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Pickup trucks get the job done. That’s what they’re made for and what we expect of them. Sometimes we push pickups beyond their limits, but we’re often pleasantly surprised when they step up and meet the challenge. If you’re looking for the most reliable pickup truck in the market, you’ll want to see what the experts at RepairPal have to say.

What is the most reliable pickup truck?

Side view of new silver 2023 Ram 1500 TRX pickup truck, highlighting how much a fully loaded one costs
2023 Ram 1500 TRX | Ram

According to RepairPal, the Ram 1500 is the highest-rated full-size truck for reliability. Out of 17 full-size trucks tested, the Ram 1500 sits at the top spot for the factors that RepairPal tests. These factors are:

  • Cost
  • Frequency
  • Severity of actual repairs

When you want to drive the truck you can count on every day; Ram is the name you’ll want on the front of your pickup.

Ram 1500 reliability

Tailgate on silver 2023 Ram 1500, only new full-size pickup truck recommended by Consumer Reports in 2023
2023 Ram 1500 | Ram

This is the most reliable pickup truck because it has lower than average unscheduled repair costs in its class, an extremely low frequency of unscheduled repairs, and a lower than average frequency of those repairs.

Cost

On average, the Ram 1500 faces an unscheduled maintenance cost of $691 per year. The average for the full-size pickup truck class is $936 per year. The Ram is pretty close to the average for all vehicle models, which is $652 per year, making the Ram 1500 one of the most affordable full-size trucks you can drive.

Frequency

If you depend on your truck to help you get your job done every day, the last thing you want is regular visits to the repair shop. Because of the high level of Ram 1500 reliability, this pickup is only in the shop an average of 0.2 times per year. That’s lower than the average of 0.3 times for full-size trucks and 0.4 times per year for all vehicles.

Severity

Another factor that makes this Ram truck the most reliable pickup truck in the market is the low severity of unscheduled repairs. The Ram 1500 faces a severity level of 13% compared to 18% for the full-size truck market and 12% for all vehicles.

What problems does the Ram 1500 have?

There’s no denying the Ram 1500 brings top-level reliability to the full-size truck market, but some models that have faced issues in the past. The most common problems are engine issues with the engine turning off while driving, lifters wearing out, and the engine turning over but not starting.

If you’re considering a pre-owned Ram 1500, CoPilot says you’ll want to avoid the following model years:

  • 2003
  • 2010-2013 (5.7-liter V8 models)
  • 2014
  • 2015
  • 2016

Is the current version of the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 reliable?

RepairPal wouldn’t put the Ram 1500 up as the most reliable pickup truck in the market if it didn’t have reliable engines for you. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 stands out as one of the most reliable engines. This is despite the hiccup from 2010-2013. This engine should offer excellent performance and drive for more than 100,000 miles without any serious problems.

Should you drive the Ram 1500?

Front angle view of red 2023 Ram 1500, only new full-size pickup truck recommended by Consumer Reports in 2023
2023 Ram 1500 | Ram

If you want to drive the most reliable pickup tuck in the market, you’ll want to choose the Ram 1500 for its impressive reliability. This pickup offers low cost, frequency, and severity of repair issues, making it a truck you can trust.

Next, check out other reasons you’ll want to drive the 2023 Ram 1500, or learn more about the Ram 1500 in the video below:

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