RAM 1500
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.
5.7 Hemi eTorque — classic V8 with 48V assist
395 hp plus eTorque torque fill off the line — smoother in city traffic than the predecessor. Same MDS lifter problem remains. Watch the eTorque battery on early units (2019–2021). From 2022 significantly more reliable. Federal 8-year warranty on the 48V system protects new buyers.
Engine Weaknesses 5
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
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
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
Metallic ticking from the valvetrain. On the DT Hemi with eTorque, identical to the DS predecessor: MDS lifters are the critical component. Mechanics frequently confuse exhaust manifold tick (harmless) with lifter tick (dangerous).
Symptoms: Metallic ticking on cold start, disappears after warmup (harmless) or stays/gets louder (critical)
Exhaust manifold bolts snap from thermal cycling stress — aluminum head and steel bolts expand differently. TSB 09-001-24 issued directly for 2019–2024 RAM 1500.
Symptoms: Metallic ticking on cold start, exhaust smell in cabin, noise disappears after warmup
Vehicle Weaknesses 7
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.
Active Level air suspension on 5th-gen RAM shows same cold-weather vulnerability as predecessor. Compressor and air bags fail regularly in salt belt states after a few years. Coil spring conversion recommended once warranty expires.
Same issue as 4th-gen: ZF 8HP70 torque converter lockup clutch shudders on engagement. Fluid change every 60,000 miles recommended (against RAM's 'Lifetime Fill' claim). Early fluid change resolves the shudder in many cases permanently.
12-inch UConnect 5 display freezes, goes black, or becomes unresponsive to touch. Backup camera may not display during reversing — recall Z47 (NHTSA 22V-407) covered 272,911 trucks. Class action lawsuit McNeely v. FCA filed July 2024 alleges systemic defect across Stellantis vehicles. Software reflash at dealer resolves most cases, hardware replacement if screen physically fails.
Electronic modules fail to enter sleep mode after shutdown, drawing 1-6 amps instead of the specified 50 mA maximum. Battery dies within 2-3 days of sitting. Common culprits: corroded ground connection G2A, ABS module staying awake, gauge cluster not shutting off. TSB PIT5745D addresses diagnostic procedure. Error code P068A frequently appears. Cleaning ground connections with conductive grease resolves many cases.
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.
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.