RAM 1500 TRX
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.
TRX Hellcat — 702 hp, 4.7 mpg city, zero regrets
702 hp supercharged V8 in a pickup: 0-60 in 4.5 seconds at 6,400 lbs. Supercharger whine + deep V8 exhaust = "best sounding stock exhaust I've ever heard" (owner). Real consumption 4.7 mpg city. 70 dB at 70 mph — like a gym. Front diff and transfer case not designed for 702 hp launches. Discontinued 2024, 4,000 Final Edition worldwide. Not a used car — a statement.
Engine Weaknesses 3
Internal coolant passages inside the supercharger charge air cooler leak into the engine. Coolant enters cylinder 3, cold-start misfires follow. FCA replaces the entire supercharger assembly under warranty (~$11,000 list). Primarily affects early production 2021–2022.
Symptoms: Misfire on cold start until operating temperature reached, coolant level drops with no external leak visible
Once intake air temperatures exceed 150°F the ECU pulls ignition timing and boost pressure. During track use or repeated full-throttle pulls, noticeable power loss. Interchiller available as aftermarket solution for frequent performance use.
Symptoms: Power drop after multiple full-throttle runs, slow recovery between pulls
IHI twin-screw supercharger front snout bearings wear from heat and high RPM. Stock bearings rated for 10,000-12,000 RPM, supercharger spins faster under full boost. Grinding or chirping noise at idle is the first sign. Dealer warranty: entire supercharger replaced ($10,000+ list). Aftermarket rebuild with ceramic bearings $800-$3,800 depending on scope. Jon Bond Performance and Kong Performance are the established rebuild shops.
Symptoms: Grinding or chirping noise from supercharger at idle, noise gets louder with mileage, mechanic stethoscope on snout tip confirms grinding vs. normal whoosh
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.