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 $1,456 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 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 2500 or Dodge Ram 2500?

The Dodge Ram 2500 has 11 open NHTSA recalls. The Dodge Ram 2500 has 5 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

2007 Dodge Ram 2500 vs 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

Specifications

Year

2007

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

325hp

383hp

Torque

610lb-ft

400lb-ft

0–60 mph

8.5s

8.2s

Quarter Mile

16.5s @ 84 mph

16.3s @ 85 mph

Top Speed

98 mph

105 mph

Skidpad

—

60–0 Braking

—

70–0 Braking

—

Curb Weight

7,100 lb

6,400 lb

Max Towing

16,450 lb

10,450 lb

Max Payload

3,150 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

5-Year Maintenance

$17,707

0.30 $/mi

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$16,251

0.27 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEDodge Ram 2500 — Saves you $1,456 over 5 years (8% 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.

Transmission Oil Cooler Failure Contaminating Transmission

— hrs

— hrs$3,413 / 5yr

Cylinder Head Valve Seat Failure (5.7L Hemi)

— hrs

— hrs$2,925 / 5yr

48RE Transmission Cooler Line and Internal Failure

— hrs$2,373 / 5yr

— hrs

Oil & filter change

0.5 hrs$966 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$1,380 / 5yr

5.7L Hemi Piston/Ring Failure and Cylinder Dropout

— hrs$2,188 / 5yr

— hrs

First-Year 6.7L Cummins DPF/EGR Headaches

— hrs$1,723 / 5yr

— hrs

Tire rotation

0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

1.2 hrs$500 / 5yr

1.4 hrs$560 / 5yr

Front brake pads

1.0 hrs$460 / 5yr

1.4 hrs$580 / 5yr

Differential fluid

1.2 hrs$440 / 5yr

Exhaust Manifold Bolt Failure and Cracking

— hrs

— hrs$845 / 5yr

Front Ball Joint Failure

— hrs$813 / 5yr

— hrs

Steering Linkage and Tie Rod End Wear

— hrs$715 / 5yr

— hrs

Brake fluid flush

1.0 hrs$330 / 5yr

12V battery

0.5 hrs$275 / 5yr

Wiper blades

0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$300 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

6.5 hrs$320 / 5yr

3.6 hrs$189 / 5yr

Water pump

4.5 hrs$278 / 5yr

3.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

Cabin air filter

0.3 hrs$210 / 5yr

0.4 hrs$255 / 5yr

Fuel filter

0.5 hrs$210 / 5yr

0.6 hrs$240 / 5yr

Coolant flush

1.2 hrs$230 / 5yr

1.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Electrical Gremlins

— hrs$385 / 5yr

— hrs

TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Failure

— hrs

— hrs$385 / 5yr

Oil pan gasket

4.0 hrs$163 / 5yr

4.2 hrs$170 / 5yr

Engine air filter

0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr

0.4 hrs$180 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

2.5 hrs$174 / 5yr

1.8 hrs$132 / 5yr

Exhaust Manifold Cracking (5.7L Hemi)

— hrs$280 / 5yr

— hrs

Alternator

1.5 hrs$131 / 5yr

1.8 hrs$143 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

0.5 hrs$110 / 5yr

0.7 hrs$140 / 5yr

Spark plugs

— hrs

1.0 hrs$230 / 5yr

Power steering flush

0.6 hrs$110 / 5yr

Front Differential Leaking and Bearing Noise

— hrs

— hrs$201 / 5yr

Steering Tie Rod End Failure

— hrs

— hrs$193 / 5yr

PCV valve

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

Starter motor

1.5 hrs$85 / 5yr

1.8 hrs$94 / 5yr

Rear Differential Cover Gasket and Pinion Seal Leaks

— hrs

— hrs$179 / 5yr

Thermostat

1.5 hrs$93 / 5yr

1.0 hrs$67 / 5yr

Ignition Switch Failure (Recall 14V-053)

— hrs$140 / 5yr

— hrs

Active Recalls

Open NHTSA Recalls

11 open

★ WINNER

Open NHTSA Recalls

5 open

🏆

ADVANTAGEDodge Ram 2500 — 6 fewer open recalls from the NHTSA

Fluid Capacities

Dodge Ram 2500

ac_refrigerant · R-134a

brake1.00 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant28.00 qt · MS-9769

engine_oil12.00 qt · API CJ-4 or CI-4 PLUS

front_diff3.00 qt · API GL-5

power_steering1.50 qt · MS-9602

rear_diff5.00 qt · API GL-5

transfer_case2.50 qt · MS-9602

transmission_auto15.00 qt · MS-9602

washer4.50 qt · Windshield washer fluid

Dodge Ram 2500

ac_refrigerant · R-134a

brake1.00 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant17.00 qt · MS-9769

engine_oil7.00 qt · API SM or SN

front_diff3.10 qt · API GL-5

power_steering2.00 qt · MS-9602

rear_diff5.60 qt · API GL-5

transfer_case2.50 qt · MS-9602

transmission_auto14.00 qt · MS-9602

washer4.50 qt · Windshield washer fluid

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

2009 Dodge Ram 2500

5.7L V8 Hemi

Dodge Ram 2500 is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$1,456 over 5 years)
Dodge Ram 2500 has 6 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