2018 lemon, HELP!!? Literally everything has gone wrong on this thing.

[FAAQ2]

Got this truck in February. Had 68K miles. EVERYTHING has gone wrong with it.
Obstructed / deformed gas tank - new tank & pump ( It would take over 10 minutes to fill)
passenger hub bearing - new ( it was wobbly and pulled right worse and worse after the test drive)
passenger manifold gasket - new (it was leaking to the point of smelling, again worse and worse after the test drive)
screen delaminating - replaced (sporadic, but I finally acquiesced because it was dialing 911 / SOS on me multiple times a day)

This all in the first 6 months / 20K miles.

NOW I sprung an exterior coolant leak in the passenger side head. I obviously need a new head & gasket etc.. Question is;
Do I do only the one side, or do I do both to keep things "balanced" or just get a new engine? It would dump an entire radiator in about 15 minutes, so I stopped driving it once I noticed and made it home.

NO warranty, dealer has given me the finger, considering a lawyer but I am wondering whether to do repairs first then pursue that avenue, or set the thing on fire for the insurance payment (not really, but I'm exasperated) or what say you?

If you test drove it - why did you buy it ?

 

[scackley]

Sounds like your vehicle was seriously abused then dumped...all of those issues are pretty serious, thankfully I have not had any of those issues and right at 200K miles....running strong.

 

[tap4154]

What engine does it have? I have a 2018 Tradesman with the V6, 55,000 miles, and the only issue I've had was the gas tank filler was too steep. Once I had that fixed everything's been fine, knock wood. I have received letters claiming that there's lemon issues with the 2018 Rams, but I haven't experienced any. It may only apply to certain engines or models.

 

[tap4154]

My 2018 also blew the passenger head gasket with an external leak although it was not as extreme as yours. It was still under warranty and the dealer installed a new head and gasket on that side only. I've put on nearly 40k miles since then with no issue. If it were my truck I'd probably just replace the side that is leaking.

Which engine?

 

[Hootbro]

I have often replaced just one shock or just one wheel bearing haha.

People seem to have the mindset when working on a car like they are going to run it 500,000 miles and keep it 50 years, when in reality it will likely be sold or traded within 5 anyways.

That being said I kept my last Ram to 300,000… and will try to do the same for this one… and I’ll still only ever replace what’s wrong.

There is some validity to that thinking. I remember reading years back about taxi cab companies that bought surplus 100K mile Police Crown Vics and put them into taxi service and regularly ran them 300K+ miles. Unless it was a regular service like spark plugs, there was no money saved replacing multiples under the guise of "while we are in here". Just replace what is broke and move on. Of course that was a rolling average across multiple vehicles.

 

[CamperMike]

Which engine?

5.7 and i assume op also has 5.7 with the complaint on exhaust manifold. The head gasket is not a common issue on the hemi though it does happen.

 

[tron67j]

I am one of the ones who had suggested to consider a new engine, but that is because no actual diagnostic has been done and only a guestimate as to what the issue(s) is/are. A full examination will be a few hundred dollars to find everything and make sure the best case scenario for a repair occurs but I would rather put that towards the engine.

Already have been in there once, had it overheat, and also don't know what, if any damage was done with that first repair. The truck has almost 90k miles and while an engine is expected to live much longer than that I would be concerned.

A used engine is cheaper but don't know if there are issues there. Could have existing engine rebuilt but that could be as expensive as buying one already remanufactured. A crate engine goes a bit more.

In the end it is the individual owner who has to make the decision. I would go new engine because I keep my trucks and want as close to 100% reliability as I can get and don't think the partial repair would be the best solution to get there.

 

[tron67j]

If an engine replacement is needed, follow this thread. https://www.ramforum.com/threads/yet-another-392-swap.219191/#post-3026841

 

[Bob Horowski]

Really a seven year old truck with 68k miles on it and the stealership did not have the " as is" in blaring neon lights on the sticker. They surely did not trust it to be reliable but YOU did and now you want to cite ct lemmon-like laws. Not trying to be overly harsh but man up to the real world you were given fair warning with the "as is" disclaimer and bought it anyway.