Most Reliable Ram Truck Years

When you’re looking for a pre-owned model that delivers power in droves, you’ll want to check out the most reliable years for Ram 1500 pickup trucks. The full-size beast has a legacy of memorable years, with some vehicles offering the best mix of performance, convenience, and an elevated driver experience that sets them apart as the most reliable and comfort picks.

At Spartanburg Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we have brought five of the most capable years that you’ll find on our used car lot. See what makes them stand apart from the rest of our inventory.

Ram 1500 Generations: An Overview

The Top 5 Ram Truck Models and Years

2017 Ram 1500

At the far end of the fourth generation, the 2017 Ram 1500 makes a statement as a highly decorated pickup truck. Equipped with the standard V-6, available turbo diesel V-6, or available 5.7-liter HEMI V-8, the 2017 Ram 1500 offered several configurations capable of towing above 10,000 pounds.¹ An eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission works wonders to give the 2017 Ram 1500 some of the highest scores from J.D. Power, with a Quality & Reliability score well above average for a work truck.² Notably, this year introduced modern access to smartphone connectivity with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ – must-haves for modern drivers.

• Consumer Reports Driver Satisfaction Score: 62/100³
• J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 81/100²
• J.D. Power Driver Experience Score: 76/100²

2020 Ram 1500

As the hiccups of the 2019 year were resolved, 2020 was revolutionary for features while retaining the efficient and reliable performance a Ram 1500 is known for. For example, the Rebel trim level can now be equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Departure Warning – two automated features that reduce stress on long workdays – while a 12-inch multimedia display can elevate the cabin. In fact, the interior is so prestigious, the Ram 1500 received the Luxury Car of the Year award from Cars.com,⁴ an extraordinary feat for a full-size pickup.

• Consumer Reports Driver Satisfaction Score: 68/100⁵
• J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 80/100²
• J.D. Power Driver Experience Score: 84/100²

2021 Ram 1500

The 2021 MotorTrend Truck of the Year Winner belongs to the Ram 1500 for a reason.⁶ Marking three years of dominance by the Ram brand for that reward,⁶ the 2021 Ram 1500 builds upon the already staggering feature lineup of 2020: an available Head-Up Display, a Digital Rearview Mirror, Off-Road Pages, and Trailer Reverse Steering Control work together so you can fully enjoy sand dunes, hauls of up to 12,750 pounds,¹ or carry surfboards and coolers down to the beach. You’ll always be able to spot a pre-owned 2021 Ram 1500 that matches your lifestyle, as this truck is highly customizable, thanks to trims like the Ram 1500 TRX.

• Consumer Reports Driver Satisfaction Score: 71/100⁷
• Car & Driver Score: 10/10⁸

2023 Ram 1500

While the 2020 and 2021 Ram 1500 trucks are both extraordinary for their service to truckers around the nation, they’re still relatively early in the fifth generation of Ram trucks. If, like many drivers, you want a pickup that has mastered the luxury and convenience amenities of the fifth generation, consider the 2023 Ram 1500. It doesn’t bring flashy, new offerings to the table. Instead, it continues to refine the 3.5-liter V-6, 5.7-liter V-8, the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V-8, and the 3.0-liter diesel V-6 (the latter which is rarer for this year, since it was discontinued partway through) to best serve you and your crew.

If you find a 2023 Ram 1500, we encourage you to take a test drive to relax with high-quality materials and explore tech upgrades that few other trucks could match at the time. Among the most reliable Ram years, Consumer Reports ranks the 2023 Ram 1500 near the top, with a score that easily eclipses any full-size pickup of the same year.⁹

• Consumer Reports Reliability Score: 82/100⁹
• Consumer Reports Driver Satisfaction Score: 64/100⁹
• Car & Driver Score: 10/10¹⁰

2024 Ram 1500

Serving as one of the highest-regarded pickup trucks of its year, the 2024 Ram 1500 continues the storied legacy of the most recent generation by securing the US News & World Report Best Truck Brand spot for Ram Trucks.¹¹ Features continue to be the highlight, as few other 2024 trucks provide the same experience as a Ram 1500.

The towing capacity of 12,750 pounds¹ elevates your camping and worksite capabilities, while a list of safety features – including available Blind-Spot Monitoring with Trailer Coverage – ensures that any 2024 Ram 1500 you pick up can help reduce your fatigue and conquer any job. It’s also one of the more reliable Ram trucks by year, so consider it for your job site or day-to-day relaxation.

• Consumer Reports Reliability Score: 58/100¹²
• Consumer Reports Driver Satisfaction Score: 62/100¹²
• J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 89/100²
• J.D. Power Driver Experience Score: 82/100²

What Is the Best Year Ram 1500: Reddit Review

Want another perspective? The Reddit community has you covered. Read what other truck drivers have to say about the most reliable years for Ram 1500 pickups with personal stories about their own truck. You'll see that many of them share their favorite years with our list.

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."

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What Years of the Ram 1500 Should You Avoid?

