Dodge RAM 1500 Engine Problems
Owners have filed 740 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Dodge RAM 1500 across 18 model years. The 2012 model year has the most (163). The words owners use most often: “exhaust manifold” (9% of reports).
- 740engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 10mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- $5,200typical repair cost reported by owners
- 42%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Exhaust manifold: mentioned in 66 of 740 complaints (9%)
- Stalled without: mentioned in 38 of 740 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the Dodge RAM 1500 at $5,200, and half of them between $1,600 and $6,450.
Based on 36 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2014–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 603 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 740 complaints, 10 mention a crash, 26 a fire, 3 an injury.
Dodge RAM 1500 engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 RAM 1500 | 163 | 23% | 83,000 |
| 2011 RAM 1500 | 151 | 22% | 100,000 |
| 2010 RAM 1500 | 61 | 13% | 86,000 |
| 2009 RAM 1500 | 50 | 7% | 80,000 |
| 2008 RAM 1500 | 35 | 6% | 79,730 |
| 2007 RAM 1500 | 35 | 7% | 110,000 |
| 2006 RAM 1500 | 33 | 4% | 95,000 |
| 2005 RAM 1500 | 76 | 6% | 87,897 |
| 2004 RAM 1500 | 74 | 7% | 110,000 |
| 2003 RAM 1500 | 21 | 2% | 132,850 |
| 2002 RAM 1500 | 22 | 3% | 116,500 |
| 2001 RAM 1500 | 5 | 0% | 171,000 |
| 2000 RAM 1500 | 3 | 1% | 108,000 |
| 1999 RAM 1500 | 4 | 1% | 119,430 |
| 1998 RAM 1500 | 1 | 0% | 202,156 |
| 1997 RAM 1500 | 3 | 1% | 225,000 |
| 1996 RAM 1500 | 2 | 1% | 123,000 |
| 1995 RAM 1500 | 1 | 0% | 200,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists engine for the Dodge RAM 1500. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Unknown The engine is bad. Costing me $2500 that I don't have. The lifter needs fixing and probably other things as well. I need help.
My 2012 Dodge developed an engine issue at 129,000 miles. The issue was rough idling and no acceleration. I took it to a Dodge dealer. They diagnosed it as a chronic cam issue with this generation Chrysler hemi engine. I had the cam and replaced at Waldorf Dodge. The cost was at $3400. I believe…
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced transmission failure, and the brake lines were rusted. The contact was trapped in the desert for hours with his dog. The contact stated that two independent mechanics had determined that the idler pulley…
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced by an independent mechanic, the contact was informed that the motor mounts were old and fractured. The independent mechanic suggested that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the repair. The…
I bought this truck new I still own problem is the cooling system does not function properly I have put new radiator and all heat and cooling in it the heat and air does not operate properly I have talked with crysler several times and they will help with issue itâs been like this about as long…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge RAM 1500s have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 740 owner complaints about engine for the Dodge RAM 1500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Dodge RAM 1500 engine?
No recall currently lists engine for this vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the Dodge RAM 1500?
Owners report a typical cost of $5,200 (half paid between $1,600 and $6,450), from 36 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the Dodge RAM 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “exhaust manifold”, in 66 of 740 complaints, followed by “stalled without” (38).
Other Dodge RAM 1500 problems
- Power Train problems (2,382)
- Air Bags problems (2,208)
- Structure problems (2,020)
- Electrical System problems (1,377)
- Suspension problems (848)
- Steering problems (833)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (599)
- Exterior Lighting problems (484)
See all Dodge RAM 1500 problems.