Ram trucks may no longer be owned by Dodge, but these trucks have proven to be a brand that will exceed your expectations. However, these trucks are notorious for their high maintenance costs. In fact, five of Ram’s trucks cost slightly more than many other vehicles of the same build. How much will you pay to keep it for 10 years?
Maintenance can be quite expensive
Maintaining a car helps keep it strong, but its price increases over time. Trucks, however, are a different breed when it comes to maintaining them. Since trucks are used for heavier jobs, manufacturers recommend a more frequent service schedule than you get with cars.
Trucks also tend to use larger tools and have to handle larger parts, creating more labor to get the job done. Plus, you’re dealing with a more sophisticated suspension system, so it’s going to be extremely important to keep these parts in good shape so you can avoid future major repair bills.
Ram trucks are often used as workhorses, so it’s no surprise that they cost you more to maintain. However, it might be more than you expected. Here are the five Ram trucks that have high maintenance bills, according to CarEdge.
1ram 3500
The Ram truck with the worst 10-year maintenance costs is the 3500 model. It will cost about $25,844 for regular service and repair work combined to keep it in good shape. That’s more than $11,500 more than you find with the industry average, making it 57 percent worse than most trucks of similar construction.
CarComplaints.com reports that two of the biggest problems the 3500 has experienced in the last 10 years are a deadly wobble caused by a bad track bar and a redundant pump failure at 47,500 miles. Repair costs typically range from $1,000 to $2,000. Maintenance costs add up because you perform a service every 7,500 miles on the truck, whether it’s changing the oil or lubricating the universal joints.
2.Ram 2500
The Ram 2500 has had some troublesome model years. The 2012 version was plagued with steering issues, while the 2014 through 2016 models dealt with engine knocking, which was expensive to repair. Some owners reported having to replace it at a cost of $5,000.
Over 10 years, you’ll likely pay about $25,464, which makes it about $11,000 more than average. It also has a 79.19 percent chance of needing major repairs in a decade of ownership.
3.Ram 5500
With the 5500 model, you’ll likely pay about $10,869 more than the industry average to maintain and repair the vehicle. Over 10 years, the data suggests you’ll pay about $25,202 for maintenance, which is about 57.69 percent worse than 5500-like build models.
This version has not exactly had the best march. Some owners have reported problems with their trucks’ transfer case, and the truck had recalls on its 2019 and 2020 models, along with a lawsuit related to its diesel engine.
4.Ram 4500
The second least expensive of the five Ram trucks on the list to keep is the 4500 model, which will set you back about $25,134 over 10 years. You’ll find that’s more than $10,000 more than the average truck in this class. Like the 3500, 5500 and 2500, this version has a 79.9 percent chance of requiring extensive repairs at some point within a decade.
That makes sense since the 4500 is known for having some engine issues with its 2013 and 2014 models. Some owners complained that the oil pan rusted at an average of 50,000 miles, while others reported replacing a turbocharger due to to a loss of power for no apparent reason.
5. Ram 1500
The cheapest of the five Ram trucks to maintain is the 1500 model. In 10 years of ownership, it will likely cost you $17,677 to keep the truck in good shape with maintenance alone. It also has a 54.80 percent chance of needing a major repair during that time.
The manufacturer recommends oil changes and tire rotation every 8,000 miles to maintain it. To keep the engine in tip-top shape, you’ll need to replace the spark plugs at the 32,000-mile mark, which makes the 1500 model very expensive to maintain.
Ram trucks are excellent workhorses that can handle many tasks. But, to protect your investment, you will need to maintain them frequently. If not, you are likely to be in for some expensive repairs down the road.