I don't know about you guys, but I'm about sick of the Dodge experience... I bought my 2002 with 36K, and it was mint. Owned for 4 years before me by an older man that babied the truck. It still had 2 of the original tires on it, and despite 2 very small dings in the paint, It was like new.

I now have 56K on it.

Within the last 2 years, I've had to replace/repair:

1.) Radiator. Leaking where tank meets core. Warranty w/$200 deductable.

2.) Rear rebuilt due to Posi-clips breaking. Warranty w/$200 deductable

3.) Upper A-arms replaced, due to ball joints squeeking. Warranty w/$200 deductable

4.) Lower ball joints shot, and replaced. Warranty w/$200 deductable

5.) A/C fan pops fuse if it's cold out, and moisture gets in motor. I fixed.

6.) Front shocks worn out. I replaced them.

7.) Front crank seal leaking. Not taken in yet.....Warranty w/$200 deductable. Found it while replaceing the front shocks.

8.) Right side window switch stopped working. Not covered.

9.) Left bank exhaust leak at manifold/head. I fixed it.

10.) Belt, all idlers, fan clutch and alternator replaced, searching for squeeling in front of engine. Warranty w/$200 deductable. Still not found, and went away on it's own...............Not kidding. Thought it was the fan clutch for sure, but it came back, then went away again.

11.) Not sure what's next.......but I know it's coming..........


Oh yeah.....did I mention the valves tap for about 1-2 minutes after you first start it up cold, in the morning? Does this with Mobil-1 or Organic oil, 10w-40 or 20w-50.


I've gotten some great information from this site, but man......when does it end? I had a Chevy Silverado that needed NOTHING, until about the 80K mark.

I've owned a Ford that needed NOTHING untill 99K.

This Dodge is really disappointing me. I love the truck's feel, looks and sound, but man, what a freaken money pit. I baby this truck and NEVER t5ake it off road or beat it. I can't imagine what would happen if I was using this as a work truck, or even thought about running it at the track or abusing it even a little.

I hope you guys are having better luck with your Rams............. Not so sure I'll go this route again.

 

Man, where do you take that thing? I've got 42k miles on my '04 and because I have a Grand Cherokee for my daily driver, many of the miles on my truck are HARD, off-road and farm work miles. I've not replaced a ball joint or A-arm yet.

I guess anybody can get a problem truck, by comparison, I had a '97 Ford 4x4 I bought new that blew the engine (piston cracked) with 14k miles on it while towing a 2200 lb. bass boat home from a tourney.
Also had an '02 Chevy Z71, also bought new, that lost about a quart of oil every 1500 miles. After about 3 trips to the dealer, they finally said "the 5.3 V8 just does that" and gave up.
Those two experiences is why I bought my '04 Dodge, which has yet to have any problems. Now I'm not trying to say Dodge is a far superior vehicle, but at least, the other 2 aren't any better...

 

Highway only, Hammer. That's the sad part. I found out the balljoints were shot, rounding a corner, in the morning, in the Dunkin-Donuts drive through. Turning the wheel with the window open, you could hear them sqeeeeeeek.

Clips broken (LS) I found while changing fluids over to Synthetic at 36K.

The 30K service wasn't done by the previous owner, but then again, who would lease a vehicle, and pay that money to have it done, only to turn it into the dealer 6K later?

I did all that. (Plugs, fluids, yadda, yadda, yadda.......)

I realize that you can buy 5 vehicles that are identical and have them range in quality from good to bad. I must have just gotten a friday, 4:45pmer............

 

or a monday first thing in the morninger ....
sorry to hera your troubles with your truck, if it makes you feel any better my trannny crapped out on me at just 4000 miles. yes i said 4000..... but thats it. the new tranny has 45000 on it and the truck runs/drives great. i blame it on all the domestic cars being built in other countires with inferior parts these days.

 

Was it done at 15K? Rear differential is every 15K.

2002 was not the best year for the Ram. It really was more of a Gen II.5

 

The fluid was normal, but the original black sealer was on the housing/cover. It could have been done by the dealer at 15K (you're correct) but I'd bet no.

 

It doesn't sound like that truck had been "babied". I think you we're lied to, the reason the truck only had two of the original tires is because they were never rotated, and it sound like none of the other maintenance was completed either...

 

I would never buy a leased vehicle or a old rental car, both have been beat on and not cared for. Although, I have only 3k miles on mine and the rear brake line was leaking at the crimps and for some reason my cruise control will shut off if you hold the decel button too long sometimes.

 

Sorry to hear about all your troubles. I, so far, haven't had the first problem, with the ram anyways. Im pretty sure my truck was a leased vehicle, its an 07 and i bought it with 33k miles!!! Im keeping my fingers and toes crossed...

 

The ticking may be because that oil is way too thick. 5w30 would be a better choice.