Experience with 2011-2015 Ram 1500

beerbucksducks

beerbucksducks

WKR
Joined
Jan 30, 2019
Messages
567
Location
Spokane, WA
Lately I have been considering selling my 99 Dodge diesel 2500 and picking up a lightly used half ton. I do not need the diesel, nor do I foresee needing it. I bought it a few years back and it has been a great truck, but I am thinking something that rides a little more smooth might be nice for the highway as well as in the mountains. Anyway, I have been looking at 2011-2015ish Ram 1500s and am curious to others experience with them. If I pull the trigger, my budget puts me in the 30-60,000 miles range. Reliability or any other concerns, I’d like hear them. Any opinions on their V-6 vs. V-8? 4.7 vs. 5.7? I have driven 2015-2018 chevys for work and really enjoy driving them, but their resale seems a bit higher than the Rams. Let me know what you guys think, thanks!


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beerbucksducks said:
Lately I have been considering selling my 99 Dodge diesel 2500 and picking up a lightly used half ton. I do not need the diesel, nor do I foresee needing it. I bought it a few years back and it has been a great truck, but I am thinking something that rides a little more smooth might be nice for the highway as well as in the mountains. Anyway, I have been looking at 2011-2015ish Ram 1500s and am curious to others experience with them. If I pull the trigger, my budget puts me in the 30-60,000 miles range. Reliability or any other concerns, I’d like hear them. Any opinions on their V-6 vs. V-8? 4.7 vs. 5.7? I have driven 2015-2018 chevys for work and really enjoy driving them, but their resale seems a bit higher than the Rams. Let me know what you guys think, thanks!


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I have a 2014 that I bought used in 2016 with 36k. I now have 75k and the only service it has needed was oil changes, new tires and a brake job. Normal wear stuff. I have had an issue with very infrequently the trans downshift and the engine rev. It never threw a code so they say it is nothing wrong but I got a case number opened that if the trans goes they will replace it even if it’s out warranty. It hasn’t done it in about a year. It drives great and am blown away how much better gas mileage it gets compared to the Yukon XL I had before. I am getting 16-17 local and 23-25 on trips. The Yukon got 15 local and 18 highway.


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Farmingdale's Finest said:
I have a 2014 that I bought used in 2016 with 36k. I now have 75k and the only service it has needed was oil changes, new tires and a brake job. Normal wear stuff. I have had an issue with very infrequently the trans downshift and the engine rev. It never threw a code so they say it is nothing wrong but I got a case number opened that if the trans goes they will replace it even if it’s out warranty. It hasn’t done it in about a year. It drives great and am blown away how much better gas mileage it gets compared to the Yukon XL I had before. I am getting 16-17 local and 23-25 on trips. The Yukon got 15 local and 18 highway.


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Good to hear! Is yours the 5.7L?


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Trans downshift is a common and not fun issue; makes you think the trans is gonna nuke. Not comforting in the backcountry. I've heard it can be programmed out for some.

Timing chain tensioner is a major issue; cheap plastic that breaks. Sounds like kicking a bag of dimes down the street when coasting. I mean...why wouldn't you use plastic, let alone crap plastic, on a critical engine timing component? Also not comforting in the backcountry.

Plan on living with an exhaust leak on the rear-passenger manifold or fixing it. Another common issue.

Ridiculous stance. Front end sits a good 2-3" lower than the rear. Minor issue but it drives me nuts.

Gas mileage isn't great (2011).

From what I've read most of the above problems occur at 80K+.

The good: engine with good power, smooth on the highways, I like the styling (int/exterior). I'm sure the competition has their issues or is insanely expensive in the pre-owned market.

2011 5.7L, would have gone for 2013/14+ if it was affordable at the time. Mainly for the gas mileage as a result of the newer transmission.
 
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I’ve got a 15 with the 5.7 and like the truck a lot. I just rolled over 120k. I pull several times a month, usually my 12’ dump trailer or one of my spray rigs for spraying texture. It pulls fine, I had 3 tons of gravel in my dump bed a couple months ago and you can notice it’s back there but the truck handled it. I would want to pull that much weight too damn far though. Fuel mileage is decent, I average about 16 highway/town miles. Straight highway I’ll get a little over 18.
Like someone else said you will get an exhaust leak, mine cracked the manifold bolts on each side within a month or so of each other. Warranty covered it so no big deal. In the last month though I’ve had to replace the radiator and I just picked it up today from the dealership cause the water pump went out, between the two I was out of pocket about $1400 roughly. I’d consider that just normal wear and tear for the amount of miles I drive though. All in all I’m pretty happy with the truck.
 
