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Free used car buyer guide / DT fifth generation / 2019-2024

Ram 1500 common problems and best years

By BYBA Research - how we score cars

Updated 2026-06-12

BYBA Buy Score

6.6/10

Buy with checks

1 walk-away risk, 3 serious faults, 4 minor faults documented for this generation, weighted by severity and repair cost. Biggest factor: 5.7 hemi lifter and camshaft failure. Score methodology.

The 2019-2024 Ram 1500 is the nicest-riding modern half-ton in this group, but the comfort hardware adds real buyer checks. The expensive traps are 5.7 Hemi exhaust manifold cracking, Hemi lifter/cam failure, 2022-2023 eTorque stall investigation risk, 2020-2022 EcoDiesel HPFP recall, rear window/third-brake-light leaks, and four-corner air suspension faults. The safest buy is a 2021-2024 3.6 eTorque or 5.7 Hemi on coil springs with no hot tick, dry rear cab and complete recall file. EcoDiesel is only for long-distance users who can prove Z96/related fuel-system work. Current owners should separate cheap cold exhaust tick from hot valvetrain tick and fix water leaks before rear modules get soaked.

Faults covered

8

Highest risk

5.7 Hemi lifter and

Best years

2021-2024

Best buys

  • 2021-2024 3.6 eTorque coil-spring truck for lower running-cost daily use.
  • 2021-2024 5.7 Hemi coil-spring truck with manifold TSB history and no hot misfire tick.
  • Non-sunroof, fixed rear glass truck if long-term water leak risk matters.

Inspect hard

  • 2019-2024 Hemi: cold manifold tick versus hot lifter/cam noise.
  • 2022-2023 eTorque trucks: stall, battery warning and NHTSA PE24-018 history.
  • Air suspension trucks: overnight ride height, compressor runtime and calibration.

Avoid

  • Hemi with hot tick plus P030x misfire.
  • EcoDiesel with open HPFP recall, low rail pressure or emissions delete.
  • Truck with wet rear headliner/carpet or failed RF hub/module after water intrusion.

Next checks

Before you contact the seller

Check the car's history first. Then bring the right tools if it still looks worth viewing.

Primary next step

Check history, title, and recall status

The faults above matter more if the car also has accident history, finance flags, missing service records, or open safety recalls.

carVerticalPaid history report - EU/UK fitVinAuditPaid history report - US fitNHTSA recallsFree recall lookup

Viewing kit

Bring the right tools

Four cheap tools catch most of the faults on this page at a Ram 1500 viewing.

Bluetooth OBD2 scannerRead fault-code history before trusting a clear dashboard.Paint thickness gaugeSpots resprays and hidden accident repair in seconds.Brake fluid testerHigh moisture means neglected maintenance everywhere else too.LED inspection lightEngine bay, sills, and underbody never lie under real light.

Printable workflow

Take the inspection pack

The PDF is the ordered checklist for the viewing: documents, walk-around, test drive, and scan.

Open PDF option

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Engines and trims

Which Ram 1500 should you buy?

On most used cars, the engine and trim choice changes the risk more than the mileage does. Narrow this down before you start viewing cars.

3.6L Pentastar V6 eTorque

2019-2024

BEST LOW-RISK DAILY

The V6 does not tow like the Hemi, but it avoids Hemi cam cost and diesel fuel-system exposure. eTorque means the 48V belt-starter system must scan clean, but this is the rational light-use Ram.

5.7L Hemi V8

2019-2024

GOOD IF QUIET HOT

The Hemi gives the Ram the right character. The buyer must separate cold exhaust manifold tick from true lifter/cam failure because the first is annoying and the second can be engine-budget money.

5.7L Hemi eTorque

2019-2024

BUY WITH MODULE HISTORY

Hemi eTorque adds stop-start smoothness and torque fill, but also a 48V motor generator, battery pack and control logic. It is fine when updated and stable; repeated battery/stall warnings are a bad sign.

3.0L EcoDiesel V6

2020-2023 in DT

LONG-RUNNERS ONLY

The third-generation EcoDiesel has range and torque, but HPFP recall and emissions costs make it wrong for short trips or buyers chasing fuel savings without records.

