The Ram 1500 has become one of the top-ranked full-size trucks in the market. In many cases, it has overtaken competitors, including the Toyota Tundra for reliability and the Ford F-150 for overall quality. That said, you should still be aware of the most common Ram 1500 problems many owners face with this truck.

Most common Ram 1500 problems

RepairPal uses actual data of reported problems to determine the reliability and the most common problems for every vehicle in the market. The three most common Ram 1500 problems are:

• Exhaust manifold bolts may break – reported by 331 owners
• Water leak due to faulty rear window seal – reported by 290 owners
• Multiple coolant leaks – reported by 231 owners

These sound like relatively serious problems for pickup truck owners. Thankfully, none have occurred in thousands of trucks. Still, we should dig deeper into these problems and how to fix them.

Which Ram 1500 models experience breaking exhaust manifold bolts?

Two engines in previous model Dodge Ram 1500 trucks experience trouble with exhaust manifold bolts breaking. These engines are the 3.7-liter V6 and 4.7-liter V8 engines. Owners should replace the bolts and exhaust manifold gaskets when this issue occurs. Thankfully, the replacement cost isn’t too expensive, with a price range of $259-$316.

Where does the faulty window seal problem appear for this full-size truck?

Owners reporting a rear window seal leak learned this was the source of the problem because they first experienced unknown water on the carpet. If the rear cabin carpet of your Ram 1500 is wet, it could be from this problem. This is one of the most common Ram 1500 problems, requiring the replacement of the rear window seal. The cost of this repair is typically between $88 and $111.

Engine overheating is most commonly the result of coolant lost in the Ram 1500

Typically, if you experience engine overheating caused by coolant leaks in this Ram truck, the problem is the cooling system. Mechanics will find this issue at:

• The thermostat housing gasket
• Water pump
• Heater return tube O-ring at the water pump
• Intake manifold gasket
• Timing cover gasket

Due to the number of possibilities, owners experiencing this problem should require an inspection of the cooling system before and after repairs. This will ensure the problem has been resolved. The cost for this problem in the Ram 1500 is typically $664-$725, making it the most expensive of the three most common Ram 1500 problems.

Is the Ram 1500 a reliable full-size pickup truck?

RepairPal ranks the Ram 1500 first in the full-size truck class for reliability. This full-size truck receives a 3.5 out of 5.0 rating, which is better than the class average of 3.0.

Considering the three factors RepairPal uses, the Ram 1500 is lower than average for the annual cost of repairs and maintenance. This figure is $691 for the Ram truck, while the average for the full-size truck class is $936. Ram 1500 owners face unscheduled repairs an average of 0.2 times per year compared to 0.3 times for most trucks. Those unscheduled repairs have a 13% chance of being severe or major in the Ram 1500 compared to 18% for all full-size trucks.

Is the Ram 1500 a good truck to drive?

U.S. News & World Report has the 2023 Ram 1500 ranked first in the full-size truck class. This overall ranking highlights this truck as the top choice in the market. They tell us:

“The 2023 Ram 1500 is an excellent full-size pickup truck. It sports a classy cabin and a pampering ride, as well as plenty of interior space and user-friendly infotainment features.” – U.S. News & World Report

Next, check out the 2023 Ram 1500 TRX, or learn more about the 2023 Ram 1500 in the video below: