7 months into ownership of a brand new 2024 and...

[Graffy93]

Greetings 5th gen gang,

First post, new member. I purchased Bender, my 2024 1500 GT Sport last summer, specifically end of August. I previously had a 2013 RAM 1500 Sport with 169,XXX km's. I was in a position to decide, continue money into my truck which served it's purpose and save money, or try out my first new vehicle. I couldn't resist when I got behind the wheel of the new RAM, it was just too damn sexy, lol. Overall, I love the interior and styling of the truck but, my experience thus far? I am pretty disappointed and concerned with the quality of this new RAM in contrast to my old one... In the last two months, I have now had 2 warranty claims; (thankfully successfull and without any major issues, kudos Dodge/MOPAR/Stellantis, wherever we're at now...!).

If you've read this far, thank you. The first, oh, 4000-5000 kilometers of owning the truck it was crisp, tight and a lovely experience. I had my first ever brand new vehicle and boy, proud as can be. I had it all equipped with my canopy, new DECKED system, all ready for my truck-box camping trips and hitching up to my boat (16ft Crestliner Kodiak with a 60HP 4-stroke, maybe 2500 lbs total? Don't know the exact weight but it's really easily towable by anything, ATV's included. (insert day 1 pic here )

Today the truck (Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac R/Ts, DECKED system, LEER Legend Canopy, that is all so far to this point)


I hit 8000 kilomteres and I came across my first experience. The first issue, 4WD. I was out ice fishing driving in 4x4HI going 20-30 kilometers per hour on a frozen lake with an average of 10-15cm of snow pack, driving on a packed down portion well travelled. Absolutely nothing crazy, normal conditions one would expect a truck to be able to handle no issues. Going along fine, I start to feel my rear tires digging in with no power up front. Thankfully, my dad was with me because he was in just as much shock as I was. I put her into reverse to wiggle my way out of the divot and my truck goes nowhere, only rear 2 wheels spinning. Me, confused at this point, looks down at my dashboard and it reads "4WD system overheated" or something along those lines, I don't really remember in the moment of anger/sadness/defeat. I then put my truck in park and have a moment/fit, get out and look underneath and I at first, notice nothing at all. I then walk behind my truck about 100 feet, and I see black grease everywhere. I think, "oh s***" to myself, and then I found a half of a broken, what appeared to be a gear. This was later found out to be half of a broken clutch pack. It should be noted there was absolutely no loud bang, pops, or indication anything even broke when I was driving. Needless to say, I got towed off the lake by a good samaritan who was genuinely as shocked as I was in the moment. I then contact MOPAR 24-HR Roadside, vehicle gets towed to dealer, no cost to me, this aspect was great to deal with and very helpful. Insert pic here of broken driveshaft area :


Truck goes to dealer. I get told it's my front driveshaft, they say it should be covered, thankfully this was. But, the experience of this left me without a truck for 3 weeks. I was originally told it would be done next day, a Wednesday. Wednesday comes, goes. Thursday comes, I reach out I'm told part hasn't shown up, fair enough. Friday comes, I get told part never showed up, extreme shortage in North America. I wait all day, end of day comes I'm told part located in Wyoming or something, to be expedited up first thing Monday morning, repaired that day. I think okay sweet, not so bad, I don't have to cancel my next weekend fishing trip. Monday comes, no part comes in, they tell me it never was shipped. I then reach out to Stellantis at this point, put forward their process and part gets located a week later, repaired and returned all in after 3 weeks. Sucked like hell, I live in rural Northern Canada, miserable without a loaner or anything. Oh well, life happens.

Fast forward, I go outside this Sunday to wash my truck and I notice on my driveway a dark spot. Hmm... I look up, I see sweat on my differential. I'm thinking, what the hell... maybe it's a seal that's bad? I then take it into dealership at 8:00 AM. Insert discovery pics here :




Dealer calls me less than 30 minutes of dropping it off and asks "Were you in an accident? Did you run over something?" I am left speechless at this point, completely caught off guard by the questions at this point as my vehicle has absolutely no damage anywhere on it. I then am told my differential has a crack in it and a piece missing. I am in utter disbelief at this point and I'm told it's uncertain if it will be warrantied this time as they had to converse with higher up's which I understood. Insert pics here :



Differential was replaced completely and part was ordered yesterday (Tuesday afternoon, had to be shipped up from wherever also) and I had the truck back by lunch time today (Wednesday). This was a welcomed surprise. Insert shiny new differential here:


I drive gravel roads, paved roads. I haven't done anything out of the ordinary that any half-ton truck would do, I am questioning myself right now. I am overall happy everything has been repaired and pleased I haven't had a big big nightmare with warranty so far. My front bumper looks like it was sandblasted, I can't believe the quality of paint on these trucks... anyone ever try to get warranty claim on this? I have the same thing happening on the sides of my bed already, no I have no off-set rims, I'm running a fully stock build. Insert bumper pic(s) here if I can add more photos:



These photos were taken today, Wednesday. Currently the truck sits at 11,438 kilometers. This is how my front bumper looks. Am I being overly particular? I mean, after 11,000 kilometers, I can only imagine what the rest of the paint is going to look like...

My questions/inquiries to everyone else, how's your ownership experience been? Like I said, I love RAM, I have been a loyal customer for almost 7 years now. My old 4th gen was in the shop once for my e-brake that snapped. I had nothing else go wrong on that truck besides routine maintenance. I did the exact same things with that truck I have done with this new one so far.

TLDR: Has RAM quality gone downhill, or am I just having a tough experience? Lol. Let's hear it! Thanks for the read.

 

[Graffy93]

Also, debating on purchasing this like right now as we speak. Anyone have this VICE plate? Appears to be a rock ****ing solid unit and priced well.

Front Differential & Steering Skid Plate | 5th Gen | 2019 - 2024 RAM 1500 & Rebel

These trucks aren't cheap, so protect your truck vitals by adding this upgraded skid plate. This Skid plate covers more than twice the area when compared to the dainty factory one it that comes on the RAM Rebel. Most 1500's do not have a protection plate at all! This skid plate helps protect...

www.vicedesign.ca

 

[HSKR R/T]

Greetings 5th gen gang,

First post, new member. I purchased Bender, my 2024 1500 GT Sport last summer, specifically end of August. I previously had a 2013 RAM 1500 Sport with 169,XXX km's. I was in a position to decide, continue money into my truck which served it's purpose and save money, or try out my first new vehicle. I couldn't resist when I got behind the wheel of the new RAM, it was just too damn sexy, lol. Overall, I love the interior and styling of the truck but, my experience thus far? I am pretty disappointed and concerned with the quality of this new RAM in contrast to my old one... In the last two months, I have now had 2 warranty claims; (thankfully successfull and without any major issues, kudos Dodge/MOPAR/Stellantis, wherever we're at now...!).

If you've read this far, thank you. The first, oh, 4000-5000 kilometers of owning the truck it was crisp, tight and a lovely experience. I had my first ever brand new vehicle and boy, proud as can be. I had it all equipped with my canopy, new DECKED system, all ready for my truck-box camping trips and hitching up to my boat (16ft Crestliner Kodiak with a 60HP 4-stroke, maybe 2500 lbs total? Don't know the exact weight but it's really easily towable by anything, ATV's included. (insert day 1 pic here )
View attachment 199718
Today the truck (Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac R/Ts, DECKED system, LEER Legend Canopy, that is all so far to this point)
View attachment 199720

