2012 Dodge RAM 2500: engine knocking or ticking

Filed May 27, 2026 · Engine · MT

We purchased our 2012 Dodge Ram heavy duty with tow package new. At just over 152000 miles, the engine started knocking while on vacation. We were not towing at the time. We put in injector cleaner to try and help the knocking. During our vacation, we were on the freeway when we suddenly lost power, the service engine light popped on, and the engine died. We were literally driving one minute and the next were trying to get out of the traffic lane with no control. We restarted the engine, the knocking had stopped and power was restored. Two days later, another episode of power decrease but with no engine service light. We used premium gas, injector cleaner and listened for the knocking that came and went, to drive home. We were told by our local dealership it is a lifter failure and the truck needs a replacement engine.

Filed May 24, 2022 · Engine · IA

The exhaust manifold bolts on both sides of the engine warp due to two different metals being put together under heat. Steel and aluminum expand at different temperatures. This causes the bolts to break off of the exhaust manifold creating an exhaust leak into the engine bay. Yes, this can be inspected upon request. The safety of myself and the general public is at risk due to the exhaust leak into the engine bay being pulled into the cab via the heating or airconditioning system. The exhaust fumes are pulled into the cab of the truck via the heating and airconditioning system. When running, the truck has a very noticeable smell inside the cab. It has caused me headaches as well. This poses a risk to the public if the driver were to pass out from said fumes. The problem can be reproduced and is a known issue with Dodge. It is very well documented online that this problem happens to nearly all Dodge Ram trucks. It has never been recalled because Dodge says its not a "safety" concern. This is very much so a safety issue. The components have been inspected by others, and verified as broken. I will not take it to a dealership to have it inspected as they want to charge 150$/hr to diagnose something that even they recognize as a known issue. There were no warning lamps, messages or any visible indication of this problem. A loud ticking noise and a strong smell of exhaust fumes are what brought the issues to attention.

Filed Feb 27, 2022 · Engine · GA

My Dodge Ram 2500, 2012 Hemi engine started making a ticking sound so got a tune up. The machinic changed the spark plugs and distributors around after I complained. Nothing he was able to do enable the truck to function properly. I spoke with the Dodge dealership, the spoken informed me that when Dodge merged with MERCEDE the problem persisted and to this date a fix was not provided. I spoke with other Dodge owner who experience the same problem. The engine was not functioning properly because of internal damage. The cost of repair would cost between $8K and $10K to replace or repair the engine. The dealership stated that the federal safety agency nor Dodge have provided a fix and that the problem still persist to this day.

Filed Feb 12, 2022 · Engine · CA

Engine has been making a ticking noise on the passenger side for the past few months. The passenger side exhaust manifold warped and broke two bolts in the engine block. This caused an exhaust leak and made the truck run rich due to the leak before oxygen sensor. Fuel efficiency declined. Replaced the exhaust manifold, gasket, and bolts to repair the problem.

Filed Aug 1, 2017 · Engine · 89,000 miles · MI · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ram 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle shook while driving highway speeds. The contact took the vehicle to the dick huvaeres dealer where it was diagnosed that the ticking in the motor was due to a faulty water pump. The dealer replaced the water pump; however, the failure recurred. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. After returning home from the dealer, the vehicle suddenly caught fire while parked in the driveway. The contact called the berlin township and elmont fire departments to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was salvaged. There were no injuries. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened case number: [xxx]. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000. *tt information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).