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Ram truck problems ?

Devocamper
Explorer
Explorer
Not sure how to title this post but just looking for problems with ram trucks such as the stuff that GM chevys and Gmc have had over the years such as the current Chevy shake or vibration problems or some I have had myself like the transfer case pump rub, intermediate steering shaft issues,drive shaft spline binding , overheating LBZ duramax, brake and transmission lines rotting out . Or fords 6.0 problems . The only common issues I can find for ram / dodge are front end problems including tire wear I am guessing with the diesels , some earlier transmission problems and rear wheel well rot . Have been a GM guy for years but thinking back not sure why. Anyway just doing some research
Thanks
Mike
08 NU-WA Hitchhiker Discover America 339 RSB Sold
18 Host Mammoth
07 Chevy 3500HD LT1 EXT Cab LB DRW D/A Sold
18 Ram 3500 SLT Crew Cab DRW 4x2 6.4 4.10's
60 REPLIES 60

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
nevadanick wrote:
Gritdog, when you depend on them sometimes thats your best option.


You bet, many ways to skin a cat. I've done both.
Ran for years with one truck, wife's DD, I have/had a company truck for 20 years. I'd get a newer used truck every year or less. It worked both financially and from a convienence standpoint.
Depending on ones needs, finances, storage room for addl spare vehicles, uses, environmental conditions, etc you're correct, that does not always work.
One thing that does always work though is throwing money at a situation. Which is what this story was about.

I keep going back and forth now, got 2 primary personal vehicles well over 100kmi and an old backup that would get you to the store or school but not much more, and a company truck. 2 drivers in the house.
Trying to weigh right now, do I dump the 2 rigs for new/newer or keep em as I don't reasonably expect any catastrophic failures?
I think I'm landing on one new/newer do all rig (new truck) and let the wife drive the wheels off her SRT. Then road trips or peace of mind when she's traveling alone and having a new "spare" vehicle become a non issue.
However, even though I could walk down and write a check for 2 new personal vehicles of my choice without it being even a slight financial burden, I would NEVER take that financial hit willingly like the OP did. That's part of the reason I'm not broke. Smart money decisions.

Some have more money than sense and some just have more sense.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

camp-n-family
Explorer
Explorer
Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:
camp-n-family wrote:

Not so sure about that. My first transmission was rebuilt at the dealer. The case was weeping and FCA sent a new case but everything else was swapped from old to new at the dealer.


Was an Engineer involved? I sure would not have been to happy with that and do not think I would have let them do it! Used parts in a new case?

The reason your case was leaking was most likely porosity in the casting.

Don


Yes it was due to porosity of the case casting. FCA engineers approved the warranty work but not sure who actually did the work. I do know it was not a new tranny, just a new case with internal parts swapped from old to new. I wasn't happy about it and have been requesting a new tranny (as other problem with it continue) but as with most warranty work, it's not my call.
'17 Ram 2500 Crewcab Laramie CTD
'13 Keystone Bullet Premier 310BHPR
Hitched by Hensley

nevadanick
Explorer
Explorer
Gritdog, when you depend on them sometimes thats your best option.

Perrysburg_Dodg
Explorer
Explorer
camp-n-family wrote:

Not so sure about that. My first transmission was rebuilt at the dealer. The case was weeping and FCA sent a new case but everything else was swapped from old to new at the dealer.


Was an Engineer involved? I sure would not have been to happy with that and do not think I would have let them do it! Used parts in a new case?

The reason your case was leaking was most likely porosity in the casting.

Don
2015 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab SWB 4X4 Ecodiesel GDE Tune.

camp-n-family
Explorer
Explorer
Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:
They are factory rebuilt if they have one in stock, otherwise you get a new one. The dealers do not rebuild any in warranty transmission or engine. A factory replacement is covered for the remainder of your warranty or 3/36,000 which ever is greater.

Don


Not so sure about that. My first transmission was rebuilt at the dealer. The case was weeping and FCA sent a new case but everything else was swapped from old to new at the dealer.
'17 Ram 2500 Crewcab Laramie CTD
'13 Keystone Bullet Premier 310BHPR
Hitched by Hensley

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Explorer II
Grit dog wrote:
Well that solves that.
Truck broke down, trade it in!
I have a buddy like that. Something on his truck blew out coolant. Rad, hose, pump, whatever. Had it towed to town. Went next door, bought a new truck that day and traded the one in the lot next door puking coolant.
I'm sure he got a great deal.......


