It's an 03' 2500 SLT 5.7l 4x4 AT 87K miles and I just replaced the PCM for the 4th time. The 1st was previous owner with unknown problem. The 2nd had two bad PCM grounds @ the #2 and #7 coil circuits. The 3rd was a rebuild/reprogrammed with bad PCM grounds @ the #1 and #7 coil circuits just a year old. I ordered a 4th replacement from a different reman. company and immediately at plug in got a P202 code, traced it back to from #2 injector through the harness, it's a bad circuit on the PCM board. Reman. company said they are sending another one ASAP. Anybody else having problems with computers?
I've had this rig for one year, put 5k miles on it, and dumped 2K into it. I'm about ready to unload this hog, get a reliable Tundra and beef up the front end for my plow.

 

Very rare to have one PCM go bad, let alone four. That vehicle has other issues OR you are cheaping out on cheesy reman'd PCMs. I think I'da tried a new one from the dealer by now, myself.

I personally know about 40 Ram owners (not including forum contacts) and I don't know a soul who's had to replace a PCM yet. Couple of these guys are well over 200,000 miles.

Go get you that "reliable" 'Yota. I got a real good hunting buddy who has an '09 he bought new, it's been in for a failed cam (engine rebuild), a disintegrated rear axle (while he was waiting for the recall for the ring & pinions that were on national back-order). At one point, in about mid 2010, he actually calculated it was at the dealer more days than in his driveway. But it's been pretty reliable since then, I just fished with the guy while I was in Georgia in July.

But even he'll admit, it's got NO power compared to my truck.

I'd get me a Furd for a tow/trailer/plow rig long before I'd buy a 'yota. But that's just me...

 

Hammer I did not intend to insult Dodge fans. I also have a 99' with 150K on it that starts every time, never throws a code, and goes down the road great. Dealer wants $900 for a new unit installed, will not just program it and let sell it to me (ridiculous). They want to take the truck and see what else they can try to screw me on. I became a mechanic so i don't have to deal with that crap. You got a spare $780 you can send me I will go with the dealer. I'm just trying to find out if there are multiple PCM issues with the 3rd generation rams?

 

I didn't take it that way, just passing on first hand information that I've seen. Seriously, I dunno how Furd does it, but (this years new engines aside) they do pull/haul and plow better than anybody else, despite a solid 100 HP disadvantage compared to a Hemi.

Look like crap, have a slew of their own issues (can you say spark plugs shooting thru the hood? LOL) but they do pull.

I just get irritated a little when I read about how "trouble free" the Nissan and 'Yota vehicles are. If you read Consumer Reports, you'd think the things are gold! I personally know owners of both who have had a heap more trouble with their rigs than I've had with either of my last two Dodge trucks.

In today's times of "lowest bid", ain't a one of 'em you can call "trouble free"...


But to answer your question, yeah, I've seen posts where guys have had to replace a PCM, but no more than any other vehicle... Our Rams DO have their own set of common issues (front end, LSD, etc.) but the PCM isn't even close to what I'd rate as one of them. Like I said, either your reman'd ones have something to be desired or there is an issue with that truck that is frying PCMs that needs to be diagnosed & fixed...