Dodge RAM 3500 Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 124 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Dodge RAM 3500 across 18 model years. The 2007 model year has the most (17). The words owners use most often: “cooling fuel diesel” (10% of reports).
- 124engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 4mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 62%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.
- Cooling fuel diesel: mentioned in 12 of 124 complaints (10%)
- Catalytic converter: mentioned in 7 of 124 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 68 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 124 complaints, 4 mention a crash, 10 a fire.
Dodge RAM 3500 engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 RAM 3500 | 10 | 3% | 230,750 |
| 2011 RAM 3500 | 4 | 2% | 50,675 |
| 2010 RAM 3500 | 6 | 4% | 500 |
| 2009 RAM 3500 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2008 RAM 3500 | 13 | 8% | 21,000 |
| 2007 RAM 3500 | 17 | 8% | 20,000 |
| 2006 RAM 3500 | 6 | 2% | 85,000 |
| 2005 RAM 3500 | 10 | 5% | 78,500 |
| 2004 RAM 3500 | 6 | 3% | 5,375 |
| 2003 RAM 3500 | 4 | 1% | 5,056 |
| 2002 RAM 3500 | 2 | 5% | 29,000 |
| 2001 RAM 3500 | 5 | 4% | 87,420 |
| 2000 RAM 3500 | 5 | 9% | 35,500 |
| 1999 RAM 3500 | 12 | 12% | 101,000 |
| 1998 RAM 3500 | 7 | 7% | 158,500 |
| 1997 RAM 3500 | 6 | 5% | 103,000 |
| 1996 RAM 3500 | 7 | 6% | 50,000 |
| 1995 RAM 3500 | 3 | 3% | — |
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 owned a 2012 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, a fire started under the hood. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. The hood was completely consumed by the fire. The fire department declared the vehicle a total loss. The contact stated…
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while that while the vehicle was in for service, the independent mechanic discovered fuel leaking from the fuel filter heater assembly. The contact was advised that the fuel filter heater assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…
2010 dodge ram 3500. Consumer writes in regards to replacement parts not available to repair recall notices 14v-635 and 13v-529. *ld
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 ram 3500. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 14v635000 (engine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel); however, the part for the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the…
2010 dodge ram 3500. Consumer writes in regards to diesel fuel heater electrical connector recall notice issues. *smd the consumer was informed there was a waiting list. *jb updated 09/10/15*lj updated 12/11/2015*js
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge RAM 3500s have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 124 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the Dodge RAM 3500. 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 3500 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.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the Dodge RAM 3500?
The most frequent phrase is “cooling fuel diesel”, in 12 of 124 complaints, followed by “catalytic converter” (7).
Other Dodge RAM 3500 problems
- Steering problems (1,017)
- Power Train problems (349)
- Suspension problems (331)
- Air Bags problems (314)
- Electrical System problems (276)
- Structure problems (173)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (147)
- Exterior Lighting problems (144)
See all Dodge RAM 3500 problems.