ZF 8HP / TorqueFlite automatic

2019-2024

STRONG WITH FLUID CARE

The 8HP is one of the truck's strengths. It still needs service attention on tow-used trucks, and a delayed engagement or shudder should be diagnosed rather than dismissed.

Year notes

Year-by-year buyer advice

Use this to narrow the search before you spend time travelling to view a car.

2019

DT fifth-generation launch with coil rear suspension, optional air suspension, new cabin and eTorque availability.

Buyer: First-year trucks need rear window, air suspension and electronic steering/recall checks. Avoid wet cabs.

Owner: Fix any rear cab leak early; soaked modules turn trim leaks into no-start faults.

2020

EcoDiesel returns in DT form; Hemi and eTorque mix continues.

Buyer: EcoDiesel needs HPFP and emissions history. Petrol trucks still need Hemi tick separation.

Owner: Keep diesel fuel-system recall letters and DEF/emissions invoices.

2021

More mature DT production; rear window and CHMSL leak warranty/TSB handling becomes common owner knowledge.

Buyer: Good target year on coil springs if the rear cab is dry and recalls are closed.

Owner: Inspect rear glass frame and third brake light after heavy rain.

2022

Backup camera recall population begins; eTorque stall investigation later focuses on 2022-2023 vehicles.

Buyer: Scan eTorque trucks deeply and check camera recall status.

Owner: Do not ignore battery warning plus stall events; report and document them.

2023

Final EcoDiesel sales period and continued eTorque investigation relevance.

Buyer: A 2023 EcoDiesel must show HPFP completion. A Hemi eTorque must have no stall history.

Owner: Save all eTorque and fuel-system invoices; they matter at resale.

2024

Last full Hemi/eTorque DT year before the Hurricane-era changeover.

Buyer: Best late-DT buy is a coil-spring petrol truck with dry cab and closed recalls.

Owner: Keep late-DT value by documenting manifold, recall and water-leak repairs.

Common problems

Faults to check before buying

What fails, what it looks like, what it costs, and the quick checks you can do at the viewing - ranked by how badly each one can hurt you.

Fault 1

5.7 Hemi exhaust manifold crack or leak

SERIOUS / $$

Affects

2019-2024 Ram 1500 DT 5.7 Hemi, eTorque and non-eTorque.

Symptoms

Cold tick from exhaust area, ticking fades warm, exhaust smell, visible soot or cracked manifold.

Typical repair cost

EUR 700-1,800 per side depending fasteners; EUR 0 if covered.

Codes / scan clues

Usually none; fuel trim or oxygen sensor codes possible.

Root cause: Heat cycling cracks manifolds or breaks fasteners, opening an exhaust leak that is loudest cold.

Quick check

  • Cold-start near both front wheel wells.
  • Listen again fully warm.
  • Look for soot at manifold flange.
  • Ask for TSB 09-001-24-related repair records.

Buyer note

A cold-only manifold tick is negotiable; it is not the same as a hot lifter tick.

Owner note

Repair before broken studs increase labor.

Fault 2

5.7 Hemi lifter and camshaft failure

WALK AWAY / $$$

Affects

2019-2024 Ram 1500 DT 5.7 Hemi.

Symptoms

Hot tick, chirp, rough idle, cylinder misfire, metal in oil, loss of power.

Typical repair cost

EUR 3,000-6,000 cam/lifters; EUR 7,000-12,000+ engine.

Codes / scan clues

P0300-P0308, MDS/oil control faults possible.

Root cause: Roller lifter wear can damage cam lobes; oil neglect and idle-heavy use increase risk.

Quick check

  • Listen after full warm-up, not only cold.
  • Scan live and stored misfire counters.
  • Review idle/tow use and oil intervals.
  • Avoid hot tick with any P030x code.

Buyer note

This is the Hemi noise that should stop the purchase.

Owner note

Park it for diagnosis if tick and misfire appear together.

Fault 3

eTorque stall and restart investigation

LOW / $$$

Affects

NHTSA PE24-018 focuses on 2022-2023 Ram 1500 and 2022 Wagoneer with 5.7 or 3.6 eTorque.

Symptoms

Engine shutdown, intermittent restart, battery warning, loss of motive power, stop-start malfunction.

Typical repair cost

EUR 0 if covered by action; EUR 1,000-4,000 for battery pack, motor generator or module work.

Codes / scan clues

Hybrid/48V BSG and battery-management codes vary; U-codes possible.

Root cause: 48V eTorque battery and belt-starter-generator control faults can interrupt restart or propulsion.

Quick check

  • Scan 48V/eTorque modules, not just engine.
  • Ask about any stall or no-restart event.
  • Check PE24-018 status and dealer repair history.
  • Test stop-start after full warm-up.

Buyer note

Repeated battery warnings on an eTorque truck are a purchase risk, not a small accessory fault.

Owner note

Document every stall event with date, speed and warning messages.

Fault 4

3.0 EcoDiesel high-pressure fuel pump failure

LOW / $$$

Affects

2020-2022 Ram 1500 3.0 EcoDiesel under Z96 / 22V767; related diesel pump investigation context.

Symptoms

No start, stall, low rail pressure, metal in fuel system, long crank.

Typical repair cost

EUR 0 under recall; EUR 4,000-9,000 fuel-system repair if contaminated outside support.

Codes / scan clues

P0087, P0191, P2291, fuel rail pressure codes.

Root cause: HPFP internal wear/failure can send debris through the diesel fuel system and stop the engine.

Quick check

  • VIN-check Z96 completion.
  • Scan for low rail pressure history.
  • Ask whether pump and contaminated fuel components were replaced.
  • Avoid deleted or tuned diesels.

Buyer note

An EcoDiesel without HPFP proof should not be priced like a clean fuel-saver.

Owner note

Use quality diesel, keep fuel receipts when possible and complete the recall.

Fault 5

Rear window frame, CHMSL and shark-fin water leaks

SERIOUS / $$

Affects

2019-2024 Ram 1500 DT crew cabs, especially power sliding rear window trucks.

Symptoms

Water at rear headliner, wet carpet under rear seat, cracked rear window frame, RF hub/module faults.

Typical repair cost

EUR 100-300 CHMSL reseal; EUR 800-2,500 rear glass/frame; more if modules are damaged.

Codes / scan clues

RF hub, body and keyless entry U-codes if water reaches modules.

Root cause: Rear glass frame cracks, third brake light gasket leaks, shark-fin seal leaks or rear cab vents allow water into the cab.

Quick check

  • Inspect rear headliner corners and under rear seat.
  • Look for cracks at top corners of sliding rear window frame.
  • Water-test CHMSL/rear glass if seller allows.
  • Scan RF hub/body module for water-related faults.

Buyer note

A wet Ram cab can become an immobilizer problem when the RF hub gets soaked.

Owner note

Fix the source and dry the carpet padding; surface drying is not enough.

Fault 6

Four-corner air suspension sag and compressor failure

SERIOUS / $$$

Affects

2019-2024 Ram 1500 DT with optional air suspension.

Symptoms

One corner low, Service Air Suspension message, compressor running often, stuck in entry/exit mode.

Typical repair cost

EUR 400-900 calibration/sensor; EUR 900-1,800 compressor; EUR 2,500-4,000 full repair.

Codes / scan clues

C15A1, C15A2, ride-height sensor and ASCM codes vary.

Root cause: Air springs, lines, compressor and ASCM calibration faults leak or mismanage ride height; cold weather worsens leaks.

Quick check

  • Park overnight and inspect ride height at all corners.
  • Listen for frequent compressor running.
  • Scan ASCM codes and live height sensor values.
  • Cycle entry, normal and off-road heights.

Buyer note

The air ride is lovely when healthy and expensive when tired.

Owner note

Fix leaks before the compressor burns itself out.

Fault 7

Backup camera image failure

LOW / $$

Affects

2022-2024 Ram 1500 under NHTSA 23V654 camera software recall population.

Symptoms

No rear camera image in Reverse, blue/black screen, intermittent camera delay.

Typical repair cost

EUR 0 recall software; EUR 200-900 camera/module diagnosis if hardware fails.

Codes / scan clues

Radio/camera U-codes vary.

Root cause: Radio/camera software incompatibility can prevent the required rearview image from displaying.

Quick check

  • VIN-check camera recall status.
  • Shift into Reverse multiple times.
  • Check for infotainment update history.
  • Scan radio/body modules.

Buyer note

A camera fault is a safety and compliance item, not just a screen annoyance.

Owner note

Complete the software update and document it.

Fault 8

Electric power steering rack/module faults

LOW / $$

Affects

2019-2024 Ram 1500 DT; VIN-specific recall/service history on some 2019 trucks.

Symptoms

Heavy steering, EPS warning, steering angle faults, intermittent assist loss.

Typical repair cost

EUR 0 if covered; EUR 900-2,500 rack/module replacement and calibration.

Codes / scan clues

C15D9, C2217, U0131 and steering angle codes vary.

Root cause: Electronic rack or control faults can reduce assist and require calibrated replacement.

Quick check

  • Turn lock-to-lock at parking speed.
  • Scan EPS and ABS modules.
  • Check 2019 steering recall/service history by VIN.
  • Inspect battery/ground condition before condemning rack.

Buyer note

Intermittent heavy steering is a serious fault on a truck this size.

Owner note

Calibrate the rack correctly after replacement; a parts-only swap is not enough.

Inspection pack

Printable checklist for the viewing

The free page helps you decide whether the car is worth seeing. The paid guide is the ordered, printable checklist you use at the car.

  • VIN recall report for Z96, PE24-018-related updates, camera and steering actions.
  • Oil records for Hemi/Pentastar and diesel fuel-filter records for EcoDiesel.
  • Manifold, lifter, eTorque, air suspension and rear glass invoices.
  • Warranty extension paperwork for rear glass or CHMSL if applicable.
  • Inspect rear glass frame, CHMSL, shark fin and rear cab carpet.
  • Check air suspension height after the truck has sat.
  • Look for exhaust soot at Hemi manifolds.
  • Inspect hitch, tyres and underbody for tow/off-road abuse.
  • Scan engine, transmission, RF hub, ASCM, EPS and eTorque modules.
  • Test backup camera, stop-start, roof and all keyless functions.
  • Check for water smell under rear seat.
  • Cold Hemi manifold listen, then hot lifter listen.
  • Cycle eTorque stop-start after warm-up.
  • Test 8HP engagement and downshifts.
  • Cycle air suspension heights and watch warnings.

Bottom line

Buy: Buy a coil-spring 3.6 eTorque for simple daily use or a 5.7 Hemi with no hot tick, dry rear cab and completed recall file. The best DT Rams are the boringly documented ones.

Avoid: Avoid wet-cab trucks, air-suspension trucks sitting unevenly, EcoDiesels without HPFP proof, and Hemi trucks with hot tick plus misfire.

Quick answers

Ram 1500 buyer questions

The short versions of what this page answers in full.

What are the most common Ram 1500 2019-2024 problems?

The highest-impact documented faults are: 5.7 Hemi exhaust manifold crack or leak; 5.7 Hemi lifter and camshaft failure; eTorque stall and restart investigation. This guide covers 8 faults in total, each with symptoms, typical repair costs, and checks you can do at a viewing.

Which Ram 1500 years are the best to buy?

2021-2024 stand out in this generation. Buy a coil-spring 3.6 eTorque for simple daily use or a 5.7 Hemi with no hot tick, dry rear cab and completed recall file. The best DT Rams are the boringly documented ones.

Which Ram 1500 should I avoid?

Avoid wet-cab trucks, air-suspension trucks sitting unevenly, EcoDiesels without HPFP proof, and Hemi trucks with hot tick plus misfire.

Is the Ram 1500 2019-2024 a reliable used buy?

BYBA scores it 6.6/10 (buy with checks). 1 walk-away risk, 3 serious faults, 4 minor faults documented for this generation, weighted by severity and repair cost. Biggest factor: 5.7 hemi lifter and camshaft failure.

Get updates when this guide changes

Recalls get added, repair costs shift, and new fault patterns show up in the data. Leave an email and we'll tell you when the Ram 1500 guide gets a meaningful revision. Nothing else, no selling your address.

Research basis

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