Head-to-head reliability
RAM Promaster 2500 vs FORD F 150
How the RAM Promaster 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 Promaster 2500 vs FORD F 150: The Promaster averages 0.9 complaints per year with 0 recalls, but owners report brake failures and shifting issues. The F-150 averages 1,131 complaints per year with 145 recalls, mainly for transmission and electrical problems. Choose based on your tolerance for frequent issues vs. rare but severe ones. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the RAM Promaster 2500 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
RAM Promaster 2500
The RAM Promaster 2500 is a workhorse van that, in ownership terms, shows a low but concerning rate of complaints, averaging less than one per year. Owners report serious issues with the powertrain, including accelerator pedal problems and difficulty shifting, as well as brake failures where the pedal goes to the floor. There are also reports of the parking brake engaging randomly and electrical gremlins that cause false warnings. While the volume is low, the nature of these failures—especially brake loss—poses significant safety risks.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a popular full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume, averaging over 1,100 per year, reflecting its widespread use. The dominant issue is the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners describe as shifting hard, jerking, and sometimes causing a loss of power. Electrical system problems are also frequent, including camera and pre-collision assist malfunctions. With 145 recalls, the F-150 has a history of factory-issued fixes, but the sheer number of complaints indicates that owners frequently deal with drivability and electronic glitches.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | RAM Promaster 2500 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 9 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.9 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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 Promaster 2500
- 01POWER TRAIN4
- 02SERVICE BRAKES2
- 03BACK OVER PREVENTION1
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
- 05VISIBILITY1
Owners report accelerator pedal issues at highway speeds and difficulty shifting into park, sometimes accompanied by vibration. These problems can lead to loss of power or unintended movement, posing a safety hazard.
Brake failure is a critical complaint: the pedal goes to the floor without warning, and the parking brake can engage randomly at low speeds. Owners also mention needing to pump the pedal to get a firm brake, indicating potential master cylinder or brake booster issues.
Electrical problems manifest as false warnings about lights being out and random engagement of the parking brake, which can be both annoying and dangerous. Dealers often cannot find a cause, leaving owners without a fix.
“The contact owns a 2020 Ram ProMaster 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V301000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the accelerator pedal wa…”
“The contact owns a 2020 Ram Promaster 2500. The contact stated while reversing at approximately 5 MPH, the contact felt vibration in the steering wheel. The contact depressed the brake pedal and attempted to shift into park(P). The contact was unable to shift…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10R80 automatic transmission is a major sore point: owners report hard, delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and even sudden loss of power while driving. These issues can be unpredictable and may lead to dangerous situations in traffic.
Electrical complaints include loud bangs from the transmission area and rear suspension, as well as persistent dashboard warnings for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist unavailability. These electronic gremlins can be costly to diagnose and repair.
Headlight-related recalls and complaints suggest issues with visibility, which is critical for night driving. Owners may experience flickering or complete failure of headlights, 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.
RAM Promaster 2500
No recalls on record.
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 Promaster 2500 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The RAM Promaster 2500 has far fewer complaints per year (0.9) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the Promaster's complaints include catastrophic brake failures, which are more severe in nature. In practice, the F-150's problems are more numerous but often less immediately life-threatening, while the Promaster's rare but serious issues demand attention.
Key differences
- The RAM Promaster 2500 has a very low complaint rate (0.9/yr) but includes reports of total brake failure, which is a critical safety issue.
- The Ford F-150 has a high complaint rate (1,131/yr) dominated by transmission problems like hard shifting and loss of power, which can affect drivability.
- The Promaster has no recalls on record, while the F-150 has 145 recalls, indicating more factory-issued safety campaigns.
- Electrical issues in the Promaster cause false warnings and random parking brake engagement, whereas F-150 electrical problems often involve camera and sensor malfunctions.
- Inspect the brake system thoroughly: check for pedal feel, any signs of fluid leaks, and test the parking brake at low speeds to ensure it does not engage unexpectedly.
- Check for any pending recalls or service bulletins related to the powertrain, especially the accelerator pedal and shifting issues.
- Test drive the F-150 at various speeds, paying close attention to transmission shifts between 4th-5th and 5th-6th gears for any hard jerks or clunks.
- Check the dashboard for any warning lights related to the front camera or pre-collision assist, and have the electrical system scanned for codes.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for any open recalls or past accident damage.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission and brakes.
- Test drive both vehicles under varied conditions: city, highway, and reversing to feel for any anomalies.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and brake service.
- Check the NHTSA website for the latest recall information using the VIN.
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 Promaster 2500 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 24 |
| 2025 | 0 | 329 |
| 2024 | 0 | 617 |
| 2023 | 2 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 4 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 3 | 33 |
| 2019 | 0 | 36 |
| 2018 | 0 | 56 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 Promaster 2500 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- RAM Promaster 2500 vs FORD F 150
- RAM Promaster 2500 total complaints
- 9
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- RAM Promaster 2500 total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- RAM Promaster 2500 avg complaints/year
- 0.9
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- RAM Promaster 2500
- RAM Promaster 2500 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN