Trading Raptor for ....

[SKS]

Well it breaks my heart to say it but I am trading the raptor in for a Ram Rebel. The raptor was my dream truck and when I finally got one 2 years ago I was so excited but over the past 40k miles I have had constant transmission issues that has required taking it to the dealer for work time after time. Every time I take it they say they have it fixed but it never truly gets fixed. I know all trucks are gonna have faults but the thought of having to come out of pocket for a transmission once the warranty is up isn’t worth it.

I don’t ever go off-road, I just like the look and stance of an off-road truck. I also like the idea of being able to tow more with the Rebel. Hopefully I won’t have constant mechanical issues like I did with the raptor.

Good luck with your new rig. I too was having issues, with my 2018, so I sold her.

 

[REMIX]

As an two week owner of a brand new 2019, these threads really freak me the hell out.

 

[JohnyPython]

I agree, the Rebel with the Hemi is a very nice driving truck and has a super nice interior with the upgrade 12 package. Do yourself a favor and look at the consumer reviews on Edmund's. https://www.edmunds.com/ram/1500/2019/

Look at owners reviews on https://5thgenrams.com/community/

The 5th gen Rams are a nightmare, for build quality, repairs, and reliability. Look at the poll numbers from the 5th Gen Ram site, 50% have NOT had problems.

How’s your 2019 Ram running? Take our poll!

Did any of the following systems function improperly, or require repair?

• BODY (Paint, bumpers, frame, cab leaks, bed, tailgate, Rambox, windows, mirrors, moonroof)
  Votes: 234 16.6%
• SUSPENSION (Air or normal susp, steering, brakes, wheels/tires)
  Votes: 189 13.4%
• TRANSMISSION (Differential)
  Votes: 91 6.4%
• ENGINE (Oil, coolant, fuel, exhaust systems)
  Votes: 47 3.3%
• LIGHTING (Cabin, dash, bed, exterior lighting, headlights)
  Votes: 52 3.7%
• ELECTRICAL (Start system, battery, alternator, eTorque BSG)
  Votes: 91 6.4%
• CLIMATE CONTROL (Air conditioning, heating, seat heat/vent)
  Votes: 132 9.4%
• INTERIOR FIT AND FINISH (Seats, cabin, floor, dash, noises)
  Votes: 159 11.3%
• ELECTRONICS (UConnect, displays, nav, sound, safety systems, USB/115v plugs)
  Votes: 327 23.2%
• NO PROBLEMS/HAPPY CAMPER
  Votes: 714 50.6%

I like Ram but wow those are some pretty bad reviews even though reviews generally highlight the bad.

I’m not surprised with a FIAT product. Reminds me of my dad’s 131s. Wouldn’t start when it was wet/cold, poor interior quality and a total rust bucket.

FIAT=Fix It Again Tony lol

 

[JohnyPython]

Oh yeah, OP, goo luck with your new truck. Sometimes it’s a gamble buying a vehicle. Your frustration is understandable.

You can always come back.

 

[smurfslayer]

Based on your timeline, sounds like you have an early production Gen 2 and they were known to have transmission issues. Perhaps instead of getting a Rebel you should consider trading that one in for a new one?

He doesn’t want that, the post is a “glorious departure” notification. It’s seeking validation and support for the decision he’s posting about, in this case, going to a different make/model. He wants others on FRF to know and empathize so he can further rationalize the choice.

There’s nothing wrong with the choice, vehicles are personal choices.
OP: Good luck with the new vehicle, it sounds like you’ll get a good deal financially.

 

[Oldfart]

I like Ram but wow those are some pretty bad reviews even though reviews generally highlight the bad.

I’m not surprised with a FIAT product. Reminds me of my dad’s 131s. Wouldn’t start when it was wet/cold, poor interior quality and a total rust bucket.

FIAT=Fix It Again Tony lol

Lol, I had a silver '77 Fiat X1/9. I ended up having to threaten to sue the dealer to force him to take it back after 8 months. There were no lemon laws on the books back then. It looked good and was fun to drive but you couldn't keep them running. The final straw was getting a call from the dealer while it was there for electrical gremlins, to tell me that the trans had been blown while the tech had it out for a test drive.

 

[NASSTY]

I have an early production Gen 2 and I’ve had exactly zero issues in almost 3 years of daily driving. Have only changed oil and then tires once at 32,000 miles.

My early build 2017 hasn't had any issues either, currently @ 41,000 miles.

 

[zombiekiller]

shoulda just built a superduty that looks like an HD raptor.

 

[FordTechOne]

Good luck and I hope it works out for you. I too have been underwhelmed with the issues on my Raptor (2017) over the past ~3 years.

Sorry to hear about the trouble; definitely not the type of owner experience that any Raptor owner (or any Ford owner) deserves.

1. Oil pan leaking x 2 with replacements

2017 to 2018.5 engines used a 2-piece oil pan; not the best design. However, a competent dealer should be able to reseal one without an issue by following the Workshop Manual, and that repair should last the life of the vehicle. A bad dealer repair will leave you with the same issue, unfortunately.

2. Replaced transmission after being left stranded on the interstate twice from cracked housing where abuts the transfer case. Was on the lift at the dealership for >30 days before being allocated new transmission. New one still has aggressive 3-4-5 “slam” despite flashes, relearning, and TSB’s.

Never heard of the trans housing cracking at the transfer case; did you confirm the failure or is that just what the dealer explained? Many dealers neglect to re-install/replace the transmission dowel pins, which cause the entire transmission/T-case to flex and cause damage. If the trans was replaced ans still exhibits abnormal shifting patterns, I'd suspect that the dealer either failed to install the updated software or just never bothered.

First
3. IWE’s x 3 with most recent being all hub assemblies replaced via TSB and starting to “rattle” again
4. Horn dead and replaced at $340
5. Cam phaser death rattle starting - being “watched” by the dealer
6. Now leaking oil from the valve cover on the passenger side - take in after Xmas
7. Driver auto locks won’t lock when pushing button - fixed x 2
8. Driver’s side heated seat intermittent functioning.

3. The TSB directs the dealer to perform actual diagnostics; not just to replace the hubs (IWEs). Sounds like a misdiagnosis by the dealer.
4. Haven't heard of that one. Why was it not under warranty?
5. There is a TSB for the cam phasers. Shouldn't even be questioned by the dealer.
6. Haven't head of any issues with valve covers...did the dealer have it off at some point? Are you sure the oil leak is originating from that location?
7. Haven't heard of that one..do you by chance have an aftermarket alarm/security system/remote start?
8. Haven't seen that one either.

I am out of the 3 yr/36,000 bumper to bumper.

I love the truck, how it drives, and how it handles, etc. I don’t fully trust it and am afraid it’s going to leave me stranded on one of my trips in the frozen tundra where I live. Problem is, there is nothing else quite like it out there. I really hope the next generation makes a lot of improvements in reliability/cam phasers/IWE’s/improved transmission on the existing Gen 2. I am stupid enough to buy another one.

I am not holding my breath on the 3.5 EB in my Raptor to remain reliable, but I can’t really base that on anything other than the “gut feeling” I get on every start up and it sounds like the lifters are begging for oil.

Tacoma = underpowered, overpriced, technology from 1999
Tundra = see above
Dodge = The worse reliability of any of the big 3
Nissan = need to stop making a truck
Chevy/GMC = I test drove a GMC AT4 (420 hp/460 torque) and it felt almost as quick as the Raptor... almost. It sure sounded better The inside was meh.

This all leaves me waiting for another Raptor. I see zero benefit to switching to a 2020 as it’s the same truck I am already driving except for the shocks.

The Cam Phaser issue and IWE issues were resolved in 2019. The other issues you mentioned appear to be one-offs, as frustrating as they may be.

 

[smgilles]

Sorry to hear about the trouble; definitely not the type of owner experience that any Raptor owner (or any Ford owner) deserves.



2017 to 2018.5 engines used a 2-piece oil pan; not the best design. However, a competent dealer should be able to reseal one without an issue by following the Workshop Manual, and that repair should last the life of the vehicle. A bad dealer repair will leave you with the same issue, unfortunately.



Never heard of the trans housing cracking at the transfer case; did you confirm the failure or is that just what the dealer explained? Many dealers neglect to re-install/replace the transmission dowel pins, which cause the entire transmission/T-case to flex and cause damage. If the trans was replaced ans still exhibits abnormal shifting patterns, I'd suspect that the dealer either failed to install the updated software or just never bothered.



3. The TSB directs the dealer to perform actual diagnostics; not just to replace the hubs (IWEs). Sounds like a misdiagnosis by the dealer.
4. Haven't heard of that one. Why was it not under warranty?
5. There is a TSB for the cam phasers. Shouldn't even be questioned by the dealer.
6. Haven't head of any issues with valve covers...did the dealer have it off at some point? Are you sure the oil leak is originating from that location?
7. Haven't heard of that one..do you by chance have an aftermarket alarm/security system/remote start?
8. Haven't seen that one either.




The Cam Phaser issue and IWE issues were resolved in 2019. The other issues you mentioned appear to be one-offs, as frustrating as they may be.

Thanks for the reply and input. I always appreciate reading your thoughts.

1. I agree with the transmission because it was fine for the first 9,000 miles and then the dealership completed the 'roll pin recall' repair and I puked fluid all over the interstate. Initially they thought it was a bad transmission pan seal and a bad front seal between the transmission and transfer case.

They replaced both seals, I kept leaking transmission fluid in the area of the front seal after picking it up and getting 120 miles down the interstate again. They claimed it was leaking around the transmission case bolts where the transfer case bolts to the transmission. I never visually confirmed as it made no difference on whether I got to drive it and was all under warranty.

I think the dealership caused the crack housing/busted bolt vs now what your wrote, but I had no way to prove other than to wait for ~40 days for a replacement transmission after being towed home >100 miles twice in the middle of January in Minnesota.

2. Diagnostics were performed via TSB with leak down test and everything was replaced but still losing vacuum so opened up hubs assemblies and felt that were way past worn so replaced under warranty.

3. I was >36,000 miles and told me horn is wear/tear part.

4. The best I can tell (which can be a mile off) the oil leak is either passenger side valve cover vs timing chain gasket but difficult to see completely. I took pictures best I could. See my previous posts on this for images. I have 52,000 miles on truck so will have remedied prior to 60k.

5. No aftermarket alarms, etc. The door button will not lock if any kind of humidity/rain/water/sleet. It works great when dry outside. This has been looked at/torn apart twice with "can't find anything wrong". It's annoying but not a deal breaker.

I appreciate your feedback. Again, I really like the truck, enough to buy another one when next generation comes out, but I expected less issues and am definitely jealous of those who have nothing but driving bliss.