The updated Ram 1500 truck scores well in some of the IIHS’ updated crash tests, but not so well in one.
Throughout its current generation, the Ram 1500 picked up several Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Over those years, though, the IIHS keeps upping the ante for its crashworthiness and crash prevention tests in the interest of advancing automotive safety. That means some vehicles that did get TSP accolades in some years lose out in others, as tests continue to get tougher. The recent updates to the Ram 1500 did add in some additional safety tech for 2025 and newer model years, but the truck still scored a ‘Poor’ rating (the worst rating under IIHS evaluations) in one particular area.
For full IIHS results on the 2026 Ram 1500, click here (link opens a new tab/window).
To be clear, the 2025-26 Ram 1500 scored a Poor rating in the updated moderate overlap front crash test. In this particular scenario, a vehicle runs into a stationary barrier at 40 mph, with 40% of the front end overlapping the barrier. This simulates a vehicle swerving over a center line into oncoming traffic and hitting another vehicle, though with less than half of the front end available to absorb the impact. The new test protocol, originally rolled out three years ago, incorporates protection for rear seat occupants into the overall crash test rating.
And that is specifically where the latest Ram 1500 truck struggles — and it’s not the only one. The IIHS notes that, while the overall structure of the truck fared well in the test, as did the crash test dummy simulating the driver, the rear passenger dummy indicated an increased risk of chest and abdominal injuries. In the 40 mph crash, the seat belt moved too far upward toward the dummy’s neck, while the lower belt moved from the ideal position on the pelvis onto the abdomen. Those results came about as part of the moderate overlap test, even though Ram did fit pretensioners and load limiters to the rear outboard seat belts (similar to what front passengers have had for years) with the 2025 models.
How did the latest Ram 1500 score elsewhere?
In the small overlap frontal crash test, the 2025-26 Ram 1500 performed well, with the only less-than-stellar mark being some risk of injury to the front passenger’s lower leg and foot. Headlights, which were a sticking point of TSP ratings a few years ago, are generally Good or Acceptable, depending on which trim you’re looking at. The higher trims’ LED projector lights were rated better, while the lower trims’ less advanced LED reflector lights don’t illuminate quite as far around curves, but still earn an Acceptable rating.
Another, more recent stumbling block for vehicles seems to be the second iteration of the IIHS’ vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention testing. The testing regimen looks at how the truck reacts to different situations where the “target”, a simulated passenger car and a motorcycle, are positioned differently and running at different speeds between 31 and 43 mph. IIHS also tests how timely vehicles warn the driver of impending doom, in addition to whether they avoid a collision. The Ram 1500 scored a ‘Marginal’ rating (one above Poor), mainly for its failure to warn drivers in a timely manner. In the pedestrian test, the truck scored a Good rating.
The IIHS further looks at child seat anchors as part of its testing regimen. Mainly, it looks at how easy the latches are to access when you need to install a child seat, and the Ram 1500 scored Marginal here. On the Limited Crew Cab it evaluated, at least, the IIHS found the tether anchors across all three back seat positions were hard to find, were too deep in the seat (on the center position), and drivers could confuse other equipment for the child seat latch anchors.
While some of these ratings don’t impact overall safety picks as heavily, half-ton trucks are commonly used as Swiss Army knives these days. That includes use as family rigs, so everything from occupant safety to child seat latch ease-of-use is a critical measurement for all of the contenders in this segment.
On the moderate overlap test, the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra also struggle.
While the 2025-26 Ram 1500 is the latest truck to get a Poor rating in that updated moderate overlap test, it’s not the only half-ton to do so. The 2025 Ford F-150 also scored a Poor rating in this test, with higher risk of injury to the rear passenger dummy’s head and neck, as well as the chest, due to movement of the seatbelt. The Chevrolet Silverado saw similar results. It scored Marginal ratings for the rear dummy, but is also the only truck to have ‘Acceptable’ ratings for the driver (specifically for risk of head and neck and leg/foot injuries), that pulled the overall rating in the updated moderate overlap test down to Poor.
The only truck that scored a Good result in the newer moderate overlap test — and the only current half-ton truck to retain a Top Safety Pick+ rating in 2025 — is the Toyota Tundra. The IIHS did note some risk of injury to the driver’s leg or foot in the moderate overlap test (it scored Marginal there), but it scored a Good rating in every other injury evaluation for the driver and rear passenger dummies.
Take a look at how all three trucks perform in crash testing below (starting with Ram, then Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota):
