Spartanburg Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Ever wondered what the most reliable years for Ram 1500 trucks are? Instead of scouring web results for reliable Ram trucks by year or sorting through thousands of opinions after searching for “best year Ram 1500 Reddit,” the Spartanburg Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram team has created this comparison page just for you.
Scroll down to explore Ram 1500 reliability by year, including a review of the top five model years, so you can make the best possible choice. We’ll also highlight some of the best years for Ram 2500 trucks. Let’s dive in and see how this top-performing vehicle has delivered high-powered specs through the years.
Before we dive into Ram 1500 reliability by year, let’s take a quick look at how the Ram 1500 gained and maintained such a dependable reputation. Since their launch more than 40 years ago, Ram 1500 trims have continually knocked out the competition with these enhanced performance capabilities:
Automotive experts from Car and Driver to J.D. Power agree that the Ram 1500 is a top-performing truck, and not just in recent model years. If a highly-decorated pickup is in your future, the Ram 1500 is a fantastic choice, and these are the awards to prove it:
Ram 1500 enthusiasts have strong opinions about which model years hold up best after years of driving and towing. Some love the 2014 trims for their top performance even with high mileage, while others swear that “any fourth or fifth gen, really,”25 is the best Ram 1500 to buy. Regardless, one thing is for certain: drivers choose Ram trucks to fulfill their own lifestyle needs.
Without further ado, let’s explore the top five Ram truck models and years before you choose your favorite from our Ram 1500 inventory!
The 2013 Ram 1500 hit the half-ton segment with an upgrade to new high-strength steel, lowering the overall weight of the Ram 1500 by about 30 pounds. The 2013 Ram 1500 also claimed a Motor Trend Truck of the Year award10 and a J.D. Power score of 86 out of 100.26
This model year was the first in the brand to offer available air springs on Quad or Crew Cab configurations to allow drivers to adjust their ride height and increase ground clearance by up to two inches. Many Ram 1500 reviewers love the introduction of this 2013 feature because it makes the transition from worksite to highway even easier.
A new standard powertrain also joined the lineup in 2013. Instead of last year’s 3.7-liter 12-valve V-6, the 2013 Ram 1500 began sporting a more efficient 3.6-liter 24-valve V-6 that increased the pickup’s horsepower from 215 to 305 and its torque from 235 pound-feet to 269. A new eight-speed automatic transmission, stop-start engine system, and oversized grille contribute to a higher fuel economy.
Although this model was launched 10 years ago, drivers report that with regular maintenance and care, their vehicles are still holding strong. The truck had just received engine and transmission upgrades the year before to increase power and efficiency, and the 2014 redesign made the Ram 1500 the first truck in its class to offer a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel option.
One Reddit user stated, “Almost five years ago, I bought a 2014 1500 Sport with 50,000 miles on it. I’m closing in on paying it off and have no intention of selling or trading it anytime soon. It currently has 105,000 on it. The only thing it really needed is brakes and tires.”27
It’s easy to see why the 2014 Ram 1500 is such a great buy: the standard 3.6 flex-fuel six-cylinder engine blends gasoline and ethanol to pump fewer toxic chemicals into the air and still boasts a max towing capacity of 10,350 pounds.28 If the larger 5.7-liter V-8 engine is more your style, the 2014 Ram 1500 can deliver 395 horsepower with nearly identical towing strength.
Named a Car and Driver 10Best Vehicle3 and a J.D. Power Best Performance Large Light-Duty Pickup,17 the 2020 Ram 1500 is a fantastic model year that balances an accessible price tag with modern technology and performance.
The 2020 Ram 1500 hit the market with a new and improved EcoDiesel V-6 as an available option in specific trims, giving the truck a lighter engine block, a more efficient turbocharger, and improved cylinder air intake for increased power, acceleration, and fuel efficiency.
For anyone who needs – or just loves – to tow on a regular basis, this upgrade to the Ram 1500 engine means you’ll gain 260 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque to beat out the other light-duty diesel pickups of the same model year. The 2020 trims also include a 5.7-liter V-8 with elevated fuel economy.
If you’re looking for a highly-awarded Ram 1500, the 2021 iteration might be your winner. Claiming titles from Motor Trend,13 Car and Driver,4 and U.S. News & World Report,20 the 2021 Ram 1500 is well-decorated and revered for its reliability and performance.
Engine performance skyrockets with the introduction of the 2020 Ram 1500 TRX, a supercharged version of the iconic Ram pickup with serious off-road capabilities. A lightning-fast V-8 and four-wheel drive work in tandem to create a trail-worthy machine that’s quicker than any truck Car and Driver had tested yet.
Aside from the Hellcat-inspired TRX trim, it’s also worth noting that the standard 2021 Ram 1500 engines are capable of towing up to 12,750 pounds, 28 allowing you to tow a large boat or camper with ease.
Another one of the most reliable years for Ram 1500 is 2023. With a 10 out of 10 Car and Driver rating,29 as well as a major U.S. News & World Report win,22 the 2023 Ram 1500 is a prime example of how this brand continues to design top-quality trucks that last.
