They do that yes. Not that hard to avoid though, and the Vultures mass is amazing you can litteraly using it as a battering ram, it has the same ramming mass as a Python if not better. Belive me.
I haven't seen an NPC ship try to ram me since 1.5 came out. Then again when I fight I am usually in a CZ with my corvette.
EDIT: well a ship did t-bone me but I think he was trying to avoid my friend and accidentally ran into me. I only remember cause my friend said "look out" but I didn't see or feel so I went on my way.
I've taken a couple of Corvettes to the face in combat zones. Boosted into the last one and killed him from 60% hull, though it did wipe out the shields on my Python.
They do that yes. Not that hard to avoid though, and the Vultures mass is amazing you can litteraly using it as a battering ram, it has the same ramming mass as a Python if not better. Belive me.