Confidence in 2026 Models?

[MNiceguy]

I am currently the owner of a 2025 Limited with the Hurricane HO but that truck has been nothing but headaches and is currently involved in litigation with FCA. At some point I need to find something else but really I don't think there's anything that checks my boxes like a RAM does. Heck, I even like the Hurricane engine. The thing is I don't want to jump out of the pan just to land in, well, the pan. There's of course my own personal experiences but I've even caught folks at the dealership saying things that seem to point toward a reality where the 2025's were not very good and had a lot more issues then their predecessors.

Furthermore, I'm having a hard time deciding because of my RAM experience so far
RAM #1: Perfect truck. Never needed anything
RAM #2: Excellent truck - no issues
RAM #3: Wiped the cam at 25mi (yes, twenty-five) and got swapped for a different truck
RAM #4: The replacement for #3 and probably the best vehicle I've had so far
RAM #5: Basically a disaster that's been nothing but problems, stress, and drama

So here I am where the best and worst vehicles I've owned are the same make, model, and general age and let's just say I've had a healthy number of cars in my life so far.

What's everyone's read on the 2026 model year? Of course the Hemi is back which is great but I'm thinking more in terms of reliability concerns. Do you think Stellantis got their crap together and did a little better job on the second model year (of the 5th gen refresh/Hurricane platform in RAM)? Does anyone out there have one that has some miles on already?

 

[Eighty]

I don’t have a 2025 or a 2026, but I’m active on the RHO forum. And I can tell you that the consensus is that the 2026’s are no better than the 2025’s. Same electrical gremlins.

 

[Rebellion is Duty]

The problems of the '25 have carried over to '26. Engines are fine. Hurricane and Hemi. The electrical components are trash.

 

[nkole]

My 26 with 1800 miles has been perfect so far.

 

[Jako]

My 26 with 1800 miles has been perfect so far.

You have been a member for a while. Owned other Rams? If so how did they work out?

 

[Rebellion is Duty]

Give it time. Got to almost 11,000 before the gremlins came forth on my '25. I now have the check engine light. I've taken it to the dealer a couple times. I get the standard misfire and bad gas story. I've now got the blue screen on the back up camera that seems to come and go. The unit needs service is extremely random. I think they just clear the codes and hope they don't come back. They haven't a clue what's causing it because they're mechanics, not rocket scientists to figure the electrical stuff.

Truly hope you never do. I did think I was in the clear.

 

[nkole]

You have been a member for a while. Owned other Rams? If so how did they work out?

I've owned a lot of RAMs, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2020 and now a 2026. All were flawless except the 13 which had the 6.7 Cummins that would not stop dripping oil from the front case. Was repurchased by RAM and I purchased the 2014 with the 6.4 that gave no issues.

 

[RedFred]

My 25 Laramie with hurricane has been great so far. I'm at around 27K miles.

 

[MNiceguy]

Thanks for the replies so far. Based on what I'm hearing and seeing, I think I might have to pass on the RAM brand for now. For what it's worth, my '25 was just fine until about 7K and then the problems started.

 

[OCD Solutions]

Plenty of competitors are experiencing similar QC issues so shop wisely. This may be a time to find a low mileage older model RAM.

 

[Rebellion is Duty]

Plenty of competitors are experiencing similar QC issues so shop wisely. This may be a time to find a low mileage older model RAM.

Yep. It's pretty much pick your position now.

 

[MNiceguy]

You're not wrong. I'm basically looking for something a little larger and with at least Hemi levels of pep.

Tundra - Main bearing issues and fairly well-known catastrophic engine failures
Silverado - The jury is out on whether or not the 6.2 is a safe buy following the big recall and the diesel option is not for me
Ram - Revised electric system doesn't seem to be panning out
Titan - It's cousin the Armada is one of the worst reviewed vehicles ever made and I've never heard a positive word about it.
F-150 - I can't find anything especially damning on these other than some transmission concerns that seem to have cleared up. I had some bad Fords in the past though so this makes me very nervous