Head-to-head reliability
Dodge RAM vs FORD F 150
How the Dodge RAM and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Dodge RAM vs FORD F 150: The RAM has more air bag and steering complaints (2203 and 1978) and 21 deaths, while the F-150 has more powertrain complaints (3553) but only 1 death. The F-150 averages 1131 complaints per year, slightly higher than the RAM's 1013. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge RAM or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge RAM
The Dodge RAM, in ownership terms, is a heavy-duty workhorse that owners report can be unpredictable. The complaint pattern shows a high frequency of issues across critical safety systems, including air bags that may not deploy in a crash, steering that can suddenly lose power assist or develop a violent 'death wobble,' and drivetrain failures like a driveshaft that can pop out. Electrical gremlins that cause stalling and no-start conditions add to the sense that this truck demands constant vigilance.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150, while also a workhorse, shows a different reliability picture. Owners report a high volume of powertrain complaints, particularly around the 10-speed automatic transmission, which can shift harshly or even lose power. Electrical issues are also common, but they often manifest as annoying warning messages rather than sudden, dangerous failures. The F-150's overall complaint rate is slightly higher, but the nature of the problems tends to be less immediately safety-critical.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge RAM | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 10,128 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 46 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 690 | 328 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1012.8 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 547 | 287 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 21 | 1 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Dodge RAM
- 01AIR BAGS2,203
- 02STEERING1,978
- 03POWER TRAIN1,924
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,061
- 05SUSPENSION996
Owners report air bags failing to deploy in head-on collisions, and in one case, a fire originating under the dashboard. This suggests a potential for the air bag system to be inoperative when needed most, which is a critical safety concern.
The 'death wobble' is a well-documented issue, causing violent shaking that makes the truck hard to control until you slow down. Owners also report sudden loss of power steering when the vehicle shuts off, which can happen at highway speeds, making the truck difficult to steer.
Driveshaft failures are reported, where the driveshaft pops out and seizes the rear wheels, causing a sudden stop. Other owners report a lack of acceleration and inability to reverse, which can leave you stranded in traffic.
Intermittent stalling and no-start conditions are common, often traced to battery or charging system issues. One owner described the truck dying repeatedly even after replacing the battery, indicating a deeper electrical fault.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, SMOKE AND FLAMES APPEARED FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE D…”
“I was in a head on accident going approximately 40 mph. I was wearing my seatbelt. A Chevy Trailblazer Crossed the centerline and hit me head on at approximately 40 mph. The airbags did not deploy and the seatbelt also did not restrain. As a result I hit the…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10-speed automatic transmission is a major source of complaints, with owners reporting hard, jerky shifts, clunks, and even sudden loss of power while driving. This can be both uncomfortable and potentially dangerous if it happens in traffic.
Many owners report persistent warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' that appear every time the truck is started. While not always causing immediate danger, these malfunctions can disable safety features and are a nuisance.
Headlight issues are common enough to be a top complaint area, with owners reporting failures that reduce visibility at night, increasing the risk of accidents.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Dodge RAM — 46 recalls
The defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 DODGE RAM TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 2009 THROUGH OCTOBER 2010. SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINE AND A HYDROBOOST BRAKE SYSTEM MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A POWER STEERING RESERVOIR CAP WITH EXCESSIVE VENT PRESSURE LEVELS THAT MAY RESULT IN B…
The risk: BRAKE LIGHTS THAT ARE SLOW TO EXTINGUISH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR CAP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
The defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 DODGE RAM D2, DJ, AND DS-BODY VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "CERTIFICATION." SOME VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH CERTIFICATION AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION LABELS PRINTED WITH INCORRECT WEIGHT OR SEATI…
The risk: THE MISINFORMATION ON THESE LABELS COULD LEAD TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS THAT COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATION AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION LABELS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, THEY MAY TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A CHRYSLER DEALER FOR INSTALLATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE O…
The defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING, 300, CHARGER (LX) AND DODGE CHALLENGER (LC), AVENGER (JS), AND JOURNEY (JC), AS WELL AS MODEL YEAR 2011 DODGE RAM LIGHT DUTY PICKUP (DS) VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A SEPARATION AT THE CRIMPED END OF THE POWER STEER…
The risk: LEAKED POWER STEERING FLUID ONTO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE AS NECESSARY THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
The defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 4500 AND 5500 VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A WEAKENING AND FRACTURE OF THE LEFT BALL STUD ON THE TIE ROD RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF STEERING.
The risk: LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
Dodge RAM or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Ford F-150 has a slightly higher average complaint rate (1131.1 per year) compared to the Dodge RAM (1012.8 per year), but the RAM's complaints are more heavily weighted toward air bag and steering failures, which are more likely to lead to crashes and injuries. The RAM also has far more reported deaths (21 vs 1). In practice, the RAM's issues may pose a greater safety risk.
Key differences
- The Dodge RAM has a much higher number of air bag complaints (2203) and steering complaints (1978) compared to the F-150, which has none in its top five, indicating a greater risk of non-deployment and loss of steering control.
- The Ford F-150's top issue is the transmission, with owners reporting harsh shifts and power loss, while the RAM's powertrain issues include driveshaft failures that can cause sudden wheel lock-up.
- The RAM has 21 reported deaths in complaints, while the F-150 has only 1, suggesting that RAM failures may be more catastrophic.
- The F-150 has more exterior lighting complaints, which can affect visibility but are less immediately dangerous than the RAM's steering and air bag problems.
- Inspect the steering system for any signs of the 'death wobble' by test driving at highway speeds and noting any vibrations. Also, check for any open recalls related to steering or air bags.
- Check the air bag system by verifying that all recalls have been performed and that the air bag warning light is not illuminated. Ask for service records.
- Test the transmission thoroughly, especially during gear changes between 4th and 8th gears, and listen for any clunks or jerks. Ask if the transmission has been updated or replaced.
- Check the electrical system for any warning messages on the dash, especially related to the front camera or pre-collision assist, and ensure they have been addressed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on both vehicles.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the steering and drivetrain for the RAM, and the transmission and electrical system for the F-150.
- Test drive both vehicles at highway speeds to feel for any vibrations or shifting issues.
- Ask for service records to see if any of the common issues have been previously repaired.
- Check the NHTSA website for the latest complaints and recalls for the specific model year you are considering.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Dodge RAM or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge RAM vs FORD F 150
- Dodge RAM total complaints
- 10,128
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Dodge RAM total recalls
- 46
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Dodge RAM avg complaints/year
- 1012.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Dodge RAM
- Dodge RAM top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN