Ram 1500 years to avoid and best years
Newer Ram 1500 years have more owner complaints per year than the older ones. 2019 has the most complaints per year, at 157 (1,477 complaints). Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2018 at 48 (from 661 complaints), 2020 at 57 (from 628 complaints), and 2013 at 58 (from 1,276 complaints). The Ram 1500 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet. On the 2019 Ram 1500, 254 of 1,477 complaints name Steering.
Data as of .
2018
2020
2013
2025–26
Ram 1500 reliability by year
Each year is complaints filed in that year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. A model year younger than 3 years is too early to compare, so it is left out of the years named as having the fewest or the most complaints. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market Ram 1500. How we count.
By model year
| Year | Per year on the road | Complaints | Recalls | Most-filed complaint | Avg. combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Too early | 0 | 0 | 7 | — | 18.2 |
| 2025 Too early | 0 | 0 | 8 | — | 19.7 |
| 2024 → | 0 | 0 | 6 | — | 19 |
| 2023 → | 0 | 0 | 11 | — | 19.1 |
| 2022 → | 0 | 0 | 16 | — | 20 |
| 2021 → | 116 | 678 | 15 | Engine | 19.9 |
| 2020 → Fewest | 57 | 628 | 14 | Engine | 20.1 |
| 2019 → Most | 157 | 1,477 | 30 | Steering | 19.7 |
| 2018 → Fewest | 48 | 661 | 15 | Electrical system | 18.9 |
| 2017 → | 66 | 878 | 13 | Steering | 19 |
| 2016 → | 74 | 1,541 | 17 | Steering | 19.4 |
| 2015 → | 65 | 1,448 | 18 | Steering | 19.4 |
| 2014 → | 91 | 1,767 | 17 | Steering | 19 |
| 2013 → Fewest | 58 | 1,276 | 12 | Steering | 17.7 |
Years with a → link have a full model-year page.
What owners file about
Generations
- Body styles
- Pickup
- Oil
- FCA MS-6395 5W-20 (Pentastar V6; see manual for HEMI/diesel) · 6 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 275/60R20, 265/70R17, 285/45R22, 285/70R17 (trim dependent)
Known issues for this generation
Owner complaints for mid-generation years (especially 2014) concentrate on steering. Safety recall 15V-459 covers certain 2012-2014 Ram 1500 trucks among other Rams with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center: the steering-wheel wiring harness can rub the driver air-bag retainer spring and short so the frontal air bag may deploy unexpectedly; dealers inspect, secure the harness, and add protective caps. Safety recall 17V-302 covers certain 2013-2016 Ram 1500 trucks: off-road driving or debris can fault the Occupant Restraint Controller so rollover curtain air bags and pretensioners will not deploy; dealers update ORC software. Safety recall 20V-475 (later addressed again under 23V-411) covers certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 trucks with the 3.0L diesel whose crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate and stall the engine; dealers update powertrain control module software. Those diesel campaigns apply only to EcoDiesel-equipped trucks, not the gasoline majority.
- Body styles
- Pickup
- Oil
- FCA MS-6395 0W-20 (V6/V8 per manual) · 7 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 275/55R20, 275/65R18, 265/70R17, 275/60R20 (trim dependent)
Known issues for this generation
Early DT years (especially 2019) show the densest NHTSA complaint load on this generation, with electrical and steering filings leading the list. Safety recall 24V-653 covers certain 2019 and 2021-2024 Ram 1500 trucks: ABS control-module software may disable electronic stability control (FMVSS 126); dealers update ABS software. Safety recall 22V-904 covers certain 2019-2022 Ram 1500 trucks whose tailgate strikers may be misaligned so the tailgate can open while driving; dealers inspect and adjust the strikers. Safety recall 25V-298 covers certain 2019-2024 Ram 1500 trucks whose driver air-bag connector may not be secured (FMVSS 208); dealers secure the connectors. Safety recall 24V-199 covers certain 2023-2024 Ram 1500 trucks among other Stellantis models whose steering-column control module may not be welded properly, preventing driver air-bag deployment; dealers inspect and replace that module as needed.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ram 1500 years have fewer owner complaints?
Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2018 at 48 (from 661 complaints), 2020 at 57 (from 628 complaints), and 2013 at 58 (from 1,276 complaints).
Which Ram 1500 year has the most owner complaints?
2019 has the most complaints per year, at 157 (1,477 complaints). On the 2019 Ram 1500, 254 of 1,477 complaints name Steering.
How do Ram 1500 owner complaints compare by year?
Newer Ram 1500 years have more owner complaints per year than the older ones.
Which Ram 1500 years are too early to compare?
The Ram 1500 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet.
What engine oil does a Ram 1500 use?
FCA MS-6395 5W-20 (Pentastar V6; see manual for HEMI/diesel)
What does NHTSA recall 15V-459 cover on the Ram 1500?
Safety recall 15V-459 covers certain 2012-2014 Ram 1500 trucks among other Rams with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center: the steering-wheel wiring harness can rub the driver air-bag retainer spring and short so the frontal air bag may deploy unexpectedly; dealers…
What generation is the 2014 Ram 1500?
DS generation (fourth gen) (2013-2018).