Any Particular Year?

[Tramppiper]

I'm looking to get a used 4th gen 4X4 Ram. Is there a particular year that has had problems I should stay away from? I currently have a 2020 1500 Limited with the diesel. We love it. Have 94k miles on it. But I need something i can take to the beach and be my fishing truck.

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

I'd focus on something pre covid, so 2019 and down

Something with the 8 speed so essentially certain 2013s or 2014 and up and

I'd avoid 2015 due to lots of canbus issues then decide on, am I going to tune? If yes, 2014, if no

2016
2017
2018.

Then I would decide do I have to have Android audio, if yes

2018.

Big decision tree. This is just the 1500 tree

This does not include the classic built after 2019

My humble opinion.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Make sure it dosent have that air suspension garbage.

 

[Mb7640]

My neighbor jas a 16 and had to replce the engine at 80k miles. I have a 21 since new now at 64k no issues

 

[Tramppiper]

I'd focus on something pre covid, so 2019 and down

Something with the 8 speed so essentially certain 2013s or 2014 and up and

I'd avoid 2015 due to lots of canbus issues then decide on, am I going to tune? If yes, 2014, if no

2016
2017
2018.

Then I would decide do I have to have Android audio, if yes

2018.

Big decision tree. This is just the 1500 tree

This does not include the classic built after 2019

My humble opinion.

that is great info, I had no idea of any of that. with that advice i think i will lean towards a 2018 at least.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Good choice.
2018 was the first year you need a Secure Gateway Access to access the OBD stuff. Little extra work, not a dealbreaker ...just letting you know. Some have said the EPS and the lifters were improved too. Good luck

 

[GTyankee]

The 2018 Ram 4th Generation, is called the CLASSIC, that means old body style

They only have 5 Lug Nuts per wheel

 

[CamperMike]

The 2018 Ram 4th Generation, is called the CLASSIC, that means old body style

They only have 5 Lug Nuts per wheel

No 2018 is not classic as they only sold the 4gen that year. That naming started in 2019 when the gen 5 rolled out.

 

[andymax]

If I were in your shoes I'd be looking at a Jeep Gladiator. Nothing wrong with a Ram 1500 of course, but for the job at hand, the jeep is pretty much there.

 

[markabby]

google search....​

Here Are The Dodge RAM 1500 Years To Avoid

You can save yourself some headaches by staying away from a few different years. Here are the Dodge RAM 1500 years to avoid.

www.copilotsearch.com

Dodge RAM 1500 Years To Avoid, based on recalls or problems. Not sure how accurate these are, and some people might say based on personal experience.​

I owned a 2011 ram 1500 and never had a single problem with it. Only changed the plugs at 95,000 miles. S0, maybe it's just a gamble and how well you take care of it.​

• 2003
• 2010-2013 (5.7-liter V8)
• 2014
• 2015
• 2016

then there's this one...


Here are the Ram 1500 years to avoid:
https://www.miloschusedcars.com/dodge-ram-1500-years-to-avoid/2019 Ram 1500

• 2016 Ram 1500
• 2015 Ram 1500
• 2014 Ram 1500
• 2002-2006 Dodge Ram

 

[GTyankee]

There was nothing wrong with the 2009 Dodge ram HEMI

except :
The exhaust manifold bolts breaking
&
the Pinion Nut backing off, because they did not put a GLUE Patch on a large number of them

 

[04fxdwgi]

That was interesting. The article states that the '16 MY had 16 recalls, 4 for power train.. Would be nice if they specified which models and power trains. Just too broad of a brush stroke if you ask me.

My 16 1500 had 3 recalls ( clock spring, tailgate lock and auto park mod (YUK)) and service 1 advisories (fuel tank straps and added extra 12 year warranty on that). That doesn't seem like enough to trash an entire brand for.

 

[mrack]

Does not matter one bit. Outside of what options you want, only real year difference is whether you want 09-12 or 13+, if it’s in the price range 13+ are much better trucks. Other then that it’s all speculation based on random peoples random experiences without any real consistency.

 

[mtofell]

I'm confused.... why can't you fish out of the current truck?

As for years to avoid - of course any that a poster has had a problem with and only go with the years that people haven't had problems with Not trying to be a smartass but a statistical study based on a sample size of 1 is completely and totally irrelevant. My 2014 has been through two trannies and an engine by 120K.... does that mean I should just stay away from 2014s?

 

[DILLIGAF]

Or you can put the best parts from 4 different years on your truck

 

[Tramppiper]

I'm confused.... why can't you fish out of the current truck?

As for years to avoid - of course any that a poster has had a problem with and only go with the years that people haven't had problems with Not trying to be a smartass but a statistical study based on a sample size of 1 is completely and totally irrelevant. My 2014 has been through two trannies and an engine by 120K.... does that mean I should just stay away from 2014s?

Its not that we cant... we currently do. It is just a "nicer" truck and not a 4X4 for driving on the sand. (which that comment alone will spark a whole other controversy. lol) I'm somewhat new to Ram and don't know the history of the vehicles. I'm only learning from what I see and hear. I take everything with a grain of salt. I kept hearing about the notorious "Hemi Tick" and wanted to make sure I know what I'm getting into before I jump in.

 

[Tramppiper]

If I were in your shoes I'd be looking at a Jeep Gladiator. Nothing wrong with a Ram 1500 of course, but for the job at hand, the jeep is pretty much there.

I never even thought about them to be honest. I'd definitely have to do some test rides to see how well I fit in them and how they ride/drive on a regular basis.
Thanks

 

[Burla]

Maybe the best truck ever made is 2012 ram, the 6 speed easy to work on and was a great bump in mpg's thanks to that year rfe. Step up to a 2500 and get the solid axle better yet. IMO the factory 3.92 gears with the 6 speed is sadly the best truck ever, I say sadly because we went away from quality and more to gimmicks in trucks. I mean the latest thread in 5 gen is how do I open my tailgate, lol.

The HO Cummins were some of the best pre def diesels ever made, built to last. Avoid the CA addition which was only avail year one I believe.

 

[huntergreen]

My 16 hemi big horn had the tailgate and open door recall. Other than that it’s been stellar. One glitch with lost power steering. Turned out to be a computer glitch and hasn’t happened again since. About 4 years.

 

[GTyankee]

CamperMike,
You are absolutely correct about when Ram began calling a 4TH Gen Ram a CLASSIC.

BUT, this world is not filled with Automotive Purists.

A very large group of ppl still call the 2013 & NEWER Rams, a DODGE RAM

The parts catalogs & Automotive Magazines are calling the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 through the last Ram 1500 that rolled off of the Warren Michigan Assembly Line a Ram Classic.

They are mostly wrong, but you will not change it, neither will I