Head-to-head reliability
RAM 1500 vs FORD F 150
How the RAM 1500 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
RAM 1500 averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. RAM 1500 has 8,338 complaints and 126 recalls on record; FORD F 150 has 10,672 complaints and 144 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | RAM 1500 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 8,338 Better | 10,672 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 126 Better | 144 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 397 | 318 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 833.8 Better | 1067.2 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 270 Better | 286 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 15 | 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.
RAM 1500
- 01ENGINE2,486
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,246
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,256
- 04POWER TRAIN1,184
- 05STEERING1,007
“[XXX] Fire occurred while driving [XXX] my Ram 2021 and it was like a mini blast with a lot of sparks as I saw in a rear-view mirror. Everything went out on the dashboard and the car stopped at the Top of Wolf Creek Pass [XXX] . I got out of the car and saw a…”
“On 6/9/2010 I was accelerating up a ramp to merge with traffic on Rt146 north . I had reached the top of the ramp and as I viewed the oncoming traffic behind in the mirror I began to shift into the right lane. Suddenly the engine light started flashing, my tr…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,214
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,014
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,366
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,114
- 05ENGINE788
“The vehicle experienced intermittent transmission-related drivability issues before the recall remedy was available. The vehicle had delayed/hard shifting, an intermittent wrench warning light, and a reduced power/limp mode condition where the transmission wo…”
“Vehicle Safety Hazard & Recall Remedy Denial Recall: 26S28 / NHTSA Campaign 26V237 Summary of Issue: I am experiencing active, unsafe vehicle symptoms directly tied to Recall 26S28, including intermittent transmission signal loss, warning lights, and abrupt d…”
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.
RAM 1500 — 126 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025 Ram 1500 vehicles. The front wheel hub encoder rings may be damaged, which can disable the electronic stability control system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electro…
The risk: Driving with a disabled electronic stability control system can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front wheel bearing hub assembly, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025 Ram 1500 pickup trucks. Incorrect headlight module software may cause the headlights to become inoperative. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective D…
The risk: Inoperative headlights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the headlight module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is D4B.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the instrument panel display to fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the re…
The risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as gear selection and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 35D. Vehicle Identification N…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the instrument panel display to fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the re…
The risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as gear selection and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 35D. Vehicle Identification N…
FORD F 150 — 144 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…
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | RAM 1500 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 12 |
| 2025 | 0 | 321 |
| 2024 | 0 | 600 |
| 2023 | 567 | 1453 |
| 2022 | 3534 | 3309 |
| 2021 | 662 | 4960 |
| 2020 | 615 | 6 |
| 2019 | 1455 | 3 |
| 2018 | 644 | 4 |
| 2017 | 861 | 4 |
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 RAM 1500 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- RAM 1500 vs FORD F 150
- RAM 1500 total complaints
- 8,338
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 10,672
- RAM 1500 total recalls
- 126
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 144
- RAM 1500 avg complaints/year
- 833.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1067.2
- More reliable overall
- RAM 1500
- RAM 1500 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN