RAM 1500 DT
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The 5th-gen Ram 1500 DT (2019–2025) wins every interior-quality comparison in the full-size truck segment — and loses on long-term mechanical simplicity. If you're shopping one, the powertrain pick defines everything: there's one that's proven, one that's complicated, and one that's been sued.
The proven one: 5.7L Hemi V8 without eTorque (395 hp). In development since 2003, mechanics know it cold. The catch: MDS (cylinder deactivation — engine shuts off half its cylinders to save fuel) is the primary driver of the infamous Hemi tick — lifter rollers seize, score the camshaft, and you're looking at $2,500–$5,000 for lifters + cam. Onset: 60,000–120,000 miles with MDS enabled, as early as 28,000 miles in worst cases. The fix the forum world swears by: disable MDS via Tow/Haul mode or a Pulsar-type tuner, run full synthetic at 5,000-mile intervals, and the Hemi runs 200,000+ miles.
The complicated one: 5.7L Hemi + eTorque (48V mild-hybrid — small electric motor assists the engine at startup) adds a belt-driven motor-generator for stop-start and launch assist. Real-world fuel savings: 1–2 MPG. The cost: unexpected engine shutdowns (TSB for 2020–2021 production), 12V battery drain cascades that disable power steering + brake boost + blind-spot monitoring simultaneously, and a second battery system with no long-term reliability track record. Non-eTorque is actively worth seeking on used examples.
The sued one: 3.0L EcoDiesel (VM Motori, 260 hp / 480 lb-ft). Best torque, best highway MPG (28–32), genuinely enjoyable for long-haul towing. The 2014–2016 Gen 1/2 had a $307.5M emissions defeat-device settlement. Gen 3 (2020+) is cleaner on compliance but carries the timing cover oil leak — passenger-side front gasket fails from thermal cycling, repair $2,300–$4,000, and some owners report it returning within 18,000 miles.
The 3.6L Pentastar V6 is the stealth pick — one of Stellantis's most durable engines, expected 250,000–300,000 miles, dramatically fewer complaints. Can't tow as much, but for buyers who don't need a V8, it's the mechanically simplest Ram.
Electric Power Steering (EPS) failure is the safety-critical issue: rack-and-pinion internal short or control module failure causing intermittent or complete loss of assist. NHTSA investigated 1.1 million trucks. Average failure: 52,000–75,000 miles. Rack replacement $3,000–$5,000. Recall 19V812000 covers some 2019 builds, but many affected VINs were excluded.
ZF 8HP75 transmission runs hot under load (210–230°F). Fluid + filter every 30,000–40,000 miles (not Ram's "lifetime" claim). Valve body wear causes hard 1-2 shifts past 100k. Full rebuild $3,500–$6,000. Rear cab window leak (2019–2020) — manufacturing seal flaw, water enters cab. Stellantis extended warranty to 10 years / 150,000 miles (TSB 23-098-23).
Air suspension vs. coil: Air rides better but bladders fail at 60,000–90,000 miles in cold climates. Per-corner replacement $800–$1,500. Aftermarket coil conversion $500–$900 eliminates the recurring cost. Cold climate / high mileage: buy coil or plan to convert.
2026 market: 2019–2020 with 80k–120k miles $22,000–$30,000. 2021–2022 with 50k–90k miles $28,000–$38,000. Insider pick: non-eTorque 5.7L Hemi or 3.6L Pentastar, coil springs, with documented 5,000-mile oil change history — maximum mechanical simplicity. Before buying any Hemi: pull oil filler cap, run cold, listen 5 minutes. Persistent tick after warm-up or any P030x misfire codes = lifter damage. Walk away.
395 PS
1500 · Benzin
5.7 Hemi eTorque — classic V8 with 48V assist
Fun to Drive!Generations
Engine Overview
The RAM 1500 DT is available with 2 engine variants — from 264 to 396 hp. 1 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
Third-generation VM Motori EcoDiesel with 260 hp — improved emissions controls post-scandal. Oil cooler remains a weak point, worst case oil/coolant cross-contamination. Early 2020 production with connecting rod bearing failures documented below 20,000 miles. DPF regeneration incomplete with frequent short trips — minimum highway mileage required. Much better than predecessor, but not a carefree choice without complete service history.
- !! Oil cooler failure — oil/coolant cross-contamination from 50,000 km
Oil cooler fails, oil and coolant mix — worst case engine damage. 3rd-gen EcoDiesel shows same fundamental weakness as predecessor. Documented on vehicles below 30,000 miles.
Symptoms: Milky white oil, coolant loss, overheating warning - !! Connecting rod / crankshaft bearing failure — early failure from 20,000 km
Manufacturing-related bearing failures on connecting rod and crankshaft bearings, some occurring below 20,000 miles. Suspected cause: assembly tolerances. Most repairs completed under warranty.
Symptoms: Knocking noise from engine internals, oil pressure drop, engine warning light - !! DPF clogging — short-trip problem from 80,000 km
Diesel particulate filter clogs with frequent short-trip driving. Engine doesn't reach regeneration temperature, soot accumulates. Forced regeneration via extended highway driving helps short-term.
Symptoms: Power loss, increased fuel consumption, DPF warning light, engine protection mode
5.7L Hemi with eTorque — 48V belt-starter-generator adds regeneration and torque fill. MDS lifter failure pattern identical to predecessor. 48V eTorque battery fails on early units (2019–2021): voltage faults, start failures, stall risk on 131,700 vehicles (2023 recall). MGU bearings can wear. Federal warranty on 48V system: 8 years / 80,000 miles. Engine itself unchanged and fundamentally solid — eTorque components need monitoring on pre-2022 trucks.
- !! MDS lifter failure — cylinder deactivation destroys camshaft from 80,000 km
MDS lifters receive no oil when deactivated, needle bearing surfaces run dry on the cam lobes. Metal shavings in the oil, camshaft destruction follows. Minor refinement: 5th-gen Hemi has a slightly revised cam profile — the core problem remains.
Symptoms: Loud ticking/knocking at operating temperature, misfires, oil pressure drop, rough running - !! eTorque — engine stall (2023 recall) from 30,000 km
Over-rich fuel condition under certain operating conditions causes engine shutdown. 2023 recall for 131,700 vehicles with 5.7L Hemi eTorque — PCM calibration update as fix. Affects 2020–2021 model years.
Symptoms: Unexpected engine shutdown while driving, no prior warning, restart possible - !! eTorque 48V battery failure from 50,000 km
48V traction battery of the eTorque system shows voltage faults or complete failure. Affects stop-start, regeneration, and torque fill. Federal warranty 8 years / 80,000 miles on the 48V system.
Symptoms: Battery warning light while driving, eTorque system shuts off, erratic stop-start behavior
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Pentastar 3.6 with eTorque in the 5th-gen RAM 1500 — 305 hp plus 48V system for torque fill off the line. Rocker arm tick remains the classic weakness. eTorque components on the V6 show fewer issues than the V8 variant because the system is less heavily loaded. Everyday engine without character — reliable when maintenance is current.
- !! Rocker arm tick — lifter wear from 60,000 km
Same fundamental weakness as DS Pentastar — hydraulic lifters lose lash compensation. In the eTorque V6, additional stress from frequent stop-start cycles.
Symptoms: Ticking from upper engine area especially on cold start and after stop-start operation - !! Water pump failure from 80,000 km
Pentastar 3.6 water pump fails from internal seal degradation or impeller separation. In the 5th-gen RAM 1500 with eTorque, frequent stop-start cycles add thermal stress. Coolant loss can be gradual or sudden. Part number 68261224AG for 2019+ models.
Symptoms: Coolant loss without visible external leak, overheating warning, squealing from the belt area, elevated coolant temps on gauge - !! Oil filter housing leaks — plastic housing cracks from 70,000 km
Plastic oil filter housing with integrated oil cooler becomes brittle from heat cycling. O-ring seals harden, housing cracks at the cap threads or at the block mating surface. Oil accumulates in the engine valley and runs down the bellhousing. Dorman aluminum replacement housing recommended as permanent fix. Intake manifold removal required for access.
Symptoms: Oil spots under the vehicle, burning oil smell, oil pooling in engine valley visible from above, dropping oil level between changes
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear window leaks — water intrusion into cab Seal on the sliding rear window and CHMSL gasket at the rear roofline allows water entry. Primarily affects 2019–2021, often associated with the sliding glass window. TSB exists, sealant kit available under warranty. Symptoms: Wet carpet behind rear seat, damp headliner, mold smell from 30,000 km | Low | |
| Paint chipping and orange peel — thin clear coat Owners report 50-150+ paint chips within the first year, primarily on hood, bumper, and grille. Orange peel texture visible and tactile on darker colors (Graphite Gray, Patriot Blue, Black Diamond). 2022+ models significantly worse than 2019-2021 builds. Generally not covered under warranty — dealers classify as road damage. PPF (paint protection film) recommended on new purchases. Symptoms: Visible paint chips clustered on front bumper and hood, textured orange peel surface on body panels, paint peeling near front sensors on bumper fascia from 15,000 km | Medium | |
| Aluminum hood corrosion — paint bubbling from inside Aluminum hood develops oxidation corrosion beneath the paint layer, visible as bubbling on the surface. Not traditional rust — aluminum oxide forms from moisture trapped between paint and bare aluminum. Palpable from both sides of the hood. Similar issue documented on Ford aluminum-body vehicles. Warranty coverage under 5-year corrosion warranty if caught early, but RAM has denied claims on older vehicles. Symptoms: Paint bubbling on hood surface, bumps felt on underside of hood, no visible paint chips or cracks at onset from 80,000 km | Medium |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 18 weaknesses have been documented for the RAM 1500 DT (2019–2025) — 11 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Body, Suspension, Gearbox, Electronics.
1500 (EXF-DT, 2020–2024) — Be Careful: Oil cooler failure — oil/coolant cross-contamination, Connecting rod / crankshaft bearing failure — early failure, DPF clogging — short-trip problem. Power: 260 PS.
1500 (Hemi-5.7-DT, 2019–2025) — Be Careful: MDS lifter failure — cylinder deactivation destroys camshaft, eTorque — engine stall (2023 recall), eTorque 48V battery failure. Power: 395 PS.
1500 (Pentastar-3.6-DT, 2019–2025) — Be Careful: Rocker arm tick — lifter wear, Water pump failure, Oil filter housing leaks — plastic housing cracks. Power: 305 PS.
What to watch out for with the RAM 1500? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the RAM 1500 DT have? +
What should I look for when buying a used RAM 1500 DT? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which RAM 1500 DT engine is the most fun? +
Is the RAM 1500 DT worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the RAM 1500 DT? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee