Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Ram 3500 or the Dodge Ram 3500?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Dodge Ram 3500 is cheaper to maintain — about $15,088 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 5.9L I6 Cummins Diesel and the 6.7L I6 Cummins Diesel?

Across 31 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 3500 or Dodge Ram 3500?

The Dodge Ram 3500 has 14 open NHTSA recalls. The Dodge Ram 3500 has 0 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

2007 Dodge Ram 3500 vs 2026 Dodge Ram 3500 — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

COMPARISON · THE SHOWDOWN

OPEN LABOR PROJECT

VEHICLE A

▼

Dodge

Ram 3500

5.9L I6 Cummins Diesel

4WD · automatic · diesel

VEHICLE B

▼

Dodge

Ram 3500

6.7L I6 Cummins Diesel

4WD · automatic · diesel

Real labor data. Real maintenance costs. Real recall counts. No subscription, no paywall — free for every wrench-turner.

Specifications

Year

2007

2026

Engine

5.9L I6 Cummins Diesel

6.7L I6 Cummins Diesel

Drivetrain

4WD

Transmission

automatic

Fuel

diesel

Powertrain

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

Horsepower

325hp

—hp

Torque

610lb-ft

—lb-ft

0–60 mph

8.5s

—

Quarter Mile

16.8s @ 84 mph

—

Top Speed

100 mph

—

Skidpad

—

60–0 Braking

—

70–0 Braking

—

Curb Weight

7,400 lb

—

Max Towing

16,450 lb

—

Max Payload

5,050 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

$43,460

0.72 $/mi

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$28,372

0.47 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEDodge Ram 3500 — Saves you $15,088 over 5 years (35% 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

8.0 hrs$10,416 / 5yr

Tire rotation

2.3 hrs$2,760 / 5yr

2.0 hrs$2,400 / 5yr

Wiper blades

3.5 hrs$2,220 / 5yr

3.0 hrs$1,920 / 5yr

Cabin air filter

4.6 hrs$2,145 / 5yr

4.0 hrs$1,875 / 5yr

5.7L Hemi Dropped Valve Seats and Spun Bearings

— hrs$3,238 / 5yr

— hrs

48RE Automatic Transmission Failure (Gas Models)

— hrs$2,828 / 5yr

— hrs

Serpentine belt

9.2 hrs$1,415 / 5yr

8.0 hrs$1,235 / 5yr

PCV valve

9.2 hrs$1,400 / 5yr

8.0 hrs$1,220 / 5yr

Fuel filter

2.9 hrs$930 / 5yr

2.5 hrs$810 / 5yr

6.7L Cummins DPF and EGR System Issues

— hrs$1,625 / 5yr

— hrs

Front brake pads

2.3 hrs$850 / 5yr

2.0 hrs$760 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

2.3 hrs$830 / 5yr

2.0 hrs$740 / 5yr

Differential fluid

2.3 hrs$770 / 5yr

2.0 hrs$680 / 5yr

Engine air filter

2.3 hrs$750 / 5yr

2.0 hrs$660 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

2.3 hrs$720 / 5yr

2.0 hrs$630 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

9.2 hrs$576 / 5yr

8.0 hrs$504 / 5yr

Coolant flush

3.5 hrs$575 / 5yr

3.0 hrs$500 / 5yr

12V battery

2.3 hrs$545 / 5yr

2.0 hrs$500 / 5yr

Power steering flush

2.9 hrs$455 / 5yr

2.5 hrs$395 / 5yr

Front Suspension Ball Joint Failure

— hrs$845 / 5yr

— hrs

Intake manifold gasket

9.2 hrs$441 / 5yr

8.0 hrs$387 / 5yr

Steering Tie Rod and Drag Link Failure

— hrs$715 / 5yr

— hrs

Oil pan gasket

9.2 hrs$358 / 5yr

8.0 hrs$313 / 5yr

Oxygen sensor

3.5 hrs$323 / 5yr

3.0 hrs$285 / 5yr

Water pump

3.5 hrs$226 / 5yr

3.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

Thermostat

3.5 hrs$198 / 5yr

3.0 hrs$172 / 5yr

TIPM (Integrated Power Module) Failures

— hrs$350 / 5yr

— hrs

Alternator

2.3 hrs$161 / 5yr

2.0 hrs$150 / 5yr

Starter motor

2.3 hrs$109 / 5yr

2.0 hrs$100 / 5yr

Transmission Cooler and Lines Leaking

— hrs$193 / 5yr

— hrs

Ignition Switch Failure (Recall 14V-053)

— hrs$61 / 5yr

— hrs

Active Recalls

Open NHTSA Recalls

14 open

★ WINNER

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

🏆

ADVANTAGEDodge Ram 3500 — 14 fewer open recalls from the NHTSA

Fluid Capacities

Dodge Ram 3500

brake · Mopar DOT 4 Brake Fluid

coolant18.00 qt · Mopar OAT Coolant (Purple)

engine_oil13.00 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 3500

brake · FMVSS 116 DOT 4

coolant18.00 qt · MS-12106

engine_oil13.00 qt · API CK-4

front_diff1.50 qt · API GL-5

power_steering · N/A

rear_diff2.00 qt · API GL-5

transfer_case2.50 qt · ATF or manufacturer specific

transmission_auto10.00 qt · MS-9602

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

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

2026 Dodge Ram 3500

6.7L I6 Cummins Diesel

Dodge Ram 3500 is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$15,088 over 5 years)
Dodge Ram 3500 has 14 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 3500

5.9L I6 Cummins Diesel

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Dodge Ram 3500

6.7L I6 Cummins Diesel

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