Ram 1500 Ranks Number One for Truck Dependability

Ram has been focusing on its dependability in recent years and it appears that the renewed efforts are helping. The Ram 1500 earns the top ranking in the JD Power 2026 US Vehicle Dependability Study. Ram leads the Large Light Duty Pickup Segment. The Ram 1500 improves 13 points year over year, climbing from fourth to first in the Large Light Duty Pickup segment. While Ram’s new ranking is good news for the truck maker, overall, the news in the dependability survey isn’t great. J.D. Power finds that new infotainment centers are causing more and more problems. The biggest issues are with phone connections to vehicles. 

Ram 1500’s New Ranking

Ram credits its improving numbers to improvements in the truck’s durability and real-world dependability. The J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study measures problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of 3-year-old vehicles and serves as a key indicator of long-term vehicle reliability. Results are expressed as problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), with lower scores indicating higher dependability.

According to J.D. Power, “The study, now in its 37th year, covers 184 specific problem areas across nine major vehicle categories: climate; driving assistance; driving experience; exterior; features/controls/displays; infotainment; interior; powertrain; and seats. The 2026 study is based on responses from 33,268 original owners of 2023 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. The study was fielded from December 2024 through November 2025.”

Ram Focusing on Long-Term Durability

Ram has repeatedly promised that its trucks will improve the brand’s overall durability. The company even instituted America’s best full-size truck and van limited powertrain warranty for 10 years/100k miles. Vehicles are more expensive than ever with many buyers taking out seven-year auto loans. 

My colleague, John Goreham, summed up the rising truck prices this way, “Consider that the average transaction price for a full-size pickup in America in January 2026 is $66,386. Or that RAM’s average product price is $64,607. Those numbers boggle our minds. What makes it even more surreal for those of us lucky enough to test vehicles is that we nearly always end up testing full-loaded top trims with every possible package. That means the trucks we usually test are priced way above the ATP, and are often closer to $100K. Not this one. The 2026 RAM 1500 Warlock is more than 10% under the ATP and also under the average price for a RAM truck. It's $57,395 before dealer Doc Fees.”

J.D. Power’s Dependability Survey

J.D. Power’s Study is designed to help potential buyers consider what model will last the longest under typical conditions.  

“As owners hold onto their vehicles longer, the long-term ownership experience matters more than ever," said Jason Norton, director of auto benchmarking at JD Power. "Software updates and new technologies should enhance the ownership experience over time, yet many vehicle owners cite ongoing mobile phone integration problems and little to no benefit after an update is performed. Much of this comes down to owner education and ongoing communication. Automakers should focus on delivering meaningful improvements and clearly communicating the intended benefits of software updates so owners understand how they are designed to enhance their vehicle and ownership experience." 

J.D. Power does a number of different surveys about Initial Quality, long-term dependability and how easy it is to use vehicle technology. The company has been measuring problems and quality in the industry since 1968. For buyers who plan to keep a vehicle for a long time, the dependability study can be especially important. For 2026, the Ram 1500 appears to be the winner in the pickup truck category.

Ram Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

Follow Mary Conway at @MaryConwayMedia and send her car news tips for future stories.