Check a VIN

Dodge RAM 1500 knocking problems

136 of the 12,420 owner complaints about the Dodge RAM 1500 describe engine knocking or ticking, most of them for the 2012 model year.

owner complaints
136
worst model year
2012
typical repair cost reported
$1,800
typical mileage
73,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

What owners say

Filed Dec 23, 2025 · Transmission · NV

Engine ticking noise, poorly made bolts on exhaust manifold were used. Bolts loosen or Break off and manifold warps or cracks. Cause exhaust leak into cabin. Truck can be inspected if needed

Filed Aug 1, 2025 · Engine · MD

The vehicle finally became inoperable at 119,000 miles due to lifter failure. Lifter issues started when the vehicle had about 106,000 miles on it. There were multiple misfire and gas mileage became worse. There was a loud ticking noise coming from the engine as well. Vehicle has been well maintained and only 1 owner, purchased new. With the lifter failure, this caused damage to the camshaft and which led to an excess amount of metal shavings to be spread throughout the engine. The vehicle ultimately had to get a engine replacement because of the excess metal shavings in the engine.

Filed Jun 20, 2025 · Fuel system · 95,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2012 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an extremely loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a front detached fuel tank strap and a rear fractured fuel tank strap. The contact was advised that the fuel tank straps needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to contact the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a front detached fuel tank strap and a rear fractured fuel tank strap. The contact was advised that the fuel tank straps needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V160000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

Filed May 15, 2025 · Engine · AL

The engine has lifters ticking when cold and a loss of power during operation. The engine hesitates during driving at different times and runs rough. There is no warning before this happens and no warning lights/sensors activated. The truck only has 76k miles on it.

Filed Apr 27, 2025 · Engine · IL

The engine has this ticking sound that has progressively gotten louder and now the engine shakes. My truck has turned off multiple times in traffic at a random and I would presume it’s from a failing engine.

Filed Aug 28, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · TX

Catalytic converter, sensors, knocking loss of power, bogging , hot and cold engine , was on a road trip back home passing a 18 wheeler and it starts to lose power Boggs down and then takes off , steering wheel was iffy, fumes are stong in and out of truck. Threw my suitcase and dog in floor . I have replaced sensors , knock sensor , coils, sparks plugs - no fix muffler shop said catalytic is not plugged up . Sent me to mechanic said ram / dodge designed these years messed up common problem ,one mechanic telling me new engine parts might fix won’t pass inspection so now it just sits and drys up that’s not right for what it has cost my insurance said there nothing they can help with it only has 84k miles please emission and knock common problem that is mana factory defect surely loss of power in traffic scary please help with insurance and parts , gas I have no money for deep engine problems 84 k should still run like new truck the trip there drove great then I went to start to go back home 2 days later and knocking and wouldn’t drive putting scanner said sensor . This truck was running awesome I like driving . But to malfunction no reason. The codes are not right . need my truck back on the road I live in Texas has to pass emission to get inspection sticker

Filed Jun 19, 2023 · Engine · IL

The engine is "Ticking". Ticks real bad when first started cold. After it warms up the ticking diminishes. Vehicle has just over 50,000 miles on it

Filed Jan 19, 2023 · Airbags, Engine · TX

The air bag light is on and it has a recall the lights behind the gages went out and the engine has a knock at times

Filed Dec 12, 2022 · Engine · MI

engine ticking,lifter and cam failure had it checked, engine stalled while driving in traffic almost had an accident,they used defective parts and fiat knew this and did nothing about it,this is a common problem in all these engines from 2009 to 2014

Filed Jun 26, 2022 · Engine · TX

I believe there should be a recall by Dodge on their Dodge 1500 Laramie Longhorn with the 5.7 Hemi engines. It's really the Hemi exhaust manifold that is the problem. I have this ticking noise which hundreds if not thousands of others also have. Copied from the Internet ** (Broken or loose exhaust manifold bolts (this is the most common answer). I've had my truck diagnosed and this is what they say is bad. They will not fix it for no charge. The fix is close to and/or over $1,000. Good reason for the to not admit it's their problem. There should definitely be a Class Action Lawsuit against Dodge. This is a very common problem and because hundreds if not thousands of engines have this issue it should be a RECALL issue. I would hope your organization could do something about this. I don't think it's fair that their mechanical problems they caused are my costly problems. I'll pay for wear and tear and things I've done to my car but they should stand up and take responsibility of their manufactures defects. Please help. [XXX] P.s. Not sure of the date this started but it had about 40,000 miles. Now has 69,000. I've been driving it this way for sometime now but would like to get it fixed. Dodge is denying my request to have them pay for it. We hope you have some clout to get this issue resolved not only for me but for hundreds of others. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Dodge RAM 1500 knocking

Which Dodge RAM 1500 years have engine knocking or ticking problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2012 (39 complaints), 2009 (26 complaints) and 2010 (15 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix engine knocking or ticking on the Dodge RAM 1500?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,800 (median of 10 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Dodge RAM 1500?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history