Last updated: 2026-05-15
Ford F-150 vs Ram Promaster: Reliability Compared
Ford F-150
Ram Promaster
Choosing between the Ford F-150 and the Ram Promaster? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two full-size trucks.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Ford F-150 currently leads with an average score of 66/100 compared to 62/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Ford F-150 and Ram Promaster Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Ford F-150 is more reliable than the Ram Promaster, scoring 66/100 vs 62/100.
The Ford F-150 and Ram Promaster both show moderate reliability scores, with the F-150 slightly ahead at 66/100 compared to the Promaster's 62/100. The F-150, however, has a higher recall count with 107 recalls over nine years, while the Promaster has 54. Despite this, the Promaster's owner complaints rate is marginally better at 4.6 per 10,000 sold versus the F-150's 5.4. A significant factor is the estimated annual repair cost for the F-150 at $788, which is unavailable for the Promaster, making it difficult to assess the long-term cost implications directly.
Key Differences
- 1Ram Promaster has 53 fewer total recalls
- 2Ford F-150 scores 4 points higher in reliability
- 3Ram Promaster has 0.8 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Ford F-150 vs Ram Promaster: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford F-150 | Ram Promaster |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 66/100 | 62/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 107 | 54 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 5.4 | 4.6 |
| Year Wins | 6 (1 tied) | 1 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford F-150 and Ram Promaster?
The Ford F-150 exhibits a high volume of complaints, particularly in the power train category, with 1,657 reports including 14 linked to crashes, indicating a notable area of concern compared to the Ram Promaster. The F-150 also has significant issues with its engine, electrical system, and service brakes, each including some crash-linked complaints, which suggests potential safety implications. In contrast, the Ram Promaster has fewer complaints overall, with electrical system and steering issues being the most reported, but these are not linked to crashes, indicating relatively fewer severe safety concerns. While the Promaster shares some categories of complaints with the F-150, such as power train and engine issues, the lower frequency and severity of these problems suggest it may present fewer reliability challenges.
| Component | Ford F-150 | Ram Promaster |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 1.6Low | 0.5Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.3Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.5Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | —None | —None |
| AIR BAGS | —None | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT | —None | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE, LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES | —None | —None |
| STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| EQUIPMENT | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford F-150 or Ram Promaster?
How Does Ford F-150 vs Ram Promaster Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford F-150 | Ram Promaster | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 75/10013R / 64C | 62/1004R / 3C | Ford F-150 |
| 2024 | 74/1009R / 146C | 62/1006R / 5C | Ford F-150 |
| 2023 | 68/10010R / 383C | 63/1007R / 39C | Ford F-150 |
| 2022 | 62/10021R / 657C | 61/1008R / 53C | Ford F-150 |
| 2021 | 58/10026R / 1021C | 58/10011R / 98C | Tie |
| 2020 | 67/1007R / 517C | 62/1007R / 34C | Ford F-150 |
| 2019 | 65/1006R / 972C | 58/10010R / 60C | Ford F-150 |
| 2018 | 58/10015R / 1852C | 68/1000R / 1C | Ram Promaster |
| 2026(predicted) | 67/100(predicted) | 62/100(predicted) | Ford F-150 |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Ford F-150 scored 75/100 and the 2018 Ram Promaster scored 68/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Ford F-150 vs the Ram Promaster?
Ford F-150 vs Ram Promaster: Common Questions
- Is the Ford F-150 more reliable than the Ram Promaster?
- Based on our data, the Ford F-150 is more reliable with an average score of 66/100 compared to 62/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford F-150 or the Ram Promaster?
- The Ford F-150 has more recalls (107) compared to the Ram Promaster (54). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford F-150 or the Ram Promaster?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Ram Promaster has a lower complaint rate at 4.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 5.4 for the Ford F-150. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Ford F-150 and Ram Promaster? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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