Ram 1500 vs Chevrolet Silverado
Half-ton pickups · head to head, 2010–2027
The Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado were both sold for 18 model years (2010–2027). Among the 1500's own years, no year clearly stands out as the best bet; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2024. Among the Silverado's own years, its best bet is 2018; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Ram 1500
Pickup · 2010–2027
- Best bet no standout year
- Newest good buy 2024
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2013–2016, 2025
Chevrolet Silverado
Pickup · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2018
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2019, 2021, 2023
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy 1500 year says nothing about whether it beats a Silverado. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Ram 1500 | Chevrolet Silverado | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.3× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual | Side by side |
| 2019 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2018 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2016 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly steering and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2015 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly steering and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2014 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly steering and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2013 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly steering and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2012 | Not rated | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2011 | Not rated | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
| 2010 | Not rated | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2027: the newest shared year, at a glance
| 2027 Ram 1500 | 2027 Chevrolet Silverado | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | Not rated | Not rated |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | $42,375 to $99,995 base price by trim, 10 trims | — |
| Engines and horsepower | — | — |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | — | — |
| Seats | 5–6 | — |
| Third row | — | — |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| Bed length | 67 in | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | — | — |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | — · — | — · — |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2027 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| 1500 Tradesman lowest price, $42,375 | 1500 TRX highest price, $99,995 | Silverado Work Truck first listed | Silverado High Country last listed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | — | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | — | Standard | — | — |
| Ventilated front seats | — | — | No | Standard |
| Sunroof or moonroof | — | — | No | Standard |
| 360-degree camera | — | Standard | Optional | Standard |
| Remote start | — | — | Optional | Standard |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2027 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2027 page (1500, Silverado).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Ram 1500
12 manufacturer programs on file: 8 extended coverage, 4 repair programs.
- Extended coverage 3.0L Diesel Crankshaft Tone Wheel Loss of Signal - X94 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves replacing the crankshaft tone wheel. (14-007-21, 2014–2018 models)
- Extended coverage Back Glass Water Leak Warranty Extension XL1 The customer may experience one or more of the following: ● A cracked backlite frame Fig. 1 resulting in an interior water leak (crack is visible to the customer). ● Water leak from at top of… (23-042-24, 2019–2021 models)
- Extended coverage Back Glass Water Leak Warranty Extension XL1 The customer may experience one or more of the following: ? (2309823, 2019–2021 models)
- Extended coverage Water Leak at Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) Warranty Extension XG1 Customers may experience one or more of the following: ? (2307423, 2019–2021 models)
Chevrolet Silverado
68 manufacturer programs on file: 24 extended coverage, 44 repair programs.
- Extended coverage In some circumstances, some 2014-2017 model year Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, and GMC Yukon vehicles may have a condition where customers may experience increased brake pedal… (N182202780, 2014–2018 models)
- Extended coverage The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure. This special coverage covers if an engine failure occurs in the vehicle as a result… (N252494003, 2021–2024 models)
- Extended coverage Some 2008-2009 model year chevrolet silverado and gmc sierra light-duty vehicles registered in canada or 2007, and 2010-2013 model year chevrolet silverado and gmc sierra light duty vehicles registered in or previously registered in maine,… (14520, 2010–2013 models)
- Extended coverage The transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within the valve. This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 15 years or 150,000 miles (240,000km), whichever occurs first,… (N242454441, 2020–2022 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2017–2018, 2020, 2022, 2024. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Years to skip: neither model has a year we rate avoid.
- Newest year rated a good buy: 1500 2024; Silverado 2025.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.