CarBrief

NHTSA has 365 owner complaints on file for the 2025 Ram 1500, and the largest group is the electrical system[1][2]. That is fewer than any model year from 2013 to 2022, but the truck also has 8 recalls[3].

365owner complaints[1]
8recalls[3]
15–23MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 365 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Of those, 9 mention a crash, 3 a fire and 2 an injury[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Component group Complaints
Electrical system[2] 191
Engine[5] 81
Exterior lighting[6] 61
Forward collision avoidance[7] 51
Power train[8] 49
Brakes[9] 44
Unknown or other[10] 38
Lane departure[11] 33

Electrical system. This group has 3 fires and a median mileage at failure of 5,400[2]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe dashboard warning lights, a weak or dead battery and trucks that lost power while driving. Some also describe repeated trips to the dealer.

Engine. The median mileage at failure is 3,523[5]. In the complaints we read, owners describe a check engine light with misfire codes, rough running and stalling. Some say the dealer had no fix yet.

Exterior lighting. The median mileage at failure is 8,700[6]. Owners in our sample describe headlights that point the wrong way, do not turn on or shut off while driving.

Forward collision avoidance. In the complaints we read, owners describe warning messages about braking and driver assistance, sensors that stopped working and emergency braking that engaged on a clear road[7]. This group lists 3 crashes[7].

Median mileage at failure is 5,400 for electrical, 3,523 for engine and 4,000 for power train[2][5][8].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this model year[3]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA lists seven versions. All use an 8-speed automatic[20]. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the truck was new.

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG Fuel Annual fuel cost
1500 HFE 2WD, 3.6L 6-cyl[4] 20 / 26 / 23 Regular $2,900
1500 2WD, 3.6L 6-cyl[21] 20 / 25 / 22 Regular $3,050
1500 2WD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo[20] 18 / 25 / 21 Regular $3,200
1500 4WD, 3.6L 6-cyl[22] 19 / 24 / 21 Regular $3,200
1500 4WD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo[23] 17 / 24 / 19 Regular $3,550
1500 HO 4WD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo[24] 15 / 21 / 17 Premium $4,850
1500 RHO 4WD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo[25] 14 / 16 / 15 Premium $5,500

The best combined rating is 23 MPG and the lowest is 15 MPG[4][25]. The two versions that call for premium fuel have the highest yearly costs[24][25].

Engine and size

EPA lists the 3.6L 6-cylinder at 305 hp[26].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US trucks[27].

Body Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Crew Cab 5.7-ft box 2WD[27] 233 in 80 in 78 in 144 in 4,971 lb
Crew Cab 5.7-ft box 4x4[28] 233 in 80 in 78 in 144 in 5,130 lb
Crew Cab 6.4-ft box 2WD[29] 242 in 80 in 78 in 154 in 5,020 lb
Crew Cab 6.4-ft box 4x4[30] 242 in 80 in 78 in 154 in 5,232 lb
Quad Cab 6.4-ft box 2WD[31] 229 in 80 in 78 in 141 in 4,799 lb
Quad Cab 6.4-ft box 4x4[32] 229 in 80 in 78 in 141 in 5,088 lb

How 2025 compares with other years

2013: 1,279 complaints, 11 recalls20132014: 1,775 complaints, 16 recalls20142015: 1,459 complaints, 17 recalls20152016: 1,554 complaints, 16 recalls20162017: 883 complaints, 13 recalls20172018: 665 complaints, 15 recalls20182019: 1,492 complaints, 29 recalls20192020: 640 complaints, 14 recalls20202021: 683 complaints, 15 recalls20212022: 627 complaints, 16 recalls20222023: 203 complaints, 11 recalls20232024: 77 complaints, 6 recalls20242025: 365 complaints, 8 recalls36520252026: 101 complaints, 9 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each 1500 model year. The 2025 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20131,27911
20141,77516
20151,45917
20161,55416
201788313
201866515
20191,49229
202064014
202168315
202262716
202320311
2024776
20253658
20261019

The 2025 model year has 365 complaints and 8 recalls[3]. Every year from 2013 to 2022 has more complaints, from 627 in 2022 up to 1,775 in 2014[3]. The 2023, 2024, 2026 and 2027 model years have fewer, with 203, 77, 101 and 0[3].

