Is the RAM 1500 reliable?
82% of the 39 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 73/100 — it scores noticeably better than the typical used car we inspect.
39
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections73/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10082%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 55%Across 39 used RAM 1500s we inspected, this model scores noticeably better than the typical used car we inspect — average condition 73/100 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
Low coolant / cooling system issues · Engine
36%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
36%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
33%
Oil leaks · Engine
31%
Body control module · Equipment
18%
Share of inspected RAM 1500s where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 51%
Good 31%
Mediocre 8%
Poor 10%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
56%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
0%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
36%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 23%
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; 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
2023 RAM 1500 · 28k mi — flagged: low coolant / cooling system issues, fuel trim out of range. Inspected Aug 10.
2016 RAM 1500 · 109k mi — flagged: oil leaks, fault codes recently cleared, fuel trim out of range. Inspected Jun 17.
The bottom line
These trucks often present as clean survivors with almost no structural repairs showing up, but the real story is clustered engine wear paired with computers that get wiped too often. Make the cooling system, oil seepage, and fuel trims your first stops under the hood, then demand a full code scan covering pending and history—cleared codes hit 36 percent here, so any unexplained reset is grounds to negotiate hard or walk away. Body-control module quirks are less common but still worth exercising every switch and module before you sign.
FAQ
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What are the most common problems on a used RAM 1500?
The items we flag most often are low coolant / cooling system issues (36%), active error codes (36%), fuel trim out of range (33%). Have these checked before buying.
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Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 36% 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 39 inspections · updated Aug 12, 2026
