The newest and by far the quietest Ram year we cover — the same engine to listen to, but a fraction of the complaints.
A good buy — with proof the driveline recalls are done.
The year to buy this body style — verify the recalls, check the engine.
The lowest-complaint year we cover — newest and quietest, but GM's own programs admit the lifter and 8-speed still travel with it.
A late-generation sweet spot — if the engine checks out.
The year the redesigned Ram settles down — less than half the complaints of 2019, with no single runaway problem, just the leaks and engine risks to check.
The best third-generation year to buy — the kinks were mostly worked out, but the lifter question still applies.
The final, most-sorted fourth-generation Ram — the lowest complaint count of its generation, with a longer recall list to simply confirm as closed.
Calmer than 2019, and the costliest transmission risk is covered — but the DFM lifter still needs a listen.
Often called the sweet-spot 4th-gen Ram — the same good bones as 2016 with noticeably fewer complaints, if you clear the steering and ABS checks.
One of the calmer recent years — most of the big risks are either covered or checkable.
The best third-generation Sierra to buy — kinks mostly worked out, but the lifter question still applies.
Newest and only three recalls — but GM's own programs admit the lifter and 8-speed still travel with it.
Calmer than the launch year, and the costliest transmission risk is covered — but the DFM lifter still needs a listen.
One of the calmer recent years — most big risks are covered or checkable, plus one Sierra-only grille recall.
The Silverado's twin in a nicer suit — same two expensive habits, so buy one that's been checked, not promised.
Solid — if, and only if, the recall paperwork is complete.
Engine flag: this is 2.7L & 3.0L EcoBoost trouble — the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and 5.0L V8 don’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →
A mature, well-sorted truck on paper — but 2021 is where the engine becomes the story: Hemi manifold bolts, lifter tick, and eTorque failures.
A good truck exists here — behind a complete, verified recall history.
A refined, well-equipped truck whose recent complaints — and Chrysler's own engine programs — still point under the hood.
Buyable — only with the full 27-recall history in hand.
Engine flag: this is 2.7L & 3.0L EcoBoost trouble — the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and 5.0L V8 don’t share it. Which engine is in yours? →
A solid mid-generation truck with two expensive habits — buy one that's had the transmission and lifters checked, not promised.
The transmission year — the one third-gen Silverado where the 8-speed is the reason to walk unless it's been sorted.
The transmission year for GMC's half-ton too — the 8-speed is the reason to walk unless it's been sorted.
Watch the engine — this is the first year of the big 6.2L failure recall, on top of the ongoing lifter issue.
Buyable — if you check three things before money changes hands.
Buyable — on condition and recall history, not on the badge.
The redesigned truck is a big leap in comfort — but 2019 is the first-year model, and its recall list and steering complaints are the longest here.
Launch year of the new truck — same DFM lifter risk as the Silverado, plus a couple of Sierra-only quirks to check.
Launch year of the new truck, and it shows — the most-complained-about Silverado in our data, with a lifter design that got worse.
Watch the engine — first year of the big 6.2L failure recall, which hits Denali trims hardest.
A cheap, capable 4th-gen Hemi truck whose real risks — a failing ABS module and power-steering loss — are out-of-warranty and worth checking hard.
- 1 Stellantis publishes only a “Ram pickup” total that bundles the 1500 with the 2500/3500 Heavy Duty; no 1500-only figure exists. The denominator is larger than 1500-only sales, so the rate reads slightly low.
- 2 Ford publishes only an “F-Series” total that bundles the F-150 with the Super Duty (F-250/F-350/F-450); no F-150-only figure exists. The denominator is larger than F-150-only sales, so the F-150 rate reads slightly low.
- 3 For 2016–2017 GM reported only a combined light-duty-plus-Heavy-Duty total for this truck; no 1500-only split was published. The denominator includes the HD trucks, so the rate reads slightly low. (GM breaks out the 1500-only “LD” line from 2018 on, which those rows use.)
Rates use published U.S. sales as the denominator — a rate, not a raw count, so best-sellers aren’t punished for selling. It’s imperfect on purpose and we say exactly where (the methodology page): sales aren’t surviving fleet, some makers publish entangled figures, and complaint filing is self-reported.
“The average full-size pickup is fine. You’re not buying the average — you’re buying one specific year of one specific badge.”
Shortlisting from this board? We’ll watch your years.
New recalls, federal investigations, and quiet warranty programs land months after you buy. Tell the canary which years you’re considering — it sings when something changes.
Watch my years — free