RAM 1500 Maintenance Cost by Year: What You'll Really Pay

RAM 1500 maintenance cost by year

YearEstimated annual maintenance cost
Year 1$515
Year 2$600
Year 3$765
Year 4$980
Year 5$1185
Year 6$1560
Year 7$1730
Year 8$1815
Year 9$1890
Year 10$1960
Year 11$2035
Year 12$2110

RAM 1500 cost by generation

GenerationEngineAnnual costReliabilityKnown issuesBest for
4th Gen DS (2015-2018)3.6L Pentastar V6 / 5.7L HEMI V8 / 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 (8HP 8-speed)$1,100-$1,5003/5HEMI tick: the MDS cylinder-deactivation lifters and camshaft are the subject of long-running owner complaints and class-action litigation against FCA (Petro v. FCA US LLC) - a lifter/cam job is a heads-off repair; Broken exhaust manifold bolts are a well-known HEMI pattern; RepairPal estimates the manifold gasket job at $332-$473, and it climbs when bolts snap off in the head; The 3.0L EcoDiesel of these years is bound up in the FCA emissions consent decree - verify software and warranty status on any used oneCheapest buy-in; the 3.6L Pentastar avoids both the MDS lifter and the 16-plug tune-up
5th Gen DT (2019-2024)3.6L Pentastar eTorque / 5.7L HEMI eTorque / 3.0L EcoDiesel (2020-2023) / 6.2L supercharged TRX$1,200-$1,6003/5Long recall list - among them a 2020-2023 EcoDiesel high-pressure fuel pump failure campaign (NHTSA 22V767) and a powertrain control module stall recall (23V265); all free at a dealer; The 48V eTorque mild-hybrid adds a belt-starter-generator and its own battery, warranted 8 years/100,000 miles; HEMI lifter and manifold-bolt watch items carry over; the Pentastar V6 remains the low-cost engineThe best-riding full-size truck of its era - pick the Pentastar eTorque if running cost is the priority
DT refresh (2025-2026)3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo I6 (420 hp / 540 hp RHO); 5.7L HEMI V8 returns for 2026Too new for reliable data3/5The Hurricane twin-turbo I6 is a new engine family with no long-term cost record yet - verify its service parts and intervals against a current dealer catalogue rather than assuming HEMI/Pentastar interchange; Boosted direct-injection engines historically run shorter plug intervals than the naturally aspirated HEMI - confirm with the owner's manual; The 5.7L HEMI returns for 2026 by customer demand, bringing its known service profile back with itBuyers who want the newest truck - but there is no 10-year cost history for the Hurricane yet

RAM 1500 common repair costs

ServiceDIY costShop costInterval
Oil Change (5W-20 synthetic)$45-$80$85-$14010,000 mi (8k EcoDiesel, 6k TRX)
Mopar Oil Filter (MO-349)$8-$16incl.Every oil change
Engine Air Filter$22-$45$55-$95Every 30,000 mi
Cabin Air Filter$14-$30$45-$85Every 20,000 mi
Spark Plugs (16 on HEMI, 12 on V6)$70-$150$300-$650Every 100,000 mi
Transmission Fluid (ZF 8-speed)$110-$190$300-$55060k severe / 120k normal
Front + Rear Axle Fluid (4WD)$55-$110$210-$40060k mi (30k heavy towing)
Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)$30-$60$110-$200Every 60,000 mi
Fuel Filters (3.0L EcoDiesel)$70-$130$200-$360Every 20,000 mi
Exhaust Manifold Gasket (HEMI)$40-$90$332-$473As needed - broken bolts
Front Brake Pads + Rotors$150-$280$400-$700Every 40,000-70,000 mi
Tires (set of 4)$900-$1,500+installEvery 40,000-60,000 mi

Maintenance schedule by year