Ram 1500 Owners - Are You Pleased With It?

[Crusader]

So for a while I've been looking for a used Tundra Double Cab, in the roughly 2014-2019 model years. I like the Tundra a lot and I value Toyota's reliability records. Would like to be under $30,000 and around 75k miles or less. I've been looking within a roughly 400 mile radius of where I live. But I'm just not finding much out there; it is crazy how expensive theses things are, even 10 year old models with nearly 100k miles on them.

That said, I like the looks of the Ram 1500 pickups and they are much more common and available and less expensive than the Tundra. Just generally speaking, I believe (know? based on reliability research) that the 1500 isn't as reliable long-term as the Tundra but I might be willing to roll the dice on one. I'm leaning towards a Big Horn as that seems like the most bang for the buck.

Do you guys think I'm whacked for considering the Ram? For you who own one in the say, 2017-2020 model years, do you like it? What are potential pitfalls of these and, what should I be closely looking at when evaluating one of these used models?

Any tips/advice you could offer will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Nickziegler]

I have a 2017 with 105000 miles on it. I do like it. Put a 2 inch level kit on it but replaced the upper control arms and ball joints. Make sure the manifold bolts have been replaced. 2 of mine broke a few years ago and it can be a pricey fix. I had a buddy take care of it for me and was around $700. At an auto body shop it would have been quite a bit more.

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[Jsmalls273]

I have 174k on my 2012 Hemi Ram 1500. It's been a very good truck, except one thing. For the first few years I utilized the MDS system where it shuts down half the cylinders. Well that caused major lifter issues and chewed up the cam with metal shavings so I ended up having to put a new motor in her. Other than that, she's been a great truck! LOL. My advise is to always turn off the MDS system if they still have it on those year models. But my damage happened in the first 60k miles. I wish mine was 4x4 and I'd never wanted to get rid of her.

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[ND1612]

I just traded off my 2021 1500 with 89k miles on it. I bought it new during covid and the choices were a bit limited. I really liked the truck overall, interior was nice, decent ride, quiet inside and plenty of room. I did upgrade the rear sway bar because it felt a little too floaty to me with a trailer.

Mine had the eTorque hemi, that was the main reason I ditched it. I didn't get a good feeling about that eTorque unit lasting, and they're expensive to replace, if you can source one. Multiple people I know were out of their truck for 3+ months waiting on a replacement.

Between that and the terrible to non-existant service from the nearby Ram dealers, I switched to a Sierra 1500 with the 3.0L Duramax. Time will tell if that was a good choice or not i guess!

 

[Seth]

I had a 2020 Laramie 1500 with the Hemi V8 that I put 95k on before trading it off. I had 5 warranty repairs during that time including both exhaust manifolds and the rest for the auto-start system (shuts down at red lights, etc). It left my wife stranded one day when it shut off at a light and never restarted. I liked the truck overall and liked the ride, but reliability sucked. Loving the Tundra that replaced it!

 

[beerbucksducks]

I have a 2019 Ram 1500 Classic with 36,000 on it and I really enjoy it. It’s comfortable, rides well and has plenty of power for what I use it for. I drive a few different chevys for work and prefer my dodge for the most part. At 36k I can’t really speak to the longevity or reliability but I hope it lasts me a long time, as I don’t see myself needing anything more.


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[Lee_R]

I've got a 2016 Rebel with 50k on it. The only issue is the damn air suspension, makes it un-driveable when it is around -20. I didn't find out til I moved to mt and it was out of warranty. Swapping it out to a regular suspension will cost me about $4k. I've got another 4x4, so it sits when it's that cold out.

 

[TN2shot07]

I had a 19 bighorn (new body) with the 6 cylinder hybrid system, never had an issue except I didn’t like the cut off at stops. Averaged about 21 mpg with a leveling kit and toyo rts. I traded it on a 2020 Laramie with the traditional hemi earlier this year, no regrets so far except my mileage dropped to about 17.5.

 

[180ls1]

The v6 is actually more reliable than the v8 but the hemi is just fine. 2019+ are unbelievably comfortable, ride quality on par with luxury vehicles.

 

[4cMuley]

we bought a 2018 crewmax with 55k on the odometer a couple months ago for 34k. It took a legit 2 years of searching but we got it and had cash in hand when we found it. Sort of a pain but “deals” (if you can call it that) are out there. Have to act fast.

It was from a rather large dealer, no less

 

[TSAMP]

My take is the ram pickups have top tier Interior features for their trim levels. I have 3 buddies who had ram 1500s between 18-21 year ranges. 2 have been riddled with issues. Mostly electrical. One was flawless, but he only kept it two years.

 

[StuckInTheEast]

Keep it simple...avoid the air suspension and Etorque nonsense...and drivetrain mechanicals hold up pretty well if properly maintained.
They have had some lifter issues that take out cams, but not near as prevalent as That same issue with GM engines.
They wear out ball joints and tie rods around 80-100k miles. They have issues with the front axle shafts getting moisture in the splines where they slide onto the stub shafts of the front differential...wipes out axlevshafts and stubborn shafts. Easier enough repair with kits available, but can still be but pricey.
Hemi's break exhaust manifold bolts...not if but when it will happen. Probably one of the easier truck manifold replacement jobs to do if your good with a mig welder to get the broken bolts out.
The water pumps like to leak on hemi trucks too.

The 3.6l v6 is a toss up. Many seem to make 100-150k+ with only needing the oil cooler/filter housing replaced due to leakage and a set of spark plugs...but its anyone's guess after that.
I've seen enough cam follower and associated cam lobe damage to say that's a big deal with the 3.6l in all platforms. Have seen alot of thermostat failures, water pump leaks, injector failures and Fair number of cylinder head and head gasket issues also. Im not a fan of the 3.6l north of 100k miles, they can get expensive in a hurry. Seen a few with burned valves as well but those were due to neglect of other issues.

I dont think a 5.7l hemi ram truck is a terrible option. I'd own one before an ecoboost or anything GM has to offer anymore.
Change that "filled for life" transmission fluid every 70k or so and it'll likely have a longer life...though not seen alot of transmission issues out of the 1500 Ram since the late 90s/early 2000s.
I'd still prefer the tundra though given the option.

 

[Muddler]

I think I've had three Ram's through work. They have a lease program they use. I have no complaints, never had any major issues and don't recall hearing about anything major out of the fleet, but I also wasn't in charge of it. Interiors are nice and ride is good. Fleet guy says they're the best value in terms of trim levels/cost.

I was never a Dodge/Ram/Mopar guy or whatever they call themselves. But if I had to buy my own truck I'd seriously consider a Ram

 

[WRO]

I have both a 23 ram 1500 high trim level for my work truck and a 2019sr5 tundra. My ram is a great highway cruiser, but it sucks off road and the service at dodge dealers is atrocious. It’s spent 30+ days out of service between recalls and warranty repairs in the first 25k miles.

The tundra is much more spartan imho, but much more capable.


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[RyanT26]

I own a 2019 ram classic with 92,000 on it, it’s been a really great truck. The only complaint I have on the Rams is the amount of rake they have. I leveled the truck using the adjustable Blistein shocks.

On my second Ram at work, had a 2017 and 2022. We usually only take them up to 75,000ish miles but they have higher idle hours and overall use is harder. No complaints here either. After we’re done with them they get worked passed on to public works who will run them up to 150,000ish.

 

[Beendare]

I went from a Tundra to a 2019 Ram 1500 Limited with the air ride and it's been bulletproof. It rides better than any other truck I have been in- about the same as a Raptor. 4WD is fine though I have buried it in the desert...but that was along with other buddies trucks- Ford and chevy that got buried too.

 

[longspeak74]

I have a 2016 Bighorn with the V6, 165k miles. I've had zero issues with it with just the routine maintenance regimen.

 

[Bigbuckbandit]

I’ve got a 2020 1500 classic with about 70k on it. Its been a great truck that I’ve taken hunting all over Idaho plus roadtrips around the West. Haven’t had a single issue with it and plan on driving it until the wheels fall off.

 

[keystone112]

I drove a ‘24 Ram for a few weeks as a rental. Overall I liked the truck. If I were buying, I’d avoid eTorque. I’d be worried about long term repairs for that specific feature.