GEAR MOTOR, Transfer Case The gear motor assembly is shipped in AWD/2WD position. The transfer case needs to be positioned in AWD/2WD position to properly assemble gear motor to T-Case. Please reference Star Online publication S2121000003 for further details. Do not have the transfer case in in another position other than AWD/2WD and rotate the motor to align the bolt holes as this could result in damage to the gear motor.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Dodge Ram 2500 engine problems
severe 25 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
3fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 25 engine complaints filed for the 2007 Dodge Ram 2500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 25 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 5 model years of Dodge Ram 2500 in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
GEAR MOTOR, Transfer Case The gear motor assembly is shipped in AWD/2WD position. The transfer case needs to be positioned in AWD/2WD position to properly assemble gear motor to T-Case. Please reference Star Online publication S2121000003 for further details. Do not have the transfer case in in another position other than AWD/2WD and rotate the motor to align the bolt holes as this could result in damage to the gear motor.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only. Installation: 1. Clean the oil pan T-joints.~ 2. Fill the T-joint between the pan rail/gear housing and pan rail/rear seal retainer with sealant. Use Mopar® Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant or equivalent. 3. Apply a 2-mm [0.063-in] bead of Mopar Engine Sealant RTV Silicone Rubber Adhesive, to the oil pan flange.~ 4. The four piece gasket will need to be assembled to make a complete oil pan gasket. 5. Lay the oil pan gasket(s) onto the oil pan flange.~ 6. Ensure the oil pan gask
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2007 RAM 2500 trucks consistently report chronic check engine light issues that persist across multiple dealer visits. The problems center on the diesel particulate filter (DPF), turbo system, and emission controls. One owner brought the truck back six times for the same DPF failures; another visited the dealer nine times with the check engine light still unresolved. Dealers respond with computer reprogramming, sensor cleaning, turbo replacement (sometimes twice per vehicle), and harness swaps, yet failures recur within weeks.
A few owners describe severe safety events: one experienced sudden engine shutdown on a mountain pass at 50 mph, causing temporary brake and steering failure; another had the turbo-mounted engine brake engage unpredictably at stop signs and highway speeds, creating hazardous situations. Multiple owners report spontaneous engine compartment fires—one destroyed the truck and ignited a 150-acre wildfire.
The DPF clogs as early as 2500 miles in some trucks, forcing aggressive driving to regenerate it. One owner's truck stalled repeatedly due to contaminated diesel fuel, requiring $8,000 in fuel system repairs that the dealer denied as warranty coverage. Electronic lockups requiring manual fuse resets, EGR cooler bolt failures, and manifold rust recurrence round out the pattern. Most repairs fall within the warranty period, but the frequency and recurrence of identical issues frustrate owners who expected a new vehicle to be reliable.
Same Dodge Ram 2500 engine reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Check Engine Light / Emission Control System Malfunction
Persistent check engine light accompanied by various emission and turbo failures. Owners report the light returns repeatedly despite multiple dealership visits and computer reprogramming. Some dealers initially dismissed it as normal, while others performed repeated sensor cleanings, turbo replacements, and computer upgrades with little sustained relief.
When: As early as first 800–900 miles of ownership; recurring throughout ownership period
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminating repeatedly; Vehicle stalling when warning light comes on; Loss of engine power on highway; Vehicle hesitating and stalling in traffic; Multiple warning codes related to O2 sensors, turbo, and particulate filter
Codes mentioned: P0471, O2 sensor codes, Turbo-related codes, Particulate filter codes, EGR valve codes
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple O2 sensor replacements and cleanings; turbo replaced (some trucks twice); computer reprogrammed numerous times; particulate filter cleaned and replaced; EGR cooler bolts replaced; wiring harness replaced; complete exhaust system replacement attempted in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls (particularly Recall #07V594000); TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) released over time; computer flash updates; some vehicles replaced under lemon law after 8+ failures; one extended warranty denial cited
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Clogging and Failure
The DPF clogs prematurely, as early as 2500 miles, forcing owners into a cycle of dealer visits for cleaning or replacement. Owners report needing to drive aggressively ('like you stole it') to regenerate the filter. When the DPF fails or clogs, the check engine light comes on and the vehicle may stall or lose power.
When: As early as 2500 miles; recurring throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminating due to clogged DPF; Vehicle cutting out and hesitating on acceleration; Elevated exhaust temperatures; Reduced engine power
Codes mentioned: DPF overpressure codes, Emission system codes
Repairs/costs cited: DPF cleaned multiple times; DPF replaced; one owner notes aftermarket parts available but dealer discourages use; one owner reports exhaust system replacement required because replacement DPF part was no longer in production
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Partial support via recalls and TSBs; dealers recommend aggressive driving to prevent clogging; extended warranty coverage in some cases
Turbo System Failures
Turbo malfunctions occur repeatedly in multiple vehicles. Owners report turbo-related codes triggering the check engine light and power loss. In one case, a turbo was replaced twice. Turbo failures often appear alongside emission and wiring issues.
When: Early in ownership; recurring in some vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Turbo malfunction codes; Check engine light illumination; Loss of engine power; Vehicle stalling
Codes mentioned: Turbo fault codes, Emission system codes tied to turbo operation
Repairs/costs cited: Turbo replaced (in one case twice); turbo cleaned; turbo wiring and control systems addressed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Covered under recalls and warranty repairs in some cases; TSBs addressing turbo issues released
Engine Brake / Jake Brake Malfunction (2007 6.7L Diesel)
The turbo-mounted engine brake engages unpredictably and without warning, creating severe safety hazards. In one detailed account, the brake engages at idle while waiting at stop signs or on the highway at cruise control, drastically cutting engine speed with no operator input. After 10–15 episodes, the owner is told to stop and restart the engine as a workaround. Subsequently, the engine brake stops working entirely.
When: After approximately 800–900 miles of ownership; recurring over following weeks
Symptoms owners cite: Engine brake engaging unexpectedly and without operator input; Sudden loss of forward momentum at idle and at highway speed; Check engine light illuminating after repeated failures; Engine brake ceasing to function after multiple incidents
Repairs/costs cited: No successful repair documented; owner advised to stop engine and restart as temporary workaround; vehicle eventually brought back to dealership where engine brake no longer functioned
Engine Stalling and Loss of Power
Multiple owners report engine stalling or complete power loss while driving, sometimes at highway speeds. In one case, the vehicle lost all power on a mountain pass, causing brakes and steering to become unresponsive for a few seconds until the truck rolled to a stop on the shoulder. Another owner lost power twice in one week while pulling onto a busy highway. Dealers struggle to diagnose the root cause; some suggest wiring issues.
When: Various mileages; some early in ownership, some at higher mileage (17,700 to 170,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine stall while driving; Complete loss of engine power; Brakes and steering become unresponsive momentarily; No warning lights or error messages in some cases; Vehicle unable to restart or requires extended time to restart
Codes mentioned: Wiring-related codes (in some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Wiring harness replaced in one case; EGR valve replaced in another; no resolution in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable to replicate issue; wiring harness replacement attempted; some cases covered under warranty
Engine Compartment Fire / Spontaneous Engine Fire
Multiple owners report spontaneous engine fires, some without any warning signs. One fire occurred while driving on a rough gravel road at grade, destroying the truck and starting a 150-acre wildfire. Another occurred at idle in a parking lot. A third owner received a recall notice about a dash silencer pad that could sag and contact the EGR cooler, causing local overheating and potential underhood fire. Chrysler imposed parts allocation (5 per week) causing long delays in repair.
When: One at 90,000 miles; another in parking lot after 14 months of ownership with only 250 miles driven since last service
Symptoms owners cite: Engine compartment fire; Fire originating from engine area; No warning signals before fire in some cases; Dash silencer pad sagging and contacting EGR cooler (per recall notice)
Repairs/costs cited: Support brackets for silencer pad ordered with severe supply constraints (5 per week allocation); one fire destroyed vehicle; manufacturer engineer unable to determine cause in another case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall #07V594000 related (fire hazard); recall notice issued for dash silencer pad contact with EGR cooler; extremely limited parts supply for recall repair (5 brackets per week)
EGR Cooler Bolts Loosening / Diesel Fuel Odor in Cabin
Loose EGR cooler bolts allow diesel fuel odor to enter the cabin, causing respiratory problems for occupants. Bolts required replacement, but the issue continued to recur in at least one case.
When: At 35,000 miles in one reported case
Symptoms owners cite: Diesel fuel odor inside cabin; Odor more pronounced while idling; Respiratory problems for driver
Repairs/costs cited: EGR cooler bolts replaced
Engine No-Crank / Electronic Lockup (WCM/SKREEM Module)
Engine will not crank or start due to electronic lockup of the WCM (Wireless Control Module) or SKREEM module. Occurs intermittently (approximately every six months in one case). Owner must remove the IOD fuse with key out, wait 30 seconds, and reinstall to restore function.
When: Periodically throughout ownership; one reported case every six months
Symptoms owners cite: Engine will not crank; Complete silence when attempting to start; No error messages or warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Workaround: remove IOD fuse, wait 30 seconds, reinstall; no permanent fix documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service bulletin issued addressing 'no engine crank or no engine start due to electronic lock-up of the WCM/SKREEM'
TIPM / A/C System Failure
A/C compressor clutch locked up, causing damage to the TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module). Dealer attributed failure to compressor lockup. Owner's extended warranty was denied, and repair cost $1,500.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: A/C compressor clutch lockup; TIPM failure
Repairs/costs cited: TIPM replaced; cost $1,500
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty denied
Contaminated Diesel Fuel / Fuel Injector Damage
Engine stalled due to foreign substance in diesel fuel described as smelling like paint thinner. Fuel contamination allegedly caused by dirt in fuel tank due to infrequent fuel filter changes, per warranty rep. Vehicle required 6 fuel injectors and a fuel pump, totaling $8,000 in repairs.
When: At 67,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle vibrating; Complete engine stall in middle of busy road; Fuel with chemical odor (paint thinner-like smell)
Repairs/costs cited: 6 fuel injectors replaced; fuel pump replaced; total repair cost $8,000
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty denied; dealer/warranty rep attributed to owner neglect (infrequent fuel filter changes)
Exhaust Manifold Rust and Warping
Manifold bolts rusted away, causing the manifolds to warp. Same issue recurred after a previous repair in June 2015.
When: Recurring issue; previous repair in June 2015
Symptoms owners cite: Rusted manifold bolts; Warped exhaust manifolds
Repairs/costs cited: Exhaust manifold repair/replacement; same issue repeated
Engine Shaking / Rough Running and Cylinder Failure (2003 model reported in 5.7L HEMI)
Engine shakes violently at startup and idle, eventually leading to catastrophic failure. One 2003 5.7L HEMI owner reported the issue from new (December 2002), occurring 6–10 times initially, then progressing to violent shaking on a road trip. Vehicle stalled and would not restart. Diagnosis revealed corroded spark packs, broken valve springs in cylinders 5 and 8, and low compression in cylinder 5 with no compression in cylinder 8. Owner notes that Dodge forum sites indicated awareness of this problem in early 2003 models.
When: 2003 model: since new in December 2002; catastrophic failure April 2007
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shaking at startup and idle; Violent shaking while driving; Engine stall and no restart; Rough idle after repairs
Repairs/costs cited: Spark packs replaced (corroded and split); valve springs replaced; cylinder head replaced; intake manifold replaced; PCM replaced; catalytic converter replaced; rocker arms reinstalled over push rods (had been forgotten during initial service); cylinder 7 found dead, requiring head removal
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty covered repair costs
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
I have had my Dodge Ram 2500 in the shop 9 times for the engine light, they have reset it and still do not know what is causing the problem. I have had my truck in the shop more than I have had it available to drive. *tr
Had engine trouble with your 2007 Dodge Ram 2500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2007 Dodge Ram 2500?
It's a meaningful issue. 25 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 19,043 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 35,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 19,043; a quarter make it past 90,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Dodge/Ram 2500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.