The Ram 1500 has become one of the top-ranked full-size trucks. In many areas, it has overtaken competitors, including the Toyota Tundra in reliability and the Ford F-150 in overall quality. Still, you should know the most common Ram 1500 problems owners have reported.

Here are the most common Ram 1500 problems

RepairPal provides auto repair and maintenance information to consumers. The site collects data on owner-reported problems to determine the reliability of nearly every vehicle on the market. The three most common Ram 1500 problems are as follows:

• Exhaust manifold bolt breakage — reported by over 300 owners
• Water leaks due to faulty rear window seals — reported by about 300 owners
• Multiple coolant leaks — reported by more than 200 owners

They sound like relatively serious problems. Fortunately, none have occurred in thousands of Ram 1500 trucks. Still, below are details about each issue and how to fix it.

Which Ram 1500 models experience breaking exhaust manifold bolts?

Two engines in many older Ram 1500s have experienced trouble with exhaust manifold bolts breaking. These engines are the 3.7-liter V6 and the 4.7-liter V8 in 1995 to 2010 Ram 1500 trucks. Drivers have reported the trouble starting anywhere from 12,300 to 225,000 miles.

Owners should replace the bolts and exhaust manifold gaskets when this issue occurs. Diagnosing the problem ranges from about $260 to $320.

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

Owners of 1996 to 2010 Ram 1500 trucks have reported a rear window seal leak after noticing soaked flooring. If the rear cabin carpet in your Ram 1500 is wet, the rear window seal could be faulty. This Ram 1500 problem requires replacing that part. It typically costs $88 to $111 to diagnose.

Engine overheating most commonly results from coolant leaks

If you experience engine overheating in a Ram truck, coolant leaks are likely the culprit. Mechanics can find this issue in one or more of these areas:

• 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 request an inspection of the cooling system before and after repairs. That will ensure the issue has been resolved.

Fixing this issue costs about $665 to $725 — 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 as the most reliable full-size truck. It earned a 3.5 out of 5.0 — better than the 3.0 class average.

Based on three factors RepairPal uses to rate vehicle reliability, the Ram 1500 costs less to repair and maintain than other models in its class. The average annual cost is $691 for the Ram truck and $936 for the full-size truck class.

In addition, Ram 1500 owners face unscheduled repairs an average of 0.2 times yearly, compared to 0.3 times for most trucks. Also, those unscheduled repairs have a 13% chance of being severe or major in the Ram 1500, compared to 18% in all full-size trucks.

Is the Ram 1500 a good truck to drive?

The 2023 Ram 1500 does many things well. It boasts numerous engine options, a balanced ride, an easy-to-use infotainment system, and a comfortable, high-quality cabin.

U.S. News places the 2023 Ram 1500 first among full-size trucks. This overall ranking highlights this truck as the most popular choice in its class.

“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

In addition, the 2023 Ram 1500 earned the highest score among its peers in J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study.