BEWARE of DODGE RAM 1500 "JUNK" !!!

chris lavoie · Post by **chris lavoie** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 2:12 am

Bought a DODGE RAM. Within 6 months replaced axil seal, 9months after purchase computer was saying I was stealing the truck so computer shut down. Had it towed in at my cost, forgot to phone to dodge ahead of the tow. About 18 months after purchase I was driving in a remote area and all warning lights came on. Looked like a Christmas tree on the dash for all the lights flashing!! Truck sputtered to a stop. Started and limped to a dodge dealer, put it on their computer. It showed 15 codes. Couldn't find the problem so they disconnected and then reconected the battery. Apparently this erases the codes. Guess what it started, ran perfectly all the way home. Band aid fix. Two weeks later lights came on again. Don't know what they did as the problem stopped for awhile. Luckily all on warranty. They really didn't fix anything.
After 2 years of purchase (warranty now over) the rear dif cluth started disinigrating. Heard a grinding noise. The mechanic at the DODGE dealership said Rams are bad for this problem. Said keep driving until it totally gives out. It finally did give out this past winter. Cost $2600.00 to fix. Also my gear shifter gave out in the snow and had to crawl underneath truck each time I wanted to change backwards or forwards till I got it to the dealer. Cost $1200.00. Last year they did a transmission service which they recommended I do. Guess what my radiator blew a week later, another $1100.00. They put in a faulty radiator and replaced the replacement 2 more times. They said the radiators were not made for the extreme cold up here. In January had to replace the front axil and all the seals in the axil, $2200.00 again goes out.
Two weeks ago on the way to a funeral it quit on me again. I was 10 minutes late for my dads funeral!! Took it to another different mechanic again. Couldn't find the problem. Ended up bringing in a tech from DODGE. He's 98% sure its the computer. The same problem as when the warranty was on. But now because warranty is over they know the problem. Going to cost me about $2500.00 to get fixed.
A buddy of mine bought a DODGE RAM 1500 in 2011 and his problems are the same as mine. I just bought a new ford f150.

FullCryHounds · Post by **FullCryHounds** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 9:37 am

Now you know why Toyotas are so popular.

muckdog · Post by **muckdog** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 10:08 am

Sounds like a candidate for the Lemon Law...

chris lavoie · Post by **chris lavoie** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:18 pm

Just got off the phone and the dodge mechanic said there is nothing he could do to fix the truck. It only has 218,000 on it. Last year DODGE replaced the fuel pump, I wonder if it is the pump but don't want to cover it?? Read on the internet many others with DODGE RAMS are being told the same thing. There is a reason they DODGE DEALERS are giving such LARGE discount off their vans and trucks!!!

kordog · Post by **kordog** » Sat Jul 06, 2013 11:53 am

do whatever you have to to keep that ford rust proofed if you want longevity. hopefully they have fixed the exhaust manifolds that like to loosen and leak as well.the kind of money you have spent would keep you in a brand new one. what a shame.

ferjr · Post by **ferjr** » Sun Jul 07, 2013 12:19 pm

I got a 2011 Dodge Hemi 4x4 1500, I have never had a bit of trouble out of it. Only thing I did have to do was replace the crappy stock tires, within 10,000 miles I had 3 flats, the gravel on the roads worked there way thru the tires. replaced them with some Toyo's havnt had a bit of a problem since. I would say it is one of the best trucks I have ever owned, the best being my 2003 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummings, over 300,000 miles and have never did anything but change brakes, tires, oil, and replaced the lift pump, only replaced it because I know they go out at about 200,000 miles so it was just preventative maintenace, heck it still has the original clutch in it, you cant kill these trucks. This 1500 Hemi actually gets as good if not a little better gas mileage as my Toyota 4x4 while having WAY more power and rides SO much nicer.

chris lavoie · Post by **chris lavoie** » Sun Jul 07, 2013 4:24 pm

Ferjr- just wait!!! My Dodge Ram was like it had square wheels. Roughest ride of all my vehicles. I did everything by the book for service. Technically its a new truck for what I replaced, doesn't leak a drop of oil, but the module won't let it run. I have a 1997 ford f150 that is taking the place of the 2007 dodge ram. The DODGE RAM 1500 is by far the WORST vehicle I have ever owned. The ram is a gas guzzler in my opinion. I also just got a 2013 f150.

Brindle · Post by **Brindle** » Sun Jul 07, 2013 9:42 pm

I had a 2007 dodge 1500 hemi. Best damn truck I ever owned. I rolled it and beat the heak out of it. It had by far more dirt miles than pavement. And it ran flawless. I just traded it in for a 2013 just like it.
F found
O on
R road
D dead

chris lavoie · Post by **chris lavoie** » Sun Jul 07, 2013 10:35 pm

When hemi's first came out in the north country the loggers in the area all went out and bought a dodge hemi. Now they either drive fords or GM. The all said the front ends fell apart on them. I personally think they are not made for the backroads of the Far North. DODGE mechanics are saying themselves that the 2007 & 08 have major flaws. Brindle, you just lucked out!! I am anxious to see what the problem is on my Dodge as I'm not giving up on it. I also had a dodge caravan that the windows and back hatch would not work on (electrical), I traded it for the Ram in 2007 after having the van for just 2 years.

captd · Post by **captd** » Mon Jul 08, 2013 1:22 am

just traded my 10 power wagon for 13 1500 with the v6 and 8 speed. the wagon was great truck but with hemi and 458 diffs it used a lot of gas. ge tting 20 mpg with the v6 from green river ut to ne ia, 1500 miles running 5 over the limit, love it so far.

ferjr · Post by **ferjr** » Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:57 am

chris lavoie wrote:When hemi's first came out in the north country the loggers in the area all went out and bought a dodge hemi. Now they either drive fords or GM. The all said the front ends fell apart on them. I personally think they are not made for the backroads of the Far North. DODGE mechanics are saying themselves that the 2007 & 08 have major flaws. Brindle, you just lucked out!! I am anxious to see what the problem is on my Dodge as I'm not giving up on it. I also had a dodge caravan that the windows and back hatch would not work on (electrical), I traded it for the Ram in 2007 after having the van for just 2 years.

My Dodge sees alot of back north country driving, cant say anything for the 2007 model but the 2011 is a NICE damn truck. With a hound box and pulling a trailer IN THE WOODS it averages 15 M.P.G. with the 395 H.P. Hemi, 17-18 on the highway, something my Toyota doesnt even do.

Since this photo I have added airbags to help pull the trailer and installed the front end leveling kit with different tires, it made it a real truck. Yeah it still doesnt pull like my 2500 Cummings but it is a gas truck, it never will.

chris lavoie · Post by **chris lavoie** » Mon Jul 08, 2013 3:59 pm

The only picture I have of my Dodge is when I had it towed to camp in June by my 97' f150. My computer isn't set up for pictures or I'd post it. All the picture above tells me is that you are pushing your dodge too hard!!

chris lavoie · Post by **chris lavoie** » Wed Jul 17, 2013 1:51 pm

Got my dodge1500 back today. Dodge mechanics are not advanced enough to fix their own vehicles!!! The Dodge dealer (mechanic) in Dryden Ontario couldn't figure out what was wrong so I took it to a real mechanic. Found out the fuel pump the DODGE DEALER put in my truck last year was faulty. Went it burnt out it took the tipm out with it. Cost me $2600.00. But at least I got the piece of junk back on the road.

Big N' Blue · Post by **Big N' Blue** » Wed Jul 17, 2013 4:17 pm

Good luck Chris!! I will never drive a Dodge!!! Hope it does not leave you stranded in a bad place!!

Gary Roberson · Post by **Gary Roberson** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 12:37 pm

Several years ago when I was doing a lot of outfitting, I had four guys come down from Detroit. One of the guys was a big shot with a company called Lancaster Colony. This company builds drivetrains and various body components for all of the automobile companies. He told me that they basically build parts in different quality levels and they are priced accordingly. He said that Dodge across the board purchased only the cheapest parts while Ford and GM would only purchase medium to higher priced components. He told me that if you purchase a pickup, it should be a Ford or GM.
I do think that the Cummins diesel was a heck of a good engine, just a shame it was in a Dodge body.
Adios,
Gary