POLL: Ram quality and reliability - perception vs. reality

[bigoldthor]

The 5th gen Ram has won a lot of awards since its launch, and rightfully so. It's an impressive automobile, let alone truck...well thought-out, designed, and assembled (for the most part). Notwithstanding some of the recurring complaints we have seen on here, it seems overall to have good build quality and reasonable reliability as compared to the other domestics (at least according to seemingly objective and reputable 3rd party reviewers.) BTW, check out Ford, Chevy, GMC, Nissan, and even Toyota message boards if you don't think they have their own recurring problems, too.

My question is this: do you think there is (still) an overall market perception that Ram is lower quality or less reliable than Ford and Chevy/GMC? If so, is it fair? Why or why not? Remember, this is about your opinion of market perception, not your personal feelings. I am not looking for confirmation bias or anything like that. Stuff like this just really interests me.

(Disclaimer: I *love* my Ram so far and am thrilled with my switch from F150s...not so much because of dissatisfaction with the Fords as much as how impressed I was with the new Ram. It was essentially a pull vs. a push, if you will.)

 

[GRAYWOLF]

Reputation (right or wrong) is rather persistent with those who don't bother to stay up to date.

I have never had more trouble free vehicles than my last 4 (all ChryCo)...except for a reg cab manual F150.

The media likes to play favorites, as well.

Overall, I don't think there is much real difference in reliability.

Every "all new" makeover has technical issues/bugs that have to be worked out the first model year or two.

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[SD Rebel]

I was worried about overall quality coming from a different brand regarding FCA. But I've been impressed with my truck so far, flawless pretty much inside and out, right up there with even premium brands I've owned and all other truck brands I've owned and used in the past.

 

[Pressgrove]

My perception of Ram (and all FCA products) was Lagging a LITTLE vs. the competition prior to buying this truck. For many years I declared I'd never own one.

The style, options, and price of this truck won me over. My experience, plus the knowledge that I've gained here in this forum, has raised MY perception to About the same as the domestics.

I've always been a Toyota/Honda/Consumer reports fan regarding quality and reliability, but there's a lot more parity between brands now and the gap keeps getting smaller. Every automaker has the occasional blunder (Takata airbags anyone?), but overall the trend has improved significantly.

All that said, I love this truck and am quite happy with my purchase.

 

[dgreen1069]

I owned a 2015 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon for two years and a 2016 Dodge Charger Hellcat for three years and neither vehicle went back to the dealer for anything. I didn't keep either vehicle long enough to know the long term reliability, but two for two ain't bad. I bought a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon this past October. Hopefully it holds up just as well.

 

[21TRX]

best truck in the game

 

[bigoldthor]

best truck in the game
View attachment 47117

While I completely agree, I'm trying to get a feel for what we think the "Market" perception is. I feel (maybe incorrectly) that old perceptions die hard and the buying public still sees Ram as "Dodge" and inferior. I think most of us think differently. Of course, "the market" speaks with its wallet, and a lot of folks are moving over to Ram, which suggests that maybe those old perceptions are in fact changing.

Edited to add: gorgeous truck, @REB12HK.

 

[SD Rebel]

While I completely agree, I'm trying to get a feel for what we think the "Market" perception is. I feel (maybe incorrectly) that old perceptions die hard and the buying public still sees Ram as "Dodge" and inferior. I think most of us think differently. Of course, "the market" speaks with its wallet, and a lot of folks are moving over to Ram, which suggests that maybe those old perceptions are in fact changing.

Edited to add: gorgeous truck, @REB12HK.

I've been a Ford guy for so long, in fact I still see myself as one, however I never honestly saw the RAM as a cheap alternative, just an alternative to the established Ford vs Chevy. Like a Dr Pepper to Ford's Coke and Chevy's Pepsi. Though RAM dealer's have always been known to put more money on the hood to get a sale over other brands.

FCA has historically been known for quality control issues over the years, but it's been mostly seen as something to expect on their cheaper coupes, sedans or minivans, not really their trucks.

 

[GRAYWOLF]

While I completely agree, I'm trying to get a feel for what we think the "Market" perception is. I feel (maybe incorrectly) that old perceptions die hard and the buying public still sees Ram as "Dodge" and inferior. I think most of us think differently. Of course, "the market" speaks with its wallet, and a lot of folks are moving over to Ram, which suggests that maybe those old perceptions are in fact changing.

Edited to add: gorgeous truck, @REB12HK.

Hell, most folks (even in the industry) don't know RAM is not Dodge...

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[BING]

It seems to me that the market perception has started to trend upward. Specifically because of all the good PR the 5th gens are getting. Truck of the year and what not. Whether that’s just my own confirmation bias because I’m head over heels for this truck, who knows? But it seems like the stigma of the Rams (can’t speak on FCA as a whole) being lower quality or gimmicky is slowly starting to shift. Just taking my local observations as an example, the overwhelming majority of trucks parked in the wealthy neighborhoods has always been King Ranch F-150s. ALWAYS. And they likely still are the majority. But I’ve started to notice more and more of these 5th gens sitting in the driveways of the same neighborhoods. Does that say anything about the market perception? I have no idea. Maybe I’m just noticing more of them because I own one? I believe that’s called the Bader-Meinhof theory? Anyways, just my thoughts on the OPs question.

One last point on why I think perception might be on the upswing...and this is 100% anecdotal...

