Ram 1500: common problems, service schedule and fuel economy
What typically goes wrong on the Ram 1500, at what mileage, and what keeping it right involves — from Brimly's Vehicle Knowledge Base, where every fault is checked by a human before publication.
- Years
- 2019–present
- Generations
- 2
- Engines
- 5
- Verified faults
- 6
DT (5th gen, 2019+) · 2019–present
3.0 EcoDiesel V6 · 260 hp · 3.6 Pentastar V6 eTorque · 305 hp · 5.7 HEMI V8 · 395 hp · 5.7 HEMI V8 eTorque · 395 hp
Known problems
- Critical
3.0 EcoDiesel EGR cooler fire risk and reliability
Symptoms: coolant loss and, in the recalled fault, an EGR cooler that can crack and create a fire risk; also high-pressure fuel pump and oil-cooler concerns
What to do: The 3.0 EcoDiesel was recalled for an EGR cooler that can fail and cause an under-hood fire, and it has a record of costly fuel-system and oil-cooler problems. Confirm any recall is completed and budget carefully; many buyers avoid this engine for these reasons.
- Worth watching usually from 25,000 mi (40,000 km)
3.6 Pentastar rocker-arm / lifter tick
Symptoms: ticking noise and occasional misfire, sometimes with a rocker-arm or lifter fault code
What to do: Some Pentastar V6 engines develop a tick from a worn rocker arm or lifter. Have a persistent tick with a misfire diagnosed rather than ignored, since a failed rocker can damage the valvetrain. Regular correct-spec oil changes help.
- Worth watching usually from 31,000 mi (50,000 km)
5.7 HEMI lifter and camshaft failure ('HEMI tick')
Symptoms: a persistent metallic tick or knock, rough running or misfire, and a check-engine light; often the roller lifter fails and wipes a camshaft lobe
What to do: A steady tick on the 5.7 HEMI can be a failing lifter that damages the camshaft, an expensive repair that usually means replacing the cam and all lifters. Don't ignore a persistent tick with a misfire; use the specified oil, keep changes on time and avoid long idling.
- Worth watching usually from 37,000 mi (60,000 km)
3.6 Pentastar oil filter / cooler housing leak
Symptoms: oil pooling in the valley between the cylinder heads and dripping off the back of the engine, easily mistaken for a rear main seal leak
What to do: The Pentastar V6's plastic oil-filter/cooler housing commonly cracks or leaks at its seals. If you see oil in the engine valley or dripping off the rear of the block, have the housing replaced — an upgraded aluminium housing is the durable fix.
Service schedule
| Item | Interval | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter change | every 7,000 mi (12,000 km) or 12 months | follow the oil-life monitor; halve for towing, heavy loads or short-trip use — use the specified viscosity |
| Cabin filter | every 19,000 mi (30,000 km) | — |
| Air filter | every 28,000 mi (45,000 km) | — |
| 8-speed automatic fluid (8HP) important | every 75,000 mi (120,000 km) | service earlier if used for towing or in severe conditions |
| Spark plugs (petrol) | every 99,000 mi (160,000 km) | the 5.7 HEMI has two plugs per cylinder; not applicable to the diesel |
| Brake fluid important | every 36 months | — |
| Timing chain inspection | — | the HEMI and Pentastar are chain-driven — inspect for noise rather than on a fixed interval |
Classic (DS body, sold alongside DT) · 2019–2024
3.6 Pentastar V6 · 305 hp · 5.7 HEMI V8 · 395 hp
Known problems
- Worth watching usually from 31,000 mi (50,000 km)
5.7 HEMI lifter and camshaft failure ('HEMI tick')
Symptoms: a persistent tick or knock, rough running or misfire and a check-engine light from a failing lifter that can wipe a cam lobe
What to do: The 'HEMI tick' from lifter and camshaft failure applies to the Classic's 5.7 V8 as well. Address a persistent tick with a misfire promptly; use the specified oil, keep changes on time and avoid extended idling.
- Worth watching usually from 37,000 mi (60,000 km)
3.6 Pentastar oil filter / cooler housing leak
Symptoms: oil collecting in the valley between the heads and dripping off the rear of the engine
What to do: The Pentastar plastic oil-filter/cooler housing commonly leaks. If oil appears in the engine valley or at the back of the block, replace the housing — an aluminium replacement is the lasting fix.
Service schedule
| Item | Interval | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter change | every 7,000 mi (12,000 km) or 12 months | follow the oil-life monitor; halve for towing or short-trip use |
| Cabin filter | every 19,000 mi (30,000 km) | — |
| Air filter | every 28,000 mi (45,000 km) | — |
| 8-speed automatic fluid (8HP) important | every 75,000 mi (120,000 km) | service earlier if used for towing or in severe conditions |
| Spark plugs (petrol) | every 99,000 mi (160,000 km) | the 5.7 HEMI has two plugs per cylinder |
| Brake fluid important | every 36 months | — |
Manufacturer-declared fuel economy
| Engine | City | Highway | Combined | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 EcoDiesel V6 DT (5th gen, 2019+) · 2019–present | 21 mpg (11.2 L/100 km) | 29 mpg (8.1 L/100 km) | 24 mpg (9.8 L/100 km) | EPA |
| 3.6 Pentastar V6 eTorque DT (5th gen, 2019+) · 2019–present | 20 mpg (11.8 L/100 km) | 25 mpg (9.4 L/100 km) | 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km) | EPA |
| 5.7 HEMI V8 DT (5th gen, 2019+) · 2019–present | 15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km) | 21 mpg (11.2 L/100 km) | 17 mpg (13.8 L/100 km) | EPA |
| 5.7 HEMI V8 eTorque DT (5th gen, 2019+) · 2019–present | 17 mpg (13.8 L/100 km) | 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km) | 19 mpg (12.4 L/100 km) | EPA |
| 3.6 Pentastar V6 Classic (DS body, sold alongside DT) · 2019–2024 | 16 mpg (14.3 L/100 km) | 24 mpg (9.8 L/100 km) | 19 mpg (12.1 L/100 km) | EPA |
| 5.7 HEMI V8 Classic (DS body, sold alongside DT) · 2019–2024 | 15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km) | 21 mpg (11.2 L/100 km) | 17 mpg (13.8 L/100 km) | EPA |
Lab-cycle figures, each shown with the cycle it was measured under — the same car under WLTP, NEDC, EPA or JC08 can differ by up to 20%. Real-world consumption typically runs 15–30% above the declared number, and that gap is normal, not a fault.
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Frequently asked
What are the most common Ram 1500 problems?
The faults reported most often are: 3.0 EcoDiesel EGR cooler fire risk and reliability; 5.7 HEMI lifter and camshaft failure ('HEMI tick'); 3.6 Pentastar oil filter / cooler housing leak. Symptoms, the mileage each appears at and what to do about it are all above.
How often does the Ram 1500 need servicing?
Engine oil & filter change — every 7,000 mi (12,000 km) or 12 months. The full published schedule is above; your car's own service book always takes precedence.
What is the real fuel consumption of the Ram 1500?
The manufacturer declares 24 mpg (9.8 L/100 km) combined for the 3.0 EcoDiesel V6 under the EPA cycle. In real use expect 15–30% more — that gap is normal.
Where does this data come from?
Brimly's Vehicle Knowledge Base — the same verified facts the app's AI assistant answers from. Every fault is written up from public sources and then checked by a human before it is published; nothing here is generated on the fly.