I have a 2006 Ram 2500 Diesel with 48RE auto transmission with 135K miles on it. I've kept up the maintenance on it and in addition to that, had most ball and u-joints replaced plus most of the hoses. I have some of the "common features" like tach is wacky and heater won't blow on floor. It's showing some aging like rust on rear fenders and drivers seat cloth in bad shape. Lately on occasion (not a lot) it will start rough or take 2 tries but runs fine after that. I changed the oil and filter, air filter, and fuel filter today. Underneath is showing more aging after the winter with quite a bit of rust. The oil pan has a little leak at the seal and has bubbles all over the bottom of the pan now. It didn't have those last oil change. I pull a fifth wheel with it and this year we have a 1100 mile round trip plus 3 other 400 mile round trips. I'm wondering if it's going to start having more problems, some possibly major? I haven't had any engine or tranny issues yet and all seems well right now. With all the miles and more rust showing up, it is maybe time to trade it in? Just wondering what others have experienced with their trucks? Is the engine and tranny generally good to 200K or am I in the range where things can start to go South?

I have a 2006 Ram 2500 Diesel with 48RE auto transmission with 135K miles on it. I've kept up the maintenance on it and in addition to that, had most ball and u-joints replaced plus most of the hoses. I have some of the "common features" like tach is wacky and heater won't blow on floor. It's showing some aging like rust on rear fenders and drivers seat cloth in bad shape. Lately on occasion (not a lot) it will start rough or take 2 tries but runs fine after that. I changed the oil and filter, air filter, and fuel filter today. Underneath is showing more aging after the winter with quite a bit of rust. The oil pan has a little leak at the seal and has bubbles all over the bottom of the pan now. It didn't have those last oil change. I pull a fifth wheel with it and this year we have a 1100 mile round trip plus 3 other 400 mile round trips. I'm wondering if it's going to start having more problems, some possibly major? I haven't had any engine or tranny issues yet and all seems well right now. With all the miles and more rust showing up, it is maybe time to trade it in? Just wondering what others have experienced with their trucks? Is the engine and tranny generally good to 200K or am I in the range where things can start to go South? Many have gone far more miles than yours. Some early Ram/Cummins passed the million mile mark. So far on my '05 with 134,000 miles I have had the drivers seat recovered and the radiator fan clutch replaced. That is it besides routine maintenance and tires/brakes/batteries. I plan to go lots farther with the truck. No rust, we live in the driest state in the nation. Get an Edge Insight or similar and you will be able to monitor pressures and temperatures (especially transmission) lots better than the stock gauges.

As with all vehicles it will start to have more problems, both large and small, the longer you drive it. No vehicle lasts forever. 135k miles is not that many miles for the Cummins and the 48re is a fairly stout transmission for its intended use, not to say it couldn't go out before the 150k mile mark, but it could go to 200k+. It really is a roll of the dice. If you don't mind driving the truck with minor rust and and worn upholstery it will certainly be cheaper to fix what goes wrong along the way than to buy a new one.Having said that, if you think you will be in the market for a new truck in the next year or two, you might be better to trade it off now before the rust gets worse. Once the rust starts, it won't stop and more rust in the future will surely decrease the value significantly. Also, if you feel you have lost some confidence in the truck maybe piece of mind of a new truck would be worth something too. Its not fun sitting on pins and needles during a trip worrying about a possible failure.Another thing to consider is a new truck doesn't always guarantee you won't have a break down, but you will have a warranty.

We bought a used 05 Dodge 5.9 cummins with a manual tranny and that truck was always needing something repaired in the ~ 1 year we had it. A cracked exhaust manifold was the last straw so we decided to unload it. We kept thinking we would fix a problem and should be good, and low and behold another problem would pop up. Whacky Moe is no fun when it involves your wallet.BTW... You can have a 10 year old reliable truck but that 05 Dodge we had wasn't one of them. One thing we don't have an issue here in south Texas is rust so that's not part of the long term issue here.Good luck...

I have an 06' Dodge Cummins. No salt on the roads where I live. I'm at 117k miles. Also replaced Ujoints. There are a few things that could cause your rough start. Might be cheaper to pay a reputable shop vs throwing parts at it. I always use a seat cover. When it wears thin I toss it. Have you added an exhaust brake. The 2006 Dodge Auto Cummins was capable from the factory. In still on factory brake pads

Our 05 is starting to show it's age but the engine and transmission are still going strong at 160.000 miles, it is a U.S. model. It needs ball joints and tie rod ends, the heater has issues, but we fully expect it to last as long as we need it.If we had your rust issues it would be a different story.There have been reports of transmission issues that have been blown way out of proportion by the Ford and Chevy guys but they have their problems too.

