NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
151 reportsClear category filter103,000 miles · Jun 15, 2019
Engine
CAM SHAFT OIL CONTROL VALVE FRAGMENTED RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND STARTED THE ENGINE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY. DROVE DIRECTLY THE DEALER, ABOUT 2 MILES, TO HAVE CHECKED. THE ENGINE RAN POORLY WITH VERY LITTLE ACCELERATION. CAM CODE APPEARED. ONLY REPAIR WAS A $10,000.00 LONG …
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CAM SHAFT OIL CONTROL VALVE FRAGMENTED RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND STARTED THE ENGINE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY. DROVE DIRECTLY THE DEALER, ABOUT 2 MILES, TO HAVE CHECKED. THE ENGINE RAN POORLY WITH VERY LITTLE ACCELERATION. CAM CODE APPEARED. ONLY REPAIR WAS A $10,000.00 LONG BLOCK ENGINE REPLACEMENT, BECAUSE REPAIR PARTS WERE ON 3 TO 6 MONTH BACK ORDER THROUGH THE DEALER. I PURCHASED THE TRUCK NEW FROM THIS DEALER AND HAVE HAD ALL SERVICE, RECALL AND REPAIRS DONE AT THIS DEALER. I WAS NEVER INFORMED THAT THIS TYPE OF CATISTROPHIC FAILURE COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME DURING MY OWNERSHIP, EITHER BY THE DEALER OR CHRYSLER CORP. THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE INTERNAL PART THAT COULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, BEFORE THE PART FAILED FOR $700.00. CHRYSLER DID ASSIGN A CASE NUMBER AND A WORKER THAT WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE A "ONE TIME GOOD WILL" AMOUNT OF $3000.00 TOWARD THE REPAIRS. I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REMAINING $6797.00. THIS WAS A PREVENTABLE REPAIR AND I SHOULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE TYPE OF PROBLEM. THIS PART HAS MANY REFERENCES ON HE INTERNET.
NHTSA ODI #11220343
120,000 miles · Jun 14, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START IMMEDIATELY. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CYLINDER WAS FAULTY. THE CYLIN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START IMMEDIATELY. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CYLINDER WAS FAULTY. THE CYLINDER WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #11219949
65,000 miles · May 30, 2019
Engine
EXHAUST MANIFOLDS WARPED AND BROKE THE MANIFOLD BOLTS
NHTSA ODI #11210840
115,104 miles · Apr 16, 2019
Engine
ENGINE LIGHT CAM ON WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS, MECHANIC RECOMMENDED REPLACE PLUGS AND COIL, STILL SHOWING PROBLEM. MECHANIC RECOMMENDED REPLACE FUEL INJECTORS, STILL SHOWING PROBLEM, NOW HE SAYS IT IS THE CAM SHAFT AND LIFTER - HE TELLS ME THIS IS GOING TO COST AN ADDITIONAL $4000., AND THERE IS A BIG BACK ORDER OF THESE PAR…
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ENGINE LIGHT CAM ON WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS, MECHANIC RECOMMENDED REPLACE PLUGS AND COIL, STILL SHOWING PROBLEM. MECHANIC RECOMMENDED REPLACE FUEL INJECTORS, STILL SHOWING PROBLEM, NOW HE SAYS IT IS THE CAM SHAFT AND LIFTER - HE TELLS ME THIS IS GOING TO COST AN ADDITIONAL $4000., AND THERE IS A BIG BACK ORDER OF THESE PARTS FROM DODGE AND IT WILL TAKE AT LEAST 3 MONTHS. NOW DOING RESEARCH I DISCOVER THIS IS HAPPENING TO SCORES OF PEOPLE - WHERE IS THE RECALL???
NHTSA ODI #11196759
189,000 miles · Apr 5, 2019
Engine
I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. UPON DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM, THE MECHANIC SAID I HAVE A MISFIRE IN CYLINDER #2. TESTED ALL PLUGS AND COIL PACKS. THEY CHECK GOOD. MECHANIC STATED IT'S A CAMSHAFT AND LIFTERS THAT FAILED. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND 1000'S OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AB…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. UPON DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM, THE MECHANIC SAID I HAVE A MISFIRE IN CYLINDER #2. TESTED ALL PLUGS AND COIL PACKS. THEY CHECK GOOD. MECHANIC STATED IT'S A CAMSHAFT AND LIFTERS THAT FAILED. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND 1000'S OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY CHRYSLER AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ON THIS ENGINE.
NHTSA ODI #11194259
170,925 miles · Apr 3, 2019
Engine
OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING - ENGINE CODE FLASHED ON DASHPANEL - DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT ONE OF THE HYDRAULIC LIFTERS ON CYLINDER #8 SEIZED, WHICH THEN CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE LOBE ON THE CAM. CHRYSLER ENGINEERS AND TECHNICIANS AT THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE DAMAGE TO THE MOTOR. EVERY TESTING SPECIFI…
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OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING - ENGINE CODE FLASHED ON DASHPANEL - DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT ONE OF THE HYDRAULIC LIFTERS ON CYLINDER #8 SEIZED, WHICH THEN CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE LOBE ON THE CAM. CHRYSLER ENGINEERS AND TECHNICIANS AT THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE DAMAGE TO THE MOTOR. EVERY TESTING SPECIFICATION FOR THE MOTOR COMES BACK AS WITHIN ENGINEERING SPECS... THE ONLY SUGGESTION THAT CHRYSLER HAS AT THIS POINT (WHICH IS AFTER $4800 IN REPAIRS, AND AN ADDITIONAL 57 HOURS OF DIAGNOSTICS) IS TO REPLACE THE MOTOR...?? WHY? THE ENGINE TESTS ARE ALL WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS...
NHTSA ODI #11193544
158,256 miles · Mar 31, 2019
Engine
AT 158256 MILES 5.7 HEMI DEVELOPED A MISS FIRE WHILE GOING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE CAUSED BY A FAILED LIFTER WHICH REQUIRED MAJOR REPAIR AND COST, CYLINDER HEAD LIFTERS,CAMSHAFT AND ASSOCIATED PARTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $6000.00. AFTER SEEING MULTIPLE REPORTS FROM OTHER OWNERS FOR THE SAME IS…
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AT 158256 MILES 5.7 HEMI DEVELOPED A MISS FIRE WHILE GOING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE CAUSED BY A FAILED LIFTER WHICH REQUIRED MAJOR REPAIR AND COST, CYLINDER HEAD LIFTERS,CAMSHAFT AND ASSOCIATED PARTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $6000.00. AFTER SEEING MULTIPLE REPORTS FROM OTHER OWNERS FOR THE SAME ISSUE I BELIEVE THIS SHOWS POOR QUALITY IN THIS 5.7 HEMI. DODGE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO COMPENSATE AFFECTED OWNERS WHO HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO FIX THIS COSTLY ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO STILL EXISTING LOAN RESPONSIBILITIES. THIS ISSUE INSTANTLY PUTS AN OWNER IN A UPSIDE DOWN POSITION OWNING THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11192739
92,000 miles · Mar 20, 2019
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD LOUD ABNORMAL NOISES AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. AN UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT AND LIFTERS NEEDE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD LOUD ABNORMAL NOISES AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. AN UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT AND LIFTERS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
NHTSA ODI #11190286
100,000 miles · Mar 7, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
I HAVE A 2011 RAM 1500 QUAD CAB WITH THE 5.7 HEMI ENGINE. THE TIPM STARTED FAULTING AND NOT LETTING THE FUEL PUMP RUN AND START THE CAR. THEN IT STOPPED THE TRAILER/TOW LIGHTS CONNECTION IN THE REAR NOT WORKING WHILE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWING A TRAILER. THE ANTI-SLIP WAS ACTIVATED ALL THE TIME AND IT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLES …
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I HAVE A 2011 RAM 1500 QUAD CAB WITH THE 5.7 HEMI ENGINE. THE TIPM STARTED FAULTING AND NOT LETTING THE FUEL PUMP RUN AND START THE CAR. THEN IT STOPPED THE TRAILER/TOW LIGHTS CONNECTION IN THE REAR NOT WORKING WHILE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWING A TRAILER. THE ANTI-SLIP WAS ACTIVATED ALL THE TIME AND IT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLES RADIO AND BACK UP CAMERA.
NHTSA ODI #11184880
140,000 miles · Feb 23, 2019
Engine
AT 140000 MILES TRUCK KICK CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD IT CHECKED BY MECHANIC CODE P0301 SHOWED CYLINDER 1 MISFIRE. DID TROUBLE SHOOTING, CHANGING PLUGS, COIL PACK, INJECTOR CLEANER, AND AIR INTAKE SENSOR. NOTHING WORKED. DID COMPRESSION CHECK AND FOUND CYLINDER 1 HAS LOST COMPRESSION. MAYBE BROKEN VALVE SPRING, WHEN TRIED TO REPL…
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AT 140000 MILES TRUCK KICK CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD IT CHECKED BY MECHANIC CODE P0301 SHOWED CYLINDER 1 MISFIRE. DID TROUBLE SHOOTING, CHANGING PLUGS, COIL PACK, INJECTOR CLEANER, AND AIR INTAKE SENSOR. NOTHING WORKED. DID COMPRESSION CHECK AND FOUND CYLINDER 1 HAS LOST COMPRESSION. MAYBE BROKEN VALVE SPRING, WHEN TRIED TO REPLACE FOUND VALVE WAS BARELY MOVING. PLUS HAD A LIFTER TAPPING NOISE. COST FOR REPAIRS WILL BE OVER $4000. FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THIS YEAR TRUCK WITH THE 5 7 HEMI.
NHTSA ODI #11182072
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.