Selling a junk or broken Dodge Ram 3500

A 3500 with a worn front end, a tired diesel or a frame that won't pass inspection can be sold as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk vehicles, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

What owners reported, grouped by year

The Ram 3500 isn't in EPA's fuel economy data, so the years here are the ones NHTSA complaints are filed under, 1993 to 2012. We lack a verified Ram 3500 history to break it into generations, so the groups below are based on the complaint data.

1993-2002: brakes and the power train

The early trucks have fewer complaints, but they're spread across more parts. The hydraulic brakes lead on the 1994 (14), the 1995 (24) and the 1996 (31). The power train leads on the 1998 (18) and the 1999 (16), and structure on the 2001 (27).

Recall 99V024 replaced the headlamp switch on 1994-1997 trucks, where long use could make the headlamps or park lamps go out. The notice says it covers model 3500 light-duty trucks only, 79,366 of them. On 2000-2001 trucks, 01V153 replaced the clockspring since sound deadener material inside the steering wheel could come loose from the cover and housing; that campaign is for Ram pickups generally.

2003-2008: air bags, diesels and tie rods

The 2003 has 286 complaints, with air bags named most (79). Recall 15V312 carries a DO NOT DRIVE warning for 2003 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 trucks over the passenger air bag inflator. Two later campaigns with the same warning, 15V313 and 16V352, list 3500 years inside 2006-2010. Those campaigns cover 4,077,169 and 4,648,270 vehicles across many models, so they aren't 3500 counts.

The power train leads on the 2004 (54), and two diesel recalls fall in this stretch. On 2003-2005 diesel trucks with automatics, 05V462 put in an out-of-park alarm, since a driver getting out in a rush might not push the shifter all the way into Park. 08V641 added a bracket on 2007-2008 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks with the 6.7-liter diesel, where a silencer pad could sag onto the EGR cooler.

Steering takes the lead from 2005 on. 13V528 covers the tie rod assembly on 2003-2008 Ram 2500 and 3500 4x4 trucks and some 3500 cab chassis and 1500 Mega Cab models. That's why its count, 706,664, is far larger than the 3500 alone.

2009-2012: steering almost every time

Steering complaints run 63, 77, 150 and 196 across the 2009-2012 model years. 11V350 inspected tie rod orientation on 2008-2011 3500 4x4 and cab chassis trucks and replaced the left outer tie rod as needed. 13V529 inspected the left tie rod assembly on 2008-2012 trucks and replaced the steering linkage where necessary.

Other campaigns on these years: 14V635 for diesel fuel system electrical connectors on 2010-2012 trucks, 17V821 for the brake transmission shift interlock on 2010-2012 trucks, and 21V398 on 2012 trucks, where wrong lug nut torque figures in the manuals could leave flanged lug nuts at the wrong torque. Each one also covers Ram 2500, 4500 or 5500 trucks.

Complaints and recalls by model year

NHTSA data pulled October 10, 2026. A campaign that names several years gets counted in every one, so this column adds up past 32.

A dash means steering wasn't among that year's top three components in the file, so we don't have its count.

Fix the truck or sell it?

Set a written repair estimate beside the asking prices for running 3500s with your year, cab and drivetrain. Then work through these.

1. Wandering or loose steering on a 4x4? Run the VIN at NHTSA's recall page for 11V350, 13V528 and 13V529, and ask a Ram dealer whether they were done. Our broken suspension guide helps price the rest of a worn front end.
2. Listed in a DO NOT DRIVE inflator campaign? Deal with that first. A truck sold whole doesn't have to be driven to us.
3. Diesel trouble? See diesel emissions problems and blown engine.
4. Rust in the frame? Read rotted frame.

Selling a Ram 3500 whole

1. Note the year, VIN and mileage, plus gas or diesel, 2WD or 4x4, and cab style.
2. Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Give the exact location and say if it can be rolled. A dually crew cab needs a bigger truck than a car does, so mention dual rear wheels, a flatbed or a cab chassis up front. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
4. Leave it whole. Keep the wheels, the converter and any diesel parts on, and tell us what's already been removed.
5. For the handoff, bring the title and ID. What to do with a truck's plates varies; see after you sell.

For a work truck titled to a company, see car owned by a business. Other Dodge trucks: the Ram 2500, Ram 1500 and Dakota, or every Dodge model. More on big vehicles: junk truck or SUV.