Dodge RAM 2500 engine failure problems

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 Dec 6, 2021 · Engine, Steering · FL

Engine died and would not start... while driving in traffic causing a near crash and blocking traffic..Problem confirmed to be the ECM, and confirmed to be faulty by Dodge Dealer and the Cummings repair factory and not repairable..did not see or hear any warning..

Filed Aug 1, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 177,000 miles · LA

There are two issues at hand here. One is the fuel pump fuse/relay. It went out but cant be fixed without replacing the entire fuse box as it is internally within fuse box. I did a bypass and replaced fuel pump, but I still have codes related to fuel system having a leak. When this issue happened, my wife was left stranded as the truck wouldn't turn on. Also, on a different note, I noticed my trailer brake light coming on saying it is disable and flashes on and off as I am driving. Not sure if this is related to the electrical aspect of it. The other was on engine. I have a 2011 ram 2500 5.7 4x4. It started with having a cylinder 1 misfire. I replaced spark plugs and coils. Still had issue and after some research, I found out that the valve stem/spring in engine head break and cause the lifters and camshaft to rub and release metal shavings through out engine. While this was messed up, I would notice the truck would shake very hard as I approached a certain speed limit. I took truck to dodge dealership to verify research and it was confirmed. I was told I needed a new engine. So I replaced engine. Total bill was over 7500 for parts and labor.

Filed Jan 2, 2020 · Engine · 60,000 miles · UT

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge ram 2500. While driving at a normal rate of speed, various fuel injectors burned the pistons without warning and damaged the motor. The contact took the vehicle to ken garff west valley chrysler jeep dodge ram fiat (4175 w 3500 s, west valley city, ut 84120) and doug smith chrysler dodge jeep ram (523 w main st, american fork, ut 84003) where the injectors and engine were replaced on various occasions under warranty. The failure recurred and the entire engine blew up. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and paid $15,000 to have the motor replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Apr 2, 2019 · Suspension, Transmission · 50,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ram 2500. The contact stated that the rear axles seized and the rear tires slid while operating the vehicle. The vehicle slid off the road due to the failure. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The contact was a mechanic and diagnosed that the vehicle needed a fill plug and new gear oil. The vehicle was not repaired because the contact did not have the proper fill cover for the fill plug. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was unknown.

Filed Jan 28, 2019 · Steering · 136,000 miles · ME

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ram 2500. While driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel seized. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 136,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jul 23, 2018 · Engine · 86,503 miles · CO

While driving normally at a speed approximately 45 MPH, the truck flashed the check engine light a couple times and chimed, then I lost all power. The power steering was disabled, and I had to manually guide the truck off the roadway into a private drive and call for a tow. I was told by a shop that the valve seat of cylinder 1 failed and broke apart inside the cylinder and damaged the cylinder while allowing oil into the cylinder as well. I am told the engine needs replacement. I am waiting for the shop's diagnosis documentation.

Filed May 14, 2018 · Steering, Wheels · 229,000 miles · WY

My vehicle was in motion driving on a highway at the rate of 45mph-50mph my husband was driving, I was passenger, and my 2 year old son was in his car seat in the back. All the sudden we hit a small bump in the road, no bigger than your average pot holes and the entire truck broke out into an abrupt shake! It was throwing my husbands and my body around the shake was so intense the steering was controllable but extremely hard. It felt as though our tires were flying right off the vehicle. My husband braked and the violent shake seized and we immediately pulled over and parked the truck. We check and shook all tires they were secure. We looked under the truck everything seemed in place and secure. Once we got home I researched the issue and learned of the "death wobble" most dodge trucks have because of the "y" steering bar which most years have a recall to fix the issue however when I called my local dodge they informed me my year of truck doesn't have the recall. This "death wobble" has been known to cause rollovers and accidents. I reached out to chrystler to see if they would fix it and they informed me because there is no recall they wouldn't. We are talking peoples, and others on the road safety! I don't see why they wouldn't want to pay to fix a steering bar which is what maybe $1000 but have the possibility for lives to be lost?

Filed Jun 15, 2016 · Steering, Suspension · 164,834 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge ram 2500. While driving at high speeds, the vehicle shook violently without warning and the steering wheel seized. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the diagnostic results were unknown. The independent mechanic also stated that the power steering cap detached from the vehicle and caused the power steering fluid to pour out. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 164,834.

Filed Mar 22, 2016 · Steering · 210,000 miles · AL

Two years ago, while driving at low speed on a city street, the right tie-rod ball joint broke and the tie rod dropped and wedged into the right front tire. Brought me to an abrupt stop and swerved the truck into the curb. At the time, I was not aware of a recall. I fixed it. Since then, the front transmission blew up. I replaced the whole front end. The right tie-rod broke on the new front end. I fixed it again. The other day, the right wheel bearing seized and the brakes failed. I was travelling at 65 MPH towing a flatbed trailer. Bringing it to a stop provided me with some maalox moments. I've had enough and am getting rid of this truck before it kills me.