RAM 1500 TRX DT
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The RAM 1500 TRX on the DT platform (roughly 2021 to 2024) is a statement on four wheels: a high-performance off-road pickup with 702 hp, built to steal the show from the Ford Raptor. Under the hood sits the 6.2L supercharged V8 from the Hellcat family — the same core engine that made the Challenger and Charger famous, dropped into a two-ton truck. Zero to sixty in 4.5 seconds and a 12.9-second quarter mile: absurd numbers for a vehicle this size, and that's exactly the point. The TRX shares its chassis and electrical architecture with the regular 1500 DT.
The Hellcat V8 itself is surprisingly tough from the factory — for a boosted high-output engine, the bottom end is built solid. The known issues all revolve around the supercharger. The IHI blower's bearing can fail even at low mileage, announcing itself with rattling and metallic noise. Under sustained wide-open throttle you get heat soak: intake air gets hot enough that the ECU pulls timing and power drops off — that's a physics limit, not a defect, but worth knowing. Add to that supercharger belts that slip or snap and drop the engine into limp mode, plus wear in the supercharger snout's pin bushings that shows up as a rattle. Important for early-build shoppers: the supercharger intercooler coolant loop could leak internally and cause misfires.
What you shouldn't sugarcoat is the fuel consumption. This engine drinks enormously, especially the moment you lean on the blower at all — double-digit mpg is optimistic. The TRX is a niche machine: expensive to buy, expensive to run, and wildly over-built for daily duty. But for anyone who can live with that, it delivers a truly unique experience.
Bottom line: as a fun and cult vehicle the TRX is hard to beat, and the core engine gives less trouble than you'd expect from 702 hp. Before buying, go over the supercharger hardware — bearing, belts, snout — and on early builds check the intercooler coolant loop closely. If you accept the thirst and the running costs, you're getting an exceptional, robust truck; if you want a sensible pickup, you're in entirely the wrong place.
Engine Overview
The RAM 1500 TRX DT is available with one engine variant at 712 hp.
6.2-liter supercharged V8 with 702 hp in a pickup — 0–60 in 4.5 sec, quarter mile 12.9 sec. Supercharger intercooler coolant circuit leaks internally on early units — cold-start misfires from coolant in cylinder 3. FCA replaces entire supercharger under warranty (~$11,000 list price). Heat is the limiter: intake air temps above 150°F trigger timing retard. Not a daily-driver in disguise — fuel economy 15–20 mpg without restraint.
- !! Supercharger bearing failure (IHI blower) at low mileage from 5,000 km
Early build years suffered defective IHI supercharger bearings (mainly the rear bearing). Failures occurred as early as 500–2,000 miles. FCA sued the bearing supplier and replaces blowers under warranty on unmodified engines.
Symptoms: Loud whine and ticking at idle, grinding noise from the supercharger, in extreme cases rotors contacting the housing. - !! Supercharger belt slip and breakage (limp mode) from 26,000 km
Factory belt tension is marginal under high load; the supercharger belt slips (squeal, rubber dust) or snaps. One documented failure occurred at ~16,000 miles, triggering limp mode with code P012B.
Symptoms: Squeal during shifts, black rubber dust under the blower pulley, sudden power loss, limp mode near 1,100 rpm, check engine light. - ! Heat soak — power loss from timing retard under full load
The IHI supercharger heats the charge air heavily. When IAT2 climbs above ~140–150 °F, the PCM pulls timing. On track/drag strip, power drops 50–100 hp after 1–2 hard runs.
Symptoms: Lazy throttle response after hard driving, falling trap speeds on repeat runs despite normal engine sound and boost.
+ 1 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 11 weaknesses have been documented for the RAM 1500 TRX DT (2021–2024) — 4 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Body, Suspension, Gearbox, Electronics.
1500 TRX (Hellcat-6.2-TRX, 2021–2024) — Be Careful: Supercharger bearing failure (IHI blower) at low mileage, Supercharger belt slip and breakage (limp mode), Heat soak — power loss from timing retard under full load. Power: 712 PS.
What to watch out for with the RAM 1500 TRX? 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 TRX DT have? +
What should I look for when buying a used RAM 1500 TRX DT? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which RAM 1500 TRX DT engine is the most fun? +
Is the RAM 1500 TRX DT worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the RAM 1500 TRX DT? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee