1,221 of the 4,615 complaints about the Ram 1500 (26.5%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 1.2× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
1,221Complaints · Engine
26.5%Share of complaints
1.19×vs. all vehicles
232Last 12 months
2.2%Share involving a crash or fire
3Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2021 model (279, 42% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2024 model (23). 232 Engine complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 285 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
Owners most often describe: “engine”, “park”, “etorque”, “manifold” and “emergency brake”. 27 of these reports (2.2%) describe a crash or fire, with 12 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
3 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 23V411000 (2023-06-08, model years 2018 and 2019).
[XXX] Fire occurred while driving [XXX] my Ram 2021 and it was like a mini blast with a lot of sparks as I saw in a rear-view mirror. Everything went out on the dashboard and the car stopped at the Top of Wolf Creek Pass [XXX] .
Engine · 2026-05-18 · ODI 11738547 · Fire
As I was driving at 55mph on the hwy I started smelling gas. I thought it was the car in front of me so I was just going to pass him, but quickly realized I did not have the power to pass another car.
Engine · 2026-03-11 · ODI 11723494 · Fire
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost power and coasted to a stop along the curb, stalled, and the transmission independently shifted to park(P).
Engine · 2026-09-01 · ODI 11761358
This vehicle was subject to NHTSA Recall 22V-767 / Stellantis Recall Z96 for a defective Bosch CP4.2 high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) known to fail and release metal debris into the fuel system.
Engine · 2026-08-31 · ODI 11761142
As we were driving along the freeway at highway speeds, the dash lights completely cut out on my ram 1500 2019. At first, this seemed to simply affect the visibility of the central console, speed controls, light indicators, etc.
Engine · 2026-08-28 · ODI 11760471
My vehicle has experienced a serious and extremely dangerous loss-of-propulsion condition on three separate occasions. The first time this happened, my RAM only had 4,513 miles on the odometer.
Engine · 2026-08-27 · ODI 11760070
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Campaign 23V411000 · 2023-06-08 · Model years: 2018, 2019
Summary: 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.
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. 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 AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL Campaign 20V475000 · 2020-08-13 · Model years: 2018
Summary: 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.
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, 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) Campaign 19V757000 · 2019-10-24 · Model years: 2018, 2019
Summary: 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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB1.
Why modern engines burn oil, and what owner complaints revealThe design choices that make many recent engines consume oil, the warning signs owners describe, what counts as normal, and which tracked models draw the most engine complaints right now.
Frequently asked questions
How common are Engine problems on the Ram 1500?
1,221 of the 4,615 complaints about the Ram 1500 (26.5%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 1.2× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Ram 1500 model years have the most Engine complaints?
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2021 model (279, 42% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2024 model (23).
Is there a recall for Ram 1500 Engine problems?
3 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 23V411000 (2023-06-08, model years 2018 and 2019).