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Engine & cooling

Ram 1500 Classic Regular Cab Engine problems by year

256 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Ram 1500 Classic Regular Cab's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
2022256110

Latest 1500 Classic Regular Cab engine complaints

2022 Ram 1500 Classic Regular CabEngine & cooling

The vehicle is equipped with eTorque. It has failed to start after stopping at a traffic light or stop sign. The last time it happened it began to move and then the parking brake engaged and transmission shifted into park. This is a dangerous escalation of an already serious safety problem. The stalling has happened over the past 2 years. The latest happened last week.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11774994
2022 Ram 1500 Classic Regular CabTransmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Vehicle experienced an eTorque hybrid auto-start failure at a stoplight, leaving the vehicle stranded in traffic until a manual restart was performed. The electrical charging system dropped to 12V. The dealership pulled the codes, cleared them without providing a record to the owner, and attempted to charge out-of-pocket for an unneeded mechanical belt and tensioners, which an independent shop later confirmed are perfectly fine. The independent shop suspects an internal MGU failure, matching NHTSA investigation PE24018." (This adds your truck to the active federal data pool)

Filed Incident Power train · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11774707
2022 Ram 1500 Classic Regular CabElectrical systemEngine & cooling

I have a 2022 RAM 1500 Longhorn Limited VIN [[redacted]]. It had a real problem a couple of years ago with stalling to a stop and die when making slow left hand turns. Went to the dealer twice. They claimed it was nothing but after the second visit, it no longer did it anymore. It's done it twice in the past couple of months. This evening it did it at a three way stop sign with no turn. When it shuts off it's in drive of course and it auto shifts to park and sets the emergency brake automatically. Then I can start...

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the engine again but I have the press the emergency brake switch button to release it. Then the low voltage light appears on the instrument cluster and the voltage gauge stays only about a quarter of the way up above zero on the negative side. To remedy this I have to shut off the engine and sometimes open the door for a while, close it and then start the engine and all is well again. I know RAM plays dumb when I describe this to them. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11774173
2022 Ram 1500 Classic Regular CabTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

I am reporting a recurring engine defect involving the Multi-Displacement System (MDS) in my 2022 RAM 1500 Big Horn equipped with the 5.7L HEMI eTorque engine. Since purchasing the vehicle in March 2023 with approximately 4,555 miles, the truck has experienced four separate MDS-related failures despite multiple repair attempts by authorized RAM dealerships. On February 7, 2025, at approximately 38,115 miles, a RAM dealership diagnosed an MDS solenoid that had physically separated and required extraction and...

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replacement. On May 1, 2026, at approximately 66,149 miles, another authorized dealership diagnosed an MDS failure involving cylinder No. 1 and performed repairs under warranty. Despite these repairs, the engine experienced another serious failure at approximately 73,000 miles. The most recent failure involved metal contamination and catastrophic internal engine damage, leaving the vehicle completely inoperable. I am concerned that the repeated MDS-related failures indicate a potential defect in the engine's cylinder-deactivation or valvetrain components. Failures involving these components may cause significant engine damage and potentially result in an unexpected loss of engine power while driving, creating a safety risk for the driver, passengers, and surrounding motorists. The vehicle has undergone multiple repairs for recurring MDS-related problems, but the issue has not been permanently resolved. I believe the final engine failure may be connected to the previously documented MDS failures, although the exact mechanical cause has not yet been independently confirmed. I am requesting that NHTSA review these recurring failures to determine whether they indicate a broader safety-related defect affecting RAM vehicles equipped with the 5.7L HEMI MDS engine.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11772943
2022 Ram 1500 Classic Regular CabTransmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

The truck has stalled twice while in motion. Leaving me stopped suddenly in middle of the street. This has happened on 2 separate occasions. I did not think to save the dates. Initially I thought maybe I wasnt giving it enough throttle, but after reading more into it I see there was a recall for the previous year model and this may be considered problematic as well. The truck made me apply the brake to restart, and release the emergency brake since it applied on its own. The first stall I had to turn sharp and fast...

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to try getting to the side of the road to make room for coming and going traffic and avoid being in a collision. The second stall I was luckily the only driver on the road at the time. I'm reading it could be the MGU system and I have also noticed my battery voltage starting to fluctuate more. I jave not taken to the dealer yet as this is my means of transportation for work and we are a 1 income family of 4. I do not get a rental if I have to leave the truck at the dealer.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11772880
2022 Ram 1500 Classic Regular CabTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

The vehicle experienced a sudden powertrain failure at a busy intersection failing to automatically restart during an auto start/stop cycle on October 6, 2026. Upon manual override, the mild hybrid motor generator unit (MGU failed to adequately charge the 48V/12V electrical systems. This failure leaves the driver highly vulnerable to a total high-speed vehicle stall in active traffic due to rapid battery depletion. The manufacturer and dealership is unlawfully denying federal coverage for this emissions/hybrid...

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component. At the time of the incident the vehicle had approximately 59,248 miles on it. I called the dealership (as I believed this would be covered under the 60,000 mile powertrain warranty) that day describing the failure. The earliest appointment I could get was October 16th. By the time my truck went in for the appointment the mileage was 60,130 miles. The dealership Identified the failure as the charging system for the Ram Hemi E-Torques motor. Specifically the Serpentine Belt Tensioner Part #: 05281543AD, 05281956AA, and 68518738AA. Also prescribed a software update. The total quote for the repairs was 1534.80. The dealership denied warranty coverage under the powertrain stating the vehicle had exceeded 60,000 miles. I showed them a picture of my odometer at 59,248 miles dated for the day i reported the problem and scheduled the appointment. They then informed me that standard accessory parts (belts, tensioners, etc.) are not covered under the 60,000mile warranty. They also informed me they are not covered under the 80,000 mile emissions warranty either despite their failure resulting in a complete failure of the federally mandated emissions system. The dealership indicated approximately 30-40 codes were triggered during the incident including a system code for the MGU. I requested a record of these codes and the dealership is unable/unwilling to provide.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11772669
2022 Ram 1500 Classic Regular CabTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

On three occasions over the last 6 months my truck has died completely. The first time all warning lights came on and there was no speed showing but the truck kept driving. When I finally parked and restarted everything was normal. The second time all warning lights came on the cool air turned hot and then it just died while driving. I was very close to parking so no danger there. This last time I was parked in a swamp hunting and when we got back to the truck it was completely dead. I was able to jump it...

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thankfully as we were in the middle of nowhere and it was hard to get to, not sure help would have been able to get in there. When restarted it once again had all warning lights on, said I had no gas, and wouldn't provide my speed when driving.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11770763
2022 Ram 1500 Classic Regular CabTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

My 2022 Ram 1500 Big Horn V6 eTorque stumbles and cuts out during hard acceleration, this issue, when it happens has caused a dangerous performance issue to the point that I have almost been struck from behind while attempting to join the flow of traffic, the actions of either the PCM or some other engine control system cuts all motor RPM to barely an idle while traffic around me are at speeds of 40+ MPH while I am attempting to accelerate, I get a brief warning message on the display screen that flickers for less...

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then one second (I am unable to read the warning) this is extremely dangerous. I also have been getting UCONNECT ERROR - none of these are leaving error codes in the vehicles memory.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11770090
2022 Ram 1500 Classic Regular CabElectrical systemEngine & cooling

9.15.26 Vehicle came to an abrupt stop at a low speed and put auto brake on and vehicle shut off. I had to restart the vehicle manually. I had already shut of the auto shut off prior this. 9.17.26 Vehicle began to stall but started back up with gas pressure. 9.23.26 Vehicle stopped and went into auto brake, shut off at low speed again. Restarted with the start button. Got to my destination, while idle the hazards lights turned on all by itself. Also, the radio screen will flicker every now and again. 9.23.26 The vehicle was picked up by the dealership to have it looked at.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11767380
2022 Ram 1500 Classic Regular CabElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Truck for about the 6th time in 2 weeks, shut its self off while driving and slams into park. This has happened before and had to be towed to dodge because it wouldn't restart. I told them what happened and they informed me it was low on fuel, that's why it did it. But I was doing 60mph on a interstate and lost all power

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11766527
2022 Ram 1500 Classic Regular CabFuel systemEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2022 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost power and coasted to a stop along the curb, stalled, and the transmission independently shifted to park(P). The vehicle failed to restart, and the Police arrived on the scene to assist with traffic control. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who replaced the high-pressure fuel pump as part of the repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V263000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL). However, the repair failed to fix...

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the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer, and it was determined that during the failure with the high-pressure fuel pump, the valves in the engine were damaged. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,000.

Filed Incident Fuel system, diesel · EngineNHTSA 11761358
2022 Ram 1500 Classic Regular CabTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

The vehicle has already had the generator replaced due to failure and shutting off while driving down the road and the speed limit. The truck was in the shop for almost 6 moths, then the front drive shaft broke while driving in 2-wheel drive. Now while my wife was driving going 40 mph on HWY 96 the car shut off and put itself in park in the middle of the highway. We were lucky no one hit us and after a few minutes it restarted and we were able to get it off the road and have it towed to the dealer where it is right now.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11759539
2022 Ram 1500 Classic Regular CabEngine & coolingElectrical system

The contact owns a 2022 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle shut off unexpectedly and the electronic parking brake unintendedly engaged. The parking brake warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road. The driver was unable to disengage the parking brake, and the vehicle failed to restart immediately. The vehicle was restarted after several attempts and was driven to the destination. The manufacturer was...

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notified of the failure and referred the contact to a dealer for a service appointment. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that there would be a charge for a diagnostic test and for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Action Number: PE24018 (Electrical System, Hybrid Propulsion System, Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11755893
2022 Ram 1500 Classic Regular CabEngine & cooling

Twice now my engine has shut off while driving at low speeds under 25mph. When this happens my electric emergency brake engages. Dash tells me to shift to park. The first time this happened my truck was stuck in the middle of an intersection and I almost got hit several times because the truck wasn't restarting or releasing the electric brake. Took about 7-8 try's of getting it to start before it finally started then the truck still wouldn't move because the electric brake wouldn't disengage even when trying to...

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manually disengage it. I had to turn vehicle off and back on again for the electric brake to manually release. The second time this happened I again was stuck in an intersection but was able to restart on the 2nd try and had to manually release the electric brake. The dealer has told me no codes no problem found the first time this happened. I'm bringing it back to them this weekend. I do not feel safe in this vehicle due to this happening! I feel like I have been lucky that nobody has crashed into me when this happens.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11755355
2022 Ram 1500 Classic Regular CabTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

The engine intermittently stalls when I press the accelerator. When this happens, the vehicle loses power, the AutoPark/electronic parking brake engages, and the battery warning light appears. This has happened more than once and creates a serious risk of a collision or being stranded if it occurs in traffic. The vehicle is a 2022 Ram 1500 Rebel with the 5.7L eTorque system. The manufacturer's records show customer satisfaction campaign Z49 as completed, but the stalling problem continues. The symptoms appear similar to those under NHTSA investigation PE24-018. The vehicle is available for inspection.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11750463

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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