The Ram Pickup is a dependable and durable light-duty truck. But some of its worst years, 2011, 2014 & 2019, are known for pervasive electrical problems, a shaky transmission, and cam and lifter problems on its iconic Hemi engine.
Key Points
- The 2019 Ram introduced a safer frame, cabin, and driver-assist technologies, but missed the mark for its steering, cruise control, and electrical systems.
- For the 2014 Ram pickup, a bumpy transmission is highly distracting, airbags can deploy unexpectedly, and its Uconnect radio system is subject to failure. Other problems with cruise control, the suspension, and components in the 3.0L diesel engine make this a year to avoid.
- The 2011 Dodge Ram is possibly the worst year made in the last decade, with chronic cam problems on the Hemi V8, a bad transmission interlock, and subpar safety ratings.
Ram Pickup, a Domestic Workhorse Since 1981, Had a Few Problems in the Past Decade
Since its 1981 debut, the Dodge/Ram 1500 has become well known for being a workhouse both at home or on the job. Much of its fame stems from its beefy design, powerful V8 engine, and impressive 2,300-pound payload capacity. Several bed lengths and cab configurations are available, as well as 2WD or 4WD configurations.
However, not every Ram is as rock-solid as another. The 2019, 2014, and 2011 Ram 1500 represent a significant portion of the problems, recalls, and complaints found on the truck over the past decade.
2019 Ram: First Year of Fifth Generation Struggles with Electrical, Steering, and Cruise Control Issues
While the 2019 Ram 1500 finally earned a perfect five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for its crashworthiness, it has racked up over 430 complaints and 22 recalls in the first three years on the road. The recalls can be found on nearly every major system in the truck. The powertrain has three, including a warning that its driveshaft may crack. Three more were issued for the steering system. A loose ground on the power steering pump could cause a loss of control. The campaign applied to nearly 160,000 trucks.
Its cruise control is featured in a huge recall affecting more than four million vehicles across the globe. A short circuit in the truck’s wiring may stop you from canceling the cruise control, which could lead to a crash.
But the problems are not just limited to safety issues found by the NHTSA. At Car Complaints, drivers have reported other issues, like a sticky steering wheel, a radio that never worked, and instrument clusters that go dark.
The good news is that if you look at the 2020 Ram 1500, the number of recalls drops to just eight, and it has one-fourth of the complaints registered. Clearly, the 2019 is the worst year for this generation of the Ram 1500.
2014 Ram: Problems Include a Bumpy Transmission, Radio System that Shorts Out & Faulty Cruise Control
The middle years of the fourth generation of the Ram pickup all share a wealth of issues, but the 2014 and 2011 are the standout years with the most problems.
For the 2014, an eight-speed automatic transmission debuted paired with the popular 5.7L Hemi V8 engine. Drivers with this powertrain combination complain of a bump when they put the truck in gear, climb hills, or while the truck tries to downshift. There seems to be a variety of fixes that dealerships tried to help smooth out the ride. One driver at Car Complaints had their driveshaft replaced, another replaced the gas pedal sensor, and another reset the adaptive transmission module. Yet, a fourth said that they invoked the Lemon Law and had Ram buy back their truck because of the issue. Despite all the repairs, no recall was issued, as it isn’t an actual safety problem.
The 2014 Ram 1500 gathered over 900 complaints and 15 NHTSA recalls by September 2021. Three of the recalls were issued in 2015 for the side and front airbags that may deploy without warning or improperly. A fourth airbag recall issued in 2017 affected more than a million trucks for side airbags that may not work in a rollover.
Other recalls are associated with the 3.0L diesel engine for a bad crankshaft position sensor that could lead to an engine stall. Its exhaust gas recirculator needed to be replaced, as it may crack and catch fire.
Over 150 NHTSA Complaints Have Been Lodged About Electrical Issues
Finally, electrical issues plague this truck. The electrical system ranks second after the bumpy powertrain for lodging complaints with the NHTSA. Some owners had their radios replaced in the first few months when the truck was new, as the entire dash and clusters would go dark. Multiple owners report that the fuel sensor located inside the fuel tank failed. The upgraded Uconnect infotainment system with navigation is known to have ongoing problems with the GPS. Manufacturer updates sometimes cause the entire unit to malfunction. If the unit was not brought in for service before its two-year warranty expired, owners spent up to $1,000 for a replacement.
For the 2014 Ram 1500, it isn’t just one major system that puts it in the spotlight; it’s problems that occur across the board. A radio may seem minor, but when you add it to cruise control that won’t disconnect, a clunky transmission, and even shock absorbers that might pop off, it’s clearly one of the worst years on the road.
2011 Ram: Beware of Lifter and Cam Problems on the Hemi, Plus Bad Rear Axles
If you do a quick search on prior years of the Ram pickup, data may disappear for years before 2012, because that is the year that the Dodge Ram was rebranded to simply Ram. However, the 2011 Dodge Ram model year has more complaints and recalls compared to the 2012 Ram.
The truck gets just a three-star safety rating at the NHTSA. The passenger side front impact test earned two stars. The side pole impact test rated just a single star, as the driver’s side test dummy suffered significant damage during the crash. At the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, it has Marginal side and roof crash results.
There are just four recalls on the books, but they are affecting a huge number of trucks. During the first months of production, a bad rear axle bearing was installed that needed replacement to prevent seizing. Over 1.4 million Ram trucks sold with a column shifter also had a bad transmission interlock pin. If the pin failed, the truck could be placed into park without using the brake, which could lead to a wreck.
Dreaded Hemi Tick Comes with a High Cost of Repair
If you are looking at a 2011 Ram pickup with a 5.7L Hemi engine under the hood, there is a good chance that it will have a cam/lifter problem. After 100,000 miles, this engine is known for developing a ticking noise behind the dash. It is an indication that the lifters are beginning to fail, which can lead to total engine failure. Your mechanic may suggest keeping an eye on your oil level. Enthusiasts at RamForumZ recommend using a high-quality synthetic oil to improve lubrication, but the only thing that can permanently fix the cam/lifter problem is an engine rebuild or replacement.
You may think that if you went for a different powertrain found on the base trim version, you would be in a better position. Sadly, its six-cylinder engine produces just 215 horsepower, which is severely underpowered for most job site needs.
So, is the Ram Pickup Truck a Reliable Ride Overall?
While the Ram pickup is one of the best-selling trucks in the U.S. with over four million sold over the last decade, that does not mean that every truck produced is devoid of problems. Most truck owners really put their rides through the wringer over the years, adding to the potential issues that may come with a used pickup.
While it is wise to avoid the 2019 with its quirky steering problems, the 2014 for its wonky electrical system, and the 2011 and its 5.7L V8 engine, you still need to make sure you aren’t getting someone else’s mistakes. Put the used truck up on a lift, and have your mechanic inspect under the hood before taking one home.
Photos: Stellantis