Yep, and it was automatically a POS! unfortunately those are the ones that complain the loudest and the magazines seem to find!
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey

12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer

13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
Well that solves that.
Truck broke down, trade it in!
I have a buddy like that. Something on his truck blew out coolant. Rad, hose, pump, whatever. Had it towed to town. Went next door, bought a new truck that day and traded the one in the lot next door puking coolant.
I'm sure he got a great deal.......
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

nevadanick
Explorer
Explorer
On my 2010 Dodge 2500 i had the filter fell off inside the transmission resulting in not going anywhere. By the time that had happened i was done with that truck as it had other problems and ownd a new GMC before the day was over, actually even before the Dodge was fixed. The GMC spent a few days in the shop when it was a week old so it doesnt matter the brand its just the luck of the draw. I have a 2016 Ram 2500 that is a couple months old now with approx 9k mi and so far trouble free.

Devocamper
Explorer
Explorer
I was reading about the 6.4 knock issues caused by faulty wrist pins and they were replacing the complete engines , has anyone had that problem and kept a truck that they put a new engine in I would think so many other things could go wrong changing an engine, very few times have I been to a dealer to have something done and there hasn't been something they missed or screwed up never mind changing an engine . I think the TSB had dates on it with 6.4 hemi engines built after june 2014 and before oct 2014
08 NU-WA Hitchhiker Discover America 339 RSB Sold
18 Host Mammoth
07 Chevy 3500HD LT1 EXT Cab LB DRW D/A Sold
18 Ram 3500 SLT Crew Cab DRW 4x2 6.4 4.10's

Perrysburg_Dodg
Explorer
Explorer
They are factory rebuilt if they have one in stock, otherwise you get a new one. The dealers do not rebuild any in warranty transmission or engine. A factory replacement is covered for the remainder of your warranty or 3/36,000 which ever is greater.

Don
2015 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab SWB 4X4 Ecodiesel GDE Tune.

FishOnOne
Nomad
Nomad
Cad3dc wrote:
FishOnOne wrote:
Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:
Cad3dc wrote:
I have a 2015 2500 w/ Cummins w/ 31k on the odometer. Was heading out of town this past Friday w/ a 13k lbs 5th wheel in tow, and lost all forward gears in tranny. Was towed to Dodge/Ram dealership and was told due to backlog of transmission work, transmission tech won't likely fix/address for several weeks. I got a similar story from another nearby RAM dealership. Meanwhile, I'm out of pocket on a rental car b/c dealership hasn't cracked open the tranny to make a diagnosis, and I'm told only five days of rental car will be covered anyway. Despite being upside down on truck, I'd trade tomorrow for a 2017 Duramax/Allison combo if they were available on the lots. I've had it with RAM.


Is this the selling dealer the truck was towed to? If not and you are/were out of town one phone call from the dealer to Ram trucks and they could have gotten you a loaner. If you were in town and truck was towed to the selling dealer he should have provided you with a loaner. It wouldn't be a truck but they should have given you something to drive.

I called my dealer and he is not aware of any transmission issues going on. He said they will get an occasional trans job here or there. But that's it.

If the truck is under warranty FCA sends the dealer a new trans and it only takes a day to get them. Something does not sound right here, either you have a very shady dealer or we are not getting the whole story here.

FCA does not let any dealer rebuild any warranty transmission period! Why, because they want it sent back in tact for a warranty tear down to find the root cause of the failure. Also any no shift would throw a transmission code.

BTW this is true for any and every engine failure, dealer is sent a new engine either a long block or short block and the old engine is sent back to the warranty claims center for evaluation. They want to know who is going to get charged for the repair, outside vendor or the FCA Pwoertrain plant that built the defective component.

Don


Interesting on the transmission policy as my cousin told me that they hardly repair transmission problems but rather put in a rebuild.


That's my understanding as well - a rebuild is far more likely than a replacement. I swung by the dealer (Auto Nation - Englewood), and this place is a backlogged mess. Right hand doesn't seem to know what left hand is doing. One way or another, someone will be paying for rental, but the truck is no longer my problem, as I traded trucks today (w/ a different dealer).


That sucks but I'm sure your new truck will serve you better.
'12 Ford Super Duty FX4 ELD CC 6.7 PSD 400HP 800ft/lbs "270k Miles"
'16 Sprinter 319MKS "Wide Body"

portablevcb
Explorer
Explorer
I have a 2009 RAM 2500 diesel (4x4 crew cab, not mega) with auto trans. We only tow a little fiver (8400lb GVWR) so it isn't taxed much.

We've got 101,000 miles on it, over 50% towing, and the only issue has been the ball joint recall.

Yes, mileage isn't great, but, it has been flawless. No interior issues, no fit and finish issues and no mechanical issues.

I did have a reverse light and license plate light go out at 90,000 miles 🙂
2009 Dodge 2500 Double Cab Cummins
2017 Jayco Eagle 29.5BHOK
Me and Wife
Maggie the Old English Sheepdog

Cad3dc
Explorer
Explorer
FishOnOne wrote:
Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:
Cad3dc wrote:
I have a 2015 2500 w/ Cummins w/ 31k on the odometer. Was heading out of town this past Friday w/ a 13k lbs 5th wheel in tow, and lost all forward gears in tranny. Was towed to Dodge/Ram dealership and was told due to backlog of transmission work, transmission tech won't likely fix/address for several weeks. I got a similar story from another nearby RAM dealership. Meanwhile, I'm out of pocket on a rental car b/c dealership hasn't cracked open the tranny to make a diagnosis, and I'm told only five days of rental car will be covered anyway. Despite being upside down on truck, I'd trade tomorrow for a 2017 Duramax/Allison combo if they were available on the lots. I've had it with RAM.


Is this the selling dealer the truck was towed to? If not and you are/were out of town one phone call from the dealer to Ram trucks and they could have gotten you a loaner. If you were in town and truck was towed to the selling dealer he should have provided you with a loaner. It wouldn't be a truck but they should have given you something to drive.

I called my dealer and he is not aware of any transmission issues going on. He said they will get an occasional trans job here or there. But that's it.

If the truck is under warranty FCA sends the dealer a new trans and it only takes a day to get them. Something does not sound right here, either you have a very shady dealer or we are not getting the whole story here.

FCA does not let any dealer rebuild any warranty transmission period! Why, because they want it sent back in tact for a warranty tear down to find the root cause of the failure. Also any no shift would throw a transmission code.

BTW this is true for any and every engine failure, dealer is sent a new engine either a long block or short block and the old engine is sent back to the warranty claims center for evaluation. They want to know who is going to get charged for the repair, outside vendor or the FCA Pwoertrain plant that built the defective component.

Don


Interesting on the transmission policy as my cousin told me that they hardly repair transmission problems but rather put in a rebuild.


That's my understanding as well - a rebuild is far more likely than a replacement. I swung by the dealer (Auto Nation - Englewood), and this place is a backlogged mess. Right hand doesn't seem to know what left hand is doing. One way or another, someone will be paying for rental, but the truck is no longer my problem, as I traded trucks today (w/ a different dealer).

FishOnOne
Nomad
Nomad
Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:
Cad3dc wrote:
I have a 2015 2500 w/ Cummins w/ 31k on the odometer. Was heading out of town this past Friday w/ a 13k lbs 5th wheel in tow, and lost all forward gears in tranny. Was towed to Dodge/Ram dealership and was told due to backlog of transmission work, transmission tech won't likely fix/address for several weeks. I got a similar story from another nearby RAM dealership. Meanwhile, I'm out of pocket on a rental car b/c dealership hasn't cracked open the tranny to make a diagnosis, and I'm told only five days of rental car will be covered anyway. Despite being upside down on truck, I'd trade tomorrow for a 2017 Duramax/Allison combo if they were available on the lots. I've had it with RAM.


Is this the selling dealer the truck was towed to? If not and you are/were out of town one phone call from the dealer to Ram trucks and they could have gotten you a loaner. If you were in town and truck was towed to the selling dealer he should have provided you with a loaner. It wouldn't be a truck but they should have given you something to drive.

I called my dealer and he is not aware of any transmission issues going on. He said they will get an occasional trans job here or there. But that's it.

If the truck is under warranty FCA sends the dealer a new trans and it only takes a day to get them. Something does not sound right here, either you have a very shady dealer or we are not getting the whole story here.

FCA does not let any dealer rebuild any warranty transmission period! Why, because they want it sent back in tact for a warranty tear down to find the root cause of the failure. Also any no shift would throw a transmission code.

BTW this is true for any and every engine failure, dealer is sent a new engine either a long block or short block and the old engine is sent back to the warranty claims center for evaluation. They want to know who is going to get charged for the repair, outside vendor or the FCA Pwoertrain plant that built the defective component.

Don


Interesting on the transmission policy as my cousin told me that they hardly repair transmission problems but rather put in a rebuild.
'12 Ford Super Duty FX4 ELD CC 6.7 PSD 400HP 800ft/lbs "270k Miles"
'16 Sprinter 319MKS "Wide Body"