Dodge cummins models and reliability

2007 and earlier are difficult to beat. I have a 2007.5 with the newer 6.7L. I have considerable problems with it the 1st 2 years of ownership. All of the problems were emissions systems related causing trouble with the EGR, Heater grid, Turbo and O2 sensors. After many trips to the dealership, lots of TSB's, 2 new turbos and top engine cleaning twice I was about to get rid of it under lemon laws. However, Chrysler offered me a 100K mile $0 full warranty. I kept it. That was 50,000 miles and 4 years ago. I have not had any trouble with it since. I believe the changes made corrected the issues I had. Very strong great towing truck.

Just bite the bullet and get a new one. Seriously, the new 3500's have so many improvements they will last you a long time with very little trouble.

I have a 2013 Ram 3550 with Aisin and it is a great truck. I have had numerous Fords and Dodge's but this one is by far my favorite.

Dodge had two weak links in the past, the front end and the transmissions. Both have been addressed in this truck.

goducks10 wrote:
MPI Mallard, that is one sweet setup.

Thanks goducks, Frau Blücher and I get compliments all the time on our rig, the combo of our Dodge dually and our CC Daydreamer is a terrific full-time rig and that truck is just rock solid on the highway, I know it's a cliché' but she really doesn't know that 15.000lbs fiver is behind her and at 12-14MPG under load(mind you that's on flat ground with no headwind)I've got nothing to complain about. One weird thing though, a guy at our Canadian resort had the same truck and last fall I guess a motor mount let go and the whole engine almost went through the grill after hearing about this I did some poking around on the web and found nothing so I'm assuming that was an odd-ball situation but he got outta' fifth-wheeling right after.

2oldman wrote:

bovellois wrote:
I am looking for an old post from ib516 where he gives a summary of the dodge cummins models by year in terms of reliability.

I've been looking..

Did you respond in the thread?

Yes I did. Then this thread took on a life of its own!

My current Dodge/Ram has been more reliable than the Ford and Chevy trucks I drove from early '88 till early '09 as a tradesman for a company for 21 years putting over 100k on each.

bovellois wrote:
I am looking for an old post from ib516 where he gives a summary of the dodge cummins models by year in terms of reliability.

I've been looking..

Did you respond in the thread?

Bluhorn wrote:


I understand your feelings and respect your opinion, but yours is the exception not the rule or they would all have these issues. The brakes are indicative of how the previous owner drove it. The rest, who the heck knows. My front brakes have been replaced at 80K intervals, rotors turned and still are original rotors. Back brakes are original. Everything is original except blower motor. I would be unhappy if I were you too. I hope it gives you long service , cause these things are not cheap wheather new or used.Enjoy your day and have a happy Easter!!

I only posted because I wholeheartedly agreed with wintersun's post. His comments describe my truck perfectly, and demonstrate the genesis of the comment " the Dodge Ram is a shipping crate for a really great engine". In my litany of nickel dime repair issues, I overlooked the most recent of a electrical voltage problem that turned out to be an issue with high resistance to current flow from the passenger side positive cable. Replaced both positive battery cables with OEM for $300 (there are no aftermarket 'exact fit'). Whoever heard of a problem like that with a battery cable, regardless of vehicle age? Even more disturbing, alternator voltage output is regulated by the PCM, not an internal regulator on the alternator. If that function fails, the only fix is to replace the PCM ($1700). My point is people pay good money for these vehicles from all the manufacturers. For the price paid, they are entitled to better quality and more thoughtful design and function than they are getting.

Grit dog wrote:

crcr wrote:

boogie_4wheel wrote:

bovellois wrote:

Someone told me recently that the latest 5.9 have had major problems. This someone had to rebuild his engine at 80k.

A pooched injector can wipe out the engine quickly. The general practice over on the CumminsForum is to add a 2-micron filter inline before the injection pump.

I love my '05. I wish I had more than 4 gears though; just something to think about.

x2 ... I've got a 04.5. Great truck, great engine. Need more gears.
Is there an AT with more gears that would be a bolt up?
Or is it cost feasible to change out the AT for the 6 speed manual Dodge offered?

It's not feasible to swap a better auto trans into it. Yes you can get standalone TCM for an Allison and adapters to make the swap but it's very cost prohibitive.
A 6 speed manual would be easier as you could strip all the parts from a donor with a NV5600 or G56 but still costly and time consuming.
There are enough manual trans 3rd gen Rams that if you were serious about switching you could find a new truck and sell yours. This is the best option IMO unless you're looking for a major project and have the tools and time to kill.

Thanks for the info. I kind of figured that it was too expensive, but thought I would ask.

MPI Mallard, that is one sweet setup.

thomasmnile wrote:

Bluhorn wrote:

Sorry you have had a bad experience.
Wintersuns post has no merit as any rant on any other manufacturer......With a few exceptions of course. You cant go wrong buying any of them.

When I bought the 3500, it was only 3 years old and had 20K miles on it. Previous owner had towed a fifth wheel with it as I did once I bought it. The powertrain has been perfect, even the often maligned (on this forum sometimes) 48RE transmission has been flawless. 73K on the odometer now.

I beg to differ, but water leaks into the cab from multiple locations, needing a complete front brake job at 44K including replacement of cracked rotors, a leaking AC refrigerant system that has so far defied attempts to isolate the source, upper control arms, sway bar links and bushings, & a grenaded power steering pump are hardly 'run of the mill' issues, and some of them I view as very deficient in build
quality/design and more than 'expected' maintenance.

I understand your feelings and respect your opinion, but yours is the exception not the rule or they would all have these issues. The brakes are indicative of how the previous owner drove it. The rest, who the heck knows. My front brakes have been replaced at 80K intervals, rotors turned and still are original rotors. Back brakes are original. Everything is original except blower motor. I would be unhappy if I were you too. I hope it gives you long service , cause these things are not cheap wheather new or used.Enjoy your day and have a happy Easter!!