2006 Ram 2500 diesel reliability past 135K? | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

crcr
Explorer
Mar 09, 2015
The Ram with the 5.9L Cummins is very reliable combo in my experience, and with regular maintenance, should go 300,000 to 500,000 miles without a problem. Body rust, as some have mentioned, is something I can't comment on as I live in Southern Arizona, where rust is non-existent.

A year ago, I bought a 2004.5 Ram 2500 4x4 5.9L, local one owner, dealer trade in on a new Ram, 136K on the clock. Dealer put new front end parts, new brakes, and new A/C compressor. It has 143K now, mostly towing, no problems at all, very reliable, very solid. It's mostly a dedicated tow vehicle for us, and we only drive it 6000-8000 miles per year, so I couldn't justify a new or near new vehicle, so this fit the bill for us. I would recommend one if you can find a solid one in good condition. Good luck!
bguy
Explorer
Mar 09, 2015
There's no cure for the crusties. You can make repairs to the body panels for appearance but when the frame gets soft there's the end for most vehicles.

BTW, I saw a "highways" plow one morning last year that was just sitting in the middle of the road. I believe it was an International. One of the suspension brackets was rusted off. Couldn't even drive it out of the road without unloading the sand. I found out later the truck had 175,000km on the clock. We all know that power train has a lot more life in it but the constant duty of spreading sand and salt in front of the drive wheels meant an early death for the frame.
Bluhorn
Explorer
Mar 09, 2015
I had a 2007 Ram 2500 with the 5.9 Cummins and 4X4. I sold it last year with 170,000 miles,many towing my fifth wheel. It was the most dependable truck I have ever had. No problems except a blower motor and pinion seal. I only sold it because I did not need to tow much anymore since moving to Florida. I had this truck since new so It was taken care of. My son has a 1993 Ram D250 with the 12 valve Cummins and 300,000 on the clock and runs great. That engine has not been touched except oil and filters and of course reg maintanance. Keep yours!
ib516
Explorer II
Mar 08, 2015
You should be fine. The most common failures on that era of truck are front end parts and water pumps. I did both on mine. Check the "weep hole" on the bottom of the water pump for any evidence of leaking.

Check to make sure all your injector fuel lines are tight, some like to vibrate loose, let in air and cause that rough start.
larry_barnhart
Explorer
Mar 08, 2015
I think the above stories can be for any brand.

chevman
wcjeep
Explorer
Mar 08, 2015
Failed to mention HVAC repair. Sounds like the plastic door broke.

When my blend door broke I replaced it with metal from heater treater. I bought the whole set. Only used one so far. I think they have directions on their site. YouTube search should also work. My factory blend door only went 20k on the clock. The metal has been flawless.

http://www.heatertreater.net/
rhagfo
Explorer III
Mar 08, 2015
To the OP, your biggest issue sounds like the rust from road salt. Tac issues likely a sensor, hard start lift pump, heater grid, or dirty injector, how cold was it when that happened.

Myself 2001 Ram 5.9 5 sped Manual (NV4500), 279,000 miles loaded Laramie SLT, and it all still works.

Keep up on maintenance!

Yes, drivers seat was rebuilt last fall, what do you expect.
romore
Explorer II
Mar 08, 2015
Our 05 is starting to show it's age but the engine and transmission are still going strong at 160.000 miles, it is a U.S. model. It needs ball joints and tie rod ends, the heater has issues, but we fully expect it to last as long as we need it.If we had your rust issues it would be a different story.There have been reports of transmission issues that have been blown way out of proportion by the Ford and Chevy guys but they have their problems too.
wcjeep
Explorer
Mar 08, 2015
I have an 06' Dodge Cummins. No salt on the roads where I live.

I'm at 117k miles. Also replaced Ujoints. There are a few things that could cause your rough start. Might be cheaper to pay a reputable shop vs throwing parts at it. I always use a seat cover. When it wears thin I toss it.

Have you added an exhaust brake. The 2006 Dodge Auto Cummins was capable from the factory. In still on factory brake pads
FishOnOne
Nomad
Mar 08, 2015
We bought a used 05 Dodge 5.9 cummins with a manual tranny and that truck was always needing something repaired in the ~ 1 year we had it. A cracked exhaust manifold was the last straw so we decided to unload it. We kept thinking we would fix a problem and should be good, and low and behold another problem would pop up.

Whacky Moe is no fun when it involves your wallet.

BTW... You can have a 10 year old reliable truck but that 05 Dodge we had wasn't one of them. One thing we don't have an issue here in south Texas is rust so that's not part of the long term issue here.

Good luck...