FaultScore

Dodge RAM 2500 engine problems

467 of the 8,415 complaints filed about the Dodge RAM 2500 are about the engine — 6% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2012.

467

Complaints

6%

Share of all complaints

6

Crashes

62

Fires

Engine & Cooling complaints by model year

1992 RAM 2500 4 0.9%
1993 RAM 2500 2 0.4%
1994 RAM 2500 9 1.9%
1995 RAM 2500 13 2.8%

Median failure at 46,965 miles

1996 RAM 2500 14 3.0%

Median failure at 113,000 miles

1997 RAM 2500 15 3.2%

Median failure at 68,485 miles

1998 RAM 2500 15 3.2%

Median failure at 95,500 miles

1999 RAM 2500 26 5.6%

Median failure at 92,690 miles

2000 RAM 2500 18 3.9%

Median failure at 71,500 miles

2001 RAM 2500 34 7.3%

Median failure at 110,000 miles

2002 RAM 2500 10 2.1%

Median failure at 60,500 miles

2003 RAM 2500 20 4.3%

Median failure at 29,341 miles

2004 RAM 2500 40 8.6%

Median failure at 41,000 miles

2005 RAM 2500 19 4.1%

Median failure at 32,200 miles

2006 RAM 2500 17 3.6%

Median failure at 65,000 miles

2007 RAM 2500 37 7.9%

Median failure at 32,746 miles

2008 RAM 2500 40 8.6%

Median failure at 40,130 miles

2009 RAM 2500 14 3.0%

Median failure at 43,900 miles

2010 RAM 2500 26 5.6%

Median failure at 46,251 miles

2011 RAM 2500 40 8.6%

Median failure at 62,500 miles

2012 RAM 2500 54 11.6%

Median failure at 63,000 miles

What owners said

2004 Dodge RAM 2500 Newark, OH Crash Fire

ENGINE

In the past 6 months my steering and suspension components failed causing me to wreck and also somehow my engine bay deteriorated in turn having started a fire

NHTSA complaint #11756595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge RAM 2500 Belfry, MT

ENGINE

We purchased our 2012 Dodge Ram heavy duty with tow package new. At just over 152000 miles, the engine started knocking while on vacation. We were not towing at the time. We put in injector cleaner to try and help the knocking. During our vacation, we were on the freeway when we suddenly lost power, the service engine light popped on, and the engine died. We were literally driving one minute and the next were trying to get out of the traffic lane with no control. We restarted the engine, the knocking had stopped and power was restored. Two days later, another episode of power decrease but with no engine service light. We used premium gas, injector cleaner and listened for the knocking that came and went, to drive home. We were told by our local dealership it is a lifter failure and the truck needs a replacement engine.

NHTSA complaint #11740399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Dodge RAM 2500 at 140,000 miles Atkins, AR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that there was an abnormal odor coming from the exhaust at start-up. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the exhaust manifold bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA complaint #11649217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Dodge RAM 2500 at 162,000 miles La Veta, CO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, the headlights flashed off and on, and the battery failed to remain charged. The contact diagnosed an electrical ground short, a low voltage to the intake air heater relay, and the engine grid heater was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the Extended Warranty coverage for the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000.

NHTSA complaint #11615213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge RAM 2500 Sterling, OH

ENGINE

Warped head / blown head gasket

NHTSA complaint #11611894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge RAM 2500 at 168,000 miles Decatur, IL

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2012 Ram 2500. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The contact also stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.

NHTSA complaint #11532307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Dodge RAM 2500 at 162,000 miles Lula, GA

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving various speeds, he started to smell exhaust fumes inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.

NHTSA complaint #11508674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Dodge RAM 2500 at 162,000 miles Lula, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving various speeds, he started to smell exhaust fumes inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.

NHTSA complaint #11508674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge RAM 2500 Austinburg, OH

ENGINE

The manifold bolts rusted away which caused the manifolds themselves to warp. In June of 2015 I had repaired this vehicle because of the same exact problem.

NHTSA complaint #11499759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge RAM 2500 Lincoln, MI

ENGINE

Exhaust Manifold on passenger side is leaking. It has a broken bolt due to manifold warping. This is causing exhaust to leak into the cab.

NHTSA complaint #11498190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge RAM 2500 Carroll, OH

ENGINE

Some electrical components became inoperative in the quick minute. Fuel pump was running continuedly till the battery was drained. Mechanic, I had used before told me that the TIPM Module was defective and needed replaced. Truck just before the battery died was that not all Eletronic's were working. Interior lights, horn, cruise control, FOBs not responding to the vehicle. Mechanic stated that the TPIM did need to be replaced. Contacted dealership were purchased and they told me that there have been recalls out on this particular part. I know that from 2009 to 2017 there have been several models that were impacted by this part being defective. I do have the invoice from the mechanic that took care of replacing the TIPM module.

NHTSA complaint #11491994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge RAM 2500 Cedar Rapids, IA

ENGINE

The exhaust manifold bolts on both sides of the engine warp due to two different metals being put together under heat. Steel and aluminum expand at different temperatures. This causes the bolts to break off of the exhaust manifold creating an exhaust leak into the engine bay. Yes, this can be inspected upon request. The safety of myself and the general public is at risk due to the exhaust leak into the engine bay being pulled into the cab via the heating or airconditioning system. The exhaust fumes are pulled into the cab of the truck via the heating and airconditioning system. When running, the truck has a very noticeable smell inside the cab. It has caused me headaches as well. This poses a risk to the public if the driver were to pass out from said fumes. The problem can be reproduced and is a known issue with Dodge. It is very well documented online that this problem happens to nearly all Dodge Ram trucks. It has never been recalled because Dodge says its not a "safety" concern. This is very much so a safety issue. The components have been inspected by others, and verified as broken. I will not take it to a dealership to have it inspected as they want to charge 150$/hr to diagnose something that even they recognize as a known issue. There were no warning lamps, messages or any visible indication of this problem. A loud ticking noise and a strong smell of exhaust fumes are what brought the issues to attention.

NHTSA complaint #11465983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge RAM 2500 Locust Grove, GA

ENGINE

My Dodge Ram 2500, 2012 Hemi engine started making a ticking sound so got a tune up. The machinic changed the spark plugs and distributors around after I complained. Nothing he was able to do enable the truck to function properly. I spoke with the Dodge dealership, the spoken informed me that when Dodge merged with MERCEDE the problem persisted and to this date a fix was not provided. I spoke with other Dodge owner who experience the same problem. The engine was not functioning properly because of internal damage. The cost of repair would cost between $8K and $10K to replace or repair the engine. The dealership stated that NHTSA nor Dodge have provided a fix and that the problem still persist to this day.

NHTSA complaint #11454342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge RAM 2500 Lakewood, CA

ENGINE

Engine has been making a ticking noise on the passenger side for the past few months. The passenger side exhaust manifold warped and broke two bolts in the engine block. This caused an exhaust leak and made the truck run rich due to the leak before oxygen sensor. Fuel efficiency declined. Replaced the exhaust manifold, gasket, and bolts to repair the problem.

NHTSA complaint #11451688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge RAM 2500 East Sandwich, MA

ENGINE

The bolts holding the exhaust manifold to the engine cylinder head, are breaking off. This has occurred in the past, on the drivers and passengers side. I had the problem repaired, by a dealer, which required the replacement of the passenger side cylinder head as well. This issue has re-occurred on the drivers side, which has been confirmed by a Ram dealer, as shown in the attached documentation. In every instance, the issue starts with a tapping noise, as the exhaust manifold pulls away from the head. Passengers in my truck have complained about the smell of exhaust fumes, which is a safety and health issue. This truck only has 85,000 miles, yet this is the 3rd incident of this issue occurring.

NHTSA complaint #11448459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge RAM 2500 Bradenton, FL

ENGINE

Engine died and would not start... while driving in traffic causing a near crash and blocking traffic..Problem confirmed to be the ECM, and confirmed to be faulty by Dodge Dealer and the Cummings repair factory and not repairable..did not see or hear any warning..

NHTSA complaint #11442895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Dodge RAM 2500 at 43,000 miles Napa, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM REGENERATION REQUIRED NOW WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000.

NHTSA complaint #11415977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Dodge RAM 2500 at 144,074 miles Mariposa, CA

ENGINE

I RECEIVED A VE5 LATE LIFE EMISSION PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION RECALL IN JANUARY 2021. I HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED ON 1.27/2021 AT RAZZARI DODGE, MERCED. THEY INSTALLED A NEW CAT CONVERTER AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD. WHEN I GOT MY TRUCK BACK, I HAD AN CEL ERROR CODE P2271 O2 SENSOR. I HAD TO PAY $707.74 AND $978.98 TO GET THE TRUCK RUNNING. I HAD NO PREVIOUS CEL. I THINK THEY BROKE THE WIRING HARNESS OR O2 SENSORS WHEN THEY PERFORMED THE RECALL. . I THINK THE VE5 RECALL REPAIR, SHOULD MAKE THE ENTIRE EMISSIONS SYSTEM FUNCTION, INCLUDING THE CONTROL ELECTRONICS.

NHTSA complaint #11408550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge RAM 2500 at 181,123 miles Denver, NC

ENGINE

WHILE IN DRIVE, WENT OVER SPEED BUMP AND VEHICLE TURNED OFF. INTERMITTENT IGNITION PROBLEMS HAVE GOTTEN WORSE TO WHERE NOW VEHICLE NOW TURNS OFF / QUITS.

NHTSA complaint #11399642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Dodge RAM 2500 at 50,000 miles Butner, NC

ENGINE

ENGINES NEEDING CAM SHAFTS LIFTERS TIMING CHAINS THEY OVER HEAT ELECTRIC FANS NOT WORKING BATTERIES EXPLODE TRANSMISSIONS STOP SHIFTING BAD VALVE BODIES BAD ELECTRICAL PARTS THESE TRUCKS ARE DRIVEN AROUND ONE LOCATION AT 35 MPH OR LESS 24-7 AND PARKED FOR LONG TIMES AT IDLE. NO CITY OR HWY DRIVING 4 DIFFERENT TRUCKS AT DEALERSHIPS SINCE 9/16/2020 STILL NOT REPAIRED

NHTSA complaint #11394625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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