I hit 8000 kilomteres and I came across my first experience. The first issue, 4WD. I was out ice fishing driving in 4x4HI going 20-30 kilometers per hour on a frozen lake with an average of 10-15cm of snow pack, driving on a packed down portion well travelled. Absolutely nothing crazy, normal conditions one would expect a truck to be able to handle no issues. Going along fine, I start to feel my rear tires digging in with no power up front. Thankfully, my dad was with me because he was in just as much shock as I was. I put her into reverse to wiggle my way out of the divot and my truck goes nowhere, only rear 2 wheels spinning. Me, confused at this point, looks down at my dashboard and it reads "4WD system overheated" or something along those lines, I don't really remember in the moment of anger/sadness/defeat. I then put my truck in park and have a moment/fit, get out and look underneath and I at first, notice nothing at all. I then walk behind my truck about 100 feet, and I see black grease everywhere. I think, "oh s***" to myself, and then I found a half of a broken, what appeared to be a gear. This was later found out to be half of a broken clutch pack. It should be noted there was absolutely no loud bang, pops, or indication anything even broke when I was driving. Needless to say, I got towed off the lake by a good samaritan who was genuinely as shocked as I was in the moment. I then contact MOPAR 24-HR Roadside, vehicle gets towed to dealer, no cost to me, this aspect was great to deal with and very helpful. Insert pic here of broken driveshaft area :
View attachment 199719

Truck goes to dealer. I get told it's my front driveshaft, they say it should be covered, thankfully this was. But, the experience of this left me without a truck for 3 weeks. I was originally told it would be done next day, a Wednesday. Wednesday comes, goes. Thursday comes, I reach out I'm told part hasn't shown up, fair enough. Friday comes, I get told part never showed up, extreme shortage in North America. I wait all day, end of day comes I'm told part located in Wyoming or something, to be expedited up first thing Monday morning, repaired that day. I think okay sweet, not so bad, I don't have to cancel my next weekend fishing trip. Monday comes, no part comes in, they tell me it never was shipped. I then reach out to Stellantis at this point, put forward their process and part gets located a week later, repaired and returned all in after 3 weeks. Sucked like hell, I live in rural Northern Canada, miserable without a loaner or anything. Oh well, life happens.

Fast forward, I go outside this Sunday to wash my truck and I notice on my driveway a dark spot. Hmm... I look up, I see sweat on my differential. I'm thinking, what the hell... maybe it's a seal that's bad? I then take it into dealership at 8:00 AM. Insert discovery pics here :
View attachment 199721
View attachment 199722


Dealer calls me less than 30 minutes of dropping it off and asks "Were you in an accident? Did you run over something?" I am left speechless at this point, completely caught off guard by the questions at this point as my vehicle has absolutely no damage anywhere on it. I then am told my differential has a crack in it and a piece missing. I am in utter disbelief at this point and I'm told it's uncertain if it will be warrantied this time as they had to converse with higher up's which I understood. Insert pics here :
View attachment 199723
View attachment 199724

Differential was replaced completely and part was ordered yesterday (Tuesday afternoon, had to be shipped up from wherever also) and I had the truck back by lunch time today (Wednesday). This was a welcomed surprise. Insert shiny new differential here:
View attachment 199725

I drive gravel roads, paved roads. I haven't done anything out of the ordinary that any half-ton truck would do, I am questioning myself right now. I am overall happy everything has been repaired and pleased I haven't had a big big nightmare with warranty so far. My front bumper looks like it was sandblasted, I can't believe the quality of paint on these trucks... anyone ever try to get warranty claim on this? I have the same thing happening on the sides of my bed already, no I have no off-set rims, I'm running a fully stock build. Insert bumper pic(s) here if I can add more photos:
View attachment 199726
View attachment 199727

These photos were taken today, Wednesday. Currently the truck sits at 11,438 kilometers. This is how my front bumper looks. Am I being overly particular? I mean, after 11,000 kilometers, I can only imagine what the rest of the paint is going to look like...

My questions/inquiries to everyone else, how's your ownership experience been? Like I said, I love RAM, I have been a loyal customer for almost 7 years now. My old 4th gen was in the shop once for my e-brake that snapped. I had nothing else go wrong on that truck besides routine maintenance. I did the exact same things with that truck I have done with this new one so far.

TLDR: Has RAM quality gone downhill, or am I just having a tough experience? Lol. Let's hear it! Thanks for the read.

If say the second issue was a complication from the first that didn't get addressed. Doesn't seem like too much overall.

