Head-to-head reliability
FORD F 150 vs RAM RAM 1500
How the FORD F 150 and RAM RAM 1500 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
FORD F 150 vs RAM RAM 1500: The Ford F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years, averaging 1,131 per year, with major issues in the powertrain and electrical system. The RAM 1500 has zero complaints and recalls, indicating fewer reported problems. However, the F-150's transmission and electrical failures can lead to costly repairs. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD F 150 or RAM RAM 1500 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150, over the past decade, has been a top-selling full-size pickup, but owner complaints reveal a pattern of powertrain and electrical issues that can affect daily drivability. The most frequent problems involve the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners report shifting harshly or failing unexpectedly, sometimes leading to a loss of power. Electrical gremlins, such as false warnings from driver-assist systems, add to the ownership frustration. While not universally problematic, these issues suggest that a used F-150 may require attentive maintenance and potential repairs.
RAM RAM 1500
The RAM 1500 has no complaints or recalls on record in the provided data, which could indicate a lack of reported issues or a lack of data. This absence makes it difficult to assess its real-world reliability, but it also means there are no known systemic problems to warn buyers about. As a result, the RAM 1500 appears to be a cleaner slate in terms of reported failures, though buyers should still perform standard pre-purchase inspections.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD F 150 | RAM RAM 1500 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 11,311 | 0 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 145 | 0 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 328 | 0 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1131.1 | 0.0 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 287 | 0 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 0 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.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners report harsh or delayed shifts, especially between 7th and 8th gears, and occasional loss of power or vehicle shutdown. The 10R80 transmission is a common source of complaints, with jerking and clunking during gear changes.
Electrical issues include false warnings for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available, which appear on the dash. Some owners also report loud bangs from the transmission and popping sounds from the rear suspension, possibly linked to electrical or sensor problems.
Headlight-related recalls have been issued, indicating potential issues with headlight performance or durability. Owners may experience reduced visibility or headlight failures.
“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…”
RAM RAM 1500
No component data available.
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.
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…
RAM RAM 1500
No recalls on record.
Buyer analysis
FORD F 150 or RAM RAM 1500: which should you buy?
Based on the data, the RAM 1500 has zero complaints and recalls, while the Ford F-150 averages over 1,100 complaints per year. This suggests the RAM 1500 has fewer reported issues, but the lack of data for the RAM means this comparison is not entirely conclusive. In practice, the F-150's transmission and electrical problems are more likely to surface, potentially leading to costly repairs.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has a high volume of powertrain complaints, particularly about the 10-speed automatic transmission shifting harshly or failing, while the RAM 1500 has none on record.
- Electrical system issues in the F-150 include false safety system warnings, which can be annoying and potentially distracting, whereas the RAM 1500 shows no such reports.
- The F-150 has 145 recalls over 10 years, including for exterior lighting and electrical battery cables, while the RAM 1500 has zero recalls.
- The F-150's complaint data includes crash-related incidents and injuries, whereas the RAM 1500 has none reported.
- Test drive the F-150 through various speeds and gears, paying close attention to any hard shifts, clunks, or hesitation, especially between 4th-5th and 7th-8th gears.
- Check for any warning lights on the dash, such as 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre-Collision Assist Not Available,' which may indicate electrical issues.
- Since there are no reported issues, focus on a thorough general inspection, including the transmission fluid condition and any signs of previous repairs.
- Verify the vehicle's service history and check for any open recalls, even though none are listed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report for both vehicles to check for accidents, title issues, and service records.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, including a transmission fluid analysis and electrical system scan.
- Test drive both vehicles on a mix of city and highway roads, noting any unusual noises, vibrations, or warning lights.
- Check for any outstanding recalls using the VIN on the NHTSA website, even for the RAM 1500.
- Research common issues for the specific model year you are considering, as problems can vary by year.
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 FORD F 150 or RAM RAM 1500 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD F 150 vs RAM RAM 1500
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- RAM RAM 1500 total complaints
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- RAM RAM 1500 total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- RAM RAM 1500 avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- More reliable overall
- RAM RAM 1500
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN