The 2018 Ram 1500 engine cluster shows a range of critical failures occurring across the EcoDiesel and 5.7 Hemi variants. Catastrophic bearing and rod failures account for multiple sudden engine seizures, typically without warning, at mileages ranging from 50,000 to 160,000 miles. Owners report unexpected loss of power while highway driving at speeds 50–70 mph, forcing emergency shoulder stops. EGR cooler cracking—subject to recall VB1 (19V757000)—leads to coolant leaking into combustion chambers and engine fires. The crankshaft position sensor tone ring delamination (covered under recalls W58/20V475000 and 66A/23V411000) causes limp-mode operation, extended crank times, and complete loss of motive power, though recall remedy delays have left many vehicles unrepaired for 1–3 years due to parts unavailability. Exhaust manifold bolt fractures create ticking or rattling sounds and exhaust leaks into the cabin, posing carbon monoxide exposure risk. High-pressure fuel pump failures introduce debris into fuel lines. Some failures occur with no warning lights; others show check-engine codes only after shutdown. Owners consistently report that recall parts remain on backorder for extended periods, dealers claim inability to source components, and FCA has denied warranty and reimbursement claims on out-of-warranty vehicles or repairs completed outside dealerships.
Failure modes owners describe
Crankshaft bearing and rod failures
Bearing seizure or rod separation causing abrupt engine stall and complete loss of motive power while driving. Owners report catastrophic internal damage, sometimes requiring full engine replacement.
When: Mileages: 50,000–160,000 miles; some at 70,000 miles (narrative #1), 80,043 miles (narrative #11), 99,840 miles (narrative #4), 142,000 miles (narrative #39)
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power while highway driving at 50–70 mph; Engine seizes without warning lights in some cases; Loud clanking or banging sound immediately before stall; Oil pressure drops to zero; Engine unable to restart; Owners report near-collisions due to sudden power loss
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement required. Narrative #1 reports two engine replacements under warranty dispute; narrative #4 owner paid $7,000 out-of-pocket after 65% FCA coverage denial; narrative #15 owner had rod failure at dealership inspection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Out-of-warranty denials cited in narratives #4, #11. Narrative #4 notes FCA settled a 2014–2016 lawsuit but denies similar coverage for 2018 model.
EGR cooler cracking and coolant leakage
Thermal stress causes micro-fractures in the EGR cooler, allowing coolant to leak into the exhaust gas recirculation system and combustion chamber. Risk of engine fire and overheating.
When: Failure mileages: 26,000–142,000 miles; recall issued October 2019 (narratives #6, #17, #18); parts unavailable through mid-2020 and beyond
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal burning odor from engine compartment; White smoke from rear of vehicle or under hood; Coolant consumption (1+ gallon over 2 weeks, narrative #6 reports 2+ gallons since new); Engine overheating at various speeds; Vehicle fire in parked and driving scenarios (narratives #5, #8, #14); Engine failure/total loss
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (general)
Repairs/costs cited: Recall VB1 (19V757000) requires EGR cooler replacement. Narrative #5 vehicle totaled; narrative #8 repair deemed out-of-pocket despite prior recall service; narrative #6 owner waited until 2/25/20 for parts; narratives #18, #19 report 1–3 year wait times due to parts restricted to 1 per week per dealership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall VB1 (NHTSA 19V757000) issued. Narrative #13 reports FCA denied reimbursement citing warranty expiration, parts not covered, and non-dealership repair. Narratives #5, #17 report manufacturer exceeded reasonable time for parts availability.
Crankshaft position sensor tone ring delamination
Magnetic coating on the tone ring delaminates, causing loss of crankshaft position signal and engine synchronization failure. Limp-mode operation or complete stall.
When: Failure mileages: 45,381–160,000 miles; recalls issued (W58/20V475000 around 2020; 66A/23V411000 later)
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clunk and immediate deceleration on highway; Check engine light (code P0336); Limp-mode operation (19–23 mph uphill, narrative #2); Excessive crank time before starting; Acceleration lag and poor uphill performance; Cruise control inoperable; Complete loss of motive power and inability to restart (narratives #3, #22, #31)
Codes mentioned: P0336 (crank position sensor A circuit range/performance)
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #2 reports tone ring replacement required; Dodge reported 22,000 in stock, indicating awareness. Narrative #2 owner's 5-hour trip became 8 hours. Narratives #22, #23, #31 vehicle owners had to pay out-of-pocket because VINs were not included in recall coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall W58 (20V475000) issued software update as workaround (uses camshaft signal substitute). Narrative #23 reports Stellantis changed position: original W58 required part replacement, revised W58 offers only PCM reprogramming, now 66A states 'no current solution.' Narrative #2 reports software update does not fix the underlying tone ring failure.
Exhaust manifold bolt fracture
Bolts securing the exhaust manifold fracture due to thermal stress and warping, causing exhaust leaks and manifold warping.
When: Failure mileages: 77,000–98,000+ miles; issue noted as recurring over years (narrative #7)
Symptoms owners cite: Ticking or rattling sound at startup, worsens over time; Abnormal exhaust odor; Smell of coolant or exhaust in passenger compartment; Carbon monoxide exposure risk inside cabin
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of manifold and bolts required. Narrative #21 (5.7 Hemi): $1,000 repair; narrative #7 notes cost ~$750 per side plus labor, and problem recurs; narrative #45 owner required manifold replacement at 77,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued. Narrative #7 owner 3 months past 5-year warranty; narrative #21 owner notes RAM discontinuing 5.7 Hemi production and questions if related to this defect; narrative #45 referred to NHTSA Hotline with no recall on record.
High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure
Internal failure of the high-pressure fuel pump, with potential for debris to enter fuel system and cause fuel starvation.
When: Open recall; narratives #9, #10, #24, #32 report 2-year-long part delays
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls or loss of power (indirect, via fuel starvation); Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Recall remedy requires HPFP replacement. Narrative #9 reports 6-month unavailability in 2023 and open ticket since February 2024; prevented vehicle registration renewal and led to 3 traffic citations.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Open recall (narratives #9, #24, #32, #33, #35, #41, #42, #49). Narrative #24 reports FCA sending mailing notices for nearly 2 years with no action; narrative #10 customer told 'safe to drive until part available' while recall remained open; narrative #32 waited 6 weeks for crank sensor, then recalls remained unrepaired.
Timing chain skip/valve-to-piston collision
Timing chain advances or skips, causing valve timing misalignment, valve penetration into piston, and catastrophic engine damage.
When: Failure mileage: 70 mph highway driving (narrative #10)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine seized without warning or power loss; Loud banging or clanking noise; Check engine light (for HPFP recall, not timing chain itself)
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine destruction; not rebuildable. Narrative #10 owner reports Dodge advised to 'sell it and buy a different truck' with 'plenty of testimonials' of similar failures.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific remedy cited. Narrative #10 notes Dodge 'known about this issue' and suggests awareness of trend.
Premature internal component failure (cam roller, bearing)
Internal wear or defect in variable displacement system components; cam roller failure on cylinder #7 caused rod to throw through head cover and valve to drop into piston.
When: Failure mileage: 142,000 miles (narrative #39)
Symptoms owners cite: No prior warning lights or indications; Engine failure without diagnostic codes
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement; 4-week loss of use. Narrative #39 owner advised failure caused by Variable Displacement mode for fuel economy.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or assistance mentioned. Narrative #39 owner states 5.7 Hemi advertised for 200k–300k mile lifespan; feels 'misled/cheated.'
Recall parts unavailability and distribution delays
Manufacturer and dealer delays in supplying recall parts, some for 1–3+ years, preventing repair of known safety defects.
When: Multiple recalls from 2019 onwards: VB1 (19V757000), W58 (20V475000), 22V406000, 22V411000, 23V411000
Symptoms owners cite: Owners unable to repair known safety defects; Vehicle deemed unsafe to drive or park near home (narrative #17); Registration renewal blocked by open recalls (narrative #9); Extended ownership of unsafe vehicles
Repairs/costs cited: Narratives #5, #6, #16, #17, #18, #19, #30, #37, #38, #40, #41, #42, #43, #46, #47, #49 all report parts on backorder or restricted. Narrative #19 reports 70–200 vehicle waiting lists per dealership, with 1 part per week limit = 1–3 year wait. Narrative #43 reports 6 months with no remedy in sight.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls issued but remedy parts unavailable. Narrative #18 FCA told owner to install defective part as temporary fix, then delayed remedy part. Narrative #17 manufacturer offered no loaner vehicle. Narrative #19 FCA stated no ETA for parts increase.
Engine fire (EGR cooler and electrical)
Vehicle fire, either related to EGR cooler coolant leakage igniting or electrical component failure during block heater use.
When: Failure mileages: 26,500 (narrative #14, block heater incident), 66,000 (narrative #5), vehicle fire in narratives #5, #8, #14
Symptoms owners cite: White smoke from engine compartment; Flames visible under engine hood or from vehicle exterior; Complete vehicle engulfment (narratives #5, #14)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles totaled. Narrative #5 vehicle towed to two independent shops, deemed total loss; narrative #14 owner attempted to move vehicle while on fire, failed to reverse due to electrical failure; fire extinguished by police.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #5 manufacturer notified and case filed but 'exceeded reasonable amount of time for repair.' Narrative #14 fire not related to open recall per narrative; manufacturer notified.
Excessive coolant consumption
Vehicle consumes coolant at abnormal rate without visible leaks, suggesting internal leakage or EGR cooler cracking.
When: Narrative #6 since new (2+ gallons); narrative #28 (1+ gallon in 2 weeks)
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid coolant level drop; No visible leaks on inspection; May be accompanied by coolant odor or performance issues
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #6 owner informed cracked EGR causing coolant in combustion chamber, leading to premature engine failure risk. Narrative #28 vehicle not diagnosed or repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #6 related to EGR recall VB1; narrative #28 manufacturer not notified.
Diesel particulate filter clogging
Particulate filter becomes cracked or clogged, requiring replacement.
When: Failure mileage: unknown (narrative #28)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Excessive coolant consumption (concurrent in narrative #28)
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #28 filter on backorder; vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall cited; part availability issue.
Engine block catastrophic failure (upper engine hole)
Large hole develops in upper part of engine block, causing severe oil leak and engine failure.
When: Failure mileage: 11,000 miles (narrative #34)
Repairs/costs cited: Engine failure; vehicle not repaired. Narrative #34 owner reports 'catastrophic engine failure' with no warning lights.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted but no assistance provided.
Synthesized from 106 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.