The 2013 Ram 1500 cluster reveals two dominant, recurring engine failures—both acknowledged by Chrysler but not recalled.
Exhaust manifold bolts shear off between 60,000–160,000 miles, often both sides within months of each other. Bolts break cleanly without obvious cause; manifold warping appears to apply enough force to fracture them. Owners hear a loud tick on cold start that diminishes as the engine warms. The leak allows exhaust fumes into the cabin—a carbon monoxide hazard. Repair costs $423–$2,000 depending on how badly the bolt seizes during removal. Multiple owners report the same bolts breaking again after replacement, yet Chrysler dealers tell customers this is normal wear and warranty doesn't cover it, despite service advisors privately acknowledging it "happens to all Ram trucks."
Lifter and camshaft failures strike between 62,000–160,000 miles on regularly maintained vehicles. A hydraulic lifter collapses or its roller bearing disintegrates, shaving the camshaft lobe flat. The result is a dead cylinder—check engine light, misfire code, loss of power, rough running. Repair means replacing the lifter, camshaft, and cleaning metal debris from the oil system, typically $3,600–$5,000. Many owners find secondary damage (valve seats, rocker arms, oil pump) requiring full engine replacement at $8,000–$9,000. The parts themselves are back-ordered 1–6 months—one owner waited a year without wheels—and Chrysler refuses warranty coverage, even though forums and repair shops call it a known defect pattern going back to 2008 Hemi engines.
Hesitation and power loss occur sporadically; owners swap O2 sensors, spark plugs, throttle bodies, and wiring harnesses at $800–$3,500 before dealers eventually blame cams or lifters anyway. Dealers lack software updates to fix the issue and cannot diagnose some cases even after 8 weeks.
Coolant leaks, toxic fumes from factory protective coatings, and oil filter leaks round out the fleet issues.
Failure modes owners describe
Exhaust Manifold Bolt Shearing/Failure
Bolts connecting exhaust manifolds to the cylinder head break or shear off, typically at both driver and passenger sides. Owners report the bolts break spontaneously during normal operation without apparent cause. Manifold warping is suspected to apply enough force to fracture the bolts. Dealers and Chrysler acknowledge the issue occurs across the fleet but classify it as a maintenance cost rather than a defect.
When: Between 60,000–160,000 miles; some failures reported as early as 79,000 miles and at higher mileages. Ticking noise typically appears on cold startup and diminishes as engine heats up.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud ticking or clicking noise from engine compartment, most noticeable on cold start or acceleration; Ticking noise dissipates as engine warms; Exhaust fumes entering cabin or engine compartment; Visible exhaust leak at manifold connection points; Strong smell of exhaust inside vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of broken bolts and exhaust manifold gaskets; quoted repair costs $423–$2,000 depending on labor and seized bolt removal. Multiple owners report bolt shearing recurrence after initial repair (repairs on both sides often needed within months or miles). Parts availability generally adequate, but labor-intensive due to seized fasteners.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or technical service bulletins issued. Chrysler/Ram dealers informed owners this is not covered under warranty if vehicle is out of coverage period or mileage limit. Manufacturer has declined to acknowledge defective design, despite service advisors acknowledging the problem occurs on 'all Ram trucks' of this generation.
Lifter and Camshaft Failure
Hydraulic valve lifters fail, collapsing or having roller bearings disintegrate, which damages the camshaft lobes and renders cylinders inoperable. Failures occur at varying mileages on regularly maintained vehicles. Multiple owners report parts are on back-order for 1–6 months, forcing them to replace entire engines or wait extended periods. Owners note forums and repair shops report this as a known defect pattern across the 5.7L Hemi engine platform dating back to 2008 models.
When: Between 60,000–160,000 miles; one report at 62,000 miles despite regular 3,000–4,000 mile oil change intervals. Onset often marked by check engine light and rough running.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates (codes P0300 random misfire, P0303 cylinder #3 misfire, P219A engine unbalanced); Engine ticking or abnormal noise from cylinder head area; Rough running, loss of horsepower or power loss on acceleration; Engine misfires, hesitation, or sluggish response at acceleration; Vehicle loses power or stalls while driving; Inability to rev engine normally when accelerator depressed; Engine will not start in one case after check engine light warning
Codes mentioned: P0300 (Random misfire), P0303 (Cylinder #3 misfire), P219A (Engine unbalanced), P1416 (Misfire cylinder 6), P0303 (Cylinder #3 misfire—recurrence)
Repairs/costs cited: Lifter and camshaft replacement ranging $3,600–$9,000; one owner replaced entire engine ($5,000–$8,000 for remanufactured unit). Additional damage often found: valve seats, valve springs, rocker arms, push rods, oil pump, manifold bolts damaged by metal debris. Metal debris from failed lifter circulates through engine, causing secondary damage. Parts frequently back-ordered 1–6 months; one owner reported waiting over a year to obtain replacement lifters. No warranty coverage post-warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler has issued 27 TSBs on engine and engine cooling but no recalls. Warranty denied out-of-coverage vehicles. One owner was referred between U.S. and Canadian divisions without resolution. Service bulletins exist acknowledging the issue, but manufacturer refuses to repair vehicles outside warranty. One owner reported Dodge refusing to assist on a phone call.
Engine Misfire and Hesitation (Non-Lifter)
Engine hesitation on acceleration from stop or low speeds, often accompanied by check engine light and misfire codes. Multiple owners tried replacing O2 sensors, spark plugs, coils, fuel injectors, throttle body, wiring harness, and throttle body control module—none resolved the issue. Dealers eventually attributed some cases to wiring harness faults but could not definitively repair. One case remained undiagnosed for 8 weeks with Chrysler engineers involved.
When: Early in ownership (one vehicle had issue at 25,000 miles within first 3 months); another manifested at 130,000 miles. Intermittent or recurring.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates; Significant hesitation on acceleration (1+ second delay from dead stop); Loss of horsepower or power on acceleration; Engine running rough; Rough idle; Vehicle loses power during acceleration uphill; Difficulty accelerating in traffic situations; Engine misfires at highway speeds (60+ MPH)
Codes mentioned: P219A (Engine unbalanced)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners spent $800–$3,500 on parts (O2 sensors, spark plugs, coil packs, fuel injectors, throttle body, wiring harness) without resolution. Dealer kept one vehicle 2 months; quoted $1,400 for wiring harness replacement without guarantee. Another owner spent $3,700 before determining camshaft and lifters needed replacement. Labor diagnosis costs $200–$1,400 per visit.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers stated software updates needed per technical bulletin. One dealer could not provide fix without manufacturer-released software update. No recall issued. Manufacturer engineers were engaged in one case (8-week diagnosis) but could not resolve.
Unexpected Power Loss and Stalling
Engine loses power or stalls without warning while driving at various speeds (40–60 MPH range reported). Vehicle can be restarted and driven normally, but failure recurs. Mechanics unable to diagnose; no diagnostic trouble codes stored. Multiple visits to dealers produced no diagnosis. Safety risk due to unwarned stalling on roadways.
When: Between 60,000–82,000 miles. Recurring, intermittent.
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power or motive force while driving; Engine stalls without warning; No warning lights illuminated in some cases; Vehicle can be restarted after stalling; Vehicle operates normally after restart
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed; mechanics unable to determine cause. One case involved power control module and electronic stability control replacement without resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified in most cases. One case required manufacturer second opinion, not yet received by time of filing.
Cooling System Failures (Radiator, Bypass Valve, Overheating)
Multiple cooling-related issues: radiator leaks, coolant leaks, coolant bypass valve failure, engine overheating without warning, and water leaking into cabin. One vehicle caught fire from overheating.
When: Early to mid-mileage (5,000–47,000 miles in documented cases). One fire incident at 22,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Water/coolant leaking from radiator; Water leaking into cabin (above accelerator pedal, driver-side floor); Engine temperature increases without warning; Vehicle overheats and stalls; Smoke from front end; Vehicle became engulfed in flames (one case); Check engine light illumination; HVAC system fails to defrost windows (related to cooling)
Repairs/costs cited: Radiator replacement, bypass valve replacement. One fire resulted in vehicle impounded; not diagnosed. Cooling system repairs not quantified in most narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer issued NHTSA recall 13V117000 (engine and cooling), but affected vehicles may not be included in recall coverage. Manufacturer referred one owner to NHTSA. One vehicle was not included in recall 13V177000 per Chrysler; owner responsible for repair cost.
Cosmoline/Manufacturing Residue Fumes
New vehicle emits noxious fumes from engine coating (cosmoline/protective compound sprayed at factory). Fumes persist for 4,500+ miles and 113 engine hours. Owner became ill multiple times from exposure. Factory claimed fumes are normal and will burn off; owner requested MSDS but did not receive it within months.
When: New vehicle, up to 4,500 miles; issue persists across 113 hours of engine operation.
Symptoms owners cite: Strong, noxious odor in cabin and exterior; Owner became dizzy and sick from fumes; Metallic taste; Owner had to cut short vacation due to illness; Fumes worse during use of heating system; Fumes persist even in humid/rainy conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer ran vehicle for 2 days under factory instruction; problem temporarily subsided but recurred. Factory offered no solution. Owner waiting for blood test results to determine chemical exposure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Factory acknowledged problem; owner was initially told it was normal cosmoline burn-off. Owner requested MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for cosmoline on May 21; as of June 21 had not received it. No remedy offered. Factory declined to provide details on compound composition or safety.
Exhaust Odors and Toxic Fumes in Cabin (Excluding Manifold Leaks)
Persistent toxic smell from HVAC system when heating or air conditioning runs. Owners report metallic taste and headaches. Factory acknowledged problem with internal case number (STAR 10/24/2013) but claims it has no effect on durability. Distinct from manifold bolt failures—appears to be coolant/heater core related.
When: Early ownership (6,000 miles reported). Appears to be recurring or persistent.
Symptoms owners cite: Toxic smell fills cabin when heater or A/C engaged; Metallic taste in mouth; Headaches from odor exposure; Odor stronger when heating/cooling system active; Strong sulfur odor from engine compartment entering cabin
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed. Factory advised no repair currently available for the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer acknowledged the problem and assigned internal case number (STAR 10/24/2013). Manufacturer stated issue is bothersome but has no effect on system durability. No remedy provided. One owner noted forums documenting complaints dating to March 2013.
Oil Filter/Oil Pan Leak
Oil leaking around oil filter or oil pan since first oil change, persisting across vehicle life. Owner reports oiled driveway repeatedly. Manufacturer has not acknowledged as a defect.
When: Beginning at first oil change; persists through vehicle ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking from oil filter area; Oil pooling on driveway repeatedly; Visible oil residue
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented. Owner concerned about vibration causing filter to dislodge en route to dealer 1.5 hours away.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer has not acknowledged issue as defect despite online complaints. No remedy offered.
HVAC/Defroster Malfunction
Defroster or HVAC system loses heating function or fails to defrost windows. Loss of visibility hazard during operation.
When: Mid to high mileage (133,000–206,500 miles).
Symptoms owners cite: Defroster fails to respond or perform as designed; Loss of visibility on roadway (one owner rolled down windows due to fogged windows); Heating system fails to produce hot air; HVAC only blows cold air
Repairs/costs cited: One owner recalibrated defroster actuator without success. No repair completed in reported cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer contact in documented cases. Related to NHTSA Campaign 13V177000 (engine/cooling) but VINs not included in recall scope.
Engine Firing on Fewer Cylinders (Cylinder Deactivation Issue)
Engine switches from operating on 8 cylinders to 7 or fewer cylinders, causing loss of horsepower and sluggish acceleration at certain speeds (30–40 MPH range). Computer modules controlling cylinder deactivation appear to malfunction. Related to fuel economy feature.
When: Mileage varies; reported at 68,000+ miles and during normal operation.
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of horsepower or power when accelerating; Sluggish acceleration between 30–40 MPH; Engine operating on fewer cylinders (7 instead of 8); Delay in engine response to accelerator pedal; Rough running or hesitation
Repairs/costs cited: Service departments diagnosed computer module shifting from 4 to 8 cylinder mode (or 8 to 7); no repairs successful. Issue persists.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service departments explained issue is computer-controlled; no software fix or adjustment available until RAM engineers release update or technical bulletin. No manufacturer response to customer complaints.
Synthesized from 94 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.