1996 Dodge Ram Pickup SLT 318/5.2L
Summary:
Possibly an isolated experience, but my 4x2 truck has been GREAT
Faults:
Headlights went out at 90k (all others still good).
Starter went out after 150k miles (constant starting at construction sites contributed to this - I'm not upset).
Fuel pump went out at 180k miles (on interstate next-to-nowhere, still not too upset - whistling should have given me a clue).
Water Pump went out at 190k (replaced myself, not upset).
Transmission started slipping or churning in reverse at about 199k, just recently went into "limp-home" mode. (not upset after 237k miles, but I'm hoping to get a good fix as the engine is running well).
Passenger seat adjustment springs failed after 150k (weren't used much).
Cat Converter went out just after 100k (I was upset about that, because I could have gotten Dodge to repair that when I first started hearing the rattle of the cover... per a mechanic who noticed the problem after I had more than 100k miles).
General Comments:
The truck has been a pleasure to own. Unfortunately, many friends bought the same color scheme, but in a 4x4. Every single one of them had transmission problems within a year of owning their trucks. I have not met anyone who has owned a Dodge 4x4, '94 up to 2k gas burner who hasn't had a major problem with their tranny.
The 318 engine has been great. I use bosch platinum plugs instead of the champions that are OEM (I can tell the difference in vehicle response... oops, I could tell the difference before my tranny problems). I am hoping to repair this tranny soon (with an out-op-pocket cost of less than $1500...doing a lot of web searching).
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 19th October, 2004