10.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$11,550
Average Mileage:
45,400 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
  2. replaced valve cam and lifters (2 reports)
  3. engine was replaced (1 reports)
2013 Ram 1500 engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Ram 1500 Owner Comments

problem #5

Mar 232022

1500 Sport 5.6L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,438 miles

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

click to see larger images

engine failure engine failure engine failure

I brought my truck in at 84,000 kms, cam shaft and the damaged lifters were replaced (I asked to replace them all but the parts weren’t in and they wanted to get the job done). After calling me in 3 times only to turn me away because they weren’t ready, it was repaired and I brought it home (fixed under warranty but left with only parts warranty). At 107,000kms I brought it back because the noise was back. (3 years later thanks to covid and the world shutting down I barely drove).

They told me lifters, rollers and pushrods needed replacing again, and this time, if you replace one lifter you do them all. Arguing that I didn’t even make it 25,000 on the first repairs I agreed to the new repairs but wanted help because something wasn’t right. They took $1000 off the bill, I paid approximately $4000 for the repairs. They test drove, no issues. Apparently test drove again and no issues. Started it up because I wanted it appraised to possibly get rid of, then that is when it started making the god awful noise. After another diagnosis cylinders 7 and 8 have scored bearings, and damaged crankshaft journals caused by what they said “appears to be a momentary loss of oil pressure.” So now they quoted me a new engine ($14,000) plus the $4000 they made me pay and are not willing to help me with. So $17,000 in total for the repairs to my trashed engine and $14,000 to replace the engine. I did ask if they could pop in 2 new bearings and buff the crank while it was taken apart(a mechanic friend recommended) but they wanted nothing to do with it at all.

- Amy B., Slave Lake, AB, Canada

problem #4

May 222019

1500 Sport 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,935 miles

The 4th generation Hemi is a piece of sh*t, at 106000km the shifting solenoid goes, that’s $1400. Now the engine is knocking and misfiring at 125000km. It’s at the shop now, and the cam/lifters are in need of replacing. This truck has had regular services done, always used a synthetic oil and filters and never abused. FCA needs to be pressured to recall their engines and fix the cam/ lifter problem. We need to unite and get these big corporations to stop peddling trash parts. You pay $60,000 for a vehicle that is a toss away after your warranty runs out. GARBAGE

I have a 3rd generation Hemi as well. This truck has over 425,000km. regular maintenance done and no issues with it. What did they do different on the 3rd generation engine, compared to the 4th generation?

Did FCA get a cheaper supplier, or they figured that they needed to steel more vehicles by making them THROW AWAYS.

- Dwayne V., Wabamun, AB, Canada

problem #3

Dec 072018

1500 Tradesman 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

I'm continuing on a common theme with the 5.7L Hemi. I own a 2013 Ram 1500, 2WD, with the 5.7L Hemi engine. Maintenance was perfect. Out of the 61,000 miles, I've pulled a trailer less than 1,000. Not driven hard, very easy in fact. While my mileage was well under the 100,000 warranty, the time warranty expired in March. Having owned 2 previous Dodge trucks that both got over 230,000 miles on them (I sold them, still running well), I figured I had no need for an extended warranty.

Earlier this month (Dec, 2018) I had an unexpected miss and bad knock. I've worked on cars for 40 years and knew this was serious. I took the truck to the shop immediately. Ram mechanic advised it needed a new valve cam and lifters. Then, it was discovered that mounts on the head were broken. Allegedly due to vibration - even though there was none before the engine began to miss. Add that to the expense and it will total over $6,100 for a vehicle that has a value of maybe $15,000.

Ram refuses to help with the expense. In researching, it is clear this issue is well documented. Not only will FCA not issue a recall, but they are making a LOT of money on service shop repairs for a bad product. FCA may get me on this one. But I'll never buy another FCA product and I will tell EVERYONE I know to dump their existing FCA vehicle and never buy another.

- Neal H., White House, US

problem #2

Aug 292015

1500 Tradesman V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,000 miles

While driving, the truck inexplicably shut off. Fortunately, we were near home and were able to get a tow to the dealership. After submitting the maintenance records, the dealership was able to show that a valve broke and got stuck in the piston.

The engine was replaced with a new one, not a rebuilt engine at no cost to us at 31000 miles! That is entirely too early in the life of a vehicle to have to replace an entire long block.

- Molten K., Indianapolis, IN, US

problem #1

Sep 242013

1500 Tradesman 5.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,600 miles

Check Engine light came on on 9/24/13 and engine started to vibrate/knock. Dropped off at dealership service department that day. 9/25/13 service department called and reported a cylinder 8 misfire and they would need to get into the engine to see what the problem was. 9/26/13, service department called and reported the "sound is coming from deep in the engine, it will take a few days to investigate further." 10/4/13 still no news so I called the service department and was told that a push rod and a "few other engine parts" have been ordered. 10/9/13, still no news so I called and was told the mechanic working on my truck is on vacation this week so no work is being done. They could not or would not answer questions about what the problem is and how long it will take to repair it and whether any long term damage had been done. 2 weeks later and I still have only been told that a push rod has been ordered, and no other info about what is going on. I got a new truck to avoid this kind of BS with repairs. Guess I'm now a Ford guy for life. Can't wait to get rid of this truck and NEVER deal with this dealership again.

- Chris W., Anchorage, AK, US

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