Dodge Ram 1500 engine problems

engine problem

9.3

really awful

Typical Repair Cost:

$4,750.00

Average Mileage:

87,204 miles

Number of complaints:

3 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace engine (2 reports)
  2. not sure (1 reports)

Helpful Websites About 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 engine failure due to oil sludge

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

problem #3

2008May 13

Ram 1500 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

Dodge needs to fix oil sludge build up problem. Left cylinder head and camshaft trashed.

jack70621

Vidlaia, GA, USA

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problem #2

2008Jan 01

Ram 1500 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,800 miles

Same thing happened to me that I see happens to other owners of Dodge Ram 1500's all over the web! On the 2003 Dodge Ram V6 and V8 models there seems to be a serious problem that hits these engines at mid-life, say around or above 50,000 miles. There seems to be a seize in the oil pump followed by cylinder/valve failure?! I have only 39, 800 miles on my engine. An orange check light came on followed by a tapping coming from one of the cylinders. I had the truck towed to a mechanic here in the valley (Van Nuys) and they told me there is sludge in the engine. I'm on full warranty but Chrysler will not honor it because they want full maintenance records on the oil changes. I have moved about 4 times over the years as a traveling consultant and I have misplaced some of the receipts. ( I guess I never thought this would occur, so I didn't keep them) However, interestingly, this truck has not been driven too much either, since I prefer to ride my Honda Goldwing Motorcycle instead when it's nice outside...It has never towed anything heavy and I used it mainly when I move things around, say when I switch jobs or residence. This happened pretty quickly and I guess I would never have expected this from such a beast of a truck like a Dodge. I thought, initially, that these trucks are extremely reliable! It seems there is a known complaint from consumers throughout the auto industry about these vehicles and most mechanics including the dealer stay away from fixing them! The dealer turned me down for an appointment for over two weeks when I told them it was a Dodge 1500. The dealer also told me that they were pretty sure that if there is gunk on the valve heads, the warranty will not cover it! Can you imagine how strange this sounds to a consumer that is out of luck, who has a full warranty? Seems that there is not way out of this but to purchase a new engine for about $9000.00, since no matter what you do, Chrysler will not cover a seized engine failure! They call it "Sludge In The Engine" and will avoid talking to you and will blame you for the failure! I don't know what to do from here...I still owe money on this vehicle and I'm considering filing a suit against the warranty company just like the other scores of people who are having the same problem. I believe this needs to be known and more people should come forward to file a class action law suit against Dodge/Chrysler for not standing by their warranty! This is a prevalent problem and I will collect all evidence from the web I can find and create a case against Dodge who needs to step up to the plate and handle their problem with this/these particular vehicles...

Mario G.

Burbank, CA, USA

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problem #1

2007Nov 01

Ram 1500 SLT 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,812 miles

This is the same thing that has happened to Jeffrey D. Reidsville, NC,
POST #2 "Ram 1500 XLT 4.7L"
"2002 Dodge Ram 1500 engine failure due to oil sludge."

Driving down the highway on November 1st about 100 miles from home, the check gauges light and audible alarm came on and a ticking sound coming from the engine. I looked down to see that oil pressure gauge going from low to high. I immediately pulled over and turned the truck off. I popped the hood checked the oil, it was fine not burnt and the correct level. We just had it in to Hendrick Dodge NC 5 days prior (Oct 25 2007) for this problem, the Tech checked the oil pressure with a gauge and told my Wife it was fine to drive that it was a faulty oil pressure sensory switch. Six days prior to that (Oct 19 2007) Hendrick Dodge Cary NC had changed the oil.

I waited 5 mins, turned it back on and it was tapping just as before so shut it down and called the local dealership Crown Dodge in Greensboro, NC. I then called Spotlight Towing and had the truck delivered to Crown Dodge dealership. I received a call a day later from Crown Dodge service rep saying the truck engine was full of sludge and that I needed a new engine. The Rep told me new engine was going to cost me over $7K for parts before tax and labor, (Keep in mind it was running fine when I had it towed, I had it towed as a precautionary method). The truck has 86,812 miles on it and was last serviced by Hendrick Dodge in Cary, NC. Crown Dodge in Greensboro NC charged me $408.00 for removal of oil pan and to put it back together.

I then had my RAM towed to Hendrick Dodge Dealer Cary NC for them to diagnose the problem, they said the engine was full of sludge, that I needed a new motor at 7k before tax and labor. I asked what they thought the cause of the problem was, the Tech said it was due to my Negligence and that I didn't have the oil changed on a regular basis. I asked how could he say that and his response was, "I looked in the service computer and it shows you have only change the oil three times at Hendrick". I told him I usually have the oil changed at Hendrick Cadillac, so he was wrong. The service Rep said without any receipts for oil changes, I would have to pay out of my own pocket and he was not speaking professionally. The RAM owner's manual says the manufacturer suggested maintenance every 6000 miles and no receipts were required. I had the oil changed every 3000-5000 miles and keep it mint condition, it still looks new.

I called Hendrick Dodge on five different occasions trying to speak to or set an appointment with Dale Campo the Service Department General Manager, without any luck. Why are the Service Department General Managers always unavailable?

So I have a meeting set for the Service Department General Manager, myself, and my attorney for next week.

I will be filling claims against the Dodge/Chrysler Corporation, Hendrick Dodge and a claim with the BBB. Also I will be calling the Raleigh local News channels, “5 On You Side” news team for assistance.

Any information I get I will post back.
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If you had the same problem, “engine failure due to oil sludge”,
please let me know how you resolved the issue with the Dealer.
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More information:
TSB #1802901 -- SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION WHERE IN THE OIL PRESSURE
GAUGE INTERMITTENTLY DROPS TO ZERO. *TT (NHTSA ID #629157, DECEMBER 28 2001)
TSB #01025 -- SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.7L OR 5.9L ENGINES MAY EXHIBIT A
CONDITION IN WHICH THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE MAY INTERMITTENTLY DROP TO ZERO. *TT
(NHTSA ID #628203, NOVEMBER 07 2001)
Chrysler knows there is a problem, now they must correct their failures

K. S.

Raleigh, NC, USA

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