Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge W250 or the Dodge W250?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Dodge W250 is cheaper to maintain — about $9,527 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 318ci V8 and the 5.9L I6 Cummins Diesel 4WD?

Across 32 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 W250 or Dodge W250?

The Dodge W250 has 0 open NHTSA recalls. The Dodge W250 has 0 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

1989 Dodge W250 vs 1993 Dodge W250 — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

Specifications

Year

1989

1993

Engine

318ci V8

5.9L I6 Cummins Diesel 4WD

Drivetrain

4WD

Transmission

manual

automatic

Fuel

gas

diesel

Powertrain

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

Horsepower

—hp

160hp

Torque

—lb-ft

400lb-ft

0–60 mph

—

Quarter Mile

—

Top Speed

—

Skidpad

—

60–0 Braking

—

70–0 Braking

—

Curb Weight

—

6,100 lb

Max Towing

—

10,000 lb

Max Payload

—

2,850 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

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$7,067

0.12 $/mi

5-Year Maintenance

$16,594

0.28 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEDodge W250 — Saves you $9,527 over 5 years (135% 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.

Automatic Transmission Failure (46RH/47RH)

— hrs

— hrs$2,275 / 5yr

Oil & filter change

0.4 hrs$1,200 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$966 / 5yr

Cracked Cylinder Heads (360 V8 Gas)

— hrs

— hrs$2,113 / 5yr

Tire rotation

0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr

Steering Box Wear and Death Wobble

— hrs

— hrs$1,170 / 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

Cummins 12-Valve Injection Pump Failure (Diesel)

— hrs

— hrs$875 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

0.8 hrs$270 / 5yr

0.9 hrs$300 / 5yr

Wiper blades

0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$300 / 5yr

12V battery

0.3 hrs$245 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$275 / 5yr

Cabin air filter

0.4 hrs$255 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$210 / 5yr

Front Axle Vacuum Disconnect Failure

— hrs

— hrs$423 / 5yr

Fuel filter

0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr

0.6 hrs$240 / 5yr

Coolant flush

1.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

0.9 hrs$185 / 5yr

Oxygen sensor

1.8 hrs$195 / 5yr

1.7 hrs$188 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

3.5 hrs$185 / 5yr

Water pump

2.5 hrs$173 / 5yr

2.9 hrs$194 / 5yr

Transmission Cooler Line Rot and Leaks

— hrs

— hrs$341 / 5yr

Oil pan gasket

4.2 hrs$170 / 5yr

4.0 hrs$163 / 5yr

Engine air filter

0.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr

Alternator

1.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

1.7 hrs$139 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

0.5 hrs$110 / 5yr

0.7 hrs$140 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

1.5 hrs$114 / 5yr

1.7 hrs$126 / 5yr

Power steering flush

0.6 hrs$110 / 5yr

Spark plugs

0.8 hrs$200 / 5yr

— hrs

Dashboard Cracks and Electrical Gremlins

— hrs

— hrs$179 / 5yr

Starter motor

1.2 hrs$76 / 5yr

1.7 hrs$91 / 5yr

PCV valve

0.3 hrs$65 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

Thermostat

1.2 hrs$77 / 5yr

0.9 hrs$61 / 5yr

Ignition coil

1.0 hrs$92 / 5yr

— hrs

Active Recalls

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

✓ Both vehicles are completely clear of open safety recalls.

Fluid Capacities

Dodge W250

brake · FMVSS 116 DOT 4

coolant10.00 qt · MS-12106

engine_oil5.00 qt · API SN

front_diff1.50 qt · API GL-5

power_steering1.00 qt · Mopar ATF+4 P/S

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

Dodge W250

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

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

1989 Dodge W250

318ci V8

Dodge W250 is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$9,527 over 5 years)

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.

5.9L I6 Cummins Diesel 4WD

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