I'm enjoying the responses. I knew if I made a post stating that I understand why the trucks are bashed, people would be outraged. It's funny to read a response stating something along the lines of "I'm not brand loyal but I don't like what you said."
LOL. You're making my point.
So, you think I'm a troll because I have an opinion on my truck after owning it? Deal with it. If you respond, I will respond:
The trucks aren't as great as the dodge-fan-boy hype on the internet. I clearly stated that the engine power is great. The engine braking is great. The engine and truck is quiet.
BUT...
For the first time in 20+ years, I have had to take a vehicle to the dealership to get stuff fixed. This vehicle has had more issues than every other vehicle combined. Does that make it a lemon like someone stated? No. That's just stupid talk from a stupid person. Does the warranty fix it? Kind of. There's no charge and sometimes there's no fix because no fix exists yet, or the dealerships are incompetent. But, the incompetence isn't at one dealer. It's at numerous dealers. So, don't tell me to take it to a different dealer. I have the same problems as many others have posted on the internet. The only difference is that when I compare this list of problems to all the other problems combined of every other vehicle we've owned for the last 20+ years, the Ram has had more problems in 1 1/2 years of ownership. This excludes the race cars because race cars have issues. 16 vehicles, 7 different manufactures. The first Ram/dodge/chysler/fiat/peugeot that we have owned has had more issues in 1 1/2 years than 16 other vehicles combined from 7 different manufactures. So don't tell me that all the other manufactures have the same problems.
So, that's my Ram experience. They're just not as great as everyone claims. There is more to a truck than the cummins engine.
For example: can anyone explain why prior to 2019 that a 10 way power seat was not available for the passenger? Every other major manufacture offered this for almost 20 years prior. It's kind of bizarre but it explains the market and the buyer: the majority of the dodge market only cares about the power of the engine and the overall comfort of the truck isn't really a priority. Why else would Dodge not offer a 10 way power seat? Of course, there will be responses such as "the 6 way power seat is comfortable." Guess what? It's not as comfortable and is a deal breaker for me. And it still doesn't explain why they wouldn't offer it for an added cost. Why not install the same seat that is built for the driver on the passenger side and charge more?
So, I waited until 2019 to buy. The power is great. The engine braking is great. The fact that it's quiet is great. Reading the comments how many of the Dodge owners want a noisy diesel makes me laugh. Obviously, there are too many that don't want comfort and they don't care about the comfort of the passenger sitting next to them. So, I see this as the market difference.
Some owners prefer more. So, they buy a different brand. I decided to try the Ram. Now I know what the dodge owners accept and what the manufacture provides, and can get away with.
For example, I'd prefer AC that works. In fact, I'd also prefer a heater that works. Comfort in the cabin of a $70k-$80k truck would be nice. The Ram has neither. AC and Heater controls - Not fixed. Yet.
I'd prefer a transmission that doesn't buck when pulling a grade. This is the first truck that has had an issue out of four different trucks pulling the same trailer. Not fixed. Yet. Is it the transmission? Don't know. I think it's the programming. The truck's programming is telling it to prepare to downshift, it doesn't, and there is a buck. Think of a shockwave traveling down the drivetrain. Not good.
I'd prefer a truck that doesn't clunk when entering a driveway. First vehicle with this problem. Not fixed. Yet.
I'd prefer a radio (or 12" screen) that doesn't randomly shut off. First vehicle with this problem. This has been happening for 1 1/2 years. Not fixed. Yet.
In our lifetime, we've received 3 recall notices for ALL the vehicles we've owned in our lifetime. The ram has had 2 of those 3. The 16 vehicles I listed are only those we've owned in the last 20 years. The number is higher if I had to count all of them. The first recall allowed me to get the truck registered because it was an emissions update. I had to take it to two dealers to get it done. Why? Because one of the dealers was stupid. Now that we have moved to an area with a different climate and elevation, the truck surges. A while back when I read the complaints by other owners, I ignored it. Now I have it and it's really annoying. BTW, the 2nd recall hasn't been addressed yet (bed step replacement) because the dealer wasn't very competent. Imagine that. Two trips to a dealer to get a safety recall done? LOL.
Yes, I have a warranty but there isn't a fix yet for the items listed above because the service at Ram dealerships, compared to the other manufactures, sucks. This is, my guess, probably due to too many problems with the brand and the dealers are in disarray. Like I said, just my guess. Why else would so many others (not me) complain about their trucks sitting at dealers for weeks.
What's the latest? Tiny spots of rust is bleeding thru the paint. One spot is noticeable and underneath the "helicopter tape" in front of the wheel well at the DRW. But now, there are tiny spots showing up everywhere. Lovely.
All these things can be addressed by the manufacture. So, you can't claim it's a lemon. Not yet. I suspect the paint issue might change this. But, at a cost: my time and my money.
All I'm saying is that the Ram isn't as great as the internet hype. There's more to a truck than the cummins engine. The issues I've listed, other than the paint and tranny bucking, are common with many other owners, and there are other issues. So, I'm not the only one. Plus, I'm comparing the ownership experience of this truck to the ownership experience of 16 other vehicles by 7 other manufactures over the last 20+ years. In comparison, this truck is a fail. Am I saying I'm looking to dump it and get something else? No. Never said that. But someday, when I decide to buy another truck, I won't visit the ram dealership first.
This is the first Dodge/RamChysler owned by anyone in our family and extended family. Maybe I'm the only stupid one. Or maybe I'm the only one that is willing to take a chance. Either way, I wouldn't recommend buying one to a family member or close friend. I could care less about what others do.
BTW, I didn't even bring up the CP4. Not going to. Currently, it's working. It's just the other stuff. LOL. Like a radio (meaning everything that the 12" display controls), the AC, the heater, the clunking, the transmission bucking, the paint, etc.
The good news is that this truck can pull a heavy trailer up a hill. You know what I think now? Big deal.
---
BTW, if you think that I'm a troll for stating the facts, you have no clue. If someone in senior leadership at Ram read this, they'd appreciate it. Why? Without the feedback, how can they get better? They're not idiots. And I'm aware that they can't make instant changes. But if they can identify a problem that can be measured, they can make a change, although the reality is that it might take months or years for the change to occur.
So, if you don't want to Ram brand to improve, be a useful idiot and silence the critics.