Top Safety Pick +Top Safety Pick criteria

2020 Ram 1500

large pickup / Crew cab pickup

Award applies only to vehicles with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights

2020 Ram 1500 Crew cab pickup
2019 Ram 1500 shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Side: updated test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Not available

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Optional lane departure warning
  • Optional lane departure prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2019-24 models built after July 2018

Tested vehicle: 2019 Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab 2wd

The Ram 1500 Crew Cab was redesigned for the 2019 model year. The earlier design remained in production for the 2019-20 model years and was called the Ram 1500 Classic Crew Cab. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Classic.

For the redesigned pickup beginning with 2019 models built after July 2018, the cab mounts to the vehicle frame at the C-pillars were strengthened to improve occupant protection in small overlap frontal crashes. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)

Two tests of the Ram 1500 Crew Cab were conducted by the Institute; vehicle specifications for the two trucks were identical. In the first test, Fiat Chrysler identified possible prior dummy ankle damage that may have caused elevated injury measures on the left lower leg. In the second test with a new ankle assembly installed, there were also indications of elevated left lower leg injury. Therefore, the ratings are based on combined results from both tests.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the second of two driver-side small overlap frontal crash tests.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well (second test shown).

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury (second test shown).

Forces on the left lower leg were high enough to indicate a likely risk of injury in the first test (shown) and a moderate risk in the second test.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN1809 CEN1814
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 3 2
Footrest (cm) 9 12
Left toepan (cm) 9 17
Brake pedal (cm) 7 10
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 1 2
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 2 3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 3 4
Upper dash (cm) 3 4
Lower instrument panel (cm) 3 3

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN1809 CEN1814
Head
HIC-15 48 75
Peak gs at hard contact no contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.5 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 5 7
Maximum Nij 0.11 0.15
Chest maximum compression (mm) 17 21
Femur (kN)
Left 1.4 2.2
Right 0.3 0.5
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 3 7
Right 1 2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0 0
Right 0 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 1.47 0.93
Right 0.50 0.43
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 5.0 4.1
Right 1.5 1.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 133 94
Right 31 36

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2019-24 models built after July 2018

Tested vehicle: 2019 Ram1500 Tradesman Crew Cab 2wd

The Ram 1500 Crew Cab was redesigned for the 2019 model year. The earlier design remained in production for the 2019-20 model years and was called the Ram 1500 Classic Crew Cab. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Classic.

For the redesigned pickup beginning with 2019 models built after July 2018, the cab mounts to the vehicle frame at the C-pillars were strengthened to improve occupant protection in small overlap frontal crashes. (Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on the driver door or adjacent B-pillar.)

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame and dashboard after the crash test indicates that the passenger’s survival space was maintained reasonably well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

Despite intrusion of the toepan and dashboard, risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID CEP1819
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 8
Footrest (cm) 23
Right toepan (cm) 20
Center toepan (cm) 11
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 6
Upper dash (cm) 7
Right lower dash (cm) 6

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CEP1819
Head
HIC-15 173
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.6
Extension bending moment (Nm) 5
Maximum Nij 0.11
Chest maximum compression (mm) 13
Femur (kN)
Left 2.7
Right 1.6
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 10
Right 3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.67
Right 0.73
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.2
Right 2.9
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 106
Right 100

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEP1819
Head
HIC-15 22
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm) 18
Maximum Nij 0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm) 22
Femur (kN)
Left 0.0
Right 1.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 6
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.28
Right 0.55
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.1
Right 0.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 42
Right 37

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab 2wd

The Ram 1500 Crew Cab was redesigned for the 2019 model year. The earlier design remained in production for the 2019-20 model years and was called the Ram 1500 Classic Crew Cab. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Classic.

Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Fiat Chrysler.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1819
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 6
Left (cm) 10
Center (cm) 11
Right (cm) 3
Brake pedal (cm) 3
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) 3
Rearward (cm) -1
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1819
Head
HIC-15 135
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.6
Extension bending moment (Nm) 8
Maximum Nij 0.18
Chest maximum compression (mm) 25
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 2.3
Femur force - right (kN) 1.0
Knee displacement - left (mm) 5
Knee displacement - right (mm) 5
Maximum tibia index - left 0.53
Maximum tibia index - right 0.62
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.5
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.9
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 88
Right 68

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2019-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab 2wd

The Ram 1500 Crew Cab was redesigned for the 2019 model year. The earlier design remained in production for the 2019-20 model years and was called the Ram 1500 Classic Crew Cab. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Classic.

Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Fiat Chrysler.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1816
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -18.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1816
Head HIC-15 147
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Compression (kN) 0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 28
Lateral force (kN) 1.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 36
Average deflection (mm) 34
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.80
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.67
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 1.7
Acetabulum force (kN) 2.0
Combined force (kN) 3.7
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 1.1
L-M moment (Nm) 154
A-P moment (Nm) -19

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1816
Head HIC-15 71
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.4
Compression (kN) 0.7
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 33
Lateral force (kN) 1.5
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 27
Average deflection (mm) 20
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.14
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.32
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.3
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.8
Combined force (kN) 2.1
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.2
L-M moment (Nm) 19
A-P moment (Nm) -41

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2019-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2023 Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab 4wd

The Ram 1500 Crew Cab was redesigned for the 2019 model year. The earlier design remained in production for the 2019-20 model years and was called the Ram 1500 Classic Crew Cab. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Classic.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CES2310
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -18.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID CES2310
Head
HIC-15 27
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.4
Compression (kN) 0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 12
Lateral force (kN) 0.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 15
Average deflection (mm) 12
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.57
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.10
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 2.7

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CES2310
Head
HIC-15 58
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.2
Compression (kN) 0.9
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 40
Lateral force (kN) 1.8
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 21
Average deflection (mm) 14
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.57
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.28
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 2.6

About the side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2019-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 2wd

Rating applies to both the Ram 1500 Crew Cab (tested) and the structurally similar Ram 1500 Quad Cab.

Overall evaluation
Curb weight5,254 lbs
Peak force22,302 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio4.24

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leather seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power leather seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 18
Distance below top of head (mm) 44
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 11.3
Head contact time (ms) 51
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 498

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 4 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • Laramie Longhorn trim
  • Limited trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?Yes
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves, fair on the sharp left curve and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left and both right curves and fair on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Laramie Longhorn trim
  • Limited trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2019-24 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 89.3 m None
Straightaway left edge 52.3 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 86.1 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 54.4 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 73.4 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 51.7 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 148.5 m
Straightaway left edge 141.9 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 91.9 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 75.3 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 74.5 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 59.4 m

Trim level(s)

  • Tradesman trim
  • Big Horn trim
  • Lone Star trim
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the left side of the road and fair on the right side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Tradesman trim
  • Big Horn trim
  • Lone Star trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2019-24 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 84.2 m None
Straightaway left edge 60.2 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 52.4 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 51.6 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 40.1 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 43.4 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 146.6 m
Straightaway left edge 143.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 59.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 59.4 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 44.8 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 47.8 m

Trim level(s)

  • Laramie trim equipped with Laramie 1 Equipment Group package
  • Laramie trim equipped with Laramie 2 Equipment Group package
  • Laramie trim equipped with Advanced Safety Group package
  • Rebel trim equipped with Safety/Convenience Group package
Low-beam headlight typeLED reflector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the left side of the road and inadequate on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp right curve, fair on the gradual right curve and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Laramie trim equipped with Laramie 1 Equipment Group package
  • Laramie trim equipped with Laramie 2 Equipment Group package
  • Laramie trim equipped with Advanced Safety Group package
  • Rebel trim equipped with Safety/Convenience Group package
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2019-24 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 68.5 m None
Straightaway left edge 47.9 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 64.6 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 46.3 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 56.9 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 44.6 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 146.0 m
Straightaway left edge 128.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 72.2 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 58.1 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 59.6 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 48.3 m

Trim level(s)

  • Big Horn trim equipped with Premium Lighting Group package
  • Rebel trim
  • Laramie trim
  • Lone Star trim equipped with Premium Lighting Group package
Low-beam headlight typeLED reflector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the left side of the road and inadequate on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp right curve, fair on the gradual right curve and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Big Horn trim equipped with Premium Lighting Group package
  • Rebel trim
  • Laramie trim
  • Lone Star trim equipped with Premium Lighting Group package
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2019-24 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 68.5 m None
Straightaway left edge 47.9 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 64.6 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 46.3 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 56.9 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 44.6 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 146.0 m
Straightaway left edge 128.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 72.2 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 58.1 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 59.6 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 48.3 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Optional Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus

Package name

  • Optional Advanced Safety Group or Level 1 Safety Group

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2019-23 models

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2019-25 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimLimited Crew Cab
Seat type leather

This vehicle has 3 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimLimited Crew Cab
Seat type leather
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
hard-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
hard-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
3
Tether anchor
hard-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 5
Clearance angle (degrees) 75
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 2
Clearance angle (degrees) 71
Tether anchor
Location Back wall
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 13
Clearance angle (degrees) 71
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 29
Clearance angle (degrees) 60
Tether anchor
Location Back wall
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 8
Clearance angle (degrees) 66
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 7
Clearance angle (degrees) 66
Tether anchor
Location Back wall
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation