USA
Ram trucks were spun off from Dodge in 2010 and have become America's third-best-selling truck brand. The Ram 1500 is praised for its luxurious interior, smooth ride, and available EcoDiesel and HEMI V8 engines. The 5th generation (2019+) is widely considered the best-riding full-size truck available.
3/5
Reliability Rating
$691/year
Avg. Annual Repair Cost
2
Models Covered
Ram vehicles have average reliability. Some models are excellent while others have known issues — model selection is important.
The 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 has had widespread issues including EGR cooler failure, oil cooler leaks, and turbo failure. FCA paid a $300M settlement for emissions cheating with this engine.
Years affected: 2014-2019
Same MDS lifter issue as other HEMI vehicles.
Years affected: 2009-2022
The available air suspension on 2019+ Ram 1500 can have compressor and strut failures.
Years affected: 2019-2023
HEMI V8 engines (5.7L, 6.4L) use 16 spark plugs — two per cylinder. Budget accordingly, and change them every 30,000 miles.
Trucks and heavy SUVs eat brake pads faster due to vehicle weight, especially if you tow. Expect 30,000-40,000 miles on front pads.
Heavy trucks and SUVs put more stress on rotors, especially when towing. Consider upgraded rotors if you tow regularly.
Solid-axle vehicles (Wrangler, Ram 2500/3500) put more stress on tie rods. Worn tie rods are a major contributor to 'death wobble.' Upgrade to heavy-duty tie rods if you have larger tires.
Many FCA vehicles have the battery under the passenger seat or in the trunk. Replacement requires removing seats or trim panels.
Trucks use LT (Light Truck) tires that cost more but last longer. All-terrain tires sacrifice some road noise for off-road capability.
The 2019+ Ram 1500 is the most comfortable full-size truck you can buy. The interior is a class above Ford and Chevy. The 5.7L HEMI is the best all-around engine — the EcoDiesel is efficient but risky. The eTorque mild hybrid (2019+) adds smooth start/stop and a little extra torque. For used buyers, the 2019+ with the 5.7L HEMI is the safest bet. Avoid the 2014-2019 EcoDiesel unless you're prepared for potentially expensive repairs.