With nearly 1,000 consumer complaints addressing diesel engine faults and air suspension failure, and 15 recalls covering airbag sensors, faulty tailgate latches, and dangerous vehicle rollaway, the 2014 Ram 1500 is one of the more problematic pickup trucks out there.
Key Points
- A total of 15 recalls were issued for the 2014 Ram 1500 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It was also subject to two investigations and received 986 complaints.
- Diesel models suffered from numerous engine issues, with recalls addressing exhaust gas recirculation system and crank position sensor faults.
- Several recalls are for faulty airbag sensors that prevent airbags from deploying, or cause them to deploy inadvertently.
- The air suspension on certain Ram 1500s was prone to failure, and the rear shock absorbers could detach on others.
- A multitude of transmission-related issues means the Ram 1500 is prone to unexpected rollaway, which has caused injuries and accidents.
2014 Ram 1500 Suffered from Multiple Engine Troubles, Including Cracked Manifolds, Faulty Crank Position Sensors, and Issues with the Exhaust Gas Recirculation System
If there’s one particularly inconvenient thing that can go wrong with your vehicle, it’s the engine. Unfortunately, engine problems are rife with the 2014 Ram 1500.
Of the 986 complaints the NHTSA has received for the 2014 model year, over 230 are for the engine and more than 160 for the powertrain.
Complaints of cracked intake and exhaust manifolds are common. A closely related recall was issued for diesel models in October 2019 for cracked exhaust gas recirculation system coolers that could allow coolant to enter the intake manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
Diesel models were also affected by another recall in August 2020 for a crankshaft position sensor fault. The tone wheel could delaminate, affecting fuel injector timing and causing the vehicle to stall.
One batch of 2014 Ram 1500 diesel models was also affected by yet another recall for a faulty battery harness. It could rub against the bracket for one of the engine mounts and cause an electrical short.
2014 Ram 1500 had Airbags that Would Deploy Inadvertently or not At All
Five of the 15 recalls affecting the 2014 Ram 1500 are related to the vehicle’s airbags.
Two of those pertain to airbags that would deploy unexpectedly. In 667,441 of these vehicles, it was for the side curtain and seat airbags that could deploy due to overly sensitive sensor calibrations. In one million other vehicles, it was for the wiring harness for the driver’s airbag.
In 188,047 other vehicles, the side curtain airbags would not deploy properly, failing to overlap the C-pillar correctly. This would increase the risk of injury to rear seat occupants.
However, in an additional 1,021,279 vehicles, the side airbags may not deploy at all. The cause is the roll rate sensor triggering a fault within the Occupant Restraint Controller. The sensor coming loose when driving off-road is the root cause.
Suspension Issues Plagued the 2014 Ram 1500 with Shock Absorbers that Could Detach and Air Suspension that Commonly Failed
Failure of the air suspension system fitted to certain 2014 Ram 1500s is one of the most common complaints from owners.
84 complaints registered with the NHTSA relate to suspension, with owners complaining of the suspension bottoming out and failing to re-inflate.
This problem leaves affected vehicles undrivable and subject to thousands in repair costs, yet no recall has been issued.
An issue that was recalled, however, relates to the rear shock absorbers on some Ram 1500s which could partially detach from the vehicle. 20,347 vehicles were affected by this.
Vehicle Rollaway is a Major Problem for the 2014 Ram 1500, Prompting Multiple Recalls and an Open Investigation
One of the most dangerous issues concerning the 2014 Ram 1500 is the vehicle rolling away unexpectedly. The first sign of the issue came in April 2014 when just 125 vehicles were recalled for an improperly machined transmission case.
The parking pawl would not properly engage when the vehicle was shifted to Park, which is how it could roll away.
However, due to an increasing number of complaints concerning this problem, the NHTSA launched an investigation into vehicle rollaway which remains open to date.
This concerns models with an electronic rotary shifter that failed to engage Park. The investigation uncovered nine injuries and 25 crashes as a direct result.
A further 1,482,874 vehicles were recalled in December 2017, this time due to the transmission being able to be shifted without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
The Tailgate could Unexpectedly Open on 2014 Ram 1500s
Although it might not seem like the most severe safety issue among the 2014 Ram 1500’s problems, the vehicle’s tailgate could unexpectedly open with potentially disastrous consequences.
More than 1.7 million Ram trucks including this model were recalled in 2019 for tailgate latch actuators that could fail and cause the tailgate to swing open.
While not an issue if nothing is in the bed of the vehicle, cargo could fall out onto the road, creating a hazard, if there is any back there. This would cause issues for other motorists.
2014 Ram 1500’s Electrical Issues Including Cruise Control That Would Not Cancel and Software Security Vulnerabilities
Cruise control system faults were common on Chrysler vehicles of this era. The most widespread issue was the system failing to cancel through either pressing the brake pedal or the cancel button. Over 4.8 million vehicles were recalled for this, including the 2014 Ram 1500.
In some examples of the 1500, the instrument cluster warning lights could fail to illuminate. If an issue were to occur, this could leave you oblivious to it, causing the issue to worsen.
There were also software security vulnerabilities that affected Chrysler Uconnect radio systems of the time, including the radio fitted to the 1500. This could allow hackers to manipulate vehicle control systems to facilitate theft from the vehicle or disabling of safety systems.
1.4 million vehicles were recalled to have the software updated to eliminate these vulnerabilities. An investigation was also launched into the problem by the NHTSA.
With the 2014 Ram 1500 Subject to a Plethora of Recalls and Common Faults, it’s a Model Best Avoided
A model not immune to Chrysler’s build quality issues of the time, the 2014 Ram 1500 stands out as a particularly problematic pickup truck.
With noteworthy diesel engine issues, common airbag faults, and widespread electrical issues, ownership could be a headache without ensuring all required recall work is completed.
Avoiding diesel models will at least see engine troubles eliminated, but with so many other potential faults, it may be best to look elsewhere.
Photos: Stellantis
