Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 11% | 0 miles |
| 2025 | 3 | 7% | 9,000 miles |
| 2024 | 6 | 13% | 3,000 miles |
| 2023 | 4 | 24% | 65,000 miles |
| 2022 | 25 | 13% | 89,000 miles |
| 2021 | 13 | 21% | 190,000 miles |
| 2020 | 30 | 26% | 31,000 miles |
| 2019 | 26 | 19% | 87,000 miles |
| 2018 | 18 | 2% | 64,000 miles |
| 2017 | 32 | 10% | 32,000 miles |
| 2016 | 25 | 19% | 24,000 miles |
| 2015 | 31 | 23% | 37,000 miles |
| 2014 | 33 | 16% | 30,000 miles |
| 2013 | 29 | 25% | 38,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 17% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine, 4WD, ABS, park sensors, and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the speed sensor for the rear wheels; however, the failure persisted, and the transmission failed to recognize that the gear selector was in park(P). Roadside Assistance arrived and unplugged the battery cables to turn off the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was waiting for engineers to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 458.
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.
The contact owns a 2025 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed, and determined that several repairs were needed, and there was an issue with the battery. The dealer replaced two batteries, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer, but the cause of the failure was not duplicated. On another occasion, while driving approximately 50 MPH and hauling a trailer, there were several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the contact heard a loud banging coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a different dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
I have been submitting reports to you for several months with no resolution. The truck yet again experienced the same problem, twice, within 1 week. It would start but then claim that it couldn't detect what gear it was in and said "can't shut off until transmission is in park". After cutting electrical power to get it to shut off, it would not start. After getting it started, it would not go into gear. Once I got the engine running and transmission to go into gear, it no longer had ABS.
The contact owned a 2024 RAM 3500. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and idling on the driveway, it caught on fire in the engine compartment. The vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The origin of the fire was unknown. The entire engine compartment was burnt and the vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle remained at the scene where it caught on fire. No injuries were sustained. A fire department report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,600.
On 01/21/2026 there was a warning light that came on stating accelerator control sensor, the next morning the truck started stalling, and continued stalling multiple times. I attempted to get the vehicle to the service center. It then stalled 2 more times, the service center told me they couldn't look at the truck until the next day, the vehicle then stalled on me again that evening, they kept the truck until Friday evening, and told me they couldn't duplicate the issue. They knew it had happened, but they couldn't find the cause without replacing a bunch of parts until they found the correct issue. I took the vehicle home, started it the next morning and the maintenance required issue again returned, I took it back to the service center, they checked the codes, and told me it shows the 3rd taillight is staying on which indicates usually a fuel issue. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving or while the vehicle was parked, the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the seat belt warning light was intermittently illuminated while the seat belt was securely buckled. The messages "Service ESC" and "Service Trailer Brake System" were displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
On my model year 2023 RAM 3500 equipped with the Cummins 6.7L High Output engine, the premature failure of the camshaft valve lifter has caused the engine camshaft to have abnormal wear due the valve lifter roller bearing seizing. This has also caused metallic debris to contaminate the engine oil causing further damage to other engine components. This potential safety hazard of this incident, potential catastrophic engine failure which may occur while driving and cause the vehicle to stop suddenly without driver input. According reports provided by multiple consumers and dealer service departments for this vehicle model, others have experienced the same failure. The vehicle has not been independently inspected. There were no warning lamps, the only recognizable symptom to the issue is an irregular ticking sound coming from the engine bay upon startup and at warm temperature idle.
Related recalls (6)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Engine control module (ECU/ECM)
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.
Remedy: 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
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.
Remedy: 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.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Oil/lubrication
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.
Remedy: 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.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Diesel
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.
Remedy: 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.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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.
Remedy: 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.
Show 1 more recall
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Remedy: 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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ram 3500 years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (33), 2017 (32), 2015 (31), 2020 (30) and 2013 (29) model years. Engine complaints make up 16% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for Ram 3500 engine problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 22V-642 (engine control module (ecu/ecm), Aug 26, 2022); 21V-439 (oil/lubrication, Jun 10, 2021); 20V-511 (oil/lubrication, Aug 27, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ram 3500 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles; 54% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine › diesel (4 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline › turbo/supercharger (3).
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.