2026 Ram 1500
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 43 of 87 complaints (49%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 337 in 2025 to 87 in 2026.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | vs. 2026 Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–6,450 | 2,700–5,150 | 2,850–6,450 | 2,850–6,450 | |
| Combined MPG | 12–23 | 15–23 | 12–22 | 12–22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 10–20 / 14–26 | 14–20 / 16–26 | 10–20 / 14–25 | 10–20 / 14–25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 394–748 | 394–602 | 407–748 | 407–748 | |
| Complaints filed | 70 | 337 | 87 | 0 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 8 | 7 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 5 | 9 | 3 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 4 | 7 | 10 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2026 Ram 1500 have?
7 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2026 Ram 1500?
Electrical: 43 of 87 NHTSA complaints (49%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2026 Ram 1500 get?
EPA rates it 12–22 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2026 Ram 1500?
EPA estimates $2,850–$6,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (10)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 8-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 18 mpg | 25 mpg (high) | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 433 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 8-spd | 6 | 3.0L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 15 mpg | 21 mpg | 17 mpg | $4,550 | 521 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 8-spd | 6 | 3.0L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 14 mpg | 16 mpg | 15 mpg | $5,150 | 602 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 8-spd | 6 | 3.0L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 18 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 8-spd | 8 | 5.7L | 4-Wheel Drive | Midgrade | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 16 mpg | 20 mpg | 18 mpg | $4,000 | 502 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 8-spd | 6 | 3.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 20 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $2,850 (low) | 407 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 8-spd | 6 | 3.6L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 19 mpg | 24 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 417 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic 8-spd | 8 | 5.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Midgrade | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 17 mpg | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,750 | 470 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic 8-spd | 8 | 6.2L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 10 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | 12 mpg (low) | $6,450 (high) | 748 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic 8-spd | 6 | 3.6L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 17 mpg | 18 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 512 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 16 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (7)
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE · Campaign 26V560000 · Sep 1, 2026
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 vehicles. A radio software error may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The radio software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 24, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 83D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 9, 2026.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · Campaign 26V531000 · Aug 14, 2026
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Gladiator, Jeep Compass, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Jeep Grand Wagoneer L, Ram Promaster, Ram Promaster EV, Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid, Chrysler Voyager, and 2026-2027 Chrysler Pacifica and Dodge Charger vehicles. The rearview camera image may fail to display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera image that fails to display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Radio software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning September 2, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 78D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 20, 2026.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:ANCHORAGE · Campaign 26V495000 · Jul 30, 2026
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2026 Ram 1500 vehicles. The second-row center and left-side seat belt buckle anchors may have been improperly installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Consequence: An improperly installed seat belt buckle anchor may fail to properly restrain occupants, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and attach the seat belt buckle anchor to the body structure as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 18, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 67D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 6, 2026.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 26V421000 · Jul 1, 2026
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Ram 1500 vehicles. The headlight wiring may cause the parking lights and daytime running lights to flicker on and off, or fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: Parking lights and daytime running lights that fail to illuminate properly reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the headlight assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July, 30, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated October 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 62D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 9, 2026.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL · Campaign 26V225000 · Apr 9, 2026
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the instrument panel display to fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards numbers 102, "Transmission Shift Position Sequence," 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems," 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment," 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems for Light Vehicles," 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems," 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System," and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as gear selection and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 35D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 16, 2026.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL · Campaign 26V059000 · Feb 2, 2026
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Jeep Wagoneer S, 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, Ram 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. Due to an improperly designed trailer tow module, the trailer lights may fail to illuminate and the trailer brakes may fail.
Consequence: Trailer brake lights and turn signals that do not illuminate reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, trailer brakes that fail increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trailer tow module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning March 17, 2026. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 03D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 10, 2026.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL · Campaign 25V826000 · Dec 2, 2025
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Ram Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the instrument panel cluster display to be blank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems," 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems," and 102, "Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect."
Consequence: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or gear selection, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and update the instrument panel software or replace the instrument panel cluster, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are B4C and B8C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 4, 2025.