Any Ram 1500 can be a capable travel companion, and you shouldn't let a model year dissuade you from purchasing what could be an incredibly capable truck. We must, however, point out that certain trucks can require some additional in-depth checks to ensure they're the right fit. This includes:

• 2010-2013: The start of the fourth generation was a bumpy one. For example, the 2010 to 2013 Ram 1500 models introduced the 5.7-liter V-8 but didn't quite master it. Some of these pickups could have issues with the transmission, camshaft, and engine turning over but not starting. However, when the trucks operated as normal, they were smooth and expressive members of the Ram vehicle lineup.
• 2014: The EcoDiesel V-6 was brought to the lineup in 2014, and the landing wasn't perfect. Several trucks with the EcoDiesel were reported with performance issues. However, models with the standard engine or the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 are excellent and consistent companions. Plus, the EcoDiesel V-6 is still a potent companion for towing and cross-country driving if you find a 2014 model without its issues.
• 2002-2003: While third-generation Ram 1500 pickups are becoming rare, we recommend looking beyond the introductory years to the generation. Like many starting models, the 2002 and 2003 Ram trucks had engine and suspension issues crop up. These models can readily be fantastic and accessible travel companions, but make sure you take a test drive first – especially now that they're over 20 years old.

Generally, if it's a fresh member of a new model year, you should always approach with caution and expect to do additional inspections. While you should double-check and test drive any of our new or used Ram 1500 specials, the start of any generation or facelift is particularly important to manage carefully.

Best Years for Ram 2500: A Brief Overview

Unsurprisingly, the Ram 2500 actually shares several highly reliable model years in common with its little sibling. If you need a heavy-duty truck that can readily tow upwards of 20,000 pounds,¹ here are some of the years we recommend you test out:

• 2017: Enjoy the power behind heavy-duty models but tired of unwieldy suspension that makes the ride less enjoyable? The 2017 Ram 2500 delivers marked improvements over the competition thanks to its unique coil-spring suspension. Additional available features, like the Uconnect infotainment touchscreen and air suspension, create a cabin that's memorable and easy to pilot.
• 2020: A relatively early member of the fifth generation, the 2020 Ram 2500 is lauded for all the reasons its little sibling is: a focus on luxury. Very few trucks let you tow over 19,000 pounds¹ with a cabin that has so many high-end amenities, such as leather seating and Lane Keeping Assist.
• 2021: Keeping up the fantastic quality of the 2020 model, the 2021 Ram 2500 continues upgrading your drive. The Cummins® diesel engine received a tuning upgrade, providing an even snappier experience, while the cabin continues to thrive with more safety technology, including the available fully Digital Rearview Mirror – perfect for seeing behind a trailer.
• 2023: The 2023 Ram 2500 is well-loved thanks to the introduction of the Rebel trim level. If you want to bring camping equipment to the site over gravel roads or potholes, you'll want the Ram 2500 Rebel to make the process as clean as possible. If you don't feel the need to off-road, you can relax in prestigious bliss with some of the highest-end features available for any heavy-duty model, including a new and improved 12-inch digital gauge cluster and Trailer Reverse Steering control module.

What Are the Best Ram 1500 Years? Learn More With Spartanburg Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

The most reliable years for Ram 1500 also include the newest one! The 2026 Ram 1500 comes with a New Vehicle Limited Warranty,¹³ and its engine is brand-new, reducing potential issues right away. Our Ram 1500 inventory is here to introduce the post-2025 facelift to you, with updated style and convenience features that even go beyond 2023 or 2024.

If you need a more heavy-duty truck, consider our Ram 2500 inventory. The 2026 Ram 2500 is similarly appointed to a brand-new Ram 1500 while offering much more towing capacity, making it especially enticing for camping, work sites, or powering through the off-road – at the cost of the easier maneuvering and fuel efficiency of the Ram 1500.

Frequently Asked Questions

What years are best for a Ram 1500?

While any Ram 1500 truck is more than capable of completing nearly any task, no model years were more lauded than 2023 and 2024 for both reliability and owner satisfaction by Consumer Reports owners.^9,12 With a score of 82/100 for Reliability and 64/100 for Owner Satisfaction, the 2023 model wowed its Consumer Reports audience with absolutely extraordinary marks in Driving Experience, Comfort, and Styling.⁹

What is the most reliable Ram 1500 engine?

Perhaps the most commonly praised Ram 1500 engine is the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8, a powertrain known for consistently going beyond 200,000 miles when properly maintained. However, the 3.6-liter PentaStar V-6, 3.0-liter turbo diesel V-6, and old-school engines such as the 6.7-liter Cummins® V-8 are all premium picks.

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¹When properly equipped. See dealer for details.

²Reference 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/

³Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, Consumer Reports members can visit https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/ram/1500/2017/overview/

⁴Reference to this third-party award is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For more details, please visit https://www.cars.com/awards/2020/luxury-car-of-the-year/

⁵Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, Consumer Reports members can visit https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/ram/1500/2020/overview/

⁶Reference to this third-party award is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For more details, please visit https://www.motortrendgroup.com/ram-1500-trx-named-motortrend-2021-truck-of-the-year/

⁷Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, Consumer Reports members can visit https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/ram/1500/2021/overview/

⁸Reference 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/1500-2021

⁹Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, Consumer Reports members can visit https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/ram/1500/2023/overview/

¹⁰Reference 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/1500-2023

¹¹Reference to this third-party award is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For more details, please visit https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/advice/best-vehicle-brand-awards-2024

¹²Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, Consumer Reports members can visit https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/ram/1500/2024/overview/

¹³Whichever time/mileage designation comes first. Warranties listed on this web page shall not be solely relied upon. Warranties may be subject to specific terms, restrictions, exclusions, and fees. Additional warranty information may be obtained by visiting the official website of the warranty provider. Contact our dealership for complete details.