2005 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 Laramie 5.9 diesel

Summary:

Bought the truck because of the diesel engine

Faults:

Front end ball joints, tie rods, many steering stabilizers, u-joints, crank sensor.

Map sensor.

Broken wires in driver's door hinge area.

Wiper transmission.

Front seats break down, wires break, cushioning wears out.

Changed electronic modulator valve causing weird shifting, and the fuel mileage improved 30%!!! The motor is awesome.

General Comments:

The truck's interior is of poor quality. The truck has developed the death wobble. Mechanics are telling me everything is tight. Shame on Dodge for not correcting this issue.

Otherwise the drive train has been very good.

Fenders are starting to rust after 8 years. Not too bad.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st August, 2014

2005 Dodge Ram Pickup SLT 5.9 diesel

Summary:

A real, reliable workhorse that could use a nicer cabin

Faults:

Camshaft position sensor failed at 48,000 miles.

Door seals replaced with re-designed parts under warranty at 11,000 miles.

General Comments:

This has been a great truck. Highway mileage has fallen from 21 mpg to 19mpg in the last 6 years, but it has only needed one minor repair so far since new. Otherwise, just fluid and filter changes. I still have the original tires, batteries and original front brake pads on it.

I do wish the interior were better quality; the cupholder in the dash squeaks, and one dash speaker buzzes sometimes. The optional (and expensive) Infinity 9 speaker stereo sounds only average, and definitely wasn't worth the cost of the option. Parts are sometimes outrageously expensive - I broke the driver's side trailer tow mirror, and the dealership wanted more than $400 just for the part! I've also found dealer maintenance pricing to be high, so I do my own routine maintenance and repair work.

Otherwise, it's been virtually trouble free, and will seat 5 in comfort for long distances while pulling a huge trailer and 2 motorcycles in the bed. I hope the next 6 years are as reliable as the first 6.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th July, 2011

2005 Dodge Ram Pickup Big Horn 5.9L turbo diesel

Summary:

Great truck, looking at buying another

Faults:

Worn drivers seat, improved from previous model though (cloth).

Squeaky brakes.

Takes a little longer than expected to warm up when cold out (10ºF to -20).

General Comments:

Very powerful, gets the job done easily.

Rides very smooth. Much better than comparable Ford and Chevy options.

Handles great for a truck, almost car like.

Picked it up for a bargain ($12,000 off listed MSRP).

Never gets stuck, not even when run through 4' of snow or doing some pretty difficult off-roading.

Doesn't perform as well as the previous body style.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th December, 2009

2005 Dodge Ram Pickup Laramie 5.9 turbo diesel

Summary:

Best truck I have ever owned

Faults:

Power drivers seat motor came apart at about 55,000 miles and dealer wanted $600 for the replacement unit not including installation (you cannot buy just the motor). I went on the Internet and found a dealer that would sell it to me wholesale for $300, and I installed it myself.

The chrome on the front grill is starting to bubble.

I replaced the shocks (Rancho 9000) on the truck at about 40,000 to see if it would soften the ride. It seems to have helped a little, but the truck never really rides smooth until you have a good size load on it.

General Comments:

Other than the issues listed, I have not had any problems with the truck.

I would say this is the best vehicle I have ever owned, and I've had a bunch.

I use the truck basically as my day to day transportation, and get just over 20 mpg in the city.

I also use the truck about once a month to go to the auto auction. I will pull a trailer and bring back whatever I purchase. The truck pulls with ease anything I can put on the 7000lb rated trailer.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th April, 2009

12th Jan 2012, 18:34

UPDATE: Truck now has just over 100K and is still running great. Mileage has gone up, so I am now averaging 23 mpg city and highway. Bluetooth option (Uconnect) went out at around 90K. Other than that, I have just replaced the regular maintenance items, tires, brakes, and batteries.