Ram 1500 (2013–2018) Problems to Check Before You Bid

The 2013–2018 Ram 1500 (the fourth generation, called "DS" by Ram people) is one of the most common half-tons at Copart and IAA. It rides well, it's easy to find parts for, and buyers like them. The same truck was sold as the Ram 1500 Classic from 2019 on, so most of this applies to those too.

Here are the known problems to check before you bid.

011. The Hemi tick (5.7L V8)

The 5.7 Hemi has a cylinder deactivation system (MDS) that shuts off cylinders to save fuel. The lifters and camshaft on these engines have a reputation for wearing out, and owners call it the "Hemi tick."

• Signs: a ticking noise that doesn't go away when the engine warms up, a misfire code, rough running.
• Why it matters: a failed lifter can wipe out the cam. Fixing it properly means lifters, often the camshaft, and gaskets. At a shop, that's thousands.
• Price it in: if a listing video has a steady tick, assume a cam-and-lifter job.

022. Broken exhaust manifold bolts (5.7L)

Also very common on the Hemi: the bolts holding the exhaust manifolds to the cylinder heads break from years of heating and cooling, usually on the driver's side.

• Signs: a ticking on cold start that fades after the engine warms up, as the manifold expands and seals the gap. Sometimes an exhaust smell in the cab.
• Tell it apart from the lifter tick: manifold tick goes away when warm; lifter tick stays.
• Price it in: broken bolts often need to be drilled or extracted. It's not a huge part cost, but it's labor, and on a rusty truck it can turn into a fight.

033. EcoDiesel EGR cooler recall (3.0L diesel)

The 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 was offered from 2014. In 2019, FCA recalled about 108,000 2014–2019 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel trucks because the EGR cooler could crack and let coolant vapor into the intake, where it could catch fire (NHTSA campaign 19V757). The fix is a new EGR cooler, with the intake manifold inspected or replaced.

• Check: run the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup. If it's still open, a dealer should do it free, though some dealers won't touch a vehicle that hasn't been repaired yet.
• Also on the EcoDiesel: these are complex engines with emissions parts (DPF, DEF) that are expensive to fix. A diesel with a "check engine" history needs extra caution.

044. Air suspension

Some trims came with optional air suspension. As these trucks age, the air springs crack, lines get brittle, and the compressor works too hard and burns out.

• Signs: a truck sitting low on one corner or in the rear in the yard photos, a suspension warning on the dash.
• Price it in: air springs and a compressor add up. Some buyers convert to standard coil springs.

055. Cracked dashboards

Owners have reported dashboards cracking on these trucks, usually near the passenger side airbag or the defroster vents. It's cosmetic, but a replacement dash pad is a lot of work. A dash cover is the cheap fix.

066. Touchscreen problems

The larger Uconnect touchscreens on some trucks can delaminate or "ghost touch" (register inputs no one made). A replacement screen or digitizer is a known repair.

077. Rust and the usual truck checks

• Rust: rocker panels, cab corners, rear wheel arches and the bottom of the tailgate, especially on salt-belt trucks.
• Frame: on front hits, check the frame horns for any push-back.
• 4x4: check the transfer case selector and listing.
• Airbags and sensors on front hits, as with any modern truck.

08How to bid it

Figure out what the truck is worth fixed (engine, cab, bed, trim, mileage). Then subtract the visible damage, a cam/lifter reserve on any Hemi with a steady tick, an exhaust bolt reserve on rusty Hemis, a recall check on EcoDiesels, and an air suspension reserve on trucks that sit low. Then fees, transport and your profit. See pricing a salvage flip.

Ram 1500s are a good flip, especially the Hemi trucks with clean engines. Just go in knowing what this generation does.

Sources (3)

NHTSA recall 19V757; The Drive: Ram 1500 EcoDiesel recall; Apex TechNation: 5.7 Hemi common problems.

Photo: 13-18 Ram 1500 Quad Cab by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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