Purchased a 2008 Dodge 2500 170"wb with 129,XXX miles from Minneapolis. One owner, maintained at the Dodge dealer, and traded in after 10 years to upgrade to a new Promaster.
On my drive back home to Northern Virginia, I experienced a leaking power steering fitting. I flushed that system with new fluid when I got home because I had used a non spec PS fluid to get me home. ($40 in fluid)
I had NO issues between 129k and 139k, but soon after started to experience issues. At that point I started smelling diesel in the cabin, and upon a start one morning heard chuffing. Diagnosed and fixed a leaking injector seal. I broke a leak off line fitting in the process. I also replaced the turbo inlet seal at this point and had a rusted through flex pipe in the exhaust replaced. (Maybe $300 for all of that?)
That's when I started experiencing a recurring CEL related to the EGR system. Cleaning the valve and sensors has always resolved these without needing to clear the code. I now clean the EGR valve and sensors at every oil change.
Driving through Aspen, CO, our passenger side brake rotor broke around the hub requiring a new caliper, set of rotors, and pads. Bled my brakes at the same time obviously. ($600-700)
I've had to replace the parking shoes, cams, springs, and other hardware as well. ($80)
We are currently at 156k and are in the process of replacing our timing chain. This is a big job and I've been having a fair amount of trouble with it. After buying tools and parts, I have spent ~$800.
I also just replaced a set of struts while working at the timing chain. ($450)
I've been able to do all of these repairs myself while traveling, which has saved us thousands.
Owned the van for 10 months and 27,000 miles. Despite our issues I'm glad I bought the van. We've driven from VA to Alaska without any major issues in that time and live out of it full time. I wouldn't buy the vehicle if I couldn't do the work myself, because as a 25 year old without a job that would make the ownership costs too high for me.