The contact owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine made abnormal knocking and ticking sounds. The knocking and ticking sounds became louder while accelerating. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the piston had ingested the grid heater nut. The mechanic replaced the piston, cylinder head assembly, gaskets, rod, gasket intake, Hamilton flat tappet conversion kit, and XDP grid heater. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,745.
Ram 3500 knocking problems
15 of the 2,369 owner complaints about the Ram 3500 describe engine knocking or ticking, most of them for the 2019 model year.
- owner complaints
- 15
- worst model year
- 2019
- typical mileage
- 88,745
Is there a fix? There are 6 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20231
- 20222
- 20211
- 20202
- 20194
- 20183
- 20172
Often reported together
Fuel pump 5Engine failure 2Won't shift 1Stalling 1Fire or smoke 1Check engine light 1Brake failure 1Adaptive cruise 1
What owners say
Driving along normal and the engine started knocking, then the noise went away and about three miles later the engine started knocking extremely loud as I attempted to get off the road safely the engine locked up, I opened th hood and seen the engine connecting rods broke out of the engine and it now has holes in the block, and needs a total replacememt
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal ticking sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with high-pressure fuel pump failure, but the vehicle was not repaired at the time. The contact stated that upon pulling into a parking lot, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had imploded, causing damage to the fuel system. The dealer related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V880000 (Fuel System, Diesel), and the vehicle was repaired; however, the contact later became aware that the dealer had replaced the high-pressure fuel pump with the same part. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be serviced, the mechanic informed the contact that the high-pressure fuel pump installed on the vehicle was not the recall part, but the same defective part. The mechanic recorded the high-pressure fuel pump and part number, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was confirmed that the recall part had not been installed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The contact stated that the dealer delayed performing the recall repair free of charge, which required the contact to pay for the replacement of the high-pressure fuel pump with the correct part. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer failed to complete the recall repair free of charge. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
Failure of hydraulic lifters and camshaft in Cummins 6.7 liter diesel engine of 2021 RAM 3500. Engine exhibited significant ticking noise and the engine does not work properly, putting the safety of driver and passengers in vehicle at risk. Vehicle is not driveable. This issue has been confirmed by the RAM dealership in Livingston, Montana. The 2021 RAM 3500 truck has been sitting at the RAM dealership for the past seven weeks awaiting parts and a fix that RAM trucks is still trying to figure out. Apparently, this has become a common problem with the RAM Cummins 6.7 liter diesels from model years 2019 through current 2025 models, including 2021. The RAM dealership in Livingston, Montana has five separate RAM Cummins 6.7 liter diesel trucks with the same issue awaiting parts and a fix from RAM.
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 3500. The contact stated that after accelerating from a red light and while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from underneath the hood, and the vehicle started to decelerate. The contact coasted to the side of the road and inspected the engine while attempting to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that a rod had fractured in cylinder #1, causing the engine to fail. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V511000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH and hauling a 14-ft loaded trailer, the engine made an abnormally loud knocking sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence, where a mobile independent mechanic diagnosed that the grid heater nut had melted and entered cylinder #6. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the grid heater nut failure had caused catastrophic failure of the pistons, turbo charger, and engine. The dealer determined that the engine assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair could not be covered under warranty due to the mileage on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 112,700.
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode, and the turbo charger became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
On my model year 2023 RAM 3500 equipped with the Cummins 6.7L High Output engine, the premature failure of the camshaft valve lifter has caused the engine camshaft to have abnormal wear due the valve lifter roller bearing seizing. This has also caused metallic debris to contaminate the engine oil causing further damage to other engine components. This potential safety hazard of this incident, potential catastrophic engine failure which may occur while driving and cause the vehicle to stop suddenly without driver input. According reports provided by multiple consumers and dealer service departments for this vehicle model, others have experienced the same failure. The vehicle has not been independently inspected. There were no warning lamps, the only recognizable symptom to the issue is an irregular ticking sound coming from the engine bay upon startup and at warm temperature idle.
The known issue that Ram refuses to is plaguing my truck. ABS and Traction Control lights come on. This shuts off the cruise control as well as makes braking difficult. It is very dangerous. This is a ticking time bomb. Vehicle has under 50k miles on it. 2017 and 2018 have been known to have faulty ECU Module and HCU. Loss of brakes momentarily occurred on [XXX]. I am having the issues under investigation. the federal safety agency Action Number: PE22012 Components SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Opened From: November 28, 2022–Present The reports cited below can be reviewed at using the following ID numbers: 11143741,11182778,11231734,11252781,11265590,11270151,11300182,11319987,113409 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2019 RAM 3500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH and making a left turn, suddenly there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine rod bearing had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 189,000.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ecu/ECM)
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Ram 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 2500, and 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L turbo diesel engines. The engine control module (ECM) may have been built with a misaligned capacitor that can short-circuit, resulting in an internal loss of communication.
- Risk
- An internal loss of communication can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the ECM, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 20, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z87.
Recall number 22V642000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. The engine calibration software may not warn about low oil volume.
- Risk
- Low oil can damage the engine, causing an oil leak or a punctured engine block, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the engine calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y21.
Recall number 21V439000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 cab chassis built with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. Inadequate warmup protection can cause a lack of oil film on the engine connecting rod bearings while the engine is reaching operating temperature. This can result in engine damage and connecting rod failure, which could potentially puncture the engine block.
- Risk
- A damaged engine block may leak oil, which can contact hot engine or exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the engine calibration software to enhance the engine warm up protection, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W57.
Recall number 20V511000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2017 RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines that have Concentric-brand water pumps without a vent hole. These water pumps may leak coolant.
- Risk
- The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pumps, 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 T51.
Recall number 17V562000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis and 4500/5500 Cab Chassis trucks manufactured July 31, 2015, to August 13, 2015 and equipped with a 6.7L Cummins Diesel engine. In the affected vehicles, the Engine Control Module (ECM) may short circuit, causing the engine to stall without warning.
- Risk
- An engine that stalls without warning increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECM, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R52.
Recall number 15V592000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks manufactured January 7, 2013, through March 6, 2013. The engine cover may trap an excessive amount of heat under the cover.
- Risk
- The excessive heat under the engine cover may result in an under hood fire.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing engine cover with one that is a different design, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed on May 31, 2013. A second letter was mailed to owners with instructions on how to obtain the free remedy on August 15, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N19.
Recall number 13V122000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ram 3500 knocking
Which Ram 3500 years have engine knocking or ticking problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2019 (4 complaints), 2018 (3 complaints) and 2017 (2 complaints).
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