- Week of October 6th 2025 I experienced 4-wheel drive issues and lights. - October 13th 2025 dropped off to dealer for review - October 14th 2025 dealer deemed not safe to drive and ordered parts under warranty repair. - following weeks went on with parts being backordered. - after having to push the dealer for updates for weeks on December 22nd 2025 I informed Stellantis Customer Service US. - Customer service looked into and gave me the same delayed responses for weeks now "I hope you're doing well. I'm following up regarding your case. There is no definite ETA for the part. Our parts team is working to get it expedited. I will receive another update in 5-6 business days and will follow up with you then. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me." - Still today Stellantis cannot give me a date when my truck will be repaired. Near 4months later...
Dodge RAM 1500 hesitation problems
42 of the 12,420 owner complaints about the Dodge RAM 1500 describe hesitation when accelerating, most of them for the 2012 model year.
- owner complaints
- 42
- worst model year
- 2012
- typical mileage
- 85,000
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 11Check engine light 4Transmission failure 3Misfire 3Jerking 3Slipping 2Won't start 1Sudden acceleration 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P0308 1
What owners say
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ram 1500. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated to start. Once the vehicle was started the vehicle idled rough. The contact stated the engine vibrated abnormally. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where he was informed the number 3 cylinder had a failure. The local dealer randall ford located at 5500 rogers ave, fort smith, ar 72903, sent a representative to the independent mechanic to diagnose the vehicle. The contact was informed that the camshaft, lifters, cylinder, water pump case and exhaust manifold gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ram 1500. The contact stated that when starting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated to start. On occasions the vehicle was able to start, it would sporadically shut off. An unknown dealer diagnosed that the totally integrated power module was the cause of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact to call the federal safety agency to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 110,000. *bf
Vehicle has problems accelerating. It will hesitate to accelerate when normally pressing the gas peddle. I have to floor it heading into freeway entrances, up hills or picking up speed over 40mph. Once it responds after a couple of seconds it over accelerates jerks and buckles then struggles to keeps a steady speed. It's a daily safety hazard merging into freeways cousing other drivers to suddenly slow down or have to change lanes because of this issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 ram 1500. The vehicle failed to respond at an intersection when accelerator pedal was depressed was almost involved in a collision while attempting to make a turn at a traffic light the complainant believes the PCM software needs to be updated/flashed the contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under manufacturer's recall campaign number: v08 however, since the repair was performed the contact has noticed a hesitation in vehicle response when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to arrigo dodge chrysler jeep ram west palm beach located at 6500 okeechobee blvd, west palm beach, fl 33411, (561) 282-1545, to be diagnosed. The mechanic was unable to retrieve. The contact was also informed that there was currently no updated software for the engine control module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000. Piir=y. Ah
I just purchased a used dodge ram 1500 hemi, and dealer fixed 2 open recalls at the time. There was a slight noise under the hood at test drive and they took it onto their shop and said they replaced something, not sure what they said. But noise was reduced. I took car for a drive across country and when I got to my destination my check engine light came on. I got the computer reading to find out it was a cylinder 2 misfire. That shop said it could be from a number of things, but they were not a service shop to do a deeper analysis. I then took it to a shop that did a full diagnostic of the truck . Their findings were revealed that the computer was giving a cylinder 2 misfire reading but the problem was in the engine. They went on to tell me that they have been seeing the same problem in many of the dodge 1500. When they called to get prices on the used reconditioned engine, they were told that, there are is an huge back order for dodge 1500 hemi engine due to many people across the country having this same problem ( cylinder 2 or cylinder 8 misfire) this is definitely a trend going on with this make vehicle. With this problem , vehicle looses power and of coarse the slight hesitation in the engine. You can hear the misfiring and could feel it when I accelerate on the road and highway. When entering a highway , it is very dangerous due to not being able to accelerate enough to avoid oncoming vehicles
I bought 2012 ram 1500 in august 2018, I make payment. This past april vibration and hesitation got worse, I had plugs replaced , didn't help. Found out that lifters needed replaced and camshaft. I spent $217 on plug replacement and additional $4500 to replace lifters camshaft. Engine light comes on now it's saying vaporation leak. I have read that thousands and thousands of customers have had this problem and no recall from chrysler. This is my first dodge, this will be my last dodge unless I get compensation from chrysler. I know this truck is not under warranty, but chrysler has to know that this is a problem with the hemi , I was told at a dealer this was common in hemi , no one told me that when I brought I still owe on this truck , plus I'm out $4667 that I can't get back if I traded, only had 8 months when this happened. This doesn't include the the vap problem on the cost.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while the driver was driving, a humming noise was coming from the passenger front of the vehicle and was showing signs of hesitation to accelerate. The contact stated the vehicle was accelerating. The driver coasted to the side of the road but did not notice a failure and continued to drive, within 20 feet down the road a rumbling and dragging noise occurred, the vehicle then stalled. The contact coasted over to the side of the road and noticed the driveshaft was detaching into pieces. The vehicle was pushed a mile down the road by a state trooper. The vehicle was later towed to the contact's residence but was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for a diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 1500. While driving at any speed, the vehicle hesitated, sputtered, and almost stalled. The contact stated that the intake section of the engine had an aluminum plate that became warped with usage. The contact was a mechanic and replaced the gasket several times, but the failure recurred after approximately one year. The dealer (valley dodge, 320 lee jackson hwy, staunton, va 24401, (540) 213-8800) confirmed that there was no recall for the failure. The manufacturer stated there was no recall and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was 202,156. The VIN was unknown.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
- Risk
- Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
Recall number 17V821000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: differential unit
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks manufactured January 28, 2004, to August 3, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized spline on the pinion gear.
- Risk
- If the pinion nut loosens, the rear axle may seize, and/or the driveshaft may detach resulting in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a retention feature to the pinion nut, free of charge. The recall began on June 26, 2015, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P77.
Recall number 14V796000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: differential unit
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
- Risk
- If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
- Remedy
- On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with the federal safety agency, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.
Recall number 13V038000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: differential unit
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2010, Ram 1500 and Dodge Dakota trucks, manufactured from July 1, 2009, through November 30, 2009, because the rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to a lack of adhesive.
- Risk
- If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753.
Recall number 12V474000 · Recall details
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
- What is wrong
- On certain 4-wheel drive pickup trucks, the totally integrated power module (tipm) may contain incorrect transfer case calibration set points, potentially resulting in inadvertent transfer case default to neutral.
- Risk
- If this occurs and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll away and cause a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the tipm with new software that prevents the potential for this condition. The recall began on november 7, 2005. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 05V461000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks, the transfer case to transmission attaching fasteners may not be tightened correctly. This could cause the transmission adapter or transfer case housing to crack and leak fluid.
- Risk
- Continued operation can result in propeller shaft separation and damage to fuel system components, which could lead to a fuel leak. Fluid and/or fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can cause an underbody fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will retighten the transfer case to transmission fasteners. Owner notification began on december 22, 2003. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑992‑1997.
Recall number 03V503000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge RAM 1500 hesitation
Which Dodge RAM 1500 years have hesitation when accelerating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2012 (8 complaints), 2005 (5 complaints) and 2011 (4 complaints).
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