Interesting conversation with a Ram technician at dealer service dept.

hiddentacocatneddih · Jul 24, 2023

If it was a eco diesel, it's an exception.

Those have been failing left and right and ram has been covering them to cover their tails.

Robfnk · Jul 24, 2023

Hay Dude said:
When I bought my Ram 3 &1/2 years ago, I decided I would take it to the dealer for maintenance/repairs and follow strict maintenance schedule. I repair everything else (tractors, farm equipment, trailers) myself, to the degree I can, but I decided to have the Ram maintained at the dealer. I would NOT have done this if the dealer didn’t have a great service department and I trusted them.

Today, I went in for a small recall and yes, some maintenance (that I could do myself). Talked to my tech for a bit while he was doing work on my Ram. In his 2nd bay next to my truck was a Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. The cab was lifted off. Looked like big trouble. The diesel seized in it at 156,000 miles. It was far beyond it’s 100K warranty. New EcoDiesel was $19,000 installed!! Thats insane. The tech then dropped a bomb on me. All covered and paid for, even at 56,000 miles past warranty!! I was in disbelief. The tech went on to tell me that the owner of it bought it there and brought his truck to the dealer for every step of maintenance. The tech explained he sent all the service records to the local Ram service rep for our area and he approved a complete new engine installation.

He went on to tell me that over 90% of customers out of warranty are given the same treatment so long as they follow the strict maintenance schedule from Ram and do the maintenance as much as possible at the selling dealership service dept. He went on to tell me that should I have a failure out of warranty, it’s VERY likely I will receive the same preferential treatment because I used the dealers service department.

I had no reason not to believe him.

Anyone else like dealer service?

That is amazing. You are very fortunate to have a great dealer. I have a 2018 Ram diesel that I purchased new. It has been back more times than I can count. Was there 3-5 days almost every time and it only has 45,000 miles on it. Has been electronics or pollution devices most of the time. If I had to pay the price they had on their bills I couldn't afford the vehicle. Now my warranty and extended warranty are done. The service work is expensive ($400) for a fuel filter so I do some of the maintenance myself. I would rather take it someplace but there are no good reasonable priced mechanics in our area. A friends diesel broke down and was told a minimum of 3 months before they could get it in to look at it. Crazy.

Hay Dude · Jul 24, 2023

hiddentacocatneddih said:
If it was a eco diesel, it's an exception.

Those have been failing left and right and ram has been covering them to cover their tails.

IMO, they (Ford, Ram) should have done their homework better. None of the 1/2 ton diesels are a huge success. Fords is toast, too.

GM doing much better with their 3L duramax and even bumped the power 10% for 2023.

I’d still rather have a dealer that gives some damage control beyond warranty than one who doesn’t, no matter what the brand.

Maybe a good question to ask when you buy a new truck is if the service department is willing to fix things beyond the warranty IF you bring the vehicle to them for service?

I found out by accident in my case. I had no idea they would offer that.

Rbertalotto · Jul 24, 2023

When I bought my 2019 ram I bought a seven year unlimited mile warranty for $1700 when I traded it in on a 2021 ram I was sent a check for $1500 as I have never used the warranty and they re-purchased the warranty for seven years, unlimited mileage on the new truck. it covers everything but tires, brake pads and windshield wipers. All I have to do is show that maintenance was done either at a ram dealer or independent using the proper oils and lubricants.

Hay Dude · Jul 24, 2023

hiddentacocatneddih said:
If it was a eco diesel, it's an exception.

Those have been failing left and right and ram has been covering them to cover their tails.

That’s confusing.

You say it’s an “exception” (as in an exception to cover them), then you say ”they have been failing left and right and ram has been covering them to cover their tails”, which is NOT an exception.

MD2595 · Jul 24, 2023

If you've paid for several years of dealership work, you could have paid for an entire powertrain replacement. Just sayin

Hay Dude · Jul 24, 2023

MD2595 said:
If you've paid for several years of dealership work, you could have paid for an entire powertrain replacement. Just sayin

Well a new diesel option is $9,500 and goes up every year.
After 3&1/2 years, I have paid maybe $1,000-$1,500 for oil changes (engine, transmission, etc.) and replacement fuel filters. So I have a long long way to go before I get to $9,500.

Even DIY diesel oil changes are gettin expensive.
I do all oil changes on all my farm tractors and other equipment. 20 quarts of oil and a filter is $150+.
Just sayin.

slingworks · Jul 24, 2023

Hay Dude said:
When I bought my Ram 3 &1/2 years ago, I decided I would take it to the dealer for maintenance/repairs and follow strict maintenance schedule. I repair everything else (tractors, farm equipment, trailers) myself, to the degree I can, but I decided to have the Ram maintained at the dealer. I would NOT have done this if the dealer didn’t have a great service department and I trusted them.

Today, I went in for a small recall and yes, some maintenance (that I could do myself). Talked to my tech for a bit while he was doing work on my Ram. In his 2nd bay next to my truck was a Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. The cab was lifted off. Looked like big trouble. The diesel seized in it at 156,000 miles. It was far beyond it’s 100K warranty. New EcoDiesel was $19,000 installed!! Thats insane. The tech then dropped a bomb on me. All covered and paid for, even at 56,000 miles past warranty!! I was in disbelief. The tech went on to tell me that the owner of it bought it there and brought his truck to the dealer for every step of maintenance. The tech explained he sent all the service records to the local Ram service rep for our area and he approved a complete new engine installation.

He went on to tell me that over 90% of customers out of warranty are given the same treatment so long as they follow the strict maintenance schedule from Ram and do the maintenance as much as possible at the selling dealership service dept. He went on to tell me that should I have a failure out of warranty, it’s VERY likely I will receive the same preferential treatment because I used the dealers service department.

I had no reason not to believe him.

Anyone else like dealer service?

It must vary by location and dealer....

I had a VW Golf 1.8tdi once....VW had a very generous rust repair warranty on that model. Mine developed the "rust" damage that was common defect of that model (Rusting from the inside out-apparently the sound padding they used caused paint wear and rust and hence even a factory service bulletin on it) the dealer told me to get lost. He said even though it was under warranty, they felt it was going to be too expensive to repair. I appealed it directly to VW and they confirmed that while it should be covered by the warranty, they would leave the decision up to the local dealership and let it stand.

I know another Ford Dealership that charged my Grandfather 3500 to replace a bad wheel cylinder and rear brakes on his Taurus....I happened to be in town and went to the dealership and demanded all the "bad" parts back. I did get them back. One leaking wheel cylinder and brand new looking drums and shoes. THey cut the bill down to 1500 and I told him never go back there again.

In 30 years of driving I've worked on all of my own vehicles INCLUDING those I've bought new. It's good Ram is taking such good care of customers in your area and I'm glad to hear it. My next vehicle may be a Ram Promaster. As far as engine costs, we have a couple HIGH END salvage yards that have super low mileage engines and transmissions (as in 10-15k miles on average). I'd go that route if I need a motor. 5 years ago I bought a 5 year old Ram CV with a bad trans at a Ritchie Bros auction. Went to a high end junkyard, Bought a trans for it for $600 w/11k miles on it A day of work and I had it on the road. Still have that one and 250k miles later very few issues.

Hay Dude · Jul 24, 2023

I’m sure it’s a way of encouraging dealer service. There’s no doubt about it.
But seeing a very expensive engine replaced beyond warranty and hearing what the tech said was encouraging.
One other thing I liked is that he was an owner of a 2018 3500, tows an lot and knew the trucks in and out.