While the Dodge Ram is easily one of the best trucks sold on the market both in new and used form, the Ram is no more immune to problems than any other truck out there. These common problems might be nothing to worry about or they could be a reason to avoid buying the truck in question altogether and when you are buying a used Ram, knowing what those common problems could be empowers the buyer to make a more informed decision.
Is that noise a common problem that means nothing or is that noise going to cost you a fortune a month after buying the Ram? Is the problem something that you will be able to fix yourself, ignore because it means nothing or will you need to drop big cash on a dealership visit? Thanks to our resident Ram guru dirtydog, we have a full list of the most common issues experienced with the 3rd generation Dodge Ram that ran from 2002 through 2008. From the sound made by the MDS when it is working properly to the annoying “tick” emitted by the 5.7L Hemi V8 – this thread addresses those common issues that nearly every 3g Ram owner deals with on a daily basis.
If you are in the market for a used Ram from the 2002-2008 era, this thread explains all of the most common issues to watch for or ignore in your shopping travels. Click here for a closer look!
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
