2023 Ram 4500 Safety Report

The 2023 RAM 4500 currently has a limited safety data profile due to its recent release, with 0 total NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported. This lack of complaint data makes it difficult to assess common owner-reported issues. However, the vehicle has been subject to 4 safety recalls, which address significant potential hazards. These recalls cover critical safety systems including the trailer hitch, airbags, steering, and electrical system, indicating proactive identification and correction of manufacturing defects. Specifically, one recall addresses the potential for a detached trailer hitch due to insufficient mounting bolts, which could create a severe road hazard. Another recall targets the airbag system, where a faulty clockspring/spiral cassette could prevent airbag deployment, increasing injury risk in a crash. The steering system also has a recall for a control module issue that could impair turn signal and high beam functionality, potentially causing confusion for other drivers and increasing crash risk. Most concerning is a recall for an electrical short in the relay of vehicles with the Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine, which poses a risk of engine compartment fire even when the ignition is off. NHTSA has not published any crash test ratings (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover) for the 2023 RAM 4500, which is common for heavy-duty commercial vehicles. Therefore, its crashworthiness performance cannot be evaluated based on official government tests. The presence of multiple recalls for fundamental safety components, despite the absence of owner complaints, suggests that potential safety issues were identified through internal testing or early field reports by the manufacturer or suppliers.

Our recommendation: Given the 4 active safety recalls for critical components, potential buyers should ensure all recall remedies have been completed by the dealer before purchase. While there are no owner complaints yet, the recalls highlight significant potential safety risks that need to be addressed.