Mine is a big black Ram 3500 2WD hemi engine, purchased new in 2003. Only two mechanical problems since I bouight it: (1) right front wheel bearing failure at only 20,000 miles and (2) partial wiring harness replacement around 115,000 miles. This truck is a real beast of burden. My long bed is rated at 4,900 lbs carrying capacity, but I have over-loaded it to at l3ast 6,000 lbs with no negative results, Pulling capacity also I have overloaded up to 25,000 lbs with no negative results. Under load like this, it rides even smoother and does not seem to notice the loads of granite monuments we hauled in it. The truck is as comfortable as an automobile--smooth, right-on steering, and great acceleration. At 160,000 miles, I like the truck so much that I am paying a body shop to renovate it with all new fenders, hood, and tailgate, total new paint job, new wheel covers to make it look like new since it still drives like new. $15,000 may seem excessive to some, but when you figure that this same truck new today is around $85,000, it makes sense to me, especially since I prefer older technology over the new digitalized electronics on new vehicles. We change oil every 3,000 miles and change all the filters every time. The engine still runs like new. One problem with this model is the dashboard. The thick plastic used for the dashboard began cracking at around three years, and continued until the upper portion of the dashboard was totally in pieces. Dodge refused to stand by this obvious defect, and wanted over $2,000 to make it right. However, for a few hundred dollars, my body shop has found a hard plastic (hopefully good plastic) cover that is supposed to look like new. Toyota always stands by any such defects, so U.S. companies have lots to learn about satisfying customers in taking care of their own obvious mistakes. The other problem is that the clearcoat over the black paint job has oxidized and turned white as seems to happen with lots of older U.S. cars--why I have no idea. Dodge and just about all the U.S. car companies need to find out how Toyota paints cars so the paint job lasts for the lifetime of the card. Drive through any large shopping center parking lot and notice which cars are showing faded paint, and you will see what I mean.
So, final verdict--great vehicle backed up by cheap and uncaring customer service. I would not go near a Dodge dealership after buying one of the best trucks on the market!