RAM 1500 Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 304 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the RAM 1500 across 12 model years. The 2015 model year has the most (63). The words owners use most often: “fuel diesel engine” (16% of reports).
- 304engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- 57%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.
- Fuel diesel engine: mentioned in 50 of 304 complaints (16%)
- Tone wheel: mentioned in 38 of 304 complaints (13%)
- Cooling contacted: mentioned in 33 of 304 complaints (11%)
- Motive power: mentioned in 33 of 304 complaints (11%)
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 214 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 304 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 3 an injury.
RAM 1500 engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 1500 | 6 | 2% | 3,523 |
| 2023 1500 | 1 | 0% | 52,000 |
| 2022 1500 | 4 | 1% | 60,000 |
| 2021 1500 | 4 | 1% | 52,850 |
| 2020 1500 | 10 | 2% | 58,450 |
| 2019 1500 | 18 | 1% | 63,000 |
| 2018 1500 | 46 | 7% | 96,500 |
| 2017 1500 | 32 | 4% | 95,000 |
| 2016 1500 | 62 | 4% | 102,000 |
| 2015 1500 | 63 | 4% | 115,116 |
| 2014 1500 | 50 | 3% | 105,000 |
| 2013 1500 | 8 | 1% | 66,114 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-2002. FCA US's number for this recall is W58.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic Pickup trucks equipped with 3.0L Eco Diesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.
Risk: Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. The recall began April 16, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB1.
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables; engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel
Model years: 2014, 2015
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ram 1500 diesel 4x2 trucks manufactured August 8, 2013, to July 2, 2015. The affected vehicles have a battery harness that may rub against the frame bracket for the right engine mount resulting in an electrical short.
Risk: If the harness shorts, the vehicle may stall and there is an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to confirm that the battery harness is correctly routed and secured. Any harness that shows evidence of wear will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 8, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R43.
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2013
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 RAM 1500 trucks manufactured manufactured June 25, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the coolant bypass valve may stick in a position that does not allow coolant to flow into the heater core. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Vehicle Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
Risk: Without a properly working windshield defrosting system, a buildup of mositure or ice could limit the driver's ability to see, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace replace the suspect coolant valves along with an updated calibration, free of charge. The recall began on June 25, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N25.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that there was an abnormally strong diesel odor coming from the vehicle at startup and while driving, with black smoke coming from the exhaust pipes while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the…
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the messages "Service Emissions Control" and "Exhaust Filter 100 Percent Full - Service Required - See Dealer" were displayed, and there was a strong fuel odor coming through the vents while idling or while driving. Additionally, while…
My local dodge dealer infromed me that my oil pan needs replaced when i took truck in for normal routine maintenance. A $1700.00 repair and my 2019 dodge ram bighorn truck was out of warranty. This is a saftey hazzard that dodge should be responisble for on a 6 year old truck with only 90,000 miles…
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was initially taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V411000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). After retrieving the vehicle, while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed back to the local…
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the dealer performed an unknown software update associated with an unknown class-action lawsuit settlement without the owner's consent. Following the software update, the vehicle experienced cooling system failures, including oil intrusion…
Frequently asked questions
Do all RAM 1500s have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 304 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the 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 RAM 1500 engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 5 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 RAM 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “fuel diesel engine”, in 50 of 304 complaints, followed by “tone wheel” (38).
Other RAM 1500 problems
- Steering problems (2,661)
- Engine problems (2,391)
- Electrical System problems (2,372)
- Power Train problems (1,447)
- Service Brakes problems (1,092)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (1,072)
- Air Bags problems (572)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (537)
See all RAM 1500 problems.