My New Purchase Story

[TradesmanGuy]

After plenty of research, it was a new Ram 1500 with the V6. This would be my first new (or old) vehicle in 17 years. WhooooHooo.

Here is my new Ram 1500 nightmare story. Sept 30 2025 I test drove the very basic Ram 1500. I wanted a good price and a solid truck. The Tradesman with the V6 and 305Hp was plenty enough for me. The day (01Oct25) I go to pick up my brand-new Ram 1500, they drive it around back to fill it with gas, check tire pressure, install floor mats, etc. They hooked it up to a diagnostic tester and it's blowing codes. 34 days later I finally get the new truck. It was a pinched major wiring harness, crushed between the cab and the frame, which caused shorts in all kinds of components. Over 12K in parts and labor to fix it, which Corporate Ram paid for completely. I was frustrated as I have never been before.

It works fine now, but I am wary. It's a beautiful truck and drives like a dream, so far...

Odd thing is this wiring harness required the cab to be lifted from the frame, removal of the dash and probably a lot of other things I wasn't told. Yet I can find zero evidence that the truck was worked on. Not a scratch or tool mark of any sort. It is like the mechanics were magic keebler elves or something.

I'm real happy with the truck but am constantly looking for the next shoe to drop. I'll add that I got a really good deal. 51K on the window sticker was discounted down to 39K, in part because the truck was a loaner and had 500 miles (which in my mind is nothing) and they gave me a grand over my trade-in's value, that I looked up online just before making the deal.

 

[Daw14]

it had 34 codes , but someone drove it for 500 miles .
And never said anything ?
Did you buy as new or used ?
Something smells fishy .

 

[TradesmanGuy]

it had 34 codes , but someone drove it for 500 miles .
And never said anything ?
Did you buy as new or used ?
Something smells fishy .

34 Days.

Initially the problem was intermittent. Nearing the final fix the problem became constant (tis was a good thing -- the animal was trapped). I was surprised that I did not notice any problems during my test drive, again it was intermittent and first exposed itself as an ABS problem.

After a couple of weeks, the dealership/service manager admitted they were a bit baffled. A Chrysler engineer from a larger city had to come out and help diagnose the real culprit. Everything happened in slow motion as none of the parts were on hand, and even when next-day shipped would take a day or two longer than expected.

 

[Daw14]

I suppose it’s my reading comprehension that’s fishy .

 

[Dredger]

After plenty of research, it was a new Ram 1500 with the V6. This would be my first new (or old) vehicle in 17 years. WhooooHooo.

Here is my new Ram 1500 nightmare story. Sept 30 2025 I test drove the very basic Ram 1500. I wanted a good price and a solid truck. The Tradesman with the V6 and 305Hp was plenty enough for me. The day (01Oct25) I go to pick up my brand-new Ram 1500, they drive it around back to fill it with gas, check tire pressure, install floor mats, etc. They hooked it up to a diagnostic tester and it's blowing codes. 34 days later I finally get the new truck. It was a pinched major wiring harness, crushed between the cab and the frame, which caused shorts in all kinds of components. Over 12K in parts and labor to fix it, which Corporate Ram paid for completely. I was frustrated as I have never been before.

It works fine now, but I am wary. It's a beautiful truck and drives like a dream, so far...

Odd thing is this wiring harness required the cab to be lifted from the frame, removal of the dash and probably a lot of other things I wasn't told. Yet I can find zero evidence that the truck was worked on. Not a scratch or tool mark of any sort. It is like the mechanics were magic keebler elves or something.

I'm real happy with the truck but am constantly looking for the next shoe to drop. I'll add that I got a really good deal. 51K on the window sticker was discounted down to 39K, in part because the truck was a loaner and had 500 miles (which in my mind is nothing) and they gave me a grand over my trade-in's value, that I looked up online just before making the deal.

It sounds to me like the dealer service department knew what they were doing if you can't find any signs they were there. It also seems the sales department treated you well, too. Hang on to that dealer and enjoy your new ride! To be honest, I may have tried to back out of the deal somewhere within those 34 days - I'm not sure my nerves could have handled that well

 

[TradesmanGuy]

It sounds to me like the dealer service department knew what they were doing if you can't find any signs they were there. It also seems the sales department treated you well, too. Hang on to that dealer and enjoy your new ride! To be honest, I may have tried to back out of the deal somewhere within those 34 days - I'm not sure my nerves could have handled that well

Thanks. I experience all emotions and am happy it all worked out.

 

[Mojo88]

Thanks. I experience all emotions and am happy it all worked out.

Interesting story.... Sounds like you're all set now. Good luck with it. Keep us posted.

Did they give you any sort of expanded warranty????

 

[Grams]

I had a very similar experience. In Jan ‘13 I bought a 1500 Tradesman with 44 miles on it from Grapevine CDJR and at 400 miles intermittent codes appeared/desappeared.
It was diagnosed as a pinched harness and the repair was undetectable, tho’ it took a few days.

Twelve years and 220K miles later … never had another issue …. it was great truck ….until Mr. Alzheimers ran a red light and totaled another truck and mine.

 

[TradesmanGuy]

Interesting story.... Sounds like you're all set now. Good luck with it. Keep us posted.

Did they give you any sort of expanded warranty????

Nope, not even a hat or a key-chain. They put in a lot of work and the low price and above trade-in price made it all good. The trade-in was a 2008 Toyota FJ, that I had been fixing regularly. I owned it since new, and after 17 years about everything was slowly becoming an issue. If I had a lift I could have kept on maintaining it, but the days of using a creeper and slipping under the vehicle are over for me, or very rare. A new Truck was over due. All-in-all, I'm happy.

 

[turkeybird56]

Nope, not even a hat or a key-chain. They put in a lot of work and the low price and above trade-in price made it all good. The trade-in was a 2008 Toyota FJ, that I had been fixing regularly. I owned it since new, and after 17 years about everything was slowly becoming an issue. If I had a lift I could have kept on maintaining it, but the days of using a creeper and slipping under the vehicle are over for me, or very rare. A new Truck was over due. All-in-all, I'm happy.

Happiness and peace of mind is where it is at. Why I have the Maxcare warranty, but mine is timing out 1 August, so now gotta see wat are the alternatives.

Glad to hear the dealership in your opinion did U well. Now drive it and keep up the maintenance with good products.

 

[TRK_GANG74]

After plenty of research, it was a new Ram 1500 with the V6. This would be my first new (or old) vehicle in 17 years. WhooooHooo.

Here is my new Ram 1500 nightmare story. Sept 30 2025 I test drove the very basic Ram 1500. I wanted a good price and a solid truck. The Tradesman with the V6 and 305Hp was plenty enough for me. The day (01Oct25) I go to pick up my brand-new Ram 1500, they drive it around back to fill it with gas, check tire pressure, install floor mats, etc. They hooked it up to a diagnostic tester and it's blowing codes. 34 days later I finally get the new truck. It was a pinched major wiring harness, crushed between the cab and the frame, which caused shorts in all kinds of components. Over 12K in parts and labor to fix it, which Corporate Ram paid for completely. I was frustrated as I have never been before.

It works fine now, but I am wary. It's a beautiful truck and drives like a dream, so far...

Odd thing is this wiring harness required the cab to be lifted from the frame, removal of the dash and probably a lot of other things I wasn't told. Yet I can find zero evidence that the truck was worked on. Not a scratch or tool mark of any sort. It is like the mechanics were magic keebler elves or something.

I'm real happy with the truck but am constantly looking for the next shoe to drop. I'll add that I got a really good deal. 51K on the window sticker was discounted down to 39K, in part because the truck was a loaner and had 500 miles (which in my mind is nothing) and they gave me a grand over my trade-in's value, that I looked up online just before making the deal.

Enjoy your truck and it sounds like you have a competent service dept.

 

[JJEH]

Did they give you a loaner vehicle?

 

[TradesmanGuy]

Did they give you a loaner vehicle?

They loaned me my trade-in.

 

[JJEH]

They loaned me my trade-in.

Yes, that happens a lot. But it's good, because they keep you mobile. Looks like they are a good dealership.