For recalls, only 2024 (6) and 2027 (0) are lower than 2025's 8[3]. The 2026 model year has 9 and 2023 has 11[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many trucks were sold, so treat the comparison as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2025 Ram 1500?

NHTSA lists fewer complaints for 2025 than for every year from 2013 to 2022, but the electrical system and engine groups are the two largest[2][5][3]. The sample of complaints we read describes warning lights, battery trouble and misfire codes. NHTSA lists eight recalls for this model year, so check the VIN on NHTSA.gov and confirm any that apply were done before you buy[3]. Fuel cost varies widely by version, from $2,900 to $5,500 a year by EPA's estimate[4][25]. Complaints are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so use them as a checklist for a test drive and a dealer inspection.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2025 Ram 1500?
The largest NHTSA complaint group is the electrical system with 191 complaints, followed by the engine with 81[2][5].
How many recalls does the 2025 Ram 1500 have?
NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2025 model year, covering instrument panel software, rear camera software, trailer brake control, stability control, headlight software and rear seat belt anchors[3][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19].
What is the gas mileage of the 2025 Ram 1500?
EPA combined ratings range from 15 MPG on the RHO 4WD to 23 MPG on the HFE 2WD[25][4].
Is the 2025 Ram 1500 reliable?
We have no reliability score. NHTSA has 365 complaints for this year, fewer than every year from 2013 to 2022[1][3].
How does the 2025 Ram 1500 compare with other years?
It has fewer complaints than 2013 through 2022, but more than 2023, 2024, 2026 and 2027[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 365 owner complaints on file for the 2025 Ram 1500 (9 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 191 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,400). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Ram 1500 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for 1500 HFE 2WD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 8-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 81 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 3,523). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 61 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 8,700). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 51 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 49 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 4,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 44 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 38 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 33 complaints name the lane departure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 26V560, filed September 1, 2026: Back Over Prevention › Software. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 26V495, filed July 30, 2026: Seat Belts › Rear / Other › Anchorage. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 26V225, filed April 9, 2026: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 26V059, filed February 2, 2026: Electrical System › Integrated Trailer Brake Control. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 25V826, filed December 1, 2025: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 25V231, filed April 10, 2025: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 24V942, filed December 19, 2024: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 24V794, filed October 24, 2024: Electronic Stability Control (Esc). NHTSA recall database
  20. EPA rating for 1500 2WD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic 8-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for 1500 2WD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 8-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for 1500 4WD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 8-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. EPA rating for 1500 4WD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic 8-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. EPA rating for 1500 HO 4WD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic 8-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. EPA rating for 1500 RHO 4WD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic 8-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 16 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  26. EPA Test Car List, 2025 Ram 1500 with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 305 hp. www.epa.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 1500 CREW CAB 5.7-FT BOX 2WD: length 233 in, width 80 in, height 78 in, wheelbase 144 in, curb weight 4,971 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 1500 CREW CAB 5.7-FT BOX 4X4: length 233 in, width 80 in, height 78 in, wheelbase 144 in, curb weight 5,130 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  29. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 1500 CREW CAB 6.4-FT BOX 2WD: length 242 in, width 80 in, height 78 in, wheelbase 154 in, curb weight 5,020 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  30. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 1500 CREW CAB 6.4-FT BOX 4X4: length 242 in, width 80 in, height 78 in, wheelbase 154 in, curb weight 5,232 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  31. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 1500 QUAD CAB 6.4-FT BOX 2WD: length 229 in, width 80 in, height 78 in, wheelbase 141 in, curb weight 4,799 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  32. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 1500 QUAD CAB 6.4-FT BOX 4X4: length 229 in, width 80 in, height 78 in, wheelbase 141 in, curb weight 5,088 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.