My dad. He’s a Ford man through and through. I mean die hard. And there’s no changing that. BUT. Since the day I bought this truck, he has commented on how much he likes my “Dodge” (he refuses to acknowledge that Ram is the manufacturer) every time I see him. He asks to drive it if we go somewhere, says it rides better than an old Cadillac, and calls me the “big shot” with the fancy truck. But he still hates the shifter knob.


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[drstein]

Spent most of the 80s at a GM dealer. You could usually assume anyone in a Plymouth/Dodge/Chrysler product was upside down, and not alittle, ALOT. Trade and Resale on them was horrendous. Last decade I have had new 3 series, 5 series, and 6 series BMWs. When time came to get out of my 5 last year, the Dealers were acting like they were doing me a favor, plus holding tons of profit. So I thought, what do I want to drive. NEVER thought I'd be in a FCA product, ever, yet here I am. And the truck is a hoot to drive. Especially after the Helwig sway bar. Now it corners like a BMW........almost !

 

[bigoldthor]

It seems to me that the market perception has started to trend upward. Specifically because of all the good PR the 5th gens are getting. Truck of the year and what not. Whether that’s just my own confirmation bias because I’m head over heels for this truck, who knows? But it seems like the stigma of the Rams (can’t speak on FCA as a whole) being lower quality or gimmicky is slowly starting to shift. Just taking my local observations as an example, the overwhelming majority of trucks parked in the wealthy neighborhoods has always been King Ranch F-150s. ALWAYS. And they likely still are the majority. But I’ve started to notice more and more of these 5th gens sitting in the driveways of the same neighborhoods. Does that say anything about the market perception? I have no idea. Maybe I’m just noticing more of them because I own one? I believe that’s called the Bader-Meinhof theory? Anyways, just my thoughts on the OPs question.

One last point on why I think perception might be on the upswing...and this is 100% anecdotal...

My dad. He’s a Ford man through and through. I mean die hard. And there’s no changing that. BUT. Since the day I bought this truck, he has commented on how much he likes my “Dodge” (he refuses to acknowledge that Ram is the manufacturer) every time I see him. He asks to drive it if we go somewhere, says it rides better than an old Cadillac, and calls me the “big shot” with the fancy truck. But he still hates the shifter knob.


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Well said. The first two paragraphs are my thoughts exactly. The story about your dad is amusing in a good way. I could see my late father (RIP, dad) doing exactly the same thing as he was a died in the wool, true blue, Ford man through and through. I guess that's where I got my Ford-ness, though I did have good luck with them my whole life. Well, except for a used POS '82 Escort I owned. After three cracked heads, I sold her for next to nothing and moved on.

 

[SpeedyV]

Just taking my local observations as an example, the overwhelming majority of trucks parked in the wealthy neighborhoods has always been King Ranch F-150s. ALWAYS. And they likely still are the majority.

I've observed a similar phenomenon, and I think it's an example of the "herd" mentality, i.e. Ford sells the most, therefore they must be the best.

I come from a family that owned primarily GMC and Chevy trucks for decades. I've observed the brand loyalty. But over the past ten years, my dad and brother have owned a few Ram 2500s (both diesel and gas), and they've been pleased with them. I suppose that gave me a little more familiarity with Ram, and I already had a favorable impression of Cummins from our farm equipment.

What I have found surprising is the perception of price. I've always thought of a Sierra Denali or F-150 Limited as being "top of class" in pickup trucks, but—strangely—I've had quite a few recent conversations with GMC and Ford owners that assume Ram trucks cost more. I don't know where that (false) perception comes from...maybe the top-shelf interiors and all the awards?

I was fortunate to have the ability to shop for whatever I wanted when replacing my 15-year-old GMC. And I was open to all brands, despite my ownership history. I had been looking at trucks for a couple of years, but I found the designs uninspiring. In 2018, at the Dallas auto show, I took a hard look at the 2019 F-150 Limited and King Ranch, as well as the "all-new" Ram 1500 Limited and Laramie Longhorn. I just didn't find the F-150s particularly interesting.

The Ford F-250 Super Duty King Ranch and Platinum and Chevy 2500HD High Country were also in the running, as I was used to driving 3/4-ton trucks. But the larger trucks compromised creature comforts for capability, and I decided that comfort was going to be important this time around. Otherwise, I'd likely be driving a 2020 F-250 Super Duty King Ranch or Platinum with the 7.3L V8 and 4.30 rear end!

In the end, the 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn was the first truck I'd seen in years that "put it all together" for me—from the exterior grille, lighting, and wheels to the (outstanding) black/saddle interior and 12" UConnect with HK system. The design was compelling enough to convince me to place an order in May 2018, and the rest is history. I hardly notice those F-150s anymore...

 

[Danny_TheHouseCook]

While I completely agree, I'm trying to get a feel for what we think the "Market" perception is. I feel (maybe incorrectly) that old perceptions die hard and the buying public still sees Ram as "Dodge" and inferior. I think most of us think differently. Of course, "the market" speaks with its wallet, and a lot of folks are moving over to Ram, which suggests that maybe those old perceptions are in fact changing.

Edited to add: gorgeous truck, @REB12HK.

It's very hard for and enthusiast of a particular brand to move to another brand. As you said, "old perceptions die hard". However, I work with a couple Ford guys, both have ridden in my 2015 Quad Cab w/Air Ride, leather, etc. Both loved it. Neither will consider buying one though. Pretty hard to change a mind enough to go with another brand.