The "No-Buy" List: Which diesel years are the biggest money pits?

[AxleExpert]

Everyone knows about the 6.0L and 6.4L Ford issues, but what about the less-talked-about years? Like the early LML Duramax fuel systems or the first-gen Aisin transmissions in the Rams? If you had $30k to buy a used diesel today, which specific year/model would you RUN away from regardless of the price?

 

[DieselBrawn]

I’m a Cummins guy through and through, but I would RUN from a 2013-2014 Ram 3500 with the first-gen Aisin AS69RC. When they first introduced it to handle the high-output torque, the programming was archaic. They are known for 'harsh shifting' that feels like you got rear-ended, and if they fail, parts are twice as expensive as a standard 68RFE. Also, avoid any 2013-2018 truck that has spent its life idling on a job site—the grid heater bolt issue is a silent killer for the 6.7L. If I had $30k, I’d look for a high-mileage 2012 (the last year of no-DEF) and rebuild the front end myself.