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!396 PS
5.7L Hemi V8 eTorque Benzin
8 weaknesses
Stay Away!Generations
Engine Overview
The RAM 1500 DT is available with 3 engine variants — from 260 to 395 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.
- !! Connecting rod and main bearing failure (catastrophic) from 40,000 km
The Gen3 EcoDiesel suffers catastrophic bottom-end failures: connecting rod or main bearings (especially #2 and #3) spin or lose oil supply, often before 20,000 miles. The crankshaft flexes under load, the bearing shifts and the oil feed hole goes out of register, starving the bearing.
Symptoms: Metallic knocking from the engine, oil pressure warning light, sudden power loss, seized engine. Frequently without prior warning. - !! Oil cooler failure with oil-coolant mixing from 70,000 km
The factory oil cooler fails especially during towing and at high oil temperatures. Oil enters the cooling system (and vice versa), contaminating the entire cooling circuit and frequently cascading into bearing failure and a dead engine.
Symptoms: Rising engine temperature, milky sludge in the coolant reservoir, oily soot in the coolant, black exhaust smoke, loss of power. - !! Bosch CP4.2 high-pressure pump self-destructs (recall 22V-767)
Recall 22V-767 (FCA Z96): the Bosch CP4.2 high-pressure pump can fail prematurely and introduce metal debris into the fuel system. This causes fuel starvation and internal damage to injectors, rail and lines. About 31,794 RAM 1500 (2020-2022) affected.
Symptoms: Engine stalls without warning, fuel leak at the pump, loud pump noise, check engine light, Service Electronic Throttle Control message.
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
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 collapse and camshaft destruction from 172,000 km
The cylinder deactivation (MDS) starves individual lifters of oil at idle, and the undersized needle bearings fail. The lifter grinds into the camshaft, sending metal shavings through the engine up to total failure.
Symptoms: Ticking or tapping that rises with RPM, cylinder misfires (P0300/P0305), stumbling and power loss under acceleration, rough idle. Can progress to engine failure with little warning. - !! 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 - !! HEMI tick (valvetrain ticking) from 130,000 km
The famous HEMI tick from the valvetrain: early roller-bearing or lifter noise. Often harmless, but it can be the precursor to lifter/camshaft failure and should be monitored.
Symptoms: Metallic, rhythmic ticking that varies with engine speed, audible at idle and when warm. Unlike a manifold leak, it persists once the engine is hot.
+ 5 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.
- !! Left cylinder head valve-seat wear (early build) from 110,000 km
Early 3.6 Pentastar (2011–2013) suffer valve-seat/guide wear in the left head (Bank 2), notably cylinder 2. Result: lost compression and misfires. Chrysler extended warranty to 10yr/150k miles on the left head.
Symptoms: Engine ticking, misfires, rough running, check-engine light with codes P0300/P0302/P0304/P0306, loss of power. - !! Pentastar tick – worn rocker arms/rollers from 90,000 km
On 2014–2020 3.6 Pentastar the rocker-arm rollers wear, loosen and drop, shifting the rocker out of alignment, creating metal debris and risking camshaft damage. Design was revised by 2019.
Symptoms: Metallic tick, often on cold start and around 1500–2000 rpm, later constant; can progress to misfires, surging and power loss. - !! Timing chain stretch (higher mileage) from 190,000 km
At high mileage (from ~120,000 miles) the timing chains stretch and cam-to-crank correlation drifts. Extended oil intervals or low oil accelerate wear because the tensioners are oil-fed.
Symptoms: Chain rattle on cold start (first seconds), tick from the top end, check-engine light with P0016/P0017/P0018/P0019, sometimes misfires.
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
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 26 weaknesses have been documented for the RAM 1500 DT (2019–2025) — 19 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. 2 problem engines: Hemi-5.7-DT (5.7L Hemi V8 eTorque), EXF-DT (3.0L EcoDiesel V6 Gen3). Typical issues affect Body, Suspension, Gearbox, Electronics.
1500 (EXF-DT, 2020–2024) — Stay Away!: Connecting rod and main bearing failure (catastrophic), Oil cooler failure with oil-coolant mixing, Bosch CP4.2 high-pressure pump self-destructs (recall 22V-767). Power: 260 PS.
1500 (Hemi-5.7-DT, 2019–2025) — Stay Away!: MDS lifter collapse and camshaft destruction, eTorque — engine stall (2023 recall), HEMI tick (valvetrain ticking). Power: 395 PS.
1500 (Pentastar-3.6-DT, 2019–2025) — Be Careful: Left cylinder head valve-seat wear (early build), Pentastar tick – worn rocker arms/rollers, Timing chain stretch (higher mileage). 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
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee