Is the RAM 1500 reliable?
83% of the 43 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 74/100 — it scores noticeably better than the typical used car we inspect.
43
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections74/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10083%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%Across 43 used RAM 1500s we inspected, this model scores noticeably better than the typical used car we inspect — average condition 74/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.
What we found
Most common faults
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
33%
Low coolant / cooling system issues · Engine
33%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
30%
Oil leaks · Engine
28%
Body control module · Equipment
19%
Share of inspected RAM 1500s where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 53%
Good 30%
Mediocre 7%
Poor 9%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
53%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 74%
0%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
33%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 24%
How long does a 1500 stay good?
Good cars by mileage
Share of RAM 1500s in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; a band under 20 cars follows the nearby bands, so a run above the all-cars line stays above it, and a band of 20 or more uses the rate we measured; where a band has too few cars, the line follows the trend between the bands on either side; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.
More on RAM
Straight from recent RAM 1500 reports
2018 RAM 1500 · 113k mi — flagged: oil leaks, tires condition & wear, steering pull. Inspected Nov 2.
2022 RAM 1500 · 75k mi — flagged: exhaust system, battery condition, worn suspension joints. Inspected Sep 14.
The bottom line
Condition is usually solid, and structural repairs did not show up, so a repainted panel alone is not the reason to walk. The money problems are the engine and the electronics: cooling issues, fuel trim out of range, and oil leaks top the list, with active error codes and body-control faults close behind. On the truck in front of you, scan first, check coolant, and look for oil leaks before you talk price. Codes had been cleared on 33% of them, so an empty scan is not a clean bill of health. If cooling or fuel trim is already off, or codes are active, negotiate hard or leave.
FAQ
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What are the most common problems on a used RAM 1500?
The items we flag most often are active error codes (33%), low coolant / cooling system issues (33%), fuel trim out of range (30%). Have these checked before buying.
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Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 33% of these cars the ECU codes had been erased shortly before sale, which can hide active faults. Ask for a diagnostic scan and start the engine from cold.
Thinking of buying a RAM 1500? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
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Based on 43 inspections · updated Nov 11, 2026
