Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ram 4500 or the Ram 4500?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Ram 4500 is cheaper to maintain — about $1,280 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 6.7L I6 Cummins Diesel and the 6.4L V8 Hemi?

Across 25 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 Ram 4500 or Ram 4500?

The Ram 4500 has 0 open NHTSA recalls. The Ram 4500 has 0 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

2026 Ram 4500 vs 2026 Ram 4500 — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

Specifications

Year

2026

Engine

6.7L I6 Cummins Diesel

6.4L V8 Hemi

Drivetrain

4WD

Transmission

automatic

Fuel

diesel

gas

Cost of Ownership

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$6,959

0.12 $/mi

5-Year Maintenance

$8,239

0.14 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGERam 4500 — Saves you $1,280 over 5 years (18% 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

0.4 hrs$840 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$1,380 / 5yr

Tire rotation

0.4 hrs$480 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr

Front brake pads

1.2 hrs$520 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

1.2 hrs$500 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

1.3 hrs$420 / 5yr

Differential fluid

1.0 hrs$380 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$440 / 5yr

Oil pan gasket

7.3 hrs$286 / 5yr

12V battery

0.4 hrs$260 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$275 / 5yr

Spark plugs

— hrs

2.8 hrs$500 / 5yr

Wiper blades

0.2 hrs$240 / 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

Water pump

2.5 hrs$173 / 5yr

3.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

Coolant flush

0.8 hrs$170 / 5yr

1.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

3.0 hrs$162 / 5yr

3.6 hrs$189 / 5yr

Power steering flush

1.0 hrs$170 / 5yr

Engine air filter

0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr

0.4 hrs$180 / 5yr

Oxygen sensor

1.0 hrs$135 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$150 / 5yr

Alternator

1.5 hrs$131 / 5yr

1.8 hrs$143 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

0.6 hrs$125 / 5yr

0.7 hrs$140 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

1.5 hrs$114 / 5yr

1.8 hrs$132 / 5yr

Thermostat

1.6 hrs$98 / 5yr

Starter motor

1.5 hrs$85 / 5yr

1.8 hrs$94 / 5yr

PCV valve

0.4 hrs$80 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

Ignition coil

— hrs

1.0 hrs$92 / 5yr

Active Recalls

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

✓ Both vehicles are completely clear of open safety recalls.

Fluid Capacities

Ram 4500

brake1.50 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant30.00 qt · MS-12106

engine_oil12.00 qt · MS-10902 / Cummins CES 20086

front_diff3.50 qt · API GL-5

power_steering2.00 qt · ATF+4

rear_diff5.50 qt · API GL-5

transfer_case2.50 qt · ATF+4

transmission_auto18.00 qt · ATF+4 or equivalent

washer5.00 qt · windshield washer fluid

Ram 4500

brake1.50 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant28.00 qt · MS-12106

engine_oil7.00 qt · MS-12633

front_diff3.50 qt · API GL-5

power_steering2.00 qt · MS-9602

rear_diff6.00 qt · API GL-5

transfer_case2.50 qt · MS-9602

transmission_auto13.50 qt · MS-9602 (ATF+4) or ZF LifeguardFluid 8

washer1.00 qt · Windshield washer fluid

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

2026 Ram 4500

6.7L I6 Cummins Diesel

Ram 4500 is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$1,280 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.

Ram 4500

6.7L I6 Cummins Diesel