Head-to-head reliability
RAM 4500 vs FORD F 150
How the RAM 4500 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 4500 vs FORD F 150: The RAM 4500 has 27 complaints over 10 years (2.7/year) and 57 recalls, while the Ford F-150 has 11,311 complaints (1,131.1/year) and 145 recalls. RAM 4500 issues often involve brakes and power train; F-150 issues often involve transmission and electrical. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the RAM 4500 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
RAM 4500
The RAM 4500 is a heavy-duty commercial truck, often used for towing and hauling. Over 10 years, it has 27 complaints (2.7 per year) and 57 recalls. Owner reports highlight brake and hydraulic issues, including loss of ABS/brake control and recalls without remedies. Power train complaints include 'death wobble' and loss of motive power, which can be dangerous when towing.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a popular light-duty pickup. It has 11,311 complaints over 10 years (1,131 per year) and 145 recalls. The most common complaints involve power train (especially transmission) and electrical system problems. Owners report hard shifts, loss of power, and warning lights, which can affect drivability and safety.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | RAM 4500 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 27 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 57 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.7 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 4 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 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 4500
- 01SERVICE BRAKES12
- 02POWER TRAIN8
- 03HYDRAULIC7
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
- 05STEERING3
Owners report brake HCU failures causing loss of ABS/brake control, and some have open recalls with no remedy available. This means braking performance can degrade unexpectedly, a serious concern for a heavy truck.
Complaints include 'death wobble' at highway speeds and loss of motive power, sometimes while towing. These issues can lead to loss of control and are especially risky in a large vehicle.
Hydraulic problems often relate to brake system recalls, with parts unavailable. Owners may face delays in repairs, leaving the vehicle unsafe to drive.
Reports of CP4 fuel pump failures causing the truck to stall and not restart, sometimes while towing. This can strand the driver and create a hazard.
“The contact owns a 2018 Ram 4500. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated, before the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed t…”
“The vehicle has an active recall open on it (confirmed by local dealership, NHTSA webform, and directly with Ram/Stellantis) that was opened in 2024 and currently has no remedy available. The vehicles brake HCU fails causing loss of ABS/brake control, this un…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Many owners report transmission issues, such as hard shifts, jerking, and loss of power, often with the 10R80 automatic. These problems can occur while driving and may lead to sudden deceleration.
Complaints include warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available,' as well as loud bangs from the transmission. Electrical glitches can distract the driver and affect safety features.
This category captures miscellaneous issues not classified elsewhere, which can range from minor annoyances to safety concerns. Buyers should be aware that many complaints fall here, indicating varied problems.
Headlight-related complaints and recalls suggest potential visibility issues. Faulty lighting can reduce driver awareness and increase crash risk.
“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 4500 — 57 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. The engine calibration software may not warn about low oil volume.
The risk: Low oil can damage the engine, causing an oil leak or a punctured engine block, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will update the engine calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y21.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 vehicles, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, 5500 Cab Chassis and 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs. The windshield wiper arms may loosen, possibly causing the wipers to…
The risk: Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the wiper nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2022. This recall is an expansion of recall number 20V-208. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US,…
The defect: Excellance, Inc (Excellance) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Excellance-modified RAM 4500/5500 vehicles to be equipped with CLASS Suspension Systems. In the affected suspension systems, the rear brake caliper flexible line may have been routed so that it contacts a suspension component, possibly cau…
The risk: A worn rear brake caliper flexible line may cause brake fluid leakage which may result in a partial or complete loss of the rear brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Excellance will notify owners, and dealers will install a kit to remedy any damage and to prevent any future damage, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a schedule for recall notification. Owners may contact Excellance cu…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500 pickup trucks, and Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines. The High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) may fail, resulting in a sudden engine stall without warning.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the HPFP, update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, and inspect and replace additional fuel system components as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters to inform owners of the safety r…
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 4500 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The RAM 4500 has far fewer complaints per year (2.7 vs. 1,131.1), but it is a heavier, less common vehicle. The Ford F-150's higher complaint volume reflects its much larger sales volume, yet the types of issues differ: RAM 4500 problems often involve brakes and towing-related failures, while F-150 issues frequently center on transmission and electrical glitches. In practice, the RAM 4500 may have fewer reported problems overall, but the severity of brake and power train issues can be significant.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: RAM 4500 averages 2.7 complaints per year; Ford F-150 averages 1,131.1 per year, but sales volumes differ greatly.
- Common failure areas: RAM 4500 complaints often involve service brakes, power train (death wobble), and hydraulic systems; Ford F-150 complaints frequently involve power train (transmission) and electrical system.
- Recalls: RAM 4500 has 57 recalls; Ford F-150 has 145 recalls, with some overlapping issues like brake and fuel pump recalls.
- Crash/injury reports: RAM 4500 has 3 crash-related complaints and 4 injuries; Ford F-150 has 328 crash-related complaints and 287 injuries, though these are raw counts not adjusted for sales.
- Check for open recalls on the brake HCU and fuel pump, and confirm if remedies are available; some owners report no fix yet.
- Test drive at highway speeds to detect 'death wobble' or steering shimmy, and listen for unusual noises from the transmission.
- Test the transmission for hard shifts, jerking, or delayed engagement, especially between gears 4-5, 5-6, and 7-8.
- Check for electrical warnings such as 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' on the dashboard.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to check for open recalls and whether remedies are available.
- Obtain a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on brakes, transmission, and electrical systems.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and brake repairs.
- Test drive the vehicle under various conditions, including highway speeds and towing if applicable, to replicate reported issues.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been addressed and ask for documentation.
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 4500 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 24 |
| 2025 | 0 | 329 |
| 2024 | 1 | 617 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 3 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 3 | 33 |
| 2019 | 6 | 36 |
| 2018 | 9 | 56 |
| 2017 | 5 | 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 4500 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- RAM 4500 vs FORD F 150
- RAM 4500 total complaints
- 27
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- RAM 4500 total recalls
- 57
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- RAM 4500 avg complaints/year
- 2.7
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- RAM 4500
- RAM 4500 top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN