Is RAM reliable?
63% of the 83 RAM vehicles we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, averaging 64/100 — they tend to be in slightly better shape than average.
#4 of 24
Longevity rank#1 Tesla holds up to ~184k~137k
Trouble-free mileageacross all body styles83
RAM vehicles inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections64/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/100Based on 83 used RAM vehicles 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
Oil leaks · Engine
37%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
36%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
31%
Oil leaks · Automatic transmission
29%
Low coolant / cooling system issues · Engine
27%
Share of inspected RAM vehicles where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 36%
Good 27%
Mediocre 17%
Poor 20%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on RAM vehicles.
63%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 74%
0%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
35%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 24%
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 ~184k. Shopping a RAM near that mileage? Expect more wear ahead — see which makes give the best odds at your budget.
Good cars by mileage
Good cars by age
Share of RAM vehicles 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.
RAM models we've inspected
Recently inspected:
2020 RAM 3500 · 126k mi — flagged: dirty or low engine oil, battery condition, fault codes recently cleared. Inspected Nov 4.
2018 RAM 1500 · 113k mi — flagged: oil leaks, tires condition & wear, steering pull. Inspected Nov 2.
The bottom line
Paint is the quieter risk: structural repairs did not turn up, and repainted panels sit below the fleet, so do not lead with bodywork. Start under the vehicle and on a scan tool, because engine and transmission oil leaks, low coolant, worn tires, and active codes are the repeating faults, and codes get cleared more often than on other brands, so a dark dash can be a fresh wipe. Longevity is the bright spot, fourth among brands ranked, with condition holding until 137,000 miles. Buy the lower-mile RAM that scans clean cold and stays dry. If leaks, cooling trouble, and cleared or live codes stack together, negotiate hard or walk.
FAQ
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What are the most common problems with a used RAM?
Across the RAM vehicles we inspected, the items we flag most often are oil leaks (37%), active error codes (36%), tires condition & wear (31%).
Thinking of buying a RAM? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
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Based on 83 inspections · updated Nov 11, 2026
