Good news stories only!

[hobigusn]

I'm looking into a 3rd Gen CTD. Seeing all these nagative posts is discouraging. Broken trans, death wobble, ball joints, lift pumps, injectors, front bearing hubs, etc. So if you have a good truck and never had a problem, talk about it. Lets hear those good stories! I don't particularly like the duramax for many reasons including the sound but all this negative about the dodge ram that has the mighty cummins in it makes outside eyes think twice. It's true people never talk about the good, only the broken.

 

[AlaskanCummins]

If you purchase a new, off the showroom floor truck, do not under any circumstances touch it. Leave it stock until your warranty runs out.



Take it back for any and all repairs. Maintain it like it's suggested in the owners manual and enjoy your truck. I beleive that these trucks are better than the competition.



For the most part, my engine has been flawless (knock on wood). 88K miles and I'm very happy. I get about 18 mpg (hand calculated) cruising empty and am impressed with the performance. I think these trucks run just fine in the stock configuration; however a Smarty is fun to play with.



The front end is a different story.



The good: Engine, rear end, transfer case and transmission (NV5600).



The bad: Front axle.



The lesson I learned is that I'd leave my truck stock till the end of the warranty period.

 

[rscurtis]

My '03 is seven years old now, is primarily for personal transportation, and I wouldn't trade it even for a new one. Steering box was replaced under warranty when the truck was almost new, the only other problem I still have to deal with is the recirculation door, may do the HTW3 fix, as the rest of the system works fine. Original tires, brakes, ball joints, batteries and u-joints, except the front wheel joints which I replaced with the Dynatrac installation. Mods include the Rokktech crank sensor, AFE intake elbow, Fass fuel pump with 2 micron filter, and a BD super B and exhaust manifold. I haven't checked the mileage on the last tank, but so far distance traveled is 517 miles, and DTE is 294. Lets see you do that with a new truck. I almost forgot- the original water pump started to leak at about 51K, replaced it with an OEM part. I did install grease fittings on the upper ball joints, that probably helped with their longevity.

 

[SierraRam]

I would never buy anything besides a Dodge CTD, the weak points are easliy addressed and something all manufactures have. Most of the posting here is when someone has a problem looking for help so that is why you see the problems.



My 07 has 55000 miles and has not broke or left me stranded (except for a blow out and I han no spare at the time).



I agree if you want the most reliable rig do not modify it and keep it maintained. For some reason I can never seem to leave my vehicles alone!

 

[jelag]

I own a group of these trucks, total mileage close to 1 million miles... . these trucks are much less expensive to keep than the fords I traded ... I've very pleased... . and I just do basic maintenance...

 

[AWise]

~68000 miles and the truck has been excellent. As one of the previous posters said, I would not trade it for another truck, not even a brand new Ram CTD! Normal maintenance and wear items are all i have replaced. I was told by the dealer the I have play in my left front hub/bearing, but it was to be expected. Going to do the Dynatrac conversion and Carli ball joints anyway so I am not concerned. Probably going to put on the Carli 2. 0 suspension setup next year, but not because of any issues, other than I want to go play! :-laf

 

[HCannon]

Got a 04 that runs great and it has had nothing wrong. It had 60K when I got it and had not had any problem to that point I was told. It has 108k now with stock everything. The only thing that has been replaced is the sunviser, the spring broke and wouldnt stay up. I made a trip this past weekend and get over 21 mpg. I was running Chevys before this one and there was something all the time. Dont guess that I have to tell you that I am very pleased. The way it is now it has more than enough powed to anything that I have to do. Well, this is actually my wifes rig and I only get to drive when we go on a trip.

 

[PParker32]

We are now traveling back home from seeing 90 year old father-in-law. He lives in central Florida and we live on the coast in California. We made the same trip in December 2007, in our then, new 07 Dodge. We just turned 41K in Texas, ZERO problems, lots of comfort, safety, and great MPG 20. 7, hand calculated, over all so far on this trip. I have had other Dodge, Ford, Chevy, & Toyota trucks, none are as great as this one is. Will I buy another Dodge, Yes, when this one wears out!

 

[DogramTD]

Never had a problem with my CTD; if I ever had a problem with the chassis, it was because of me. Heres a positive; I pulled 7 stuck vehicles in 1 hour at Pismo Beach when the tide came up; one of those was a Duramax 4WD pulling a 4 place ATV trailer. I pulled him and his trailer 1. 5 miles through the sand, he told me he gave up on the go pedal because I was pulling him so hard! I also pull a 13-14K# 5er; still, no problems! Do they make anything other than a CTD? I forgot.

 

[Edgemann55]

My 05 has over 80K on her and the only problems have been the #4 injector line cracked and grab handles broke but I did the fix and they are stout now. Truck has been awsome. No front end,injector,lift pump,drive shafts,universal problems at all. Will expect in the near future to upgrade the front end/suspension with Carli. Maybe get a Goerand transmission. Fass and injectors. But that is all fun stuff. All in all this has been the most reliable and enjoyable truck I have ever owned. Every time I get the thought I need a new one I get in her go for a spin and say to myself "What the heehaw was I thinkin!"

 

[AWeiman]

we've had the '06 for 6 months now and no trouble as of yet. it has over

140k on it now bought it with 130k. before hand it was used as some sort of fleet vehicle and had not be touched other than regular stuff, so i was told. i too would never consider owning anything other than a ctd, my wife drives 80 miles daily in hers so you know i have full faith in them. i would not be scared of buying one if you can find that looks clean and unbombed.

 

[AABEN]

I have the 03 and has never spent a penny for any repairs!! I am still ruining the same fuel pump and the same 2 batt's on the second set of tires. I would buy a new one when this one starts to cost me money!! == Good Luck OH by the way I spends 6 month in the winter pulling my fifth wheel. I leave IN and run south and west for 6 month I leave the first Sunday in Nov to second or third week in April with my full load of fuel 23. 000+I have took her over interstate 8 from Yuma AZ to San Diego That is one hard pull going from 200ft below see level to 11. 000ft up that is where my Jake brake payees for it self. Still the same brakes that came on the truck. I bought it new.

 

[CKarnes]

I'll add to what others are saying. I have a 04 3500 4x4 w/ 180,000. the only problems have been lift pump @ 106K, water pump @ 145K, and 2 sets of U joints. I have replaced the trans w/ a DTT ( trans still working fine) but wanted the safety of pulling these Colorado Mts. and the driveshaft w/ a one piece.

For my money, You can't beat the CTD for long life and power. Just do the maintenance and enjoy.

 

[macdaddy]

My second CTD. I have left this one stock. With 610 Lbs torque and 325 horsepower i cant imagine boosting the power at all. That being said this thing is remarkable. Every summer I drive straight through to Mount Vernon Wa from so cal 22 hrs without shutting it off, she never argues!. With 90K and doing lots of towing she's a bullet. Only had to do the P0121 reflash and a couple rear light bulbs



Mac

 

[Delrayz]

My 03 has been thru R&D since day one. Manufacture repairs were a lift pump, a water pump and one injecter. All done between 50k-70k. This has been a great truck that spent 75% of the first 100k pulling heavy trailers(15K) and never left me stranded. Just recently replaced all injecters due to cracks and turbo to kept up with the fuel. I pulled the trans and beefed it up with after market parts and a billet convertor. I love my truck because it makes the wife mad. Can't afford to replace either one at this point... ... but I WILL keep the Dodge...

 

[hobigusn]

My 03 has been thru R&D since day one. Manufacture repairs were a lift pump, a water pump and one injecter. All done between 50k-70k. This has been a great truck that spent 75% of the first 100k pulling heavy trailers(15K) and never left me stranded. Just recently replaced all injecters due to cracks and turbo to kept up with the fuel. I pulled the trans and beefed it up with after market parts and a billet convertor. I love my truck because it makes the wife mad. Can't afford to replace either one at this point... ... but I WILL keep the Dodge...

"Makes the wife mad", nice. When I get my diesel ill **** off all the neighbors with my rumble.

 

[KKaminski]

let's see here,

I've had the electric fuel pump installed - mechanical failed at 106,000 miles , as usual.

both ball joints and all tie rods replaced - just normal wear and tear on our wonderful wisconsin roads.

All U-joints and center bearing - because I could and they really needed it.

Valves adjusted - PM

Brake pads - as needed PM

all light bulbs at one time - 'cause one burned out.

other minor stuff along with the regular oil and filter changes.



Will I get rid of it??? no.

It's not worth it to me to trade in a perfectly good and in my opinion - well maintained - truck for a higher payment and the same maintenance issues.

 

[PFranzese]

I have an 09 and its coming up on 1 year of ownership in 2 weeks. Been to the dealer 2 times, both for recalls. I haven't seen the dealer for anything else, no CEL or issues that have come up. I have been hit with 4 recalls but I take that as par for the course with a new truck like this. At least they fixed everything and I haven't paid a dime or lost any major time with the truck.



So far I have been very happy with the truck. I would not trade this thing for any other car or truck out there. I have 20K on it and mileage is a solid 18 to 19 on the highway and 16 to 17 around the back roads. Better than my wifes Grand Cherokee with twice the torque, 125 more horsepower, and exactly 2 more liters of motor.

 

[TMax]

hobigusn,

I think you will find that for the most part, Cummins owners are fiercely loyal to their trucks. There is good reason for it! It is one of the only well-engineered-to-last engines left in the market. We have become a "disposable" society and the Cummins bucks that trend. Obviously, every manufacturer is capable of having a bad run but I believe Cummins builds one of the finest engines anywhere. The Dodge portion of the vehicle needs some help sometimes and that's why we complain and share ideas on the various issues that arise on this forum. I think peace of mind is worth alot these days... and my Cummins has come through in spades.

 

[Sean Flanagan]

I have an '07 5. 9 with 78k miles. I have had no problems that were not my fault!