About Ram
Ram became its own Stellantis marque in 2010 (the trucks were "Dodge Ram" before that). A Ram VIN reveals the model and cab, assembly plant, engine family (3.6L Pentastar V6, 5.7L / 6.4L HEMI V8, 3.0L EcoDiesel, or the 6.7L Cummins turbo-diesel), body class, and every open NHTSA recall. CheckMyVIN runs the full lookup in about 30 seconds, free.
Founded 2010 and headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan (Stellantis North America), Ram vehicles register their VIN data with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). When you enter a Ram VIN above, CheckMyVIN queries the NHTSA VPIC database directly — pulling the same federally certified specs that the manufacturer reported when the vehicle was sold.
Ram uses several WMI codes (1C6, 3C6, ZFB, and more) depending on plant and model line — see the full Ram VIN Decoder for the complete table and a per-position walkthrough.
Where to find your Ram VIN
- Driver-side dashboard, near windshieldStand outside the vehicle on the driver's side and look at the corner of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. The 17-character VIN is engraved on a metal plate visible through the glass.
- Driver's door jamb stickerOpen the driver's door and look at the door jamb (the frame the door closes against). A federal certification label lists the VIN, tire pressures, and gross vehicle weight rating.
- Vehicle title, registration & insurance cardThe VIN appears on the title, current registration, and insurance documents. If buying used, cross-check the VIN on the car against every document — any mismatch is a major red flag.
What CheckMyVIN shows for Ram
Every Ram report includes the decoded specifications (engine, drive type, transmission, plant, body class), every open recall NHTSA has on file for the year/model/make combination, an AI-written plain-English summary, and the maintenance specs CheckMyVIN can confidently match by engine code. Tire sizes vary by trim and are always marked "Varies by trim — check door-jamb label" rather than guessed.
Common Ram issues to check before buying
Brand-specific known issues — useful as a pre-purchase inspection checklist. CheckMyVIN does not flag these per VIN; verify against service history.
HEMI "tick" / MDS lifter and camshaft wear
2009+ Ram 1500 with the 5.7L HEMI V8
Like other FCA/Stellantis HEMIs, the 5.7L in the Ram 1500 can develop a top-end "HEMI tick" and Multi-Displacement System (MDS) lifter failure that wipes a camshaft lobe — a misfire and an expensive cam/lifter job. Listen for a persistent tick (not just on cold start) and a stored misfire code; ask whether the lifters/cam were serviced. Many owners disable MDS with a tune to reduce the risk.
6.7L Cummins emissions system & CP4 pump
2013+ Ram 2500/3500 with the 6.7L Cummins (and 3.0L EcoDiesel)
The Cummins turbo-diesel is stout, but the emissions hardware (DPF/EGR/DEF) is maintenance-heavy and expensive when it fails, and CP4-equipped diesels are sensitive to fuel quality (a CP4 failure can contaminate the whole fuel system). Confirm any emissions recalls were completed and that the DPF/EGR/DEF system has NOT been deleted (illegal and devalues the truck). Verify diesel service history.
Front-end "death wobble" (HD solid front axle)
2014+ Ram 2500/3500 (and earlier HD) with the solid front axle
Like other solid-front-axle trucks, the Ram HD can develop a violent steering oscillation ("death wobble") at speed after a bump, traced to a worn steering damper, track bar, or front-end components. It is fixable with fresh parts and alignment; on a test drive, hit a slight bump at highway speed and watch for shimmy, and budget for front-end refresh on a lifted or higher-mileage HD.
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) electrical faults
2011–2014 Ram 1500 and other FCA-era models
The under-hood TIPM fuse/relay computer can fail intermittently — no-start, stalling, fuel-pump-relay failure, and random electrical gremlins. A pattern of unexplained electrical complaints on an FCA-era Ram points here; replacement runs several hundred to ~$1,000+.
Ram buyer's notes
On a 5.7 HEMI Ram 1500, the MDS lifter/cam risk is the main mechanical concern — a persistent tick plus a misfire code is the warning. On a Cummins HD, verify emissions recalls and that nothing is deleted, and treat a CP4 failure as a major-cost risk. On HD trucks, check for death wobble. Confirm the 2019 Ram 1500 brake-pedal recall (19V067000) and the 2019-2020 HD transmission recall (20V043000) are closed. Towing capacity hinges on the rear-axle ratio (a build option, not the VIN) — check the door-jamb payload sticker and build sheet. A Ram dealer can pull the full build and service history from the VIN through the Mopar service system — Mopar being Stellantis's parts/service brand, not the make.
Frequently asked questions
How do I decode a Ram 1500 VIN?
Enter the 17-character VIN above. CheckMyVIN reads it through the official NHTSA VPIC database and returns model, model year, cab/body class, engine, assembly plant, drive type, and any open recalls. It works for any Ram in NHTSA records — Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, the ProMaster and ProMaster City vans, and the pre-2011 Dodge Ram trucks.
Where is the VIN on a Ram truck?
Four places: the dash plate at the base of the windshield (driver side, visible through the glass), the driver-door jamb certification label, the title/registration, and stamped on the frame rail. Always cross-check the dash VIN against the door-jamb label and the title before buying.
How do I check for Ram recalls by VIN?
Every Ram lookup on CheckMyVIN automatically queries NHTSA recall records for the year/make/model and lists each open campaign with its official NHTSA campaign number and the dealer remedy. The full Ram recall page is at /ram/recall.
Does the Ram VIN show the engine (HEMI, Cummins)?
Yes — NHTSA VPIC returns the engine displacement and configuration, including the 3.6L Pentastar V6, the 5.7L and 6.4L HEMI V8s, the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6, and the 6.7L Cummins turbo-diesel inline-six (Ram 2500/3500). CheckMyVIN shows it in the Vehicle Specifications block.
Can the VIN tell me the towing capacity?
Not as a single number. The VIN identifies the engine, cab, and body, but maximum towing and payload depend on the exact configuration — especially the rear-axle ratio, which is a build option. For the definitive figure, check the payload sticker on the driver-door jamb, the build sheet, or Ram's towing guide for that model/engine/axle combination. CheckMyVIN reports the engine and body the VIN does encode.
Is a Ram a Dodge?
It used to be — through 2010 these trucks were sold as "Dodge Ram." Since 2010 Ram is its own Stellantis marque, so a 2011+ truck's VIN decodes to make "RAM," while a pre-2011 truck decodes to "Dodge." CheckMyVIN reports whichever the VIN actually encodes.