram, the problems that turn it into a junk truck are usually a crash, salt damage or an expensive diesel fault. The 2009-2012 Ram 1500 was recalled in salt states, Illinois named, because rust could let the fuel tank drop. The first-generation 3.0 EcoDiesel has two serious recalls, one for EGR cooler cracks that can start a fire in the intake and one for a crankshaft tone wheel that can come apart and stall the engine.
For pricing, a Ram’s weight and drivetrain do most of the work. An intact engine, transmission and axles add a lot, while missing catalytic converters or diesel exhaust parts, fire damage or a cut frame take away from it.
Trucks that still owe money
Unlike a twenty-year-old sedan, a junk Ram may still have a loan on it. That doesn’t stop a sale, but the lien has to be paid off and released before the title moves. Read our guide to selling a car with a lien in Illinois before you call, and have a payoff letter from your lender ready.
Prepping a Ram for pickup
Use the Clear Personal Data option in the Uconnect Reset menu to remove phones and presets, and unlink the truck from any Ram phone app you used. If the windshield has one of the newer I-PASS sticker tags, remember that I-PASS sticker tags aren’t transferable between vehicles, so update your I-PASS account rather than trying to move it. Take out toolboxes, ladder racks and anything else you want to keep. For other makes, see our brands list.
Selling a junk Ram: questions
I still owe money on my Ram. Can I sell it as junk?
Yes, but the lender has to be paid and release its lien before the title can transfer. Get a payoff letter from your lender and tell us the balance when you call, so the sale is set up correctly. Our lien guide explains the steps.
Do you buy wrecked Ram 2500 and 3500 diesels?
Yes. Heavy Duty Rams are among the heaviest pickups on the road, and their axles, transmissions and engines are worth a lot as parts even after a crash. Tell us where the damage is and whether the engine was running before the wreck.