1996 Dodge Ram 3500 One ton service truck review from North America
"A good looking, expensive paperweight"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Transmissions (all six of them) have lasted 10,000 miles each.
Fuel mileage is pathetic (5-6 mpg).
Will not stay aligned.
Plagued with electrical demons.
General comments?
This is my municipally-owned work truck. It has had regular preventive maintenance (every 3,000 miles) and has never towed anything. The truck has 62,000 miles and is currently on transmission #6. I personally do not deal with the dealer so cannot speak as to that experience. Recently, it has started to act as though tranny #7 might be in order. This truck has a twin in our fleet that is on tranny #3 with 33,000 miles. The vehicle is not abused, but runs pretty much 10 hours straight 4 days a week. It is used in the metro Phoenix area so I will give it some slack due to the heat factor, but I don't hear of other vehicles eating up trannys like this.
Recommended reviews
  | 1996 - Ram 1500 Ext. Cab Laramie SLT Spor 5.9L (360ci) An all around awesome truck |
| Great truck if you need heavy duty performance from a light truck |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| First year of ownership | 1996 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2001 |
| Engine and transmission | 5.9 V-8 gas Automatic |
| Performance marks | 3/10 |
| Reliability marks | 2/10 |
| Comfort marks | 4/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 2/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 0/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 0 miles |
| Most recent distance | 62000 miles |
| Previous car | Chevrolet One ton dump truck |
| Date of Entry | 16th December, 2001 |