Is Ram More Reliable Than Ford? (Truck Answers!)

When you are looking for a powerful truck that can get a job done, Ram and Ford are two companies that shoot to the top of the list. In addition to making powerful trucks, they also compete with one another on reliability.

When it comes to reliability, Ram is considered to be more reliable than Ford. Though both brands have issues, Ram trucks generally have fewer issues than Ford trucks. However, Ford trucks are usually easier to service than Ram trucks.

We all have loyalty to our favorite vehicle brands, but when it comes down to it, reliability is the factor that matters most. Here’s a close comparison between the reliability of Ford and Ram Trucks.

Most Reliable Ford Trucks

Though neither Ford nor Ram are known for reliability, both brands have received high-reliability ratings for some models. Most notably, the Ford F-150 is Ford’s most popular truck in part because of its reliability. The reliability ratings of the Ford F-150 fluctuate from year to year. However, most receive an average rating of 3 to 3.5 stars.

The Ford Ranger is much less consistent when it comes to reliability, with some years scoring only 1 out of 5 on reliability tests. More recently, the Ford Ranger has scored higher (some rate it nearly 4 out of 5), making it a better pick for reliability. There are a few more models of Ford trucks, but the general theme is the same: powerful engines that are easily driven but that don’t compare to the likes of Toyota on reliability.

The reason for the lower reliability ratings on most Ford trucks is that these trucks are simply not built to get the highest reliability score possible. Ford wants to sell trucks with new designs and new features while maximizing power and durability. 

Even though problems with Ford trucks are more frequent than they are with some other models, Ford trucks remain some of the most popular trucks on the market. The Ford F-150 in particular is known by many to be the most popular truck on the road. Truck enthusiasts and tool companies alike use Ford F-150s to get them where they need to be.

Though Ford trucks are likely to have problems, there is a bright side. Because there are so many Ford trucks out there, replacement parts are extremely easy to come by. Furthermore, mechanics are extremely familiar with the problems that are common with various Ford models, so getting some repair work done is a simple matter.

The average repair cost for a Ford F-150 is 788 dollars every year. For comparison, the average annual maintenance cost for another full-size truck is 936 dollars every year. While Ford F-150 is cheaper than other trucks of its size to maintain, the Ford Ranger is on the other side, costing 615 dollars every year while other midsize trucks only cost 548 dollars annually. All in all, Ford trucks are tough machines that are reasonably reliable.

Most Reliable Ram Trucks

Ram trucks are similar to Ford trucks in that they are also not famous for their reliability. Ram trucks are built for power, as is evident from their diesel engine. These engines are extremely strong and long-lasting, but they are also expensive to service and repair. Furthermore, diesel trucks are more expensive to keep fueled, meaning that they are more expensive to own than traditional trucks.

Though these diesel trucks have a few problems, they are generally considered to be reliable and trustworthy. Some believe the Cummins engine in most Ram trucks is the gold standard for engines.

Ever since Ram started putting a 6.7L Cummins engine in their trucks, they have been setting new standards for towing ability and horsepower. Even while setting new standards, Ram trucks continue to be considered some of the most reliable trucks.

The Ram 1500 is the most popular Ram truck because of its power and lower price. It has consistently scored a 3.5 out of 5 for reliability. Though these scores aren’t much better than those that Ford gets, consumers rate this truck higher on reliability. It costs about 670 dollars to maintain every year, which is significantly less than the average for full-size trucks.

On other models of Ram trucks (the 2500 and 3500), the reliability ratings drop a little while the cost of maintenance goes up. However, these trucks are both built almost entirely for power towing instead of being built for reliability. If you want an extremely reliable diesel truck, stick with the Ram 1500. 

Comparison

Though Ram trucks and Ford trucks score essentially the same across reliability rankings, there are a few key differences between these brands that make all of the difference. Ford trucks have many more difficulties with the transmission and are more likely to need repairs. On the bright side, repairs are easier to make, and replacement parts are easy to find.

Ram engines are much less likely to break down and have extremely durable transmissions. However, when a Ram truck does break down, the repairs are far more likely to be expensive. The diesel engines inside are powerful but more difficult to service, so finding a good mechanic will be more difficult.

All in all, the answer to the question of which truck brand is more reliable comes down to consumer reports. Owners of Ford trucks rate their trucks as less reliable than owners of Ram trucks. The fewer repairs that the Ram trucks need is evidence of their reliability.

If you need a truck that you can trust to not break down on you, you are safer with a Ram truck. Some Ram vehicles go tens of thousands of miles in between repairs. Drivers of Ram trucks can trust their vehicles not to give out in an emergency. Though the repairs on these trucks can be a little bit more expensive, the power that the diesel engines offer is often worth the cost.

Another reason Ram trucks stand out from Ford trucks is the vehicle’s luxurious interior.