Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Ram 2500 or the Dodge Ram 2500?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Dodge Ram 2500 is cheaper to maintain — about $5,928 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 5.9L I6 Cummins Diesel and the 5.7L V8 Hemi?

Across 39 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 2500 or Dodge Ram 2500?

The Dodge Ram 2500 has 24 open NHTSA recalls. The Dodge Ram 2500 has 5 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

1994–2008 Dodge Ram 2500 vs 2009 Dodge Ram 2500

Specifications

Year

1994–2008

2009

Engine

5.9L I6 Cummins Diesel

5.7L V8 Hemi

Drivetrain

4WD

Transmission

automatic

Fuel

diesel

gas

Powertrain

Engine output, acceleration, top speed, handling, braking — and Nürburgring if either car ran one.

Horsepower

235hp

383hp

Torque

460lb-ft

400lb-ft

0–60 mph

10.2s

8.2s

Quarter Mile

17.8s @ 78 mph

16.3s @ 85 mph

Top Speed

98 mph

105 mph

Skidpad

—

60–0 Braking

—

70–0 Braking

—

Curb Weight

6,400 lb

Max Towing

13,050 lb

10,450 lb

Max Payload

2,950 lb

1,630 lb

Performance specs synthesized from manufacturer figures and instrumented magazine tests (Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track). MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Numbers flagged as "low confidence" by AI generation are conservative estimates from related platforms.

Cost of Ownership

Avg Used Market

$8,000–$18,000

median ~$12,500

Avg Used Market

n/a

Dodge Ram 2500: The 12-valve 5.9L Cummins commands a cult premium due to legendary reliability and simplicity. High mileage (300k+) is normal and accepted for these engines. Prices vary wildly based on transmission (manual commands 20-30% premium over auto), cab config, 4WD vs 2WD, rust, and modifications. Diesel truck market remains strong in 2026 despite age. Clean, rust-free examples with manual transmissions can exceed $20k; rough high-mileage automatics with rust may dip to $6k-7k.

AI-estimated US used-market price range. LOW = private-party, base trim, typical mileage. HIGH = dealer retail (Carvana/CarMax), desirable trim, below-average mileage. Local prices vary ±20% with condition, mileage, and region. Treat as a ballpark, not a quote.

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$41,116

0.69 $/mi

5-Year Maintenance

$47,044

0.78 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEDodge Ram 2500 — Saves you $5,928 over 5 years (14% 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

9.2 hrs$11,928 / 5yr

9.6 hrs$17,760 / 5yr

Tire rotation

2.3 hrs$2,760 / 5yr

2.4 hrs$2,880 / 5yr

Wiper blades

3.5 hrs$2,220 / 5yr

3.6 hrs$2,280 / 5yr

Cabin air filter

4.6 hrs$2,145 / 5yr

4.8 hrs$2,235 / 5yr

Transmission Oil Cooler Failure Contaminating Transmission

— hrs

— hrs$3,413 / 5yr

Cylinder Head Valve Seat Failure (5.7L Hemi)

— hrs

— hrs$2,925 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

9.2 hrs$1,415 / 5yr

9.6 hrs$1,475 / 5yr

PCV valve

9.2 hrs$1,400 / 5yr

9.6 hrs$1,460 / 5yr

47RE / 48RE Automatic Transmission Failure

— hrs$2,698 / 5yr

— hrs

Fuel filter

2.9 hrs$930 / 5yr

3.0 hrs$960 / 5yr

Front brake pads

2.3 hrs$850 / 5yr

2.4 hrs$880 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

2.3 hrs$830 / 5yr

2.4 hrs$860 / 5yr

Differential fluid

2.3 hrs$770 / 5yr

2.4 hrs$800 / 5yr

Engine air filter

2.3 hrs$750 / 5yr

2.4 hrs$780 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

2.3 hrs$720 / 5yr

2.4 hrs$750 / 5yr

Steering Linkage and Track Bar Wear

— hrs$1,398 / 5yr

— hrs

Valve cover gasket

9.2 hrs$576 / 5yr

9.6 hrs$600 / 5yr

Coolant flush

3.5 hrs$575 / 5yr

3.6 hrs$590 / 5yr

12V battery

2.3 hrs$545 / 5yr

2.4 hrs$560 / 5yr

Dashboard Cracking (2002-2005)

— hrs$1,105 / 5yr

— hrs

Power steering flush

2.9 hrs$455 / 5yr

3.0 hrs$470 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

9.2 hrs$441 / 5yr

9.6 hrs$459 / 5yr

Exhaust Manifold Bolt Failure and Cracking

— hrs

— hrs$845 / 5yr

53 Block Cracking (1999-2001)

— hrs$800 / 5yr

— hrs

Killer Dowel Pin / Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure (24-valve)

— hrs$735 / 5yr

— hrs

Oil pan gasket

9.2 hrs$358 / 5yr

9.6 hrs$373 / 5yr

Oxygen sensor

3.5 hrs$323 / 5yr

3.6 hrs$330 / 5yr

Water pump

3.5 hrs$226 / 5yr

3.6 hrs$231 / 5yr

Thermostat

3.5 hrs$198 / 5yr

3.6 hrs$203 / 5yr

Lift Pump Failure (1998.5-2002 24-valve)

— hrs$390 / 5yr

— hrs

Transmission Cooler Line and Radiator Failure

— hrs$385 / 5yr

— hrs

TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Failure

— hrs

— hrs$385 / 5yr

Spark plugs

— hrs

1.8 hrs$350 / 5yr

Alternator

2.3 hrs$161 / 5yr

2.4 hrs$165 / 5yr

Starter motor

2.3 hrs$109 / 5yr

2.4 hrs$112 / 5yr

Front Differential Leaking and Bearing Noise

— hrs

— hrs$201 / 5yr

Steering Tie Rod End Failure

— hrs

— hrs$193 / 5yr

Rear Differential Cover Gasket and Pinion Seal Leaks

— hrs

— hrs$179 / 5yr

Ignition coil

— hrs

1.8 hrs$140 / 5yr

Active Recalls

Open NHTSA Recalls

24 open

★ WINNER

Open NHTSA Recalls

5 open

🏆

ADVANTAGEDodge Ram 2500 — 19 fewer open recalls from the NHTSA

Fluid Capacities

Dodge Ram 2500

brake · Chrysler MS-5664

coolant18.00 qt · Chrysler MS-12106 / HOAT

engine_oil13.00 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

Dodge Ram 2500

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

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

1994–2008 Dodge Ram 2500

5.9L I6 Cummins Diesel

Dodge Ram 2500 is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$5,928 over 5 years)
Dodge Ram 2500 has 19 fewer open NHTSA recalls

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.

Dodge Ram 2500

5.9L I6 Cummins Diesel