Is the RAM 1500 reliable?
83% of the 42 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 74/100 — it scores noticeably better than the typical used car we inspect.
42
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections74/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10083%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%Across 42 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
31%
Oil leaks · Engine
29%
Body control module · Equipment
19%
Share of inspected RAM 1500s where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 52%
Good 31%
Mediocre 7%
Poor 10%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
55%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
2022 RAM 1500 · 75k mi — flagged: exhaust system, battery condition, worn suspension joints. Inspected Sep 14.
2023 RAM 1500 · 28k mi — flagged: low coolant / cooling system issues, fuel trim out of range. Inspected Aug 10.
The bottom line
The body is the easy part here: structural repairs did not show up at all, so a straight frame is the baseline, not a selling point. The risk is the engine and the electronics sitting on top of it. Cooling trouble, fuel trim, and oil leaks travel together, and a third of these trucks had codes cleared before inspection, so a dark dash proves nothing. Start cold: coolant level, oil leaks underneath, then a full scan that includes the body control module. If coolant, leaks, and stored codes all show, negotiate hard or walk. That stack is the pattern, not one unlucky truck.
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 (31%). 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 42 inspections · updated Oct 21, 2026
