Best Used Ram 1500 Pickup Truck: Models to Hunt for and 1 to Avoid
The best used Ram 1500 pickup trucks aren’t hard to find, but there are many options. Those looking for a reliable Ram 1500 truck have plenty of choices. However, there is a year worth avoiding. Before buying any used car or truck, it is a good idea to check out any recalls that need fixing. Additionally, a pre-purchase inspection is always recommended.
One of the best used Ram 1500 pickup truck years is from 2021
One of the best used Ram 1500 pickup trucks is the 2021 model year. While that might seem like a new truck for some, that is one of the benefits. Ram has moved on to more recent models, which means buyers might be able to find a used 2021 Ram 1500 with some warranty left. Consumer Reports has tested this pickup truck since 2011, which gives a bit more insight into the reliability history.
For the 2021 Ram 1500, Consumer Reports gave the pickup truck high marks for owner satisfaction. The reliability score was only average, which makes sense given the reliability history. In recent years, the reliability of the Ram pickup has stayed average. That is better than before but still hasn’t improved much.
The 2019 version is one of the best used Ram 1500 pickup truck years
The 2019 Ram 1500 had a similar average score for reliability. However, owners still seem pleased with the used 2019 Ram 1500 pickup truck. The driving experience, comfort, and value made this year a good buy. Owners also reported that the 2019 Ram was a pickup truck worth buying again.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave this used truck the Top Safety Pick + award. It excelled in overall crashworthiness, front impact, and side crash tests. The 2019 Ram 1500 also received a high score during the roof crush test. One thing to note is that the truck has 22 recalls. It is essential to check that these have been fixed, which can be done with the Vehicle Identification Number or VIN.
2015 is a year worth avoiding if you need a reliable truck
The 2015 Ram 1500 truck is an outlier among the other years. The reliability score is far lower than in previous years due to various factors. Some of the most common areas that give owners trouble are the engine, fuel system, brakes, etc. Many of these issues are addressed in the 15 recalls the pickup truck has. Recalls can be fixed, but this is a year that gave owners more trouble than others. The owner satisfaction score was only average as well.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) did give the Ram truck reasonably good scores. In the overall side-crash, the pickup truck received the highest score. Most of the tests showed OK protection, but it could have been better. The rollover score was only average. The IIHS gave the 2015 truck various scores, between below average and just average.
As previously noted, getting a pre-purchase inspection is a good idea. If you have a trustworthy repair shop, someone there might be able to help. The older the car, truck, or SUV, the more likely it is to have a recall. You can enter the VIN into the NHTSA database to check if there is an issue that needs to be addressed immediately.
