Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 | 12% | — |
| 2025 | 81 | 22% | 6,000 miles |
| 2024 | 23 | 30% | 4,000 miles |
| 2023 | 47 | 23% | 2,000 miles |
| 2022 | 250 | 40% | 41,000 miles |
| 2021 | 280 | 41% | 26,000 miles |
| 2020 | 165 | 26% | 48,000 miles |
| 2019 | 249 | 17% | 25,000 miles |
| 2018 | 153 | 23% | 49,000 miles |
| 2017 | 187 | 21% | 44,000 miles |
| 2016 | 353 | 23% | 66,000 miles |
| 2015 | 393 | 27% | 75,000 miles |
| 2014 | 347 | 20% | 76,000 miles |
| 2013 | 130 | 10% | 70,000 miles |
| 2009 | 5 | 14% | 101,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Vehicle returned from warranty repair at MainStreet CDJR of Lansing with severe mechanical negligence and federal compliance breaches. The dealership left critical drivetrain components completely loose, including rear transmission mount bolts and cooler lines, creating an immediate highway safety hazard. A separate, certified Ram dealership has since inspected the truck and generated a formal work order explicitly documenting: "Loose bolts left from prior dealer." Furthermore, the initial dealership assigned an uncertified student trainee (Tech ID 1078) to perform this advanced powertrain warranty work and subsequently signed off on a critical federal occupant safety restraint recall completion. The General Manager verbally admitted to the consumer that the servicing technician was uncertified and currently still attending training classes. …
Shortly after a "low oil pressure" message appeared the vehicle shutdown and coasted to a stop before a suitable place to investigate the issue could be found. Vehicle would not restart. An "low oil add two quarts message" appeared. Engine temp was ordinary. No issues observed under the hood. Oil was found to be dripping from the engine bay to the rear passenger area under the passenger side of the truck. Dealer mechanics diagnosed a catastrophic loss of oil and engine seizure. My wife and I were stranded approximately 800 miles from home and had to arrange for travel home. The vehicle is currently sitting at the dealership in Lincoln, Illinois awaiting my approval for an engine replacement, while I work out the details of a resolution with Ram Care/Stellantis.
The contact owns a 2025 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated at start-up. The contact stated that the following day, the vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with several cylinder misfires. An unknown repair was performed; however, the check engine warning light returned the following day. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the contact was informed that there was a misfire in cylinder#2. The contact was informed that the mechanic had replaced the spark plugs and ignition coil in cylinder#2 and cleaned the fuel injector; however, the check engine warning light remained. The contact was initially informed that further diagnostic tests needed to be performed and that a loaner vehicle could not be provided. …
The contact owns a 2025 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the doors locked after her husband exited the vehicle. The key fob failed to open the door. After two hours, the vehicle suddenly unlocked. No warning lights were illuminated. Upon starting the vehicle, it was driven to another location but failed to restart. The vehicle made an abnormal trembling sound. The vehicle was jump-started. The brake pedal made a trembling sound. All the warning lights illuminated. The blind spot light was flashing. The instrument cluster was inoperable. While driving, the brakes had to be pumped for it to respond and stop. The contact called the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, where it was determined the vehicle was working as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2024 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle lost power, the parking brake activated, and the transmission independently shifted into the park. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The instrument panel showed that the battery charge had dropped to 12-Volts. The failure had occurred twice. The tow truck company was contacted and was able to recharge the battery and the contact to drove the vehicle to the residence. The contact stated that approximately 3 weeks later the failure recurred a second time at 1,800 miles. The vehicle was towed to the dealer however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 800.
The contact owns a 2024 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving with his family at approximately 70 MPH, several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power and came to a complete stop in the middle of the highway. Additionally, the hazards lights failed to engage as needed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the dealer informed the contact that the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 3,500.
The contact owns a 2023 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a coolant odor coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the contact noticed a puddle of condensation underneath the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle drove normally and there were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the radiator was cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred 6 months later. The vehicle was then taken to the same dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the new radiator had cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact stated that a friend who was a mechanic also inspected the vehicle and stated that the radiator needed to be replaced due to a crack. …
Check engine light blinks on and off intermittently, vehicle shakes and feels as if it's going to stall. From time to time when going to accelerate I pulled out on a main roads and the vehicle lost all power my kids and I flew forward. While idling at a red light, the vehicle started to shake as if it was going to stall and jerked forward and hit the car in front of me. I brought this to the attention of the dealer. I purchased it from and They stated they cannot find any issues. I have pictures and videos of the check engine light coming on in intermittently. I also called when it lost power, pulling into the intersection. This all should be recorded with Jerry Ulm dealer in Tampa.
Related recalls (5)
Engine and engine cooling
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…
Remedy: 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.
Engine
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.
Remedy: 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.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Diesel
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…
Remedy: 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,…
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
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.
Remedy: 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.
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Remedy: 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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ram 1500 years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2015 (393), 2016 (353), 2014 (347), 2021 (280) and 2022 (250) model years. Engine complaints make up 27% of all complaints for the 2015.
Is there a recall for Ram 1500 engine problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 23V-411 (engine and engine cooling, Jun 8, 2023); 22V-767 (engine, Oct 13, 2022); 20V-475 (diesel, Aug 13, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ram 1500 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (24 mentions), followed by the exhaust system (18).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.