Had a 2015 with the Eco diesel, attempted towing a two horse slant and a 22' ski boat with the truck, and it did not like it. Truck was made for getting grocery's, and I guess it would be okay if you were not going to work it. Moved to a 3500 ram and a 2500 High Country, both diesels. The wife's 2500 rides just as smooth as did her Tahoe.
 
When I was looking for a new truck I thought real long and hard about these. Ended up getting a Tundra instead. Overall cost of ownership, lack of common issues, and reliability ratings for the platforms they are was my main reasoning. Look at a consumer reports, road and track, and other sources for vehicles most likely to last 200k miles, not a dodge on the list.


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I have a 2011 Ram Outdoorsman, 4.7 V8. Has 142k. Oil changes, brakes and new tires is all she's had done. Great truck although the gas mileage isn't fantastic. I average around 16-17 mpg and I drive a ton.
 
Biggest issue in that year range is that they are prone to nuking either the #3 or #5 cylinder. Lifter will lock up and grind the cam to round. $5000 dollar fix. Seems to be most common around the 125k-150k mileage range. I have an 2011 and have a buddy that had a 2013. Mine dropped #3 and his was #5. I have put over a million miles on dodge trucks and this is the first real problem I have had. Before this the only non-maintenance repair cost was replacing a tranny at 192k miles.

This past saturday the evaporator took a dump so I have 270 air. Heat indexes here this week are running in the 105-110 range. Quote was $1400 to fix that. Next truck will prolly be a Tundra.
 
I have a ‘12 Ram 1500 5.7L. For the most part I’m pretty happy with it. Currently have about 91k miles on it. Had to replace brake calipers last year which was pretty pricey. Also have a short in the wiring to the passenger side headlight which causes it not to work. The second speed on the heater/AC blower fan doesn’t work and just had to have the roof repainted. The paint on the roof was peeling BAD.


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I have an 02 Cummins. I have spent a fair amount of time behind the wheel of a 2016 Cummins, 2015 1500 with V6, 2015 1500 with 5.7.

You really need to think about how much you want the smooth ride to come out barely even on the deal. The newer 1500's are smooth riding. But they sit like stink bugs. They are dogs after driving the Cummins. Especially when towing. They do start having problems as you get near the 80k mark. Seems like Ram had problems with the Magnums in the 90's that never really got sorted out, then just kept changing things before anyone caught on.

I would say you are probably better off doing the shackle hanger mods and the usual suspension mods on the Cummins.
 
I'm happy with my 2013 Cummins 3500 single rear wheel pickup. Not quite what you are considering, but it does get great mpg and will tow 17k pounds.
 
I recently purchased a Ram but not a 1500. I went with a 2500 Power Wagon with the 6.4 gas. I upgraded from a 2017 Tacoma. This thing is a beast! Tons of power, lots of clearance, locking front and rear difs, sway bar disconnect, factory winch. This thing is made for off road! Mileage wasn't the best right away but has gotten better. I wouldn't trade this thing for the world!
 
wrkn2hunt said:
I recently purchased a Ram but not a 1500. I went with a 2500 Power Wagon with the 6.4 gas. I upgraded from a 2017 Tacoma. This thing is a beast! Tons of power, lots of clearance, locking front and rear difs, sway bar disconnect, factory winch. This thing is made for off road! Mileage wasn't the best right away but has gotten better. I wouldn't trade this thing for the world!
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Mines been sitting at the dealer for 7 weeks. Some weird rattle trapped inside a blind area of the cab. 400 miles on it.
 
camping1601 said:
Mines been sitting at the dealer for 7 weeks. Some weird rattle trapped inside a blind area of the cab. 400 miles on it.
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What year? I have the 18. It was $9000 off and wasn't sure about a new transmission right away. The 4.10 and 6 speed work great other than a little less mileage but won't be shifting as often.
 
114547This is my 2014 5.7L V8 1500. I have zero complaints. Really happy with it. The ONLY advice I will give is it is NOT really for towing anything heavy. Quad trailer, snowmobiles, no problem. Haul a 25’ camper and it will struggle.
 
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