Dodge RAM 2500 Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 265 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Dodge RAM 2500 across 18 model years. The 2001 model year has the most (26).
- 265engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 4mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $3,350typical repair cost reported by owners
- 51%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the Dodge RAM 2500 at $3,350, and half of them between $1,100 and $8,000.
Based on 14 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2002–2010), 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 and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 178 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 265 complaints, 4 mention a crash, 27 a fire, 5 an injury.
Dodge RAM 2500 engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 RAM 2500 | 9 | 3% | 48,500 |
| 2011 RAM 2500 | 11 | 4% | 24,375 |
| 2010 RAM 2500 | 6 | 3% | 12,419 |
| 2009 RAM 2500 | 9 | 4% | 10,000 |
| 2008 RAM 2500 | 23 | 7% | 15,545 |
| 2007 RAM 2500 | 20 | 6% | 18,622 |
| 2006 RAM 2500 | 11 | 2% | 31,750 |
| 2005 RAM 2500 | 13 | 3% | 23,500 |
| 2004 RAM 2500 | 24 | 4% | 25,650 |
| 2003 RAM 2500 | 15 | 2% | 20,500 |
| 2002 RAM 2500 | 8 | 5% | 53,000 |
| 2001 RAM 2500 | 26 | 6% | 100,000 |
| 2000 RAM 2500 | 12 | 6% | 88,000 |
| 1999 RAM 2500 | 24 | 8% | 96,946 |
| 1998 RAM 2500 | 13 | 6% | 95,500 |
| 1997 RAM 2500 | 15 | 7% | 68,485 |
| 1996 RAM 2500 | 14 | 5% | 113,000 |
| 1995 RAM 2500 | 12 | 4% | 46,966 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel; fuel system, diesel
Model years: 2010, 2011, 2012
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
Risk: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P65.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel
Model years: 2007, 2008
Problem: Chrysler is recalling 108,429 my 2007-2008 dodge ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with 6.7l diesel engines. A silencer pad can sag and contact the exhaust gas recirculation (egr) cooler.
Risk: This could result in an engine compartment fire.
Fix: Dealers will add a bracket to support the engine compartment silencer pad adjacent to the egr cooler. The recall is expected to begin during december 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that there was an abnormal odor coming from the exhaust at start-up. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the exhaust…
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, the headlights flashed off and on, and the battery failed to remain charged. The contact diagnosed an electrical ground short, a low voltage to the intake air…
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving various speeds, he started to smell exhaust fumes inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 ram 2500. The contact stated that the exhaust system regeneration required now warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vin was…
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 dodge ram 2500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the odor of diesel fuel was present inside the cabin which had caused respiratory problems for the driver. The contact indicated that the odor was more present while the engine was idling. The vehicle…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge RAM 2500s have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 265 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the Dodge RAM 2500. 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 2500 engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the Dodge RAM 2500?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,350 (half paid between $1,100 and $8,000), from 14 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
Other Dodge RAM 2500 problems
- Steering problems (1,914)
- Suspension problems (840)
- Structure problems (623)
- Power Train problems (613)
- Air Bags problems (584)
- Electrical System problems (518)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (372)
- Exterior Lighting problems (263)
See all Dodge RAM 2500 problems.