Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Ram 1500 or the Dodge Ram 1500?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Dodge Ram 1500 is cheaper to maintain — about $5,189 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 5.2L V8 Magnum and the 4.7L V8?

Across 38 common maintenance jobs, hours vary by drivetrain and engine layout. See the side-by-side table on this page for each job's labor hours and estimated cost.

Are there any active recalls on the Dodge Ram 1500 or Dodge Ram 1500?

The Dodge Ram 1500 has 3 open NHTSA recalls. The Dodge Ram 1500 has 2 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

2001 Dodge Ram 1500 vs 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

Specifications

Year

2001

2009

Engine

5.2L V8 Magnum

4.7L V8

Drivetrain

4WD

Transmission

automatic

Fuel

gas

Cost of Ownership

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$41,583

0.69 $/mi

5-Year Maintenance

$46,772

0.78 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEDodge Ram 1500 — Saves you $5,189 over 5 years (12% less in routine maintenance labor)

Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.

Maintenance Breakdown

Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.

Oil & filter change

9.6 hrs$17,760 / 5yr

Tire rotation

2.4 hrs$2,880 / 5yr

Wiper blades

3.6 hrs$2,280 / 5yr

Cabin air filter

4.8 hrs$2,235 / 5yr

Hemi MDS Cam and Lifter Failure

— hrs

— hrs$3,250 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

9.6 hrs$1,475 / 5yr

PCV valve

9.6 hrs$1,460 / 5yr

Transmission Overheating and Failure (545RFE/65RFE)

— hrs

— hrs$2,275 / 5yr

Fuel filter

3.0 hrs$960 / 5yr

Front brake pads

2.4 hrs$880 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

2.4 hrs$860 / 5yr

Differential fluid

2.4 hrs$800 / 5yr

Engine air filter

2.4 hrs$780 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

2.4 hrs$750 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

9.6 hrs$600 / 5yr

Coolant flush

3.6 hrs$590 / 5yr

12V battery

2.4 hrs$560 / 5yr

Power steering flush

3.0 hrs$470 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

9.6 hrs$459 / 5yr

Exhaust Manifold Bolts Breaking (4.7L and 5.7L)

— hrs

— hrs$780 / 5yr

Oil pan gasket

9.6 hrs$373 / 5yr

Ball Joints & Tie Rod Ends

— hrs$715 / 5yr

— hrs

Spark plugs

1.8 hrs$350 / 5yr

Oxygen sensor

3.6 hrs$330 / 5yr

Ball Joints Wearing Prematurely

— hrs

— hrs$618 / 5yr

Plenum Pan Gasket Leak (5.2L & 5.9L V8)

— hrs$553 / 5yr

— hrs

Rear Differential Pinion Bearing Failure

— hrs

— hrs$543 / 5yr

Water pump

3.6 hrs$231 / 5yr

Thermostat

3.6 hrs$203 / 5yr

TIPM Electrical Gremlins (Totally Integrated Power Module)

— hrs

— hrs$403 / 5yr

46RE/46RH Transmission Failure & Cooler Line Leaks

— hrs$390 / 5yr

— hrs

Alternator

2.4 hrs$165 / 5yr

Dashboard Cracking

— hrs$325 / 5yr

— hrs

Exhaust Manifold Cracking (5.9L Primarily)

— hrs$315 / 5yr

— hrs

Ignition coil

1.8 hrs$140 / 5yr

Fuel Pump Failure

— hrs$236 / 5yr

— hrs

Starter motor

2.4 hrs$112 / 5yr

HVAC Blend Door Failure

— hrs$146 / 5yr

— hrs

Active Recalls

Open NHTSA Recalls

3 open

★ WINNER

Open NHTSA Recalls

2 open

🏆

ADVANTAGEDodge Ram 1500 — 1 fewer open recall from the NHTSA

Fluid Capacities

Dodge Ram 1500

brake · Mopar DOT 4 Brake Fluid

coolant18.00 qt · Mopar OAT Coolant (Purple)

engine_oil8.50 qt · Mopar 5W-20 Synthetic Blend

front_diff1.50 qt · 75W-90 GL-5 Gear Oil

power_steering1.00 qt · Mopar ATF+4

rear_diff2.00 qt · Mopar 75W-140 Synthetic Gear Lubricant

transfer_case2.50 qt · Transfer Case Fluid

transmission_auto10.00 qt · Mopar ATF+4

washer3.50 qt · Windshield Washer Fluid

Dodge Ram 1500

brake · Chrysler MS-5664

coolant16.00 qt · Chrysler MS-12106 / HOAT

engine_oil7.50 qt · Chrysler MS-6395 / API SN

front_diff1.50 qt · API GL-5

power_steering1.00 qt · Chrysler MS-9602

rear_diff2.00 qt · Chrysler MS-8985 / GL-5

transfer_case2.50 qt · ATF or manufacturer specific

transmission_auto10.00 qt · Chrysler MS-9602 / ATF+4

washer3.50 qt · All-season or winter-rated

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

2001 Dodge Ram 1500

5.2L V8 Magnum

Dodge Ram 1500 is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$5,189 over 5 years)
Dodge Ram 1500 has 1 fewer open NHTSA recall

Based on objective maintenance and recall data. Driving feel, looks, brand loyalty, and ownership experience are separate (and very valid) considerations.

Open the full dashboard for either truck

Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.