Head-to-head reliability
RAM 2500 vs FORD F 150
How the RAM 2500 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 2500 vs FORD F 150: The RAM 2500 averaged 438.9 complaints per year over 10 years, while the Ford F-150 averaged 1,131.1. The RAM's top issue is service brakes, with 2,955 complaints, whereas the F-150's top issue is power train, with 3,553. Both have 1 death reported. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the RAM 2500 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
RAM 2500
The RAM 2500 is a heavy-duty truck that owners often use for towing and hauling. Over 10 years, it has averaged about 439 complaints per year, with the majority centered on service brakes. Owners frequently report brake hoses failing, leading to seized calipers and unexpected brake engagement. Electrical issues, including fires and non-working components, are also common, and many complaints mention difficulty getting recall repairs completed.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a light-duty truck that is widely used as a daily driver and work vehicle. It averages about 1,131 complaints per year, more than twice the RAM's rate, with power train issues dominating. Owners describe hard or delayed shifts, sudden loss of power, and transmission noises. Electrical problems, such as camera malfunctions and battery cable issues, are also frequently reported.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | RAM 2500 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 4,389 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 90 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 107 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 438.9 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 51 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 1 |
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 2500
- 01SERVICE BRAKES2,955
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM885
- 03HYDRAULIC557
- 04VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL434
- 05POWER TRAIN357
Owners report brake hoses failing, which can cause calipers to seize and brakes to drag or engage unexpectedly. This can lead to costly repairs and potential loss of control.
Complaints include vehicle fires while charging, non-working blinkers, wipers, and cruise control, often linked to instrument cluster or battery issues. These failures can affect safety and leave owners stranded.
Hydraulic problems often relate to brake or steering systems, with owners reporting leaks or failures that impair braking and steering. This is critical for a heavy truck used for towing.
Owners describe intermittent failures of ABS, traction control, and cruise control, sometimes accompanied by warning lights. These issues can make driving in poor conditions unpredictable.
“I have a seized brake caliper that is a direct result of a faulty brake hose. The brakes were looked at by a brake specialist business and I was told the brake hoses had to be replaced as well as the calipers, rotors and pads on the front. I took it to the La…”
“This problem first occurred on a state highway in [XXX] in 2023 and again in 2026 (this incident.) While driving south on XXX, there was an undulation/slight bump in the interstate while in a mild right hand curve. My vehicles brakes engaged without my input…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10-speed automatic transmission is a frequent source of complaints, with owners reporting harsh shifts, delayed engagement, and sudden loss of power. These problems can occur at low mileage and may require expensive repairs.
Common complaints include front camera malfunctions, pre-collision assist errors, and battery cable issues. These can disable driver-assist features and cause starting problems.
Headlight failures are reported, which reduce visibility and can be a safety hazard. Recalls have addressed some lighting issues, but owners still report problems.
Some owners report engine-related issues, though fewer than transmission complaints. These can include rough running or stalling, requiring diagnostic and repair work.
“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.
RAM 2500 — 90 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 vehicles equipped with a 3.5" cluster and column shifter. A software error may cause the gear selection display to be inaccurate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard n…
The risk: An inaccurate gear selection display may mislead the driver as to what gear is actually selected, leading to unexpected vehicle movement and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 36C.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Ram Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the instrument panel cluster display to be blank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply…
The risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or gear selection, increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and update the instrument panel software or replace the instrument panel cluster, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025 Ram 2500 Pickup, 3500 Pickup, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis trucks. A software error in the occupant restraint controller module may cause the driver's side air bag and/or seat belt pretensioner not to deploy in a crash and…
The risk: Driving with a disabled electronic stability control system increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, a driver's side air bag or seat belt pretensioner that does not deploy increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the occupant restraint controller module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 15, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall…
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 — 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
RAM 2500 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The RAM 2500 has far fewer complaints per year (about 439) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,131), suggesting the RAM may have fewer reported issues overall. However, the RAM's complaints often involve critical safety systems like brakes, while the F-150's are more focused on transmission performance. In practice, the RAM might require less frequent attention but could have more severe brake-related failures.
Key differences
- The RAM 2500 has about one-third the complaints per year of the Ford F-150, but its top issue is service brakes, which can be safety-critical.
- The Ford F-150's most common complaint is power train, especially transmission problems like hard shifts and sudden power loss.
- Electrical issues are prominent in both, but the RAM reports fires and non-working controls, while the F-150 reports camera and battery cable failures.
- The RAM has fewer crash-related complaints (107 vs. 328) and injuries (51 vs. 287) over the same period, though both have 1 death reported.
- Check brake hoses for cracks or leaks, and test brakes for dragging or seizing, as owners report hose failures leading to caliper issues.
- Inspect electrical system for signs of overheating or fire damage, especially around charging ports and instrument cluster, and verify all recalls are completed.
- Test drive the truck extensively, focusing on transmission shifts between gears, and listen for clunks or jerks, especially in the 10-speed automatic.
- Check for electrical glitches such as camera malfunctions or pre-collision assist warnings, and ensure battery cables are secure and free of corrosion.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all safety recalls have been performed.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the brakes, transmission, and electrical system for signs of the reported issues.
- During a test drive, pay attention to transmission shifting, brake feel, and any warning lights on the dashboard.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and brake repairs.
- Check for open recalls by using the NHTSA VIN lookup tool before purchase.
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 2500 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 24 |
| 2025 | 0 | 329 |
| 2024 | 0 | 617 |
| 2023 | 144 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 537 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 105 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 163 | 33 |
| 2019 | 192 | 36 |
| 2018 | 2562 | 56 |
| 2017 | 686 | 43 |
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 2500 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- RAM 2500 vs FORD F 150
- RAM 2500 total complaints
- 4,389
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- RAM 2500 total recalls
- 90
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- RAM 2500 avg complaints/year
- 438.9
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- RAM 2500
- RAM 2500 top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN