Ram 1500 Classic: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
Ram 1500 Classic: 6 model years scored from 2,760 NHTSA owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns. Worst year 2019, best year 2020.
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Used Ram 1500: air suspension, EcoDiesel and the 2019 launch — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Year-by-year data table
Best year in our data: 2020 (score 87). Worst: 2019 (score 67, CAUTION).
| Year | Score | Verdict | Running cost / yr | NHTSA complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | — | DATA PENDING | $3,770 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | — | DATA PENDING | $3,910 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | — | DATA PENDING | $4,050 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 81 | BUY | $6,747 | 673 | 0 |
| 2020 | 87 | BUY | $6,300 | 622 | 0 |
| 2019 | 67 | CAUTION | $9,496 | 1,465 | 0 |
Running cost is fuel or energy plus the maintenance band midpoint for that car at its age today, re-priced to your country. Purchase price, insurance and depreciation are not included.
1500 Classic sub-models & family
What goes wrong on the Ram 1500 Classic
Across every 1500 Classic model year in our index, owners report these component groups most often. The cost beside each one is the representative repair for that group at a US independent shop, re-priced to your country.
- Electrical System732 complaints across all 1500 Classic years · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement$540–$1,310
- Engine655 complaints across all 1500 Classic years · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair$1,040–$2,220
- Unknown Or Other445 complaints across all 1500 Classic years · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair$360–$940
- Steering394 complaints across all 1500 Classic years · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement$1,020–$2,500
- Power Train365 complaints across all 1500 Classic years · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair$1,290–$4,040
- Service Brakes202 complaints across all 1500 Classic years · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles$580–$1,140
Flat-rate labour hours x local shop rate plus a parts band. An estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote. Formula.
FAQ
What is the best year for the Ram 1500 Classic?
On our data the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic scores 87/100 — the highest of the 6 model years we hold, with 622 NHTSA complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record.
Which Ram 1500 Classic years should I avoid?
The 2019 is the weakest year we score, at 67/100 (CAUTION), on 1,465 complaints and 0 recalls. Check the year-by-year table above before committing to any particular car.
What is the most common Ram 1500 Classic problem?
732 of the complaints filed against the 1500 Classic across all its model years sit in the Electrical System group — more than any other component.
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Sources: NHTSA, EPA · Methodology · Updated 2026-10-04