2000 Dodge Ram Pickup SLT 5.9

Summary:

Lemon! Last Chrysler product for me!!!

Faults:

1st snowfall I found out ABS didn't work.

Rear bumper rusted and pitted after 2 months.

Transmission was replaced after 3 months.

Many different recalls.

4 wheel drive harness defective.

Transfer case defective.

Radiator fluid leak.

Engine knock at higher RPMs.

Gas mileage never even close to the sticker.

Front brakes replaced at 29,000 miles.

Paint chipped easily.

Transmission started to leak again at the end of the lease.

I signed a 3-year lease on this truck. At first, I was given a rental car for all repairs. However, after a year I was left out in the cold. The dealership would not even consider working with me to resolve issues.

General Comments:

I leased my truck from Pomerening in Oshkosh, WI. At first, they were very helpful. However, after about 1 year they left me out in the cold. I spoke to management both at Pommerening and at Dodge. No one would do anything for me. Customer service was nonexistent.

Best of luck to anyone out there with a Ram.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 21st January, 2003

17th Jan 2005, 23:33

Obviously you haven't seen any chevys from the late 80's till the 1999 and newer, the paint would come off in the car wash!!

Although the primer was good, which is what you see after the cc/bc washed off!!!

2000 Dodge Ram Pickup 2500 Cummins 5.9 Cummins

Summary:

Some problems, but overall a pretty good workhorse

Faults:

The truck has had a few problems. Driving down the road with a load, sometimes the motor would cut out. It ended up being a bad lift pump that was replaced under warranty.

Next the power steering would work intermittently. The dealership replaced the whole gearbox, and pump unit. The problem is back again though.

It is supposed to have a limited slip rear end, but either it is not working correctly or it is just very weak because many times I am in mud and only one rear wheel is spinning.

The transmission sometimes doesn't want to go into reverse or first, and slips out of reverse every once in a while.

Sometimes the alarm goes off when I unlock the doors.

General Comments:

The truck is quite nice and comfortable inside. It has an extended cab with leather and every option.

4x4 works good. It has the high output Cummins with the six speed manual and plenty of power. I pull a 20,000lb trailer about 300 miles a week and it handles the job pretty well, though a one ton would be better.

When not loaded or pulling it gets excellent fuel mileage, about 19mpg in town and 20-26mpg on the highway, depending on speed and headwind. Part of this has to do with the 3.54 rear end, if it was two wheel drive it would probably get even better mpg. I am extremely pleased with the Cummins and would definitely buy another. It is worth the extra money.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th January, 2002

12th Oct 2002, 20:50

Pulling 20,000lb trailer with a 2500 is not what its designed for. Puts too much strain on it. Lucky It still runs at all. Must be a strong truck if it still runs.

5th Jan 2007, 21:20

With a Cummins you could pull 30,000 pounds you will not stop it in an emergency, but the truck will pull it. I would bet that the truck does not struggle one bit towing 20,000.

13th Dec 2010, 20:18

I have a 2000 Dodge 2500.

I have put a lot of performance upgrades on it and it handles it perfectly. I have doubled the HP and torque. It’s had that much power for six years and the only things that’s gone out is the radiator and heater core and the trans.

I will drive the wheels off this one. When that happens I will buy another.

24th Feb 2011, 13:29

I have a Dodge 2500 Cummins 4x4 Extend Cab Long Box SLT. It's a great comfortable truck. Dodge could have done a better job on the lift pump and VP44 fuel pump $2000, as these things are expensive and junk.

Love the power; it'll tow anything I want to tow. Drivability, well even after 4000 in repairs, total front end overhaul, hubs, trac bar, tie rod ends, steering box, steering shaft, everything, it still handles like a garbage barge, wandering all over the road.

The electronics are a total joke as the torque converter locks and unlocks (fixed with an RF filter).

Throttle position sensors are junk; $950 at the dealer, $200 aftermarket, fixed that too.

Hiccups like crazy if the battery posts are not cleaned once per month.

Fuel mileage is great; I get 10km per liter, which for a 7500 lb truck is amazing.

All in all, I would buy another one, but I would do some homework and not buy anything from this vintage, too many little irritating little problems that the dealer hasn't a clue about.

Cummins is still the best engine. Guess my ideal truck is a Ford F250 with a Cummins diesel and Allison trans.

In reply to 24th Feb 2011, 13:29

22nd Jun 2014, 12:56

I agree with everything. I will never buy another Dodge; just a poor quality truck. Great engine, but the electronics suck. Mine does the same as yours.