Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical and body and structure. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2026Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2026 Ram 1500: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Engine off, key in hand0/3
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Nearby years usually share most parts, so their problems are worth checking on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2026 checks
Worth adding to your 2026 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2026 Ram 1500. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cylGas | 4WD, RWD | 20–21 mpg |
| 6.2L 8-cylGas | AWD | 12 mpg |
| 3.6L 6-cylHybrid | 4WD, RWD | 21–22 mpg |
| 5.7L 8-cylHybrid | 4WD, RWD | 18–19 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2026 Ram 1500, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Failed electronic control modules trigger repeated "Illumination Unavailable" service warnings, instrument cluster faults, and erratic interior and exterior lighting. Some trucks have a parasitic draw that kills the battery overnight, which also disables airbag sensors, parking sensors, and the dash display. Reported symptoms include no-start events, a power tailgate that will not open or close, a backup camera that flashes blue and loses its image while reversing, and audio that suddenly plays at full volume and cannot be turned down. Replacement modules are backordered. Some dealers delay the instrument cluster recall update because it can disable the cluster.
Body metal leaves the factory cracked or split. Reports describe a crack where the body rests on the frame between the front and rear passenger doors, and a split in the driver-side uniside panel. Both were found on nearly new trucks, one with only 92 miles. Owners fear the damage could spread while driving. A separate problem affects the rear driver-side door. In temperatures below 30 degrees F it can refuse to unlock or open from either handle until the truck is restarted, which could trap a rear passenger.
Excerpts from complaints 1500 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Parasitic draw that causes batteries to die over night. This also affects manager features like air bag sensors, parking sensors, and dash display.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2025
Just bought a new truck. 92 miles on it. I was under the truck and saw a serious crack in the body where it rests on the frame. The crack is approximately between the front and rear passenger doors.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2025
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2026 has the fewest owner complaints of the 9 1500 years we cover, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Recall repairs are free at any Ram dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will replace the trailer tow module, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 24, 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 will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 10, 2026.
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.".
Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or gear selection, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Cars shoppers compare with the Ram 1500, with their own 2026 checklists.
