NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
151 reportsClear category filter80,000 miles · May 18, 2018
EngineService BrakesSteering
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE HAS DIED WHILE TURNING AT AN INTERSECTION. ON EVERY OCCASION I WAS TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT PRIOR TO SLOWING DOWN IN ANTICIPATION OF THE TURN. ON EVERY OCCASION THE ENGINE DIED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN, CAUSING ME TO LOSE BOTH POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, FORCING ME TO JUST MAN…
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ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE HAS DIED WHILE TURNING AT AN INTERSECTION. ON EVERY OCCASION I WAS TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT PRIOR TO SLOWING DOWN IN ANTICIPATION OF THE TURN. ON EVERY OCCASION THE ENGINE DIED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN, CAUSING ME TO LOSE BOTH POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, FORCING ME TO JUST MANHANDLE IT TO AVOID COLLISIONS AND HOPING THE GUY BEHIND ME DIDN'T PLOW INTO MY REAR END. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALER SERVICE CENTER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM OR FIX IT.
NHTSA ODI #11096730
70,000 miles · Apr 5, 2018
Engine
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I AM THE OWNER OF A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500 SPORT EDITION WITH 70,000 MILES. THE OTHER DAY, A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND I GOT A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 2 CODE (P0302). THE VEHICLE WOULD JOLT AT LOW RPM'S WHICH IS A COMMON SYMPTOM OF A MISFIRE AND/OR LOW COMPRESSION IN ONE OR MORE CYLINDERS. AFTER EXPENS…
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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I AM THE OWNER OF A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500 SPORT EDITION WITH 70,000 MILES. THE OTHER DAY, A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND I GOT A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 2 CODE (P0302). THE VEHICLE WOULD JOLT AT LOW RPM'S WHICH IS A COMMON SYMPTOM OF A MISFIRE AND/OR LOW COMPRESSION IN ONE OR MORE CYLINDERS. AFTER EXPENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES HAD BEEN ADMINISTERED, THE MECHANICS FOUND THAT ONE OF THE LIFTER ARMS HAD SEIZED. THE SEIZED LIFTER ARM CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO OTHER PARTS OF THE ENGINE INCLUDING THE CAMSHAFT LOBE ON CYLINDER 2, AND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND THAT LIFTERS FAILING CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CAMSHAFT IS A COMMON ISSUE ONLY ON THE 2011 RAM 1500 TRUCKS. MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE ON 2011 RAM 1500 TRUCKS, AND EACH ONE HAS HAD A LIFTER SEIZURE CAUSE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE CAMSHAFT. AT THIS POINT, MY ONLY OPTION IS TO REPLACE ALL THE LIFTERS, VALVE SPRINGS, CAMSHAFT, AND HAVE EACH HEADER INSPECTED TO ENSURE NO FURTHER DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED. IN TOTAL THIS WILL COST ANYWHERE FROM $2000 TO $3000 OUT OF POCKET FOR PARTS AND MECHANICAL SERVICES. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON FOR A LIFTER TO SEIZE ON A TRUCK WITH 70,000 MILES THAT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED REGULARLY. IN ADDITION, THERE IS NO REASON FOR MORE THAN 50 OWNERS OF THE SAME TRUCK TO HAVE THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS KIND OF ISSUE TO REPLACE BAD LIFTERS WHICH CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE CAMSHAFT AT FAIRLY LOW MILEAGE. I CANNOT FULLY EXPRESS MY DISAPPOINTMENT AND FRUSTRATION IN DODGE AS A COMPANY FOR IGNORING THE COMPLAINTS OF THEIR HARDWORKING CUSTOMERS. THE ONLY OPTION I SEE IS A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION REGARDING A BAD BATCH OF LIFTERS IN 2011 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCKS, AND A REFUND/COMPENSATION TO THEIR CUSTOMERS FOR LOSSES THEY MAY HAVE HAD WHEN REPLACING LIFTERS, CAMSHAFTS, ETC.
NHTSA ODI #11083462
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
MY TRUCK FAILS TO START RANDOMLY, IT JUST CRANKS. THE HORN WILL RANDOMLY GO OFF BY ITSELF, AND IT HAS STALLED ON ME TWICE WHILE DRIVING. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THE TIPM IS BAD. OTHER 2011 CHRYSLER VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME ISSUES, AND HAVE HAD A RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11079730
Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
2 YEARS AGO HAD TO REPLACE THE TIPM ON MY TRUCK AND NOE ITS STARTING TO MESS UP AGAIN. TRUCKS JUST DIES WHILE DRIVING NO WARNING. IT JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE I HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. IT COST ME 1500.00 TO REPAIR
NHTSA ODI #11075181
95,000 miles · Feb 18, 2018
Engine
L BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND SHIFTED TO DRIVE THE TRUCK SHUT DOWN. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES AND NOW IT SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT 35 - 40 MPH.
NHTSA ODI #11073456
140,000 miles · Feb 17, 2018
Engine
ENGINE LIFTERS. I HAVE A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500 I NOTICED A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. UPON A FREE DIAGNOSTICS TEST I WAS TOLD MY TRUCK HAS LIFTER FAILURE. THE ENGINE STALLS IN TRAFFIC HARD TO START QUOTE TO FIX $3500 TO FIX. IF I LIVED IN A BIGGER CITY I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A WRECK BY NOW BECAUSE IT ISN'T DR…
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ENGINE LIFTERS. I HAVE A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500 I NOTICED A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. UPON A FREE DIAGNOSTICS TEST I WAS TOLD MY TRUCK HAS LIFTER FAILURE. THE ENGINE STALLS IN TRAFFIC HARD TO START QUOTE TO FIX $3500 TO FIX. IF I LIVED IN A BIGGER CITY I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A WRECK BY NOW BECAUSE IT ISN'T DRIVABLE IT STALLS OUT NO POWER STEERING HARD TO TURN BRAKES ARE HARD TO PUSH SOMETIMES IT TAKES A WHILE TO START BACK UP I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE ON A BUSY HIGH WAY. THIS ISN'T JUST A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS ACTION.
NHTSA ODI #11073380
102,000 miles · Feb 16, 2018
Engine
WE PURCHASED A 2011 RAM 1500 5.7L HEMI IN 2012 AND LOVED IT UP UNTIL NOVEMBER 2017, WENT IN TO POWER SAVING MODE WITH CEL ON. SCANNED CODES AND IT WAS TIMING CODE. SO WE REPLACED THE VVT SOLENOID AND IT IS RUNNING EVEN WORSE! WE H AVE SPENT OVER $2500 JUST TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THIS TRUCK! WE ARE BEYOND UPSET ABOUT IT, ESPECIALLY …
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WE PURCHASED A 2011 RAM 1500 5.7L HEMI IN 2012 AND LOVED IT UP UNTIL NOVEMBER 2017, WENT IN TO POWER SAVING MODE WITH CEL ON. SCANNED CODES AND IT WAS TIMING CODE. SO WE REPLACED THE VVT SOLENOID AND IT IS RUNNING EVEN WORSE! WE H AVE SPENT OVER $2500 JUST TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THIS TRUCK! WE ARE BEYOND UPSET ABOUT IT, ESPECIALLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT WE DONT EVEN HAVE IT PAID OFF! IT HAS TONS WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF TAIL PIPE, TERRIBLE MISFIRE, SHAKING, BLOW BY, PRESSURE COMING OUT OF OIL FILL CAP, AND CEL IS ON. HAS CYLINDER 1 MI SFIRE. WE HAVE REDONE THE SPARK PLUGS, INTAKE MANIFOLD AND GASKETS, PCV, VVT SOLENOID,AIR FILTER, OIL FILTER, COIL PACK,INJECTOR CLIPS, AND MUCH MORE! HAVE TAKEN THIS TRUCK TO 4 ASE CERTIFIED MECHANICS (2 OF WHICH ARE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIPS) AND HAVE NO ANSWERS BESIDES POSSIBLE CAUSES CAMS AND LIFTERS AND THEY WANT ME TO JUST BUY ANOTHER ENGINE!! OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE PISTONS,RINGS, CAM,LIFTERS, AND CRANK. $2500 PLUS IN JUST DIAGNOSING AND NO ANSWERS?! SEEMS PRETTY FISHY!
NHTSA ODI #11073194
134,000 miles · Jan 3, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting
IN AUGUST 2017 A DEFECTIVE ROLLER BEARING WENT OUT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, EFFECTIVELY DESTROYING THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE. COST TO REPAIR WAS $4,000. IN DECEMBER 2017 TIPM POWER MODULE MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO NOT WORK. COST TO REPLACE $1,150. BOTH ITEMS HAVE THOUSANDS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT BEING DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA ODI #11058231
75,000 miles · Dec 18, 2017
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER 20 MIN. THE LOCAL DEALER, SOUTH HILL CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT 3344 WASHINGTON ROAD, MCMURRAY, PA 15317 WAS CONTACTED, THEY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER 20 MIN. THE LOCAL DEALER, SOUTH HILL CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT 3344 WASHINGTON ROAD, MCMURRAY, PA 15317 WAS CONTACTED, THEY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #11055330
120,000 miles · Dec 15, 2017
Engine
ENGINE IS LOOSING POWER, NUMBER 3 CYCLINDER IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE DONE TUNE UP AND REPLACED PLUGS AND COILS. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS ON THIS TRUCK TO GET IT TO WORK. THE PIC IS PLUGS FROM #3 CYC AFTER 2 MONTHS USE. AFTER READING ABOUT OTHER RAM OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I AM THINKING IT IS A DEFECT AND SHOULD BE LOOKED I…
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ENGINE IS LOOSING POWER, NUMBER 3 CYCLINDER IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE DONE TUNE UP AND REPLACED PLUGS AND COILS. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS ON THIS TRUCK TO GET IT TO WORK. THE PIC IS PLUGS FROM #3 CYC AFTER 2 MONTHS USE. AFTER READING ABOUT OTHER RAM OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I AM THINKING IT IS A DEFECT AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO.
NHTSA ODI #11054873
Official recalls
4Mar 8, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks currently, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Exposure to environmental conditions such as water mixed with road salt may cause the front fuel tank strap frame "T-Slot" bracket to corrode, possibly causing the fuel tank to drop and make contact with the ground.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fuel tank may not remain secured to the vehicle, possibly causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence in an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will bolt a bracket reinforcement to the frame, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U04.
Dec 20, 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
Feb 6, 2013
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
Remedy: On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.
Dec 24, 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RAM 1500 TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH DECEMBER 2010. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCE A NOISE (GROWL, GRIND) COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE BEARING WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY SEIZE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FAILURE OF THE BEARING COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL INSTALL AN OIL PORT INSERT INTO THE REAR AXLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA19001 · Electrical Overstress
Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.