In fact, the 2023 Ram 1500 scored 88 out of 100 in J.D. Power Quality and Reliability categories,30 beating out top competitors like the Chevy Silverado 1500 and the Ford F-150. According to U.S. News & World Report, the 2023 Ram 1500 heightens the quality of the Ram brand through its ability “to make the case for itself as both a work vehicle and a daily driver” with segment-leading features and elevated drive quality.22
The 2023 model doesn’t even come with powertrain changes – it’s just such a reliable year that we couldn’t not highlight it! The reliable engines from 2020 and 2021 carry over in 2023, as does the off-road-ready TRX edition and its monstrous horsepower and torque specs.
Before we close out this review of Ram 1500 reliability by year, let’s take a quick look at the well-known Ram 2500 heavy-duty model. Experts call out the 2018 model year specifically as one of the best pickup trucks that year, while others note that the 2022 version is the best model to balance heavy-duty capabilities with luxurious cabin features.
The 2025 Ram 1500 received yet another new workover with handsome styling updates, a huge standard infotainment center, and the new range-topping Tungsten model offering impeccable creature comforts like massaging seats and a 23-speaker sound system.
Truthfully, the best Ram 2500 will be the one you maintain and care for, so no matter which model you choose from our Ram 2500 inventory, you’ll get the most mileage from your machine when you schedule regular maintenance appointments.
Bookmark this page and head to our dealership to find your new-to-you Ram truck! Now that you’re equipped with reviews of the most reliable years for Ram 1500 trims, you’re ready to tour your favorites and take them for a test drive. Best of all, our Ram 1500 specials at Spartanburg Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram can help you drive home your dream vehicle, knowing you’ve saved as much as possible on a highly dependable pickup.
Annual-Change-6053
"I’ve had my 2014 since 2016, all I have ever done was change oil, tires, and spark plugs at 100,000 mi. Up to 150k mi now."
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Timbo558922
"2021 3500 single rear wheel. Just had my diesel particulate filter replaced from a check engine light x2 at 30,000 miles. Besides that, it’s been great for towing my 5th wheel and as my daily driver"
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zarderxio
"I have a 2021 ram 2500 with the 6.4. It was my first ram and a daily driver. No issues at all and its sitting at 42k miles. I am in the mid-Atlantic so I get Krown undercoating yearly in hopes of fighting off the rust. Just picked up a JK wrangler to use as my daily to reduce miles on the truck."
Read MoreThe Ram 1500 won professional auto awards in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.2,3,4,5,6,7,8 These award titles were given by experts in the industry, including Car and Driver,2 Motor Trend,motortrend2022 U.S. News & World Report,20 Kelley Blue Book®,24 and Edmunds.31 Please contact us to learn more about the highly decorated Ram 1500, including the most recent model year.
If you're purchasing a 2018 Ram 1500 or newer, most drivers agree that the truck's 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 is the most reliable choice. These engines are known for lasting well over 200,000 miles when well-maintained, and the newer variants are capable of towing up to 12,750 pounds.28 For 2025, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 is tried, true, and durable.
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| Ram 1500 vs Jeep Gladiator | Ram 1500 Year Comparison |
1Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2025/ram/1500
2Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, please visit https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a27634301/2019-ram-1500-reliability-maintenance/
3Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, please visit https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a29797692/10best-2020-ram-1500/
4Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, please visit https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a34690787/10best-2021-ram-1500/
5Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, please visit https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a38260784/10best-2022-ram-1500/
6Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, please visit https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a42435750/10best-trucks-suvs-2023-ram-1500/
7Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, please visit https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a45977801/10best-2024-ram-1500/
8Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, please visit https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a62941780/10best-2025-ram-1500/
9Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, please visit https://www.motortrend.com/news/ram-1500-2025-truck-of-the-year/
10Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, please visit https://www.motortrend.com/news/2013-truck-of-the-year-ram-1500/
11Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, please visit https://www.motortrend.com/news/2014-ram-1500-is-motor-trend-2014-truck-of-the-year/
12Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, please visit https://www.motortrendgroup.com/12otyawardwinners/
13Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, please visit https://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com/newsrelease.do?id=22339&mid=
14Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2012/ram/1500
15Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, visit https://www.jdpower.com/Cars/Ratings/Quality/2023
16Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, visit https://www.jdpower.com/Cars/Ratings/Quality/2024
17Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, visit https://www.jdpower.com/Cars/Ratings/Performance/2020
18Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, visit https://www.jdpower.com/Cars/Ratings/Performance/2022
19Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, please visit https://www.universitydodge.com/its-official-ram-is-the-best-truck-brand-for-2020/
20Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, please visit https://www.media.stellantis.com/me-en/ram/press/u-s-news-world-report-names-ram-truck-best-truck-brand-for-third-consecutive-year-1637570946
21Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, please visit https://www.media.stellantis.com/em-en/ram/press/u-s-news-world-report-names-ram-truck-best-truck-brand-for-third-consecutive-year
22Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, please visit https://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com/newsrelease.do?id=24445&mid=
23Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/trucks
24Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, please visit https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ram-and-dodge-brands-take-home-2024-kelley-blue-book-consumer-choice-awards-302099677.html
25Reference to this third-party review is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For more details, please visit https://www.reddit.com/r/ram_trucks/comments/15iwbf5/comment/juwuy2h/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
26Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2013/ram/1500
27Reference to this third-party review is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For more details, please visit https://www.reddit.com/r/ram_trucks/comments/15iwbf5/comment/juwrct9/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
28When properly equipped. See dealer for details.
29Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For more details, please visit https://www.caranddriver.com/ram/1500
30Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this claim, visit https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2023/ram/1500
31Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, visit https://www.edmunds.com/roadnoise/awards/editors-choice.html
