RAM common problems
Comfortable, capable trucks — with a few engine and front-end items to know.
RAM trucks are a common sight in Alberta and ride better than most. The things to watch depend on the engine — the Hemi V8, the EcoDiesel — plus a front-end item on the solid-axle heavy-duty models.
Here's what we see on RAMs.
Reliability: average — engine (Hemi/EcoDiesel) and heavy-duty front-end items to watch.
Common RAM problems
The faults we actually see on RAM vehicles in the shop — what causes them, and why they matter.
Hemi lifter/camshaft (MDS)
The Hemi V8 with cylinder deactivation (MDS) can suffer lifter and camshaft wear — a tick or misfire is the warning sign. Diagnose it early.
EcoDiesel concerns
The 3.0L EcoDiesel had emissions-system and oil-cooler issues on some years. If you're looking at one, check its history and recall status carefully.
Death wobble (2500/3500)
Solid-front-axle heavy-duty RAMs can develop 'death wobble' — a violent steering shake after hitting a bump. It's a front-end/steering issue we can diagnose and resolve.
Exhaust manifold bolts & electronics
Broken exhaust manifold bolts (a tick on cold start) and UConnect/electrical quirks are common age-related items.
When to get your RAM looked at
Catch these early and most are routine. Leave them, and they turn into the expensive repairs — so if you notice any of these, book a look.
Buying or owning a RAM
- On a Hemi, treat a tick or misfire as a priority — it can be lifter/cam wear.
- On an EcoDiesel, check emissions-system and oil-cooler history and recalls.
- On a 2500/3500, be aware of death wobble and have the front end inspected.
- A cold-start tick can be exhaust manifold bolts — a known, fixable item.
On repair costs
Routine RAM service is reasonable, but the costly items are engine-specific - Hemi lifter/cam wear, or EcoDiesel emissions and oil-cooler repairs. Death wobble is usually an affordable front-end fix once properly diagnosed, not a mystery.
What our winters and roads do to a RAM
RAM trucks are built for this kind of work, but Calgary's roads are where death wobble shows up on the heavy-duty solid-axle models, and cold and salt drive the usual brake, suspension and corrosion wear. The Hemi's MDS lifter item and the EcoDiesel's quirks aren't climate-specific but still need watching.
We're an independent shop in Calgary SE that services every make — with factory-level diagnostics, honest written estimates, and advice on what's urgent versus what can wait.
Book a serviