The RAM 1500 is a pickup truck built from 2013 to 2026 over 3 generations. Most were assembled in the United States — 91.2% of those on record. Between 2013 and 2023 it grew 18 cm longer and gained -3 kg. Engines offered: Hybrid, V6, V8. Worth buying? It holds up well, with the usual caveat about model years at 4.0/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the 1500 is
The RAM 1500 is a pickup truck that RAM built from 2013 to 2026 — 14 model years. Our measurements put it at 3 generations, the current one starting in 2020. It has been offered with Hybrid, V6, V8 power. Its closest siblings in the RAM range: 2500, 3500, Promaster City.
Where the 1500 is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 9,886 1500s on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| the United States | 1C6, 1CR, 1D7 | 2013-2021 | |
| Mexico | 3C6 | 2013-2021 |
Check your own: the first three characters of a RAM VIN decide which of these 3 lines your 1500 belongs to. What every character in a 1500 VIN means →
Got the full 17 characters? A free VIN check on a RAM 1500 adds what the decoder can't see: open recalls, theft and total-loss records, and the safety ratings for that exact build.
1500 generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the 1500's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the 1500 that gives 3 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 574 cm | 356 cm | 2258 kg | - | - |
| 2014-2017 | 541 cm | 345 cm | 2145 kg | -33 cm | -113 kg |
| 2020-2023 | 592 cm | 367 cm | 2255 kg | +51 cm | +110 kg |
Between 2013 and 2023 the 1500 gained 18 cm in length (+3.1%) and -3 kg in weight (-0.1%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the 1500 that is -3 kg against 18 cm. Full dimensions by year →
RAM 1500 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment 1500 owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the RAM 1500 have? Power & range
The RAM 1500 is offered with 3 powertrains — 3L 6-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl Hybrid. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 3 for the RAM 1500, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.0L · 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | RWD | Regular |
| V8 | 6.2L · 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | AWD | Premium |
| Hybrid | 3.6L · 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | RWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a RAM 1500 tow? Towing & payload
As a pickup, the RAM 1500 is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your 1500's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
The 1500 by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the RAM 1500. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | 1500 | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 196 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 10,205 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.0 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Crash safety | ★★★★★ NHTSA | Frontal, side, rollover |
| Insurance | $1,628/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 8,522 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the RAM 1500?
The 1500 is a pickup truck, built from 2013 to 2026 across 3 generations. Engines offered: Hybrid, V6, V8.
Where is the RAM 1500 made?
Across 9,886 cars in our records the split is: the United States (91.2%), Mexico (8.8%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the 1500 have?
3 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2020. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the 1500 grew 18 cm longer and gained -3 kg.
What is the RAM 1500 warranty?
New models carry 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the 1500 reliable?
It scores 4.0/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific 1500?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in RAM
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAM 2500 | 2013–2026 | 150 | — | 4.0/5 |
| RAM 3500 | 2012–2026 | 162 | — | 3.5/5 |
| RAM Promaster City | 2015–2026 | 20 | 24 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| RAM 5500 | 2013–2026 | 91 | — | 3.5/5 |
| RAM ProMaster 2500 | 2014–2026 | 4 | — | 4.0/5 |
| RAM 4500 | 2013–2026 | 90 | — | 3.5/5 |