Comments: 1-15, 16-22
Transmission went out at 35,000 miles. (typical and expected).
Brake pads were worn by 20,000 miles.
Overdrive off hasn't worked since the first transmission job.
At 75,000 miles the transmission went again and this time I invested in a lifetime warranty... which they'll likely have to honor in about 30000-40000 more miles.
Numerous warranty repairs were made on things from the belt tensioner, to the transmission speed sensor, the transfer case failed to engage at one point. The ABS had to be repaired.
The whole Powertrain Control Module died at 90000 miles and had to be replaced at my local Dodge dealer.
The rear axle has had numerous repairs done to it and it still whines.
The plastic air filter box has deteriorated on the inside, at one point a piece of plastic came off while I was driving and fell in to the throttle body leaving it wide open. (ie. My truck's gas pedal went all the way down and I had to hit the brakes and downshift from drive to second to first and then park in order to avoid a collision)
Lots of problems, the the plastic air box falling apart and pieces of plastic from it getting lodged in the throttle body is a definite safety concern. This truck has no power, none, you would think for the 9-10 miles to the gallon it achieves in the city it would at least have some balls, but it doesn't. The 5.9 liter only offers 245 horsepower, and trust me, that's on a good day, its nothing, but a waste of gas. The transmission, of course, is terrible, but that's to be expected with a Dodge. The rear end whines. The truck has rough shifts at times and offers very little passing power on the highway, which relates back to the lack luster horsepower. The looks of the truck are awesome, the interior is functional for me, but I would not buy this truck again with the problems it has had, and its utter lack of power.
Wow - I am amazed to read about your misfortune. I bought my 2001 Dodge Ram 5.2L, in August of 2000. Other than having the front end repaired at the dealer, I have had great service from it. Have been driving it now for over four years, and have 42,000+ miles on it. I will buy another Dodge again.
It sounds as if you own a 4x4 and are taking it off road on a regular basis. That could cause a "whining" rear axle if it is not given time to properly break in after rebuild. I have a friend who owns a Dodge 4x4 and had the first transmission replacement at 277,000 miles. I own a 5.9 2001 Ram and have ample torque and horsepower from the factory to tear the tires off of it. The only thing I can think of is to check to see if you are losing oil, where the vehicle was manufactured, and if it was manufactured outside the U.S. (esp. Mexico) and is losing oil, either repair the intake valley pan gasket, or get rid of it due to improper torquing processes throughout the vehicle and find one made in this country.
My Father works for Daimler Chrsyler, I am well aware of typical maintenence and even specific things that need to be watched for on my Ram. I do not "off-road" at all, the 4 wheel drive has only been used in the snow. Nice try, but this truck has no excuse, it has been meticulously maintained by myself and my relatives in automotive repair.
Find another vehicle made in this country? My pockets aint as deep as yours. Oh and by the way, the vehicle was made at my father's plant in Fenton Missouri. 277,000 miles on a Chrsyler tranny, ha... the guy must have that secret snake oil in it. They're gettin better, but nobody is that good.
You seem to have had quite some trouble with your vehicle. Dodges are notorious for their transmission troubles, this is fact. A diesel engine is always superior to a gasoline engine, especially in a truck. If you think having a V8 or V10 gasoline engine is going to net you some good mileage, you're absolutely out of your mind. I currently own a 2001 Ram 2500 with the Cummins turbo diesel, and aside from the notorious transmission problem around 75,000 miles and some routine maintenance, it's been fine. I switched the truck to fully synthetic soon after I got it, and that has helped keep it in the good condition it is in. In regular city settings I get 16-18 mpg, and pulling a heavy load on the highway I get 14-15. Get a diesel.
Maybe your truck is tuned for torque and not horsepower. People sometimes cannot tell the difference...
You cannot complain about brakes on a big vehicle like this, they will not last as long as other smaller vehicles.
Your lack of power could also be a problem, maybe a tuneup is needed? Or something is in the injectors?
I have a 2001 quad cab I've had since it was new and really like it. I've had no major problems, but I've noticed the dash is starting to crack. I knew earlier models had this problem, but it shocked me when I saw it. Does anyone know a solution for a cracked dash?
I own a 2001 Dodge Ram Quad Cab with the 5.9. And I agree with it's lack of power for the fuel economy that it develops. not to mention that I have had to have the heads replaced on the engine twice due to the heads cracking between the valves. several dodge dealerships have told me that this is typical with this particular engine. I traded in a Chevrolet Z71. it got 18 MPG on the highway (this dodge does about 12) and it pulled a trailer and had passing power well above the dodge. the only thing about the dodge I love is the solid front axle and seemingly bombproof suspension (I farm and trust me a truck gets worked to death around here.)
And my engine light has stayed on for about a year, and we have given up trying to figure out what is doing it (even the dealership gave up)
"Find another vehicle made in this country? My pockets aint as deep as yours. Oh and by the way, the vehicle was made at my father's plant in Fenton Missouri. 277,000 miles on a Chrsyler tranny, ha... the guy must have that secret snake oil in it. They're gettin better, but nobody is that good."
My '85 Dodge 4x4 has over 250,000 miles on the original engine and transmission, never a rebuild on either, just scheduled fluid and filter changes. That is the old 727 Torqueflite 3-speed, which in my opinion is one of, if not the most, durable automatic transmissions ever built. I have the same opinion of the 318 to which it is attached. Maybe by the late 1990's, Dodge had lost sight of how to build things that durable. Perhaps they got washed up when they dropped the 318 and 727, and came out with the "4.7 Liter" and overdrive automatics.
I have an 01 sport quad 4x4, well maintained, and not beat on, or off-roaded. 1st tranny died at 34,000, and now the second is dead At 68,000. So much for buying "Ram Tough", their logo should be "Ram (tranny) Sux)
gvansaun@hotmail.com.
Hello to all of the people who have had to deal with Dodge. I like the truck seeing it's my first one. Buy not to mention the used dealership who sold it; they didn't even continue my warranty so when I took it in I had some issues like.
Check engine light coming on: due to fuel pump - fuel regulator. The pump works; it's the regulator that knocks the idle into a misfire.
The proportioning valve for the ABS system leaks at the bottom valve. 9/10 lasts.
The dash cracks due to Arizona heat 120 degrees (can't do much about that).
Rear end needed repacking @ around 133,800 miles.
I do have a favor to ask. Does anyone know if you can replace the regulator instead of the whole fuel pump module? I am going to try it. I just need to see if it is possible to do in order for the idle to return to normal?
Maicanmanz@yahoo.cm
Just a comment that will hopefully get a $ return for some
dodge owners. Check out the recalls on "cracked dashes".
I found that it applied to 2001 Dodge pickups. Good luck.
We had a 2000 dodge pickup, loved it, but sold it when
gas prices skyrocketed. Miss the comfort, don't miss the
low mph.
"Find another vehicle made in this country? My pockets aint as deep as yours. Oh and by the way, the vehicle was made at my father's plant in Fenton Missouri. 277,000 miles on a Chrsyler tranny, ha... the guy must have that secret snake oil in it. They're gettin better, but nobody is that good."
Toyota is and always have been that good. :->
I have a 96 Dodge 4x4 v8 Magnum 360. I don't know if it is just your trucks, but mine has plenty of power and I have 32 inch pro comp mudders on it, and I pass like it is nothing, and has a 2 inch suspension lift.
I love the truck, but some what not on the gas mileage, but I'm a Dodge and Chevy guy; nothing else, and it has 166000 on it.
The only time the tranny was pulled was to put a shift kit in it.
I take it mudding and climbing all the time, and it never gave me a problem; no rear end problem either.
I have a 2001 Dodge 1500 5.9L. Its gas mileage is normal to be expected.
The only problem I have with it is the rear differential is winding like crazy, due to the pinion gear is going out.
The water pump went out 2 times due to the bearings in the pump.
The heater core went out once, now that's a pain in the butt to replace.
Front brakes go out about 20,000 every time.
Besides all the problems, I guess I'll keep my little baby after all.