8.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,280
Average Mileage:
81,500 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. replace lifter, crank cam, shave heads, and replace all gask (1 reports)
  3. replace oil sending switch (1 reports)
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problem #6

Dec 022019

Ram 1500 SLT 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 170,000 miles

Hello everyone! This is about my fifth Dodge Ram, from 1978-2011. I have never experienced a problem like this one with Dodge. My check engine light came on, so I went to my local mechanic shop to have it checked out (code P303), which showed a misfire on Cylinder #5. After my local mechanic did his trouble shooting by taking a new cold pack/both new spark plugs, this problem still showed up as a misfire on cylinder #5.

My local mechanic told me that he has been experiencing this same problems on Dodge Ram trucks for about 6 years now and most of the time you would have to change your camshaft or crank cam, lifter and you also need to have your heads shaved down.

I asked him about how much this would cost me (estimate $4,500) - it's pay up time! I have to have my transportation to and from work.

- David W., Milledgeville, US

problem #5

Feb 202018

Ram 1500 Big Horn 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Check engine light appeared on 2011 Ram in Feb 2018. Had the code pulled at auto parts store and it was "cooling fan relay". Made sure relay was good and took it in to Dealer in St. Augustine Fla. They said everything was OK and claimed that they removed the old code. Code reappeared again, and this time I pulled the code myself, and sure enough it was the same code, P04920.

Anyway, I disconnected the battery and the code went away for a while, but continues to reappear to the point where I am just used to it.. My problem is that it is like the boy who cried wolf. I am not one to ignore a check engine warning, but this one has me (and the dealer) baffled and lately when I pull the code, it shows "- - - - - -".

Maybe it was a warning that my TIPM was starting to fail (and it did)

NEVER buy a RAM. Nice truck, but Chrysler sticks their head in the sand with known, repetitive problems

- Glen S., Pickering, ON, Canada

problem #4

Nov 142018

Ram 1500 Outdoorsman 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,000 miles

2011 dodge ram 1500 5.7 hemi..p0303 code..engine light came on while driving on highway hesitant when giving gas pulled over let it sit for a few then back on the road then started vibrating if i hit the gas hard it would start to smooth out. Once the engine is hot hard to restart.

Took to dealer...did tests passed leak test,switched coil packs around no diff. noticed injectors were dirty tried to clean them and found #3 and #5 were bad so I had them replaced along with oil pressure sensor. Went to pick up today they tell me running great no engine light no hesitation no codes went out to start engine light on,went back inside they could not understand why they said they drove for 20 miles and no issues they put the diagnosed it again with the computer and p0303 code popped back up again...how come nothing happened while they had it and i turn the key and bam its back. WTF?

- Jeffrey B., Columbus, US

problem #3

Nov 162016

Ram 1500 4.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,704 miles

In Nov 2016 I purchased this vehicle used from a dealership. Approximately one week after the purchase the engine light kept coming on. I didn't want to drive far without checking everything out. I checked the oil levels and they were normal. Took it to a friend to have it checked and it was determined that the oil sending switch was faulty and needed to be replaced. I replaced this unit myself and the problem was immediately fixed. This cost me money and should have been dealt with before I purchased the vehicle. It is possible if I could have gotten it back to the dealership they might have fixed it but I couldn't drive that distance of 43 km to get there.

- doddt, Bancroft, ON, Canada

problem #2

Oct 262016

Ram 1500 Big Horn 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles

Check engine light came on truck was shimmying. Replaced plugs, coil packs , made no difference. Check with dealership, they advised to scan which came up as a misfire on number 3 cylinder. They proceeded to check engine which resulted in a mess that had to be corrected. Apparently the motor needs major repairs an I feel that I should not be responsible for the costs or even a part of costs. This has been an ongoing problem with these trucks for 2010, 2011 and 2012 models. My truck has been in the dealership for several weeks and in the meantime we are without a vehicle. this is totally unacceptable.

- James T., Birch Grove, NS, Canada

problem #1

Aug 232014

Ram 1500 V8 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

click to see larger images

check engine light on check engine light on

Man oh man...where do I start? Started with check engine light and "SERVICE 4WD SOON" warning coming on/off randomly. Like other owners on here, they would come on, go off for a day then come on, go off for a few days, then come back on...meanwhile beeping about every couple hours (also very randomly)...but remote start will not work when check engine light is on, so pain in the butt!

See pic on this next one. Going 70mph and the cluster starts beeping, flashing, etc. note I am going 70mph and the tach is at zero, and the gear shows REVERSE. Gauges flopping up and down like crazy.

Next problem (see 2nd pic). I have a back seat full of groceries and the truck decides to not turn over, nothing, not a click, buzz, hum, nothing! I notice the gear again says REVERSE and even with key turned on I cannot shift into Neutral, so I get out and rock it back and forth to see if I could engage the drivetrain (or whatever, I am furthest thing from a mechanic). Nothing. Still shows in REVERSE and nothing at all when I turn key. Lights, horn, all gauges, radio work great but can't turn over. So I call my wife to come get me...and for my own curiosity I turned the key...WHAM BAMM it showed in PARK this time (check engine and traction control lights still on) and started right up!

The truck is at the dealer (who by the way is the most unprofessional I have EVER experienced). After 2 days they haven't even looked at it yet, so I can't post if they found a solution. If there is anyone in the Wichita/Andover, Ks area and would like to know the name of the dealership...it rhymes with Sharks of Disgusta. On that note, every step of this purchase has been frustrating...including the salesman letting me drive it off the lot WITH THE LOW FUEL LIGHT ON....because their policy is "sorry, only new car sales get a tank of gas!!!" Now the girl who called me to make sure I was happy with my purchase won't return my calls or emails! RIDICULOUS!!!

Update from Dec 13, 2018: Trying to answer Jacob with an update but can't see where I can answer him direct so I will post this. I have since traded this truck off but did get it fixed on the 8th time I took it back to the dealership , which all they did was replaced TWO connector pins (connection to the TIPM). The eighth time they had a brand new technician checking it out and he found it in 5 minutes!!!

- goks, Andover, KS, US