Reliability as bad as they say?

[DHayden]

I have seen a few articles out in the last few days and I'm surprised to see that RAM3500 is the worst on the list. I still have and love my 2001.5 but my 2015 is obviously refined and improved in every way. What happened in 2018? The 4th gens have been out since 2010 and should have bugs worked out more every year. Very shocked to see the RAM in this position with all the vehicles out there.

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/10-least-reliable-cars/

This is not the only article that lists the RAM3500 in this spot, just the one I linked to.

 

[Learjet]

you would have thought the third brake light shouldn't leak by now or the cab lights crack so they fill with water...but they still do. Both of those issues I fixed myself...aftermarket LED cab lights and thicker aftermarket Third Brake light gasket... I still love my 2017 truck.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Simply look on the 6.7 and 4th gen areas on here. Really not that much to talk about except for recalls that are no biggie.

 

[jgillott]

The article states that it's data is compiled from Consumer Reports annual reliability survey. Who participates in that survey? Is one sent to all new vehicle owners? How is their sample collected?

 

[DonFitzwater]

Consumer reports has always been a joke. They are the “CNN” of reliability surveys. Hahahha

 

[jgillott]

Has anyone ever received a consumer reports survey after purchasing a vehicle? I've bought a lot of units over the years and I don't remember ever getting one.

 

[lpennock]

Has anyone ever received a consumer reports survey after purchasing a vehicle? I've bought a lot of units over the years and I don't remember ever getting one.

I've gotten the surveys but it is because I have a subscription. Their yearly surveys ask if you bought a product in X number of years and then ask if you had to have it repaired. I'm guessing they only use their readers comments for their numbers.

 

[gsbrockman]

My 2014 RAM 3500 Tradesman Crew Cab was horrible

 

[jgillott]

I've gotten the surveys but it is because I have a subscription. Their yearly surveys ask if you bought a product in X number of years and then ask if you had to have it repaired. I'm guessing they only use their readers comments for their numbers.

That makes sense. Thanks

 

[Regcabguy]

The article states that it's data is compiled from Consumer Reports annual reliability survey. Who participates in that survey? Is one sent to all new vehicle owners? How is their sample collected?

I think it's compiled from Consumer Report subscribers.
I've been a subscriber for yrs and don't pay much attention to the auto reviews or ratings.

 

[TCDiesel]

I have a review that would get rejected By CR AKA CNN , Put in service May 15 2013 Current Mileage 38K miles, Failed in tank pump at 213 miles (Yep the one in a Million) otherwise recalls only, NO CEL, naada Single problem in 5.5 Years. Also just like GB customers reporting 300K+ miles with just routine maintenance. on 6.7 Aisin combo With EGR DPF.

 

[Lynx0849]

Ever notice that Ford always rates higher even when Ram has the same score on the individual items?



Pro

 

[Cummins12V98]

View attachment 109676 My 2014 RAM 3500 Tradesman Crew Cab was horrible

One of them "NUF SAID" pics.

 

[nukegm]

consumer reports -

they have always been biased against "american" vehicles, in my opinion

cheers comrades!

 

[crazy jerry]

I have seen a few articles out in the last few days and I'm surprised to see that RAM3500 is the worst on the list. I still have and love my 2001.5 but my 2015 is obviously refined and improved in every way. What happened in 2018? The 4th gens have been out since 2010 and should have bugs worked out more every year. Very shocked to see the RAM in this position with all the vehicles out there.

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/10-least-reliable-cars/

This is not the only article that lists the RAM3500 in this spot, just the one I linked to.

2010+ might all use the same sheet metal but alot of things changed in '14 and for the better imo. '14+ gas models are a solid truck, the best one out there by far imo. cant comment on the deisel version since i dont own one.

consumer reports claims steering and suspension problems. what years are they refering to ? ive seen very few complaints of front end trouble on '14+

you know what truck should be #1 on that list is '17+ f250/350. theyve got cronik deathe wobble and bump steer. some guy even had his should muscle torn because it was so bad. theres now a tsb from ford on this huge problem. people have towing 40' trailers when the deathwobble hit. its just a matter of time before someone is killed

 

[EDankievitch]

I can't comment about Consumer Reports they lost me when the condemned the Suzuki Samauri and not the Ford Bronco II back in the 1990's. The Suzuki was a great small Jeep never made to do the road test that they put it through. The Ford Bronco with that twin traction beam front end was down right dangerous. With the Suzuki if you got it to start to lift a wheel off the road all you had to do was let off the throttle and let go of the steering wheel and it'd right itself. The ford once that outside wheel started to roll under the truck it'd go over no saving it I had a few friend's that found out the hard way. I owned a few Suzuki's It was a great local station car that could go anywhere in any weather. Just don't ask it to be a sports car.
That said CR's reports don't tell the whole truth Just the truth that sells more issues of the publication. Shocking!
Having been a Dodge / Ram truck owner for almost 30 years I'm not happy with my 2013 Ram or the 2012 that I had before it. The 2 trucks have spent more time in the shop for stupid repairs and recalls than my 1989, 2002, and 2005 trucks combined. Has it ever left me stranded on the highway? not yet but it's come close. The check engine lamp has come on so many times that the bulb has had to be replaced... The headlamps have out lasted it... Lol. It does drive nice it's very quiet the seat foam are showing their age. But my experience has had me questioning people, working for the ferry has me able to ask a very large group of owners that own the new Ford Super duty trucks and I've driven the F150 Diesel. I'm not ready to buy a new truck yet I'd like to go a few years with out a monthly payment but if I had to buy one today I'd probably buy a Ford because I think RAM dropped the ball in the rush to be the best.
Maybe I'm wrong but I can only go by my experience. I've been very tempted to sell this 2013 and buy one of the older 1989-1993 trucks that I've run across on eBay. But I do really enjoy the Radio.... When it works, on this 13.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Literally everything Ive bought because of CR's rating has been total junk.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I have a review that would get rejected By CR AKA CNN , Put in service May 15 2013 Current Mileage 38K miles, Failed in tank pump at 213 miles (Yep the one in a Million) otherwise recalls only, NO CEL, naada Single problem in 5.5 Years. Also just like GB customers reporting 300K+ miles with just routine maintenance. on 6.7 Aisin combo With EGR DPF.

I guess I’m the odd man out on this subject.

 

[TCDiesel]

No surprise Heeeheeeee....... When are you coming....

 

[DHayden]

I tried to head off the Consumer Reports part in the original post as there have been multiple other articles that have the same result (Ram 3500 last). They may be affiliated in some way though. Glad to see by responses that its not as bad as they make it seem. Sure didnt seem that way to me but I havent had my 15 too long.