Selling a worn-out or broken Ram 3500

A one-ton truck that won't run still has buyers. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, duallys and diesels included. You sell the whole car as it sits, and pickup is free anywhere in the US.

We counted these Ram 3500 owner reports from NHTSA's data on October 10, 2026. They are reports, not findings, and a 2024 or 2025 has spent far fewer years on the road drawing complaints than a 2014.

Complaints and recalls by model year

The 2008 has 4 complaints and the 2009 has 3. No complaints are filed under the Ram 3500 name for 2010-2012.

Problems by year group

Our sources don't give generation dates for the 3500, so the groups follow the complaint data.

2013-2016: steering, engine and wheels

Steering leads three of these four years. The 2016 is the odd one: wheels come second with 18 complaints, and the 2016 also has 12 crash reports, the most of the group.

Recalls to check on these trucks:

• Lug nut torque (21V398000). Manuals gave incorrect information for flanged lug nuts on 2013-2021 3500s. Dealers update the torque specification in the manuals and other service documents. The 447,985 vehicles in the campaign include 4500 and 5500 cab chassis trucks.
• Steering drag link (19V021000). A loose jam nut can let one end of the drag link separate on 2013-2018 trucks. The 2500 shares the campaign.
• Cummins water pumps (17V562000). 2013-2017 6.7L diesels with Concentric-brand pumps get new pumps.
• Side impact sensors (15V460000). A calibration update for the restraint module on 2013-2015 trucks.

2017-2018: brakes

Together these two years hold 1,118 complaints. Service brakes lead both, with 137 on the 2017 and 474 on the 2018. If your truck is one of these years and the brakes are the reason it's parked, look up the VIN at NHTSA before paying for parts.

2019-2022: diesel fuel, then the power train

The 2019 and 2020 point to the diesel fuel system, with 25 and 21 complaints. The 2022 stands out: power train complaints jump to 108, more than half of that year's 190.

Two PARK OUTSIDE recalls cover Cummins 6.7L trucks here: 21V798000 for 2021-2022 and 23V060000 for 2021-2023. Both concern a relay that can short. Recall 22V140000 lists 2019-2022 3500 cab chassis trucks under 10,000 pounds for an ABS software update.

2023-2026: early days

There are 131 complaints across these four years. That's partly because they're new. On 2025-2026 3500s, recall 26V059000 puts in a new trailer tow module. Its 456,287 vehicles include Jeeps and other Rams.

Repair or sell

Start with the gap between the written quote and what the truck is worth once it's running again. If fixing the 3500 would eat most of that amount, you're better off selling the truck whole.

1. Recalls first. Run the VIN and ask a Ram dealer about anything open. The open recall guide explains selling with one.
2. Power train on a 2022? It's the year's dominant complaint. The bad transmission guide explains what failure looks like.
3. Diesel trouble? See diesel emissions problems and failed turbo.
4. Brakes or wheels? Don't drive a truck that can't stop safely. Bad brakes covers fix or sell.

How to sell it whole

1. Write down the VIN, mileage, gas or diesel, single or dual rear wheels, and what's wrong.
2. Get a Ram 3500 offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Describe the spot. Driveway, farm, job site or shop lot. Say whether it rolls, and mention a flatbed, a fifth-wheel hitch or a service body so the tow truck that comes can handle it.
4. Keep it whole. Leave the wheels, the exhaust and the diesel parts on. Parts already taken off change what we offer, so list them up front.
5. When the 3500 is collected, the driver gets the title and keys and sees your photo ID. After you sell covers plates by state.

Compare with the Ram 2500 and 1500, or see all Ram models.