I purchased a new 2026 Ram 3500 Laramie from Northwest Ram in Beaverton, Oregon on September 12,…read more2026.
I traveled approximately 3.5 hours to purchase a specific truck and informed dealership staff upon arrival which vehicle I was there to buy and that I had a limited timeframe. Despite this, the truck was not made available for viewing until approximately 10:30 a.m. The vehicle was stored offsite, and I ultimately had to drive a salesperson to the storage lot myself. The lot was initially inaccessible, requiring multiple trips before I could inspect the truck.
I do want to note that Sean was consistently friendly throughout the process and was especially kind and welcoming to my young daughter during our visit. I genuinely appreciated the way he treated my family and wanted to acknowledge that positive aspect of the experience.
Prior to purchase, I identified a heavily scratched gauge cluster and was told the dealership would contact me regarding a repair plan. I also discovered that the truck had not been properly prepared for delivery. The interior contained what appeared to be spit on the rearview mirror, coffee residue on the dashboard, and dust throughout the cabin. These issues were documented by dealership personnel but were never corrected before delivery.
The truck was also delivered with less than half a tank of DEF. To Sean's credit, he provided me with one gallon of DEF after I raised the concern, which I appreciated. However, even after adding the DEF, the gauge did not move beyond the halfway mark, further contributing to my concern that the truck had not been fully prepared for delivery.
Within five minutes of leaving the dealership, the truck displayed multiple fault codes, a check engine light, ABS-related warnings, and a message indicating that the automatic emergency braking system had been disabled. The truck also intermittently refused to shift into Drive or Reverse after startup, requiring a complete restart before it would engage a gear.
The day after purchase, my wife discovered two tears and additional damage in the headliner above the rear seat. I immediately reported the issue and provided photographs.
Shortly afterward, I was contacted and informed that the dealership wanted to unwind the transaction and return my trade-in vehicle, but only if I could return to the dealership that same day. Because I live 3.5 hours away and had work and family obligations, this was not feasible. I asked if it could be done the following day and was told no. I was told paperwork would be sent electronically, but it never arrived. Instead, a service appointment was scheduled for Oct 5.
When I returned the truck for service, I was informed that it required two software updates and two replacement parts. The service advisor also stated that, in his opinion, the truck should not have been sold in its condition.
Communication throughout the process was inconsistent. Multiple requests for status updates required repeated follow-up, and different departments provided conflicting information regarding repairs, rental coverage, and next steps.
The headliner issue is especially concerning. After nearly a month, the dealership ultimately chose to repair the damaged headliner rather than replace it. While the repair was completed, the damage remains visible. The affected area is still noticeable and appears scuffed, making it clear that the headliner was damaged and repaired rather than replaced. On a brand-new truck of this value, I do not believe a visible cosmetic repair is an appropriate resolution for delivery damage that existed at the time of sale.
My primary concern is not any single issue but the overall pattern of events. The truck was delivered with cosmetic defects, cleanliness issues, electronic faults, shifting concerns, and interior damage that was discovered immediately after purchase. The vehicle then required software updates and replacement parts almost immediately. Even dealership service personnel acknowledged concerns regarding the condition of the vehicle when it was sold.
I purchased a new Ram expecting a properly inspected, prepared, and supported vehicle. Instead, my first month of ownership involved documenting defects, making multiple seven-hour round trips to the dealership, coordinating repairs, and repeatedly seeking updates.