Which Ram 1500 years have the most engine problems?

The 2018 and 2019 model years have the most engine complaints in the data, at 101 and 108. The 2020 to 2022 years follow. The 2023 to 2025 years have few, but they have had less time to collect complaints, so that does not make them better.

Is it safe to drive a Ram 1500 with an engine problem?

It depends on the symptom. A tick from an exhaust manifold usually leaves the truck drivable, though exhaust smell in the cab is a concern. Stalling, power loss, smoke or a low oil pressure reading are more serious. Owners lose steering assist and braking when the engine cuts out.

Is there a recall for Ram 1500 engine problems?

Federal records list three recalls in this area, all for 3.0L diesel engines. One covers a cracking EGR cooler. Two cover a crankshaft position sensor tone wheel that may delaminate. None of the recall lines mention the Hemi exhaust manifolds or the stalling complaints.

How much does it cost to fix Ram 1500 engine problems?

Costs in owner reports vary widely. One owner was quoted $3,200 for both exhaust manifolds, and another $1,861.53 for an oil pan. Full engine replacements ran over $10,000, and one was 16 grand. Independent data puts the model's overall annual repair cost at $691.

Why does my Ram 1500 stall when turning?

Owners with 2021 to 2023 trucks report the engine shutting off in slow turns, often on eTorque models. Dealers frequently find no codes and cannot reproduce it. Code P032F has turned up in some cases. The data does not name a confirmed cause or fix.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Ram 1500 Engine Problems

Ram 1500 engine problems center on cracked Hemi exhaust manifolds, with low-speed stalling and EcoDiesel bearing failures also common.

Owner complaints: 471
Share of all complaints: 12%
Crash / fire / injury reports: 2 / 9 / 1
Related recalls: 3

1500 engine complaints by model year

The 2018 and 2019 model years have the most engine complaints, at 101 and 108. The 2019 year also has the most fire and crash reports in this area. The 2020, 2021 and 2022 years fall in the middle, with 64 to 91 each. The 2023, 2024 and 2025 years show only a handful of complaints, but that mostly reflects less time on the road, so do not read it as a sign they are better. The 2026 year has none yet, which says little either way. Each year leans toward a different pattern, so match the year to its known problem.

2018
101 · 2.3/10k sold
2019
108 · 2/10k sold
2020
64 · 1.4/10k sold
2021
91 · 1.9/10k sold
2022
77 · 1.9/10k sold
2023
13 · 0.3/10k sold
2024
4 · 0.1/10k sold
2025
13 · 0.4/10k sold
2026
0

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA under engine, engine and engine cooling. Newer model years have had less time to collect complaints.

What goes wrong

What goes wrong depends on the engine. On the 5.7 Hemi, owners describe a loud tick at startup that fades as the engine warms. The cause is often cracked or warped exhaust manifolds and broken bolts, and some owners smell exhaust in the cab. Other Hemis suffer ticking that turns into lifter and camshaft failure. On the EcoDiesel, owners report bearing failures, EGR cooler cracks and long waits for recall parts. On 2021 to 2023 trucks, the engine cuts out in slow turns.

The stalls are the biggest safety worry. Owners lose power steering and full braking, and the parking brake can set itself. Dealers often find no codes and cannot reproduce the fault. Some failures end in a replacement engine, and one owner paid 16 grand for one. Complaint records also include fires: parked trucks, engine compartment fires while driving, and one truck destroyed. Most reports describe a truck that still runs, but a stall in traffic can be dangerous.

Symptoms owners report

Ticking from exhaust manifolds

A loud tick at startup that fades as the engine warms is the classic Hemi complaint. Owners find cracked manifolds or snapped bolts. Some smell exhaust in the cab while idling. One owner had manifolds crack three times.

Stalling in slow turns

The engine quits while slowing or turning, often at 5 to 15 mph. Power steering and braking drop out, the parking brake sets itself, and the truck may shift to park. Dealers often find no codes. Reports are common on 2021 to 2023 trucks.

Lifter and camshaft failure

Hemi ticking progresses to bad lifters and camshafts, with metal in the oil or broken pushrods. Some trucks end up needing a full engine. A 2024 owner reported a third camshaft and lifter set by 43,000 miles.

EcoDiesel bearing and EGR failures

Diesel owners report a clank or knock, then zero oil pressure and lost power from main or crankshaft bearing failure. Cracked EGR coolers cause heavy smoke, and one owner had the truck pouring smoke while driving.

Misfires and power loss

Newer trucks set misfire codes such as P0300 and run rough or stall on cold starts, sometimes within a few hundred miles. Others lose power while towing, drop into a limp mode, or shut off at highway speed.

Fires

Fire reports appear in several years. They include parked trucks, an engine compartment fire shortly after a fuel pump recall repair, and a fire during cold weather with a block heater plugged in. Some trucks were total losses.

When the problems start

Hemi exhaust manifold complaints cluster between 34,000 and 51,000 miles, though some leaks show up before 25,000 and others near 72,000 to 80,000. Lifter and camshaft failures appear mostly between 50,000 and 68,000 miles. EcoDiesel bearing failures are reported at 38,000 to 70,000 miles. Stalling can start very early, with some owners reporting it at 1,200 or 10,000 miles.

Repairs and recalls

Manifold repairs are often covered under warranty, but owners say coverage ends around 60,000 miles. One was quoted $3,200 for both manifolds after warranty. A rusted oil pan quote was $1,861.53, which the dealer called corrosion. Replacement engines run over $10,000 in the reports. Federal recall records list three diesel recalls. One replaces the EGR cooler on 3.0L EcoDiesel trucks (19V757000). Two update software for a crankshaft position sensor tone wheel that may delaminate (20V475000, 23V411000). Owners report waiting a year or more for parts.

Model years	Campaign	Problem
2018, 2019	23V411000	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…
2018, 2019	19V757000	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…
2018	20V475000	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…

Checking a used 1500 for engine problems

Start the engine cold and listen for a tick that fades as it warms. That points to exhaust manifold trouble.
Ask for records of exhaust manifold or bolt repairs, and whether the work was done under warranty.
On an EcoDiesel, ask the dealer to confirm in writing that the EGR cooler recall work was completed on that VIN.
Check the oil for metal or a copper look, and watch the oil pressure gauge at idle.
Test drive with several slow turns and stops, and ask the seller if the truck has ever stalled.
Look at the oil pan for rust, especially on trucks with higher mileage.

3 engine recalls cover the Ram 1500. A VIN check shows whether the car you're looking at had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.

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