HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON
Ford F-150 vs Ram 1500
OUR VERDICT
It's essentially a draw — 3–3 across categories.
OPTION A
Ford F-150
1975–2026 · truck
39/100 · Poor
7.7
Recalls / yr
725.6
Complaints / yr
296
Lifetime recalls
25,627
Lifetime complaints
OPTION B
Ram 1500
1994–2026 · truck
33/100 · Poor
6.8
Recalls / yr
589.1
Complaints / yr
246
Lifetime recalls
19,735
Lifetime complaints
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Every metric is normalized per model year so a long-running nameplate isn't unfairly penalized against a newer rival. The greener cell wins each row.
| Metric | F-150 | 1500 |
|---|---|---|
Defect & Recall Risk Higher is better | 39/100✓ | 33/100 |
Best Year Buyer Score Higher is better | 57/100 (2020)✓ | 51/100 (2023) |
Recalls per Year Lower is better | 7.7 | 6.8✓ |
Complaints per Year Lower is better | 725.6 | 589.1✓ |
Injuries + Deaths / Year Lower is better | 26.1 | 22.5✓ |
Crash-Involved Complaints Lower is better | 3.2%✓ | 5.4% |
| Categories won | 3 | 3 |
Best Year to Buy — Each Model
Most-Reported Problems
F-150
POWER TRAIN
4311
ENGINE
2287
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1614
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1248
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1136
1500
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1757
STEERING
1719
POWER TRAIN
1629
ENGINE
1557
AIR BAGS
1313
Complaint counts across all model years, from NHTSA owner filings. Frequency indicates how often an area is reported, not severity.
The Bottom Line
The Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 are remarkably evenly matched — splitting the 6 categories 3–3. Your decision should come down to price, body style, and the specific VIN's history rather than the model's overall track record.
Narrowed it down? Verify the actual car.
This compares models. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.