Ram maintenance: cost, plans & service schedule

Whether you’re thinking about buying a Ram or just deciding whether to keep yours after the warranty runs out, it’s important to know how much you can expect to pay to keep it on the road. Read on to find out what average ownership costs for a Ram look like, what repairs Ram owners commonly deal with and how you can potentially save money at the mechanic.

Key insights

• Overall, Ram vehicles have below-average reliability and above-average upkeep costs, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.
• For example, RepairPal ranks the Ram 1500 as one of the most reliable full-size trucks, but it places the Ram 3500 near the bottom of the same class.
• If you want to protect yourself from getting a large bill at the mechanic, consider an extended warranty as a hedge against future malfunctions.

Are Rams expensive to maintain?

At the end of the day, upkeep on a Ram is likely to be more expensive than on other vehicles. According to RepairPal, a site that aggregates automotive repair data, Rams cost an average of $858 per year to maintain and repair. That’s considerably higher than the average of $652 across all other automakers. Part of this higher cost comes down to reliability — Ram is 23rd out of 32 car brands in RepairPal’s reliability rankings.

“The only real reason I have a Ram truck,” said Nathan Myers, a mechanic we spoke with, “is because Ram didn’t manufacture the powertrain. But my Ram truck isn’t like other Rams — I’ve made a lot of modifications and replaced a lot of parts.”

How Ram compares to other automakers

Ram vehicles don’t actually visit repair shops more often than average, according to RepairPal’s data. However, Ram vehicles tend to need more expensive repairs when they do break down. Collectively, other automotive brands average a 12% likelihood of needing “severe” repairs, but Rams average 15%.

Ram maintenance and repair costs by model

The figures in the table above are helpful for comparison purposes, but if you want a more accurate idea of what owning a Ram may cost you, it’s important to look at model-specific information. That’s because Ram ownership costs and reliability ratings vary considerably by model, with some models at the top of their class and others at the bottom.

For example, RepairPal gave the Ram 1500 a glowing score for dependability, ranking it No. 1 out of 17 full-size trucks. The Ram 3500, however, was ranked No. 14 in the same category, which makes sense given that its $1,279-per-year repair and maintenance costs soared above the $936-per-year average for full-size trucks. (Not to mention its 21% probability of a repair being severe.)

It’s important to note that RepairPal’s price estimates combine repair and maintenance fees, even though these are really two separate categories. Unforeseeable fixes fall into the category of repairs, while maintenance covers scheduled preventive services, such as oil changes and tire rotations. We’ll go into a little more detail on each of these to give you a better idea of how they may affect you.

Ram maintenance schedule

Each Ram model has a different timeline for maintenance services, and you should check your manual for specific recommendations. (Trucks will typically require more frequent check-ups than cars and minivans since they’re made to do heftier work, for instance.)

Example: Ram 1500 maintenance schedule

To give you a general idea of what Ram maintenance might look like, we’ve outlined the recommended maintenance schedule for a 2023 Ram 1500 Classic below.

You might’ve noticed that the schedule above doesn’t include oil changes and some other common maintenance tasks. That’s because the frequency of oil changes for this vehicle is determined by an automated oil change indicator system, which reminds you when it’s time to take your truck in for maintenance.

Ram maintenance costs

Unlike some other manufacturers, Ram does not offer any complimentary maintenance on a national basis. (Some models in Texas receive free maintenance through the Ram Care Program, which provides four oil changes and four tire rotations over a two-year membership.)

The good news is that Ram maintenance costs are relatively simple to budget for because you usually know when they’ll be needed. Just find out how much your local garage charges for the services listed in your manual and plan those costs out over the recommended service schedule. These costs may seem expensive when you see them all together, but they’re worth it in the long run.

“Taking care of a vehicle changes everything,” said Myers. “A lot of statistics regarding reliability are skewed by the fact that so many brands are work trucks that get trashed from heavy-duty work. If you regularly maintain any vehicle, including a Ram, it’ll more than likely serve you well. It might not be the best brand truck out there, but it’ll serve the average consumer well enough.”

If you regularly maintain any vehicle, including a Ram, it’ll more than likely serve you well.”

Example: 2018 Ram 1500 maintenance costs

Generally speaking, maintenance costs vary by make, model and labor rates in your area. We’ve included some estimates for a 2018 Ram 1500 below to help you set some rough expectations, though.

Bear in mind that you’ll likely pay higher prices for work on a pickup than you would for most other vehicles.

Ram repair costs

Repair costs are harder to budget for because they tend to come about unexpectedly and vary wildly. However, some problems are common enough in a line of vehicles that they gain a bit of notoriety. For example, two recent ConsumerAffairs reviewers have mentioned the so-called “hemi tick/tap” — a fairly well-known problem among Ram vehicles.

Alex, a ConsumerAffairs reviewer from Arizona, wrote: “I had a 1999 and 2006 Dodge Ram, both were decent quality. I then purchased a 2015 Ram 1500 Big Horn with the 5.7 and have had nothing but problem after problem after problem. … They’ve lost my business for good. So many common problems (i.e.: manifold bolts snapping, which is where the ‘Hemi Tick’ comes from) and the company won’t fix it.”

T. Michael, a ConsumerAffairs reviewer from Florida, had a similar experience as a veteran Ram truck owner, writing: “This is my third Ram pickup. I have always been very pleased with these trucks until now. The first problem was the ‘hemi-tap.’ … Apparently, the manifolds are not properly cast — they are ‘green.’ In other words they are cheaply manufactured. This cost me about $1,000 to replace two bolts, and I am just waiting for the next bolt to snap.”

This cost me about $1,000 to replace two bolts, and I am just waiting for the next bolt to snap.”

Your experience may — and likely will — vary, but it’s worth doing some research into common issues with your particular Ram model so you know the financial risks involved.

Example: Ram 1500 repair costs

We can’t break down the cost to fix every possible issue for every possible Ram here, but we’ve included a look into what some repair services cost for the popular Ram 1500 below.

New Ram vehicles come with factory warranties that can save you money on repairs, though. 

Ram’s three-year/36,000-mile basic limited warranty provides bumper-to-bumper coverage early in each vehicle’s life. For diesel-powered vehicles, Ram also offers a 100,000-mile diesel powertrain limited warranty that lasts up to five years, and gas vehicles are given the same powertrain warranty but only for 60,000 miles.

Unfortunately, your factory warranties will run out eventually, and once they do, you might find yourself on the hook for a massive repair bill. But there are ways you can protect yourself financially if you want to keep your Ram long-term.

» LEARN: What is a manufacturer’s warranty?

How can an extended warranty or maintenance plan help?

Purchasing an extended auto warranty lets you be proactive about future automotive spending. Accidents and breakdowns happen, but with an extended warranty, you won’t have to foot the entire bill for covered repairs. Ram’s extended warranty program is worth considering, but you may be able to save if you shop around with other auto warranty companies too.

If you’re also concerned about ongoing maintenance costs, prepaid maintenance plans are a great way to keep up to date on routine service and potentially save money. (It can be a relief to get these costs out of the way, and prepaying can also help you avoid increased prices later on.) Ram offers a prepaid lube, oil and filter plan through Mopar that also includes tire rotations and inspections.

Overall, there may be some Ram vehicles you want to avoid. However, Ram also offers a handful of models that receive positive feedback from consumers and experts, and there are ways to keep the cost of ownership in check. Whatever you choose, we recommend you do your research and make an educated decision about what’s right for you.

» MORE: Car warranty vs. car insurance