RAM 3500 Engine Problems
Owners have filed 246 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the RAM 3500 across 15 model years. The 2014 model year has the most (29). The words owners use most often: “engine cooling” (10% of reports).
- 246engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 7related recalls
- 48%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.
- Engine cooling: mentioned in 25 of 246 complaints (10%)
- Dodge jeep: mentioned in 15 of 246 complaints (6%)
- Dead pedal: mentioned in 14 of 246 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 119 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 246 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 22 a fire, 2 an injury.
RAM 3500 engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 3500 | 3 | 11% | 458 |
| 2025 3500 | 3 | 7% | 9,000 |
| 2024 3500 | 6 | 13% | 2,600 |
| 2023 3500 | 3 | 18% | 65,000 |
| 2022 3500 | 23 | 12% | 35,000 |
| 2021 3500 | 10 | 16% | 99,000 |
| 2020 3500 | 27 | 23% | 28,500 |
| 2019 3500 | 22 | 16% | 67,500 |
| 2018 3500 | 15 | 2% | 86,000 |
| 2017 3500 | 28 | 9% | 31,600 |
| 2016 3500 | 21 | 16% | 24,000 |
| 2015 3500 | 28 | 20% | 31,500 |
| 2014 3500 | 29 | 14% | 29,000 |
| 2013 3500 | 27 | 23% | 37,650 |
| 2007 3500 | 1 | 17% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (7)
Engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ecm)
Model years: 2022
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Ram 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 2500, and 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L turbo diesel engines. The engine control module (ECM) may have been built with a misaligned capacitor that can short-circuit, resulting in an internal loss of communication.
Risk: An internal loss of communication can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the ECM, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 20, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z87.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication
Model years: 2019, 2020
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. The engine calibration software may not warn about low oil volume.
Risk: Low oil can damage the engine, causing an oil leak or a punctured engine block, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will update the engine calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y21.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication; electrical system:software
Model years: 2019, 2020
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 cab chassis built with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. Inadequate warmup protection can cause a lack of oil film on the engine connecting rod bearings while the engine is reaching operating temperature. This can result in engine damage and connecting rod failure, which could potentially puncture the engine block.
Risk: A damaged engine block may leak oil, which can contact hot engine or exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the engine calibration software to enhance the engine warm up protection, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W57.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel
Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2017 RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines that have Concentric-brand water pumps without a vent hole. These water pumps may leak coolant.
Risk: The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pumps, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T51.
Electrical system:ignition:module; engine and engine cooling:engine
Model years: 2016
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis and 4500/5500 Cab Chassis trucks manufactured July 31, 2015, to August 13, 2015 and equipped with a 6.7L Cummins Diesel engine. In the affected vehicles, the Engine Control Module (ECM) may short circuit, causing the engine to stall without warning.
Risk: An engine that stalls without warning increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECM, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R52.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel; fuel system, diesel
Model years: 2013, 2014
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
Model years: 2013
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks manufactured January 7, 2013, through March 6, 2013. The engine cover may trap an excessive amount of heat under the cover.
Risk: The excessive heat under the engine cover may result in an under hood fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing engine cover with one that is a different design, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed on May 31, 2013. A second letter was mailed to owners with instructions on how to obtain the free remedy on August 15, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N19.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I own a 2015 Ram 3500 equipped with the 6.7L Cummins diesel engine. An authorized Ram dealership diagnosed an engine oil leak originating from the timing gear housing-to-engine block/cylinder block gasket. The leak has progressed beyond minor seepage. Engine oil is traveling down onto the…
The truck has a CEL P2459. The unit was taken back to the dealer on June 15, 2026, and they diagnosed an aftermarket air cleaner and regeneration. The CEL continued to display P2459, and I returned the truck to the dealer on 9/23. The dealer stated I had a defective air cleaner housing and was…
Trucks ignition system does not work properly; manufacturer has no way to diagnose the problem. possible fire hazard? drive system, was not built to factory standards, dealer advised to not to drive out of fear of blowing up while driving down the road.
1. Engine failed while driving. 2.This could have caused an accident if I were at highway speeds. 3. The cause of failure was a spent bearing on piston #3 due to lack of oil. 4. Per my mechanic an engine or rebuild kit is needed. This was a reported complaint in March of this year with a complaint…
Upon start up of the vehicle multiple warning codes appear; ABS turned off, 4 wheel drive temporarily disabled, Stability turned off, front and rear parking sensors disabled, Cruise Control disabled (in all forms). If vehicle is put into drive, or issue happens when the vehicle is already in drive…
Frequently asked questions
Do all RAM 3500s have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 246 owner complaints about engine for the 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 RAM 3500 engine?
Yes: 7 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about engine problems on the RAM 3500?
The most frequent phrase is “engine cooling”, in 25 of 246 complaints, followed by “dodge jeep” (15).
Other RAM 3500 problems
See all RAM 3500 problems.