Ram Reliability

[Strimdog]

I know we are all SUPER excited for this truck. Ram has done an incredible job coming up with a much needed alternative to the Raptor and a dominant one at that. At least for now. I have not owned a Chrysler product since 2006. My last was a 2001 Dodge 1500 I bought brand new and it served me flawlessly for 5 years. Not a single issue. I found myself wandering away from the brand many years ago because I felt like everyone else was making leaps in interior quality and styling but reliability never really factored in because my experience was positive from that perspective. I don't have a single friend or family member currently with a Ram and of course when they heard I ordered one the first thing out of many of their mouths was "Just let me know when I need to pick you up at the shop". I think it's safe to say all brands have issues but I'm curious from the perspective of the folks here that have been loyal to the Ram/Dodge brand for many years. What has been your overall experience with these from a reliability stand point and what keeps you coming back?

 

[Speedy3]

I’ve had 3 JK Wranglers and a 19 JL. 2 WK2 Grand Cherokees (one being a 18 SRT). A 300 SRT and my son drives a 19 Cherokee. All have been reliable without any major problems. I wouldn’t sweat it for a second.

On a side note my 17 Raptor was in the shop for a few weeks for the dreaded cam phaser issue..

i’ll also add the standard ymmv disclaimer here

 

[ryancassidy]

15yr old 1500. Zero issues.. 175k miles. I wouldn't worry for a second.

 

[F8Demon]

I turned in my 2010 Ram in 2016, original battery and brakes, not one issue in over 100k miles, did nothing but oil and air filter changes.
At that time bought a 16 ram which I am currently driving, not one issue.
All that said, the TRX is a totally different animal, and first year production, a lot different than the 5.7 hemi they have had for 20 years, different rear end, etc. So I am extremely optimistic as I am on my 4th challenger also, but, I don't think we can say for sure.

 

[CRS2879]

I read all the car mags and RAM has made great strides. They all gush over the RAM 1500, compared to the competition. There are other FCA products that I wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole but I am willing to give RAM a shot with the TRX. I owned a 2003 1500 4x4 when the "Hemi" was re-introduced and though the engine was great, the rest of the truck was just so-so. Transmission went south at 12K miles and I got rid of it. I also agree that most every automaker has issues. The absolute worst vehicle I have ever owned was a 1999 GMC Sierra Z71. Truly a pile of junk. I keep all the warranty repair tickets in a 3-ring binder to remind me to never, ever buy a GM product again.

 

[SportyJames]

1. 2000 Jeep GC.
2. 2004 RAM 1500
3. 2013 RAM 1500
4. 2015 RAM 1500
5. 2019 Challenger SP
6. 2020 Jeep GC Limited X

Only issue with all them is my 2015. Transmission replaced at 40K and the the Valve Body was replaced at 75K.

 

[FaZt1]

We've owned nothing but Mopar products for the last 20+ years and aside from the mid-2000's when their interiors felt on the cheap side, we've been very happy. Our modern Mopars feel refined, luxurious, and we've had no issues to speak of. I'm not usually one to jump on a first run model year and there might be a few bugs to be worked out of the 2021 TRX, but I'm confident that FCA will stand behind the product. They have a lot riding on it.

 

[THR evo8]

I quit turning wrenches a few years ago but, spent most my professional career in automotive service. After 19 years of primarily trucks coming in, GM keeps shops in the green the most. Then Ford. In a average week we may see 1 ram product with a hemi while Fords and Chevys were lined up outside. I would debate anyone in technical terms the reliability of RAM trucks vs Ford or especially GM. You could not give me a GM product for free. I can tell you with certainty that RAM has had the superior product for the last several years and I expect it to continue that way.

 

[Strimdog]

We've owned nothing but Mopar products for the last 20+ years and aside from the mid-2000's when their interiors felt on the cheap side, we've been very happy. Our modern Mopars feel refined, luxurious, and we've had no issues to speak of. I'm not usually one to jump on a first run model year and there might be a few bugs to be worked out of the 2021 TRX, but I'm confident that FCA will stand behind the product. They have a lot riding on it.

Well said and great feedback! Thanks all for your input. It's certainly not that I'm overly concerned but this does go a long way to settle my nerves. It's hard enough waiting an eternity for something no one has and our group surely will be the retail test bed for this incredible new product. I'm so glad to have found this forum.

 

[KnightMare]

I have more of a service department nightmare which is why finding the right one is also important.
I had some sort of oil sensor go bad when I was giving my '16 Hellcat a full send. Had to wait a couple days for a couple parts to come in from SRT in Michigan.
I then discovered my door panel has some damage on it and I have to wait yet again a few days for a new one to come in from SRT in Michigan.
And then a few days, the hood scope falls into the engine bay... I then have to wait a few days for a new one to come in from SRT in Michigan
Then I discover my rim was curbed and had to wait yet again for my good friends at SRT to send me a new wheel from Michigan

I literally was without my Hellcat for a month because the service department. I'll hand it to FCA, I called and complained about the dealership and they actually before I could finish offered to pay my car note for the month I was without my Hellcat. I just had to send a statement in and I was paid in a couple weeks.

 

[SportyJames]

I have more of a service department nightmare which is why finding the right one is also important.
I had some sort of oil sensor go bad when I was giving my '16 Hellcat a full send. Had to wait a couple days for a couple parts to come in from SRT in Michigan.
I then discovered my door panel has some damage on it and I have to wait yet again a few days for a new one to come in from SRT in Michigan.
And then a few days, the hood scope falls into the engine bay... I then have to wait a few days for a new one to come in from SRT in Michigan
Then I discover my rim was curbed and had to wait yet again for my good friends at SRT to send me a new wheel from Michigan

I literally was without my Hellcat for a month because the service department. I'll hand it to FCA, I called and complained about the dealership and they actually before I could finish offered to pay my car note for the month I was without my Hellcat. I just had to send a statement in and I was paid in a couple weeks.

Reminds me of a funny story. Took my SP in for an oil change at the dealer (free). I get it back and I have a curb rash on my passenger rear rim (Devils Rims). I told my wife about it and she remembered bumping a curb and she forgot to tell me. I am glad I mentioned it to her before calling the service department.

 

[CRS2879]

I quit turning wrenches a few years ago but, spent most my professional career in automotive service. After 19 years of primarily trucks coming in, GM keeps shops in the green the most. Then Ford. In a average week we may see 1 ram product with a hemi while Fords and Chevys were lined up outside. I would debate anyone in technical terms the reliability of RAM trucks vs Ford or especially GM. You could not give me a GM product for free. I can tell you with certainty that RAM has had the superior product for the last several years and I expect it to continue that way.

I certainly can't argue GM. The '99 GMC I had was staggeringly bad. You likely well know that '99 was a complete re-design for GM, so some "bugs" would be anticipated. However, those trucks had a serious flaw in the steering system called the "Intermediate Steering Shaft". The symptom was the feeling of something loose in the steering column. The truck I had they replaced it five (5) times in 45K miles. Unfortunately, that was the one and only time I ever leased a vehicle and before "lemon laws" were much of a thing. I tried to get them to take it back but they refused and the rep I was dealing with at GM was arrogant and extremely rude. The only thing I was able to get out of them was extending the B2B warranty until the lease was up. Truck was in the shop constantly for one thing or another. Piston slap ("they all do that"). Driveline "clunk" from a stop ("they all do that").......and on and on. I will argue with you in terms of Ford. Their quality was pretty bad in the 90's and 00's but I currently own a 2015 Mustang GT and a 2017 F250 and I have had zero warranty issues with either. The 250 has been one of the best trucks I have ever owned.....and I've owned at least a dozen, including several Toyota's....which have all been good. I have stayed away from Eco-Boost though. I work in construction and know several people that have had major issues with those motors.

 

[THR evo8]

I certainly can't argue GM. The '99 GMC I had was staggeringly bad. You likely well know that '99 was a complete re-design for GM, so some "bugs" would be anticipated. However, those trucks had a serious flaw in the steering system called the "Intermediate Steering Shaft". The symptom was the feeling of something loose in the steering column. The truck I had they replaced it five (5) times in 45K miles. Unfortunately, that was the one and only time I ever leased a vehicle and before "lemon laws" were much of a thing. I tried to get them to take it back but they refused and the rep I was dealing with at GM was arrogant and extremely rude. The only thing I was able to get out of them was extending the B2B warranty until the lease was up. Truck was in the shop constantly for one thing or another. Piston slap ("they all do that"). Driveline "clunk" from a stop ("they all do that").......and on and on. I will argue with you in terms of Ford. Their quality was pretty bad in the 90's and 00's but I currently own a 2015 Mustang GT and a 2017 F250 and I have had zero warranty issues with either. The 250 has been one of the best trucks I have ever owned.....and I've owned at least a dozen, including several Toyota's....which have all been good.