As for the paint you said you drive gravel roads, that's going to be expected on a painted bumper. Get PPF done to help

 

[1923bob]

Bummer this is my second Ram and have had great luck with them.

 

[1791]

i wanted the painted bumper but i saw the chipped up bumpers and opted out.

 

[Chris3058]

Like others have said. Touch them up and get PPF.

 

[Montana_]

They ain't no 4th gens, that's for sure. Not a day goes by that I don't regret getting rid of my 2016. Hindsight is 20/20, but had I known back then what I know now, I'd have kept that truck until it literally falls apart.

Mine is a '22 w/ 27k and I'm on my 2nd transmission. Some other discrepancies I have are that I'm not happy I can't disable the double honk if the truck is running and I get out with the key on me. Interior lighting situation is total garbage unless I force the headlights on all the time - meaning half the time the controls aren't backlit and they should be. Rear windows gonna leak eventually, it's a VERY common issue. LED housing reverse lights suck. Constantly getting issues with my easy exit seat and having to reset it. And like you, I don't trust the 4WD in this truck. I suspect the transmission replacement won't solve whatever is causing it to bind or not properly engage/disengage after being in 4WD Auto, but I have no real need for it until winter... So no idea yet. I'm probably going to test it on some back roads here soon.

Transmission shift points are garbage. Even the new one unless it's been driven to the warmest temp it gets to just seems to hate anything between 2nd, 3rd and the stop and go when it's quick enough to be in those areas. The old one slipped badly. Real bad. And while this one isn't slipping, I still don't see it as normal behavior.

Part of me wants to be optimistic and I can overlook some of the small stuff like interior lighting and the double honk, but the rest tells me to run as soon as the warranty is up and not buy into an extended. Turn around for my transmission was quick, but who knows going into the future especially with this disaster of an administration and their tariff games. It certainly won't get easier to deal with Canada and Mexico which are where so many of our parts come from. Not trying to get political but it's a fact that worries me having already had a transmission replaced.

I dunno man, at this point it's a toss up across the board. Nothing is made to last beyond warranties and if you get something it feels like pure luck. Every vehicle Ive had since 2021 has been a problem one way or another. This includes two commuters and one truck. If I end up running from the RAM, whatever I get next will be a base model zero feature hybrid gas saver because I'm over it.

That's just my take. I like the truck but I'm having doubts. I don't think it's a RAM thing I think it's an every manufacturer thing.

 

[n8zcc]

My questions/inquiries to everyone else, how's your ownership experience been?

TLDR: Has RAM quality gone downhill, or am I just having a tough experience?

I've been in the RAM camp for twelve years and own two of the three new RAMs I've purchased. I've experienced quality slips with supplier parts, airbags, water pump, and the CP4 high-pressure fuel pump. What I have noticed is the dealership's service department sliding downhill. My first purchase was a 2013 Laramie, and the service department was much more useful and engaging then than it is now. I think the root cause is a deterioration between RAM and the dealerships. I currently have an issue with my electric steering system, which occasionally goes offline. There is a set of DTCs set, and the dealer has them, but they continue to blame my battery, even though the DTCs don't show that as a cause, and the truck is running and driving at the time the failures happen. I can't get anywhere with them to resolve the issue. It is maddening.

 

[HSKR R/T]

I've been in the RAM camp for twelve years and own two of the three new RAMs I've purchased. I've experienced quality slips with supplier parts, airbags, water pump, and the CP4 high-pressure fuel pump. What I have noticed is the dealership's service department sliding downhill. My first purchase was a 2013 Laramie, and the service department was much more useful and engaging then than it is now. I think the root cause is a deterioration between RAM and the dealerships. I currently have an issue with my electric steering system, which occasionally goes offline. There is a set of DTCs set, and the dealer has them, but they continue to blame my battery, even though the DTCs don't show that as a cause, and the truck is running and driving at the time the failures happen. I can't get anywhere with them to resolve the issue. It is maddening.

Have you replaced the battery?

 

[1791]

They ain't no 4th gens, that's for sure. Not a day goes by that I don't regret getting rid of my 2016. Hindsight is 20/20, but had I known back then what I know now, I'd have kept that truck until it literally falls apart.

Mine is a '22 w/ 27k and I'm on my 2nd transmission. Some other discrepancies I have are that I'm not happy I can't disable the double honk if the truck is running and I get out with the key on me. Interior lighting situation is total garbage unless I force the headlights on all the time - meaning half the time the controls aren't backlit and they should be. Rear windows gonna leak eventually, it's a VERY common issue. LED housing reverse lights suck. Constantly getting issues with my easy exit seat and having to reset it. And like you, I don't trust the 4WD in this truck. I suspect the transmission replacement won't solve whatever is causing it to bind or not properly engage/disengage after being in 4WD Auto, but I have no real need for it until winter... So no idea yet. I'm probably going to test it on some back roads here soon.

Transmission shift points are garbage. Even the new one unless it's been driven to the warmest temp it gets to just seems to hate anything between 2nd, 3rd and the stop and go when it's quick enough to be in those areas. The old one slipped badly. Real bad. And while this one isn't slipping, I still don't see it as normal behavior.

Part of me wants to be optimistic and I can overlook some of the small stuff like interior lighting and the double honk, but the rest tells me to run as soon as the warranty is up and not buy into an extended. Turn around for my transmission was quick, but who knows going into the future especially with this disaster of an administration and their tariff games. It certainly won't get easier to deal with Canada and Mexico which are where so many of our parts come from. Not trying to get political but it's a fact that worries me having already had a transmission replaced.

I dunno man, at this point it's a toss up across the board. Nothing is made to last beyond warranties and if you get something it feels like pure luck. Every vehicle Ive had since 2021 has been a problem one way or another. This includes two commuters and one truck. If I end up running from the RAM, whatever I get next will be a base model zero feature hybrid gas saver because I'm over it.

That's just my take. I like the truck but I'm having doubts. I don't think it's a RAM thing I think it's an every manufacturer thing.

it's all the manufactures. technology and government have made a simple thing complicated, because that's what they are good at, oh and getting every last spere penny from us. my 2014 civic didn't have clear coat in the trunk or under the hood and the body clear was thinner than even RAM's i see honda's now with the clear flaking off and i'm sure that was a cost cutting measure and even they have issues with the CVT. my VW was built much better than the honda however it had constant issues with the emissions system at 20k miles. my camaro ss aside from a heater core and the blend door issue they have because of cheap plastic was trouble free. now RAM has the expensive to fix e-torque and quite a few issues that have to be repaired at the dealer level and now they threw in a twin turbo motor in the truck. the power look's great on paper but i'm more in to simplicity, cost of repair and reliability. can you imagine the cost to keep the hurricane going after the warrantee expires let alone the trouble ya may have with modules. then finding a good technician that can diagnose and repair them. it's almost better to restore and restomod a old vehicle. but bank's don't finance that.
think about it plastic engine parts intakes, thermostat housings, the Germans-Mercedes made wire harnesses with biodegradable wire, BMW made main bearings a service item LOL.
give me a old car with relays and power distribution i can handle instead of sending a request to a module to turn on a headlight, turn signal, a/c. they sold front wheel drive as being good in the snow but it really just made it easier and cheaper to build the car increasing their profit margins.
we will catch up to the tech they are throwing in cars and then they will move it forward to put us back it's a game of cat and mouse.
"they" don't want you to own the plan is you lease turn it in get another so you keep paying them and stay in debt.
"YOU WILL OWN NOTHING AND BE HAPPY" is a phrase published by the World Economic Forum

 

[Driver]

Had a 2016 and ran 150k miles. Except a warranty tranny, never a problem. Have a 2024 with 13k miles and not one problem except a uconnect radio that acts up ocassionally. I'd think the rear problem was a one off.

 

[Graffy93]

Did a test fit today for my camp out setup. So excited, waiting on a quote for canopy work (water sealing, headliner, lock setup possibly powered but unsure based on cap model).

Spring is here. Old desk piece makes a perfect counter top.