Is RAM reliable?
64% of the 80 RAMs we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, averaging 64/100 — they tend to be in slightly better shape than average.
#4 of 24
Longevity rank#1 Tesla holds up to ~197k~136k
Trouble-free mileageacross all body styles80
RAMs inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections64/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/100Based on 80 used RAMs we inspected, they tend to be in slightly better shape than average — average condition 64/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.
What we found
Most common faults
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
38%
Oil leaks · Engine
38%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
30%
Oil leaks · Automatic transmission
29%
Low coolant / cooling system issues · Engine
28%
Share of inspected RAMs where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 36%
Good 28%
Mediocre 16%
Poor 20%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on RAMs.
63%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
0%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
35%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 24%
Compare with another brand:
Cross-shopping? RAM vs Toyota · RAM vs Honda · RAM vs Ford
How long does a RAM last?
Across every RAM body style we've inspected — sedans, SUVs and anything else pooled together — the average one's condition dips below decent (a 55/100 score) around ~136k miles. It ranks RAM #4 of 24 brands we have enough data to rate; the longest-lasting, Tesla, holds up to ~197k. Shopping a RAM near that mileage? Expect more wear ahead — see which makes give the best odds at your budget.
Good cars by mileage
Good cars by age
Share of RAMs in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.
RAM models we've inspected
Recently inspected:
2015 RAM 2500 · 116k mi — flagged: abnormal noise, crankcase gas pressure, exhaust system leaks. Inspected Oct 6.
2023 RAM Promaster · 72k mi — flagged: oil leaks, fault codes recently cleared, cv joints. Inspected Sep 15.
The bottom line
A RAM can stay decent out to about 136,000 miles, so do not let a high odometer scare you off by itself. Start underneath: engine oil leaks, transmission leaks, and a neglected cooling system are what actually sink them. Then plug in a scanner yourself—active codes are common, and a wiped computer is not rare, so a blank dash proves nothing. Check the tires and use wear as a price chip. Walk if it is wet, the coolant looks ignored, or the scan looks recently cleaned; if it is dry and the electronics are honest, you can buy without treating mileage as the enemy.
FAQ
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What are the most common problems with a used RAM?
Across the RAMs we inspected, the items we flag most often are active error codes (38%), oil leaks (38%), tires condition & wear (30%).
Thinking of buying a RAM? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
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Based on 80 inspections · updated Oct 11, 2026