I wish I had a dollar for every intermediate shaft I've had to lube or replace over the years. The drive shaft clunk can be cured with special synthetic lube as well. 99 to 2013 was the worst years for GM. I will however give credit where credit is due. Ford has came a long ways in the last handful of years but I would still not own one due to the over engineering that goes into them sacrificing the ease of working on them and in some cases, reliability. Almost everything less than 5 years old is relatively reliable but going back further is where you really see the differences. I completely agree about Toyota's, they are the pinnacle of reliability and build quality. They just don't make "real" full sized trucks.

 

[Mopar78]

Iv'e been Driving Dodge/Ram since 78 with only a couple of issue back in the day. I currently have close to 284,000 on my 2014. Before that I put 362,000 on my 2005.

 

[CRS2879]

I can't argue with your Toyota comment either. I've had 2 Tundra's that I really liked, overall, but the brake-based system they use for the rear diff is awful. I would probably be driving one now if they would put a true LSD or even a locker in them. Never understood why they put a locker in a Tacoma but won't put the same in a Tundra. I never considered a F250 until a dealer mentioned to me that he could sell me one for basically the same cost as a F150. I have the 6.2 gas 4x4 Lariet and really have no complaints. Makes good power, rides well for a 3/4 ton, amazingly quiet inside and even decent mileage. I average 12-13 in mixed driving which is about the same as I got in a Tundra. Everything I read about RAM, particularly since they went with the coil spring rear suspension has been stellar. I can't wait to drive the TRX.

 

[Caliche]

I had a Ram 1500.. 2014... had no problems for the 1st 18 mos... then the trans stopped functioning.. found out I had 1 of 97 of a lot that were bad. But I have to give credit to FCA as after waiting 2 days I called and complained, they overnighted a new one and the dealer installed it immediately and I got my truck back in 1 week.

 

[MAXGroup]

I had Grand Cherokees from 1999 to 2007 as company cars. Around 2 to 3 at a time. Than we switched to Mercedes Benz GL (now its called GLS). In 2014 I got a Durango and it was so nice I had to get a Grand Cherokee again. Since than we have one Durango and one GC on the fleet. We typically use a car for three years.
In all those times, we had one sensor issue on a GC in 2005 and the rest other than routine maintenance, not one issue.

 

[Agent Utah]

I know we are all SUPER excited for this truck. Ram has done an incredible job coming up with a much needed alternative to the Raptor and a dominant one at that. At least for now. I have not owned a Chrysler product since 2006. My last was a 2001 Dodge 1500 I bought brand new and it served me flawlessly for 5 years. Not a single issue. I found myself wandering away from the brand many years ago because I felt like everyone else was making leaps in interior quality and styling but reliability never really factored in because my experience was positive from that perspective. I don't have a single friend or family member currently with a Ram and of course when they heard I ordered one the first thing out of many of their mouths was "Just let me know when I need to pick you up at the shop". I think it's safe to say all brands have issues but I'm curious from the perspective of the folks here that have been loyal to the Ram/Dodge brand for many years. What has been your overall experience with these from a reliability stand point and what keeps you coming back?

Ram has scored pretty well in reliability the last few years, with the 2020 1500 coming in just behind the tundra. FCA was also the top ranked brand for initial build quality. Not to say a first year build will be trouble free, but ram seems to have figure out most of the bugs on the standard 1500, this engine, and the transmission. Hopefully throwing it all together in a new package with a new components doesn’t cause too many problems.

 

[CRS2879]

It is a very expensive truck so there will, invariably be some owners who find fault....that's just how the world seems to work. The mere fact that RAM is producing such a beast is fantastic and stunning at the same time. Horsepower wars are a beautiful thing.

 

[TerrysTRX]

‘98 Ram 1500
’01 Ram 1500
’03 Chrysler Town and Country
’02 Dodge Intrepid
’11 Ram 1500
’13 Dodge Journey
’18 Ram 2500

only issue was the transmission in the ‘98. No other problems at all