5th Generation (DT) · 2019–2024

Ram 1500: Owner & Buyer Guide

What breaks, what it should cost to fix at an independent shop versus a dealer, when routine service comes due, and what to check before you buy.

Last reviewed: July 2026Reviewed by a drivway-verified technicianCovers 3.6L Pentastar V6, 5.7L HEMI V8 (incl. eTorque), 3.0L EcoDiesel — pre-2025 Hurricane inline-6 trucks, TODO once that generation has enough data

The short version

The 5th-gen (DT) Ram 1500 is praised for ride quality and interior refinement, but the 5.7L HEMI's hydraulic lifter/camshaft failure is a well-documented and expensive issue worth budgeting for, and the 48V eTorque battery pack has its own history of premature failures. This guide is an early draft — several cost ranges and maintenance specifics still need verification.

Reliability: TODO firmer verdict once more issues are researched — early impression: rough 2019–2020 launch years, meaningfully more settled from 2021–2022 on.

What owners like

Best-in-class ride and interior quality for a half-ton pickup, widely cited as a class leader
Strong factory towing/payload figures across trims
Common truck platform, so independent labor and aftermarket parts are widely available
TODO strength (verify — e.g. resale value, engine choice breadth)

What to watch

5.7L HEMI hydraulic lifter/camshaft failure is a well-documented and expensive issue (see below)
48-volt eTorque mild-hybrid battery pack has a history of premature failures
2019–2020 launch years carry more "new model" issues (software, electrical) than later years
TODO watch-out (verify — e.g. air suspension in cold climates, infotainment)

Common problems & what they should cost

Independent ranges reflect typical parts + labor at a competent independent shop. Dealer ranges reflect published estimator averages. Your quote depends on your area, parts choice, and related work.

5.7L HEMI hydraulic lifter / camshaft failure ("HEMI tick")

Reported across a wide mileage range, not tied to one milestone — TODO narrow this down

A ticking noise from the engine can mean one or more lifters have collapsed, sometimes damaging the camshaft in the process. This is the single most expensive well-documented issue on this generation. Get any HEMI-powered truck's oil-change history and cold-start behavior checked before buying.

Independent$1,000–4,500wide range — lifters only vs. lifters + camshaft; verify locallyDealer / chainTODO — verify

eTorque 48V battery pack failure

Reported below 60,000 mi in some cases — TODO verify typical mileage

Trucks with the eTorque mild-hybrid system (standard on many HEMI trims) have a documented history of the 48V battery pack failing prematurely, sometimes tied to early cooling-system issues. A warning light or a rougher auto stop/start is the usual first sign.

Independent$TODO–TODODealer / chain$TODO–TODO

TODO third issue — research candidates: 2019 EcoDiesel EGR cooler microcracks, early transmission software shift quality, air suspension in cold climates

TODO

TODO — flagged as a research candidate, not yet verified. Remove or fill in before this guide goes live.

Independent$TODO–TODODealer / chain$TODO–TODO

Heads up: figures are early-draft estimates from general research, not verified local quotes — this guide needs another pass before treating the numbers as solid. Always get the specific job priced for your car and ZIP.

Maintenance milestones

Interval	What's due
Every 5,000–7,500 mi	TODO oil & filter, tire rotation, quick look-over — verify Ram's exact factory interval by engine.
~30,000 mi	TODO transmission fluid, filters, coolant check — verify.
Every 3 years	TODO brake fluid — time-based, not mileage — verify Ram's stated interval.
~60,000 mi	TODO spark plugs, full brake service — verify (HEMI plug interval in particular).

Good to know: TODO — note whether the 3.6L Pentastar and 5.7L HEMI are chain-driven (no belt) and add any diesel-specific (EcoDiesel) service notes.

Buying a used one? Check these first

A 20-minute inspection catches the issues that actually cost money on this generation. Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.

Listen for a ticking/knocking engine noise on a cold start (HEMI trucks). The clearest low-cost way to catch early lifter/cam wear before you buy — a clean cold start with no tick is a good sign, but isn't a guarantee.
Check for eTorque-related warning lights and auto stop/start behavior. A rough or inconsistent stop/start, or a battery-system warning, points to the eTorque 48V pack.
TODO bold action to take — research candidate: check for open EcoDiesel EGR-cooler recall/campaign by VIN. TODO what to look for.

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Frequently asked

Is the Ram 1500 (5th gen) reliable?

TODO firmer answer once researched further — early read: the 2019–2020 launch years had more teething issues (electrical, transmission software, eTorque battery) than 2021 and later, which are more settled. The 5.7L HEMI's lifter/camshaft failure is the main reliability concern to budget for regardless of year.

What are common Ram 1500 problems?

The most costly documented issue is 5.7L HEMI hydraulic lifter/camshaft failure. Trucks with the eTorque mild-hybrid system have also seen premature 48V battery pack failures. TODO — add EcoDiesel and early-year specifics once verified.

Are Ram 1500 repairs expensive?

TODO answer — routine maintenance is comparable to other half-ton trucks, but the HEMI lifter/camshaft repair (roughly $1,000–4,500 depending on scope) is a real outlier to budget for if you're considering a HEMI-powered truck out of warranty.