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RAM: reliability & common problems

#4 of 24
Longevity rank#1 Tesla holds up to ~190k
~137k
Trouble-free mileageacross all body styles
74
RAMs inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections
64/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/100



Based on 74 used RAMs we inspected, they tend to be in slightly better shape than average — average condition 64/100 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
41%
Oil leaks · Engine
36%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
31%
Oil leaks · Automatic transmission
30%
Low coolant / cooling system issues · Engine
30%

Share of inspected RAMs where each item was flagged.

How they score

Excellent 35% Good 28% Mediocre 15% Poor 22%
Hidden history

What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on RAMs.

64%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
0%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
34%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 23%

Compare with another brand:

Cross-shopping? RAM vs Toyota · RAM vs Honda · RAM vs Ford

How long does a RAM last?

Across every RAM body style we've inspected — sedans, SUVs and anything else pooled together — the average one's condition dips below decent (a 55/100 score) around ~137k miles. It ranks RAM #4 of 24 brands we have enough data to rate; the longest-lasting, Tesla, holds up to ~190k. Shopping a RAM near that mileage? Expect more wear ahead — see which makes give the best odds at your budget.



Good cars by mileage
0 25 50 75 100 0–20k mi: 100% in good shape (6 cars) 20–40k mi: 88% in good shape (8 cars) 40–60k mi: 100% in good shape (8 cars) 60–80k mi: 70% in good shape (10 cars) 80–100k mi: 50% in good shape (6 cars) 100–120k mi: 38% in good shape (8 cars) 120–140k mi: 50% in good shape (10 cars) 40k 80k 120k 160k 200k mileage when we inspected it
Good cars by age
0 25 50 75 100 3 years old: 90% in good shape (10 cars) 4 years old: 57% in good shape (7 cars) 5 years old: 60% in good shape (5 cars) 6 years old: 88% in good shape (8 cars) 7 years old: 44% in good shape (9 cars) 9 years old: 57% in good shape (7 cars) 2y 4y 6y 8y 10y 12y 14y 16y vehicle age when we inspected it

Share of RAMs in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.



RAM models we've inspected
1500 39 cars · 82% good 2500 11 cars · profile soon

Recently inspected:

2023 RAM Promaster 2500 · 55k mi — flagged: oil leaks, fuel trim out of range, cv joints. Inspected Sep 6.
2025 RAM Promaster · 54k mi — flagged: haptical lane feedback module. Inspected Aug 25.
The bottom line

RAMs hold up longer than most, with condition typically staying decent until around 137,000 miles, so don't write off a high-odometer RAM on mileage alone. Do walk if the electronics are a mess. Scan it yourself before talking money—active error codes show up on 41 percent and codes get cleared more often here than elsewhere, so a quiet dash proves nothing. Then get under it for engine oil leaks, transmission leaks, and cooling trouble; any of those already dripping is your negotiation chip or your reason to leave. Worn tires are just extra leverage.

FAQ
?
Is RAM reliable?
63% of the 74 RAMs we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, averaging 64/100 — they tend to be in slightly better shape than average.
?
What are the most common problems with a used RAM?
Across the RAMs we inspected, the items we flag most often are active error codes (41%), oil leaks (36%), tires condition & wear (31%).
Thinking of buying a RAM? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
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Based on 74 inspections · updated Sep 11, 2026