Ram trucks may no longer be owned by Dodge, but these pickups have proven to be a brand that will exceed your expectations. However, these trucks are known for high maintenance costs. In fact, five of Ram’s pickups cost quite a bit more than many other vehicles of similar construction. How much are you going to pay to maintain it for 10 years?
Maintenance can get quite expensive
Maintaining a car helps keep it going strong, but the price goes up over time. However, pickups are a different breed when it comes to maintaining them. Because trucks are used for heavier jobs, manufacturers recommend a more frequent maintenance schedule than cars.
Trucks also tend to use larger tools and have larger parts to deal with, requiring more labor to do the job. Plus, you’re dealing with a more sophisticated suspension system, so it’s extremely important to make sure these parts are properly maintained so you can hopefully avoid major repair bills in the future.
Ram pickups are often used as workhorses, so it’s no surprise that maintenance will cost you more. However, it may be more than what you bargained for. Here are the five Ram pickups that CarEdge says have high maintenance bills.
1.Ram 3500
The Ram truck with the worst maintenance costs over 10 years is the 3500 model. It costs about $25,844 for regular maintenance and repair work combined to keep it in good working order. That’s more than $11,500 more than what you’ll find with the industry average, making it more than 57 percent worse than most pickups of similar build.
CarComplaints.com reports that two of the main problems the 3500 has experienced over the last 10 years are a deadly wobble caused by a faulty track bar and a faulty pump at 47,500 miles. Repair costs generally run from $1,000 to $2,000. Maintenance costs add up because you service the truck every 7,500 miles, whether it’s changing the oil or lubricating the U-joints.
2. Ram 2500
The Ram 2500 has had a few problematic model years. The 2012 version was plagued with steering issues, while the 2014 to 2016 models suffered engine run-ins, which were costly to repair. Some owners reported having to replace it for $5,000.
In 10 years, you will probably pay about $25,464, which is about $11,000 more than average. It also has a 79.19 percent chance of needing major repair work in a decade of ownership.
3. Ram 5500
With the 5500 model, you will probably pay about $10,869 more than the industry average to service and repair the vehicle. Data suggests you’ll pay about $25,202 for maintenance over 10 years, which is about 57.69 percent worse than models of similar construction to the 5500.
This version hasn’t exactly had the best run. Some owners reported transfer case issues with their trucks, and the pickup had recalls for its 2019 and 2020 models, along with a lawsuit over its diesel engine.
4. Ram 4500
The second cheapest of the five Ram pickups on the list to maintain is the 4500 model, which should run you about $25,134 over 10 years. You will find that it is more than $10,000 more than what is average for trucks of this class. Like the 3500, 5500, and 2500, this version has a 79.9 percent chance of needing extensive repairs at some point over the course of a decade.
That makes sense since the 4500 is known for having engine issues with its 2013 and 2014 models. Some owners complained of the oil sump rusting after an average of 50,000 miles, while others reported replacing a turbocharger because they ran out of power for no apparent reason lost.
5. Aries 1500
The cheapest of the five Ram trucks to maintain is the 1500 model. In 10 years of ownership, it would probably cost you $17,677 to keep the pickup in good condition 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 running in peak condition, you need to replace the spark plugs after 20,000 miles, which is why maintenance on the 1500 model is so expensive.
Ram trucks are great workhorses that can handle many tasks. But to protect your investment, you need to maintain them regularly. If not, you’ll probably run into some expensive repairs down the line.