2019 Ram 1500 Starter Failure at 98k miles

[mikeru]

Remember often replacing alternators, water pumps, fuel pumps, starters, etc.? Buying rebuilt replacements to save money? Spark plugs, points, condenser and cap every 10 - 12 thousand miles?

When I was young, my father would travel on vacation with us, carrying spare heater hoses, radiator hoses, fan belts, and a tuneup kit with tools for repairs on the road.

You just described my late teens up through my early 30's

 

[Burla]

Back then you could usually repair most issues on the side of the road with a set of simple hand tools

duck tape will get you home most the time...

 

[2019RamInSC]

What I wanna know is what the hell kind of starter does a 5th gen have that its $880 lol? Just did one months back in my 2014 for $130 I dont work on 5th gens yet so i must be missing something? but as mentioned above nearly 100k on a starter is on par.

Same kind of starter as the $500 key fob.

 

[Weebear]

Yeah, it often makes me wonder, in a world where everything is made cheaper, how starters, alternators, water pumps, etc. last so long? I remember same as you..... starters lasted a couple years at best. Alternators? Pretty much the same. Every other oil change I was messing with something.

I hear statements like this but they make me wonder if I am simply an anomaly.

I had an '86 Dodge Daytona that went 120k+, a 1990 Jeep Wrangler YJ that went 145k+ and a 2006 Honda Ridgeline that went 140k+ - and none of them needed a new starter.

I also had a 1974 Chevelle which I got in 1984 and a 1978 Alfa Romeo Veloce which I got in 1985 - both of which I put in excess of 30k+ miles (ending at well over 100k miles on each) on with no new starter needed (granted, I cannot state definitively that neither of these vehicles had a starter replaced before I owned either).

 

[crazy jerry]

what does mileage have to do with how long a starter lasts. oh ya nothing really.
i got 20yr from a toyota denso in my car. no telling how many starts and stops it did. solenoid died. the machanical bits were still fine

 

[Dusty]

duck tape will get you home most the time...

That's what Red Green would do!!

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 130066 miles.

 

[1stindoor]

I just put a new one in my 2023 2500. It happens, took it to the shop because I didn't have the time to fix it myself and didn't feel like waiting until the weekend (when I should be fishing...not fixing). Cost about $500. For what it's worth, I have 37,000 miles on mine.

 

[Jim Carelas]

Just posting to vent about my lousy experience with Ram customer service.

About a week ago, my truck wouldn’t start when I went to leave work. After checking the battery, attempting to jump it , etc. I determined it was the starter. A few taps with a hammer later the truck was running. I called my local dealer to confirm that my CPO warranty would cover the replacement and was told that it should be covered.

Fast forward to today, I drop the truck off for my service appointment and about an hour later I get the call that it is the starter and it is not covered under warranty. So I called customer service to see if they would help.

After being transferred a few times, I got to a representative who told me that Ram would assist with the cost ($880) of replacement. They told me to have the dealer put in a “Cost Assistance Claim” with Stellantis.

The dealer puts in for the claim and it gets rejected with a message saying that the vehicle is not eligible. I then reach back out to customer service, get the same rep who after 2 holds and a discussion with his supervisor determines that the vehicle is not eligible. He is not able to tell me the parameters.

Anyway, all this to say, I don’t think I’ll be purchasing another FCA/Stellantis/whatever company buys them next vehicle again.

Thanks for listening to my rant. All the best. So pissed I’m dumping so much money on a repair I could have completed myself in my driveway for around $200.

I have a 2019 Ram 1500 Big Horn. I would have tripled checked if I was told my Warranty would cover the starter. Then have it in writing if told it would be covered.!!!

 

[Marshall]

duck tape will get you home most the time...

Back before I ever seen duck tape, Hay wire was the hi tec fix of choice,
Usally the min problem when fixing , it is always at night , was trying to keep the lighter going in the wind as you changed a belt or hose, who ever carried a light?
Always carried lots of tool kit ( hammer) and a spare, sometimes even put some air in it.

I am really pissed with Ram as I just had to change the battery on my 2014 at 90242 KM.
Think it is a little past warranty.
BTW it was OK till I scared it to death with WM's load tester.
That cost me $100 in service , I am a bit broken up with that part.

 

[capsfloyd]

My 2020 Lonestar crewcab , hemi has 181,000 miles
In 2 weeks. Water pump went out . Maxcare covered ( 7 yrs unlimited miles )
Next Starter went out . Going over to Ram in Arlington Tx , service engine light came on . Covered under max care .
Found out fill neck , sensor , something else had to be replaced , covered under warranty


This truck replaced my 2009 Lonestar crewcab , hemi .
When I sold it 442,150 miles . Original power train and starter .

I told the service writer next on 2020 will be fuel pump , he laughed .
I have the list on my 2009 when certain items failed .

 

[Wild one]

Back before I ever seen duck tape, Hay wire was the hi tec fix of choice,
Usally the min problem when fixing , it is always at night , was trying to keep the lighter going in the wind as you changed a belt or hose, who ever carried a light?
Always carried lots of tool kit ( hammer) and a spare, sometimes even put some air in it.

I am really pissed with Ram as I just had to change the battery on my 2014 at 90242 KM.
Think it is a little past warranty.
BTW it was OK till I scared it to death with WM's load tester.
That cost me $100 in service , I am a bit broken up with that part.

Sorry about that

 

[Antone]

Heck, I'd expect a price like that, or worse, at a dealer. We all know dealer prices are usually outrageous. As you say, you coulda done it yourself for ~$200.

I think you're being a little too hard on FCA, it sounds like they tried. As @06 Dodge already mentioned, you should have confirmed the “Cost Assistance Claim” prior to the work, if you were that concerned.

Anyway, I think you made out OK. JMHO of course. I have a 2019 Longhorn and just love it. Good luck with yours!

Hahaha...Monday morning quarterbacks. Always have the woulda, coulda, shoulda answers. NO ONE would ask the Dealer if he were indeed telling the truth! Hilarious!