Recall t51 I'm deeply concerned that its been two months since I received a letter from the NHTSA in reference to a recall # ( t51 ) that my truck needs to get done, to avoid a potential risk that could lead to injury or even death, for me the driver, or any passenger. NHTSA stated on that letter, that a repair must be done by the manufacturer, as soon as possible, to avoid possible tragedy.…
2014 RAM 3500 engine problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 18 engine complaints filed for the 2014 RAM 3500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2014 Ram 3500 diesel engines suffer from turbo actuator failure around 70k-115k miles, causing dangerous power loss on highways—a known defect that 2015+ models got fixed under warranty but 2014 owners didn't. Fuel system fires and chronic exhaust fumes in the cab are also documented issues, and recall parts have been hard to source.
The 2014 Ram 3500 diesel engines are failing at a higher rate than Ram's own durability standards would suggest. The turbo actuator is the most frequent culprit—owners report intermittent loss of power, limp mode activation, and in one case, the truck slowed to 10 mph on a two-lane highway with no shoulder to pull over. One owner documented that the dealership had multiple failed actuators sitting on the shelf waiting for warranty returns, yet Ram refused to cover 2014 model year vehicles under the extended warranty it offered to 2015+. Repair costs run $3,000 out of pocket.
Fuel system integrity is also compromised: diesel fuel heaters overheat and spray fuel into the engine compartment, filling the cab with smoke and burned-fuel smell. One 2014 caught fire while parked with no warning signs.
Exhaust fumes leaking into the cabin is widespread, often linked to EGR valve failure. Owners report the valve sticking and allowing noxious diesel smell even at highway speeds—one owner had it replaced at 16,000 miles and the problem returned. Engine stalling has occurred at 40,000 miles with repeated failures despite module replacement.
Critical safety recalls cannot be completed because parts remain unavailable for months, leaving owners driving unrepaired vehicles flagged as hazards by NHTSA.
Same RAM 3500 engine reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Turbocharger actuator failure
The turbo actuator fails, causing loss of engine power, limp mode, or complete stalling. Owners report the vehicle becoming undrivable or severely restricted to 10-20 mph. One owner saw multiple failed actuators at a dealership waiting for warranty return, indicating a systemic issue. 2014 models were excluded from the warranty coverage that was extended to 2015 models.
When: 69,000 to 116,000 miles; one failure at 109,082 miles after progressive troubleshooting
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power while driving; Vehicle enters limp mode; Turbo signal warning light illuminates; Vehicle will not restart after power loss; Throttle delay or no response for several seconds; Severe power restriction to 10-20 mph on highway
Codes mentioned: No turbo signal warning, U05A5
Repairs/costs cited: Turbo actuator replacement required. MOPAR part 68481772AA. Owner #7 paid $3,000 out of pocket; 2015 model year version identical part covered by extended warranty. Multiple owners report dealerships had these actuators on hand waiting for warranty returns.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2014 model year vehicles not covered by the extended warranty program offered to 2015+ models. Owner sent two detailed letters with no response or acknowledgment.
Fuel system fire hazard
Diesel fuel heater and electrical connector overheat and ignite, causing fuel to spray into the engine compartment and smoke to enter the cab. One vehicle caught fire while parked with no prior warning signs.
When: 30,000 to 69,228 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke and fuel smell entering cab while driving at low speed; No warning light before failure; Smoke exiting from under hood; Burned smell from fuel heater and electrical connector; Vehicle catches fire while parked
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired in reported cases. Associated with NHTSA campaign 14V635000 (Engine, Engine Cooling, Fuel System, Diesel).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall campaign 14V635000 issued but repair parts unavailable for extended period.
EGR valve failure and exhaust fumes in cabin
EGR valve sticks or fails, causing excessive diesel exhaust fumes to enter the cabin. One owner had the valve replaced at 16,000 miles but fumes persisted. The issue appears linked to the regeneration process but continues despite repairs.
When: 16,000 miles (first replacement) and ongoing; failure point at 69,000 miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Strong diesel exhaust smell in cab; Smell occurs when stopped or moving slowly; Fumes cause sore throat and watery eyes; Occurs at random regardless of driving conditions; Persists even when heater on outside air with vehicle in motion at highway speeds; Loss of power uphill while pulling load; Check engine light illuminates
Repairs/costs cited: EGR valve cleaned and replaced. One owner reports the valve was replaced at 16,000 miles; problem recurred. Another independent mechanic cleaned and repaired the valve but failure recurred; dealership found no fault on subsequent visit.
Engine stalling and module failure
Engine stalls at highway speed with all warning lights illuminating. A module was replaced but the stalling recurred on numerous occasions even after repeat repairs.
When: 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls while driving at 65 mph; All warning lights illuminate on instrument cluster; Recurring failure despite repairs
Repairs/costs cited: Module replaced. Failure recurred multiple times; vehicle returned to dealer but owner unsure what part was repaired on second attempt.
Water pump failure – recall parts unavailable
Critical recall (NHTSA campaign T51) issued for water pump but parts remain unavailable for extended periods. Recall letter stated repair must be done as soon as possible to avoid injury or death, but manufacturer and dealership unable to provide timeline for availability.
When: No failure experienced; recall issued November 2017, parts still unavailable 2 months later
Symptoms owners cite: No symptoms reported by owner; failure is safety defect flagged by NHTSA
Repairs/costs cited: Water pump replacement required by recall but parts unavailable. Manufacturer and dealership told owner not to worry if no problems occurring.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall campaign T51 issued; parts unavailable for months with no confirmed delivery date.
Recall parts distribution delays
Multiple recall campaigns (17V562000 for engine/cooling and 17V821000 for powertrain, plus 14V635000 for fuel system) issued but parts remain unavailable for months. Manufacturer exceeded reasonable repair timelines and provided no concrete delivery dates.
When: Recalls issued; delays of 2+ months reported
Symptoms owners cite: No symptoms reported; preventive recall maintenance blocked by parts shortage
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to complete recall repairs due to parts unavailability. Owners left unable to drive vehicles for safety-critical repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaigns 14V635000, 17V562000, 17V821000 issued. Ram manufacturer informed but unable to confirm part availability dates or provide adequate supply to dealerships.
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The Turbo Actuator failed while driving on a two-lane highway without a shoulder to safely pull over. The truck lost power down to a maximum speed of 10mph until I could safely pull off of the highway. The problem has been diagnosed with a OBD2 scanner. No other inspections by police or insurance. The MIL did not turn on until the vehicle was pulled off of the highway and at a stop.
I have noticed on different occasions a strong smell of diesel exhaust coming into the cab of my truck. It does not smell like the exhaust exiting the rear tailpipe (post DPF/catalyst). Each time it has happened, it has been when I was stopped or moving slow in both forward or reverse (on a street, or backing into a parking spot). The first couple of times I thought it was a smell coming from a…
Had engine trouble with your 2014 RAM 3500?
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 2014 RAM 3500?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 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 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 30,000 and 69,228 miles, with the median around 57,624. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 69,228. 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/2014/RAM/3500.
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.