RAM 1500 Engine Problems
Owners have filed 2,390 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the RAM 1500 across 15 model years. The 2015 model year has the most (335). The words owners use most often: “exhaust manifold” (7% of reports).
- 2,390engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 26mention a crash
- 24mention an injury
- 6related recalls
- $3,850typical repair cost reported by owners
- 40%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 159 of 2,390 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the RAM 1500 at $3,850, and half of them between $1,300 and $7,700.
Based on 53 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2016–2026), 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 955 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 2,390 complaints, 26 mention a crash, 103 a fire, 24 an injury.
RAM 1500 engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 1500 | 12 | 12% | — |
| 2025 1500 | 74 | 21% | 3,600 |
| 2024 1500 | 23 | 30% | 2,150 |
| 2023 1500 | 46 | 23% | 1,496 |
| 2022 1500 | 248 | 40% | 39,950 |
| 2021 1500 | 276 | 40% | 15,319 |
| 2020 1500 | 155 | 24% | 31,124 |
| 2019 1500 | 232 | 16% | 19,000 |
| 2018 1500 | 110 | 17% | 26,000 |
| 2017 1500 | 156 | 18% | 39,000 |
| 2016 1500 | 291 | 19% | 60,000 |
| 2015 1500 | 335 | 23% | 68,221 |
| 2014 1500 | 304 | 17% | 75,000 |
| 2013 1500 | 123 | 10% | 70,000 |
| 2009 1500 | 5 | 14% | 80,454 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (6)
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; fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Model years: 2020, 2021, 2022
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Jeep Wrangler, Ram 1500, and 2021-2022 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail, causing an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the HPFP and inspect and replace additional fuel system components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Z96.
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.
Engine seized resulting in loss of propulsion while driving on the freeway Vehicle: 2019 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Mileage at failure: ~50,000 miles Purchase: Bought brandânew in April 2020 Maintenance: 8 documented oil changes, all performed on schedule While driving with my family on 7/12, the engine…
On three occasions over the last 6 months my truck has died completely. The first time all warning lights came on and there was no speed showing but the truck kept driving. When I finally parked and restarted everything was normal. The second time all warning lights came on the cool air turned hot…
My 2025 Rebel is actively stalling at low RPMs and dropping into Auto Park while driving, creating a severe safety hazard. It is also running rough when in idle while parked which leads to a stall.
The manufacturer defect involving stress cracks in the rear window structure (TSB 23-042-24) caused water to flood the rear cab wall along with the leaking rear cab air pressure vents. This water has short-circuited the CAN-bus network/RF Hub, causing active dashboard failures including 'Service…
I was stopped at a stop light with auto start off, the engine shut off and went to park. A message showed on the screen to start the vehicle I did and drove off.
Frequently asked questions
Do all RAM 1500s have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 2,390 owner complaints about engine 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?
Yes: 6 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the RAM 1500?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,850 (half paid between $1,300 and $7,700), from 53 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the RAM 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “exhaust manifold”, in 159 of 2,390 complaints.
Other RAM 1500 problems
- Steering problems (2,659)
- Electrical System problems (2,370)
- Power Train problems (1,447)
- Service Brakes problems (1,092)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (1,071)
- Air Bags problems (572)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (537)
- Suspension problems (434)
See all RAM 1500 problems.