I'm trying to get an idea of how often things break on these trucks requiring a stay at the dealer? How often do you have something go out on your truck that you have to take your truck in and leave it? I'm still on the fence about keeping my truck and it's the idea of constant trips to the dealer that is worrying me. My dealer is an hour away and it is a huge inconvenience to take it and leave it.

 

My purchasing dealer is over 60 miles away. The closest dealer is a 60 mile round trip.
I do all my own fuel filter, air filter, oil filter and oil changes myself.
When I do get a CEL I get my code reader out and see what the code is. If the truck is running good I'll reset the code and see if it comes back. If it comes back the next time I drive it. Then I will have to make an appointment to get it in to be checked out.
I try to go back to the purchasing dealer for all my warranty work. But they stay so busy in there diesel dept that I to make an appointment.
My truck is almost 2 years old and 30,000 miles. The dealer has had to keep my truck 2 times over night to fix things and both times I was given a rental car at no cost to me (except gas). I have had mine at the dealer a total of 5 times in 2 years.

 

Over a two year ownership period my truck has been to the dealership 3 times which resulted in an overnight stay only once.
2 times for a leaking fuel tank and 1 EGT Senor fault code.

As far as just visiting the dealership to say Hi maybe once or twice a month. However, I do talk to the GSM (General Sales Manager) almost everyday. He's a pretty decent guy. Of course being my son may sway my view just a hair.

 

80,000 miles and two trips to dealer for warranty issues (radiator,water pump). At least two recalls for factory Reflashes. Truck was delivered in October of 2010. I do all my own general maintenance . So far no real mechanical problems and it is an early build truck. I have a 7 year 125,000 mile warranty.

 

I've never been back to the dealer except for an inspection sticker and the emission recall.

 

No way! I hear you pretty much have to pull your 5ver to the dealership and setup camp for a week just to have an oil change performed...say it aint so!

 

Once for radiator replacement. 100,000 miles so warranty is gone. If the truck needs a mechanic beyond my abilities it will go to a local shop and not the dealer.

 

I sold my 2011 at 145,000 miles.
During that period I had the following
At 36,000 miles, Trany Solenoids replaced and front steering stabilzer replaced for death wobble. Also flushed my tanny fluid

60,000 miles replaced shocks

Around 80,000 miles had the front brakes replaced. Stuck passenger front caliper destroyed rotor. So it was a $700 bill to replace pads, rotors and one caliper.

Just shy of 100,000 miles I needed to replace both batteries. a little over $200, Also flushed and replaced coolant a little over $200

105,000 miles, Death wobble returned, installed new Bilstien front stabilizer, did not fix, ended up replacing front hub/bearings. A little over $1000

120,000 miles EGT sensor #2 went bad. $40 part and 5 minutes under truck

130,000 Coolant connector to turbo went bad, A little over $700- $20 part rest labor. Overnight in dealership for this

140,000 Oil connector to turbo went bad. I did the work this time, Replaced all connectors, gaskets etc. $200 in parts. A couple of days in garage as I worked on it as I had time. You have to remove Turbo and everything else on top of engine to fix this stuff.

144,000 EGT sensor #4 went bad. Truck dead in middle of intersection. Towed into dealer, replaced sensor with spare I had kept under seat. Cost me about $150 for tow and labor to replace sensor. Old sensor was siezed.
No way I was changing it out laying in the street. Also had them flush Tranny and replace serpentine fan belt.

Of course, I had new tires about every 30,000 miles

Changed most of my own oil and filters, Oil every 7500 Fuel and air filters ever other oil change.

 

I've seen my Dealer 2 times in 3 years.

 

2 issues.


Well really one.


The emission recall update and my radio.


Radio did not always come back on upon startup. They replaced it.

 

My 2011 saw the dealer a few times for recalls over 4 years. I only put 40k miles on it though. Compared to other vehicles this one was great for dealer issues.

One of the reasons, I bought a 2015. And so far, the 2015 just twice for maintenance issues over the past year and almost 8k miles.

 

Using the term "constant" in trying to decide anything is way too vague.

What's the limit you're willing to tolerate? 2 times/year? Every 6 months?

It depends on what you do to it also. If you do your own oil, fuel filters, inspection, and stuff like brakes, you would likely be a once/year maybe. Depending on the way you use the truck of course.

My 2015 left the dealer when we signed the papers, hasn't been back and I've got 45,500 miles on it now.

 

My 2014 had two issues, first time a overnight visit for the DEF System Showing 500 miles to empty, second issue; about 4 visits to fix the Radio/Sync issue. Had a Lady Service agent tell me to live with it after the second visit. Told her to get the manager; took two more visits to Finally Fixit. Then Just tree times for oil changes.

The 2015 DRW Still waiting it's first oil Change.. 6000 miles so far

My 2011 F350 DRW had one issue at 45,000 miles for a clogged EGR Valve

 

Had my truck since July of 2013 and put 42k miles on it. It hasn't seen a dealership.

 

Only have about 11k miles on my 13 that I have had for over 2 years. No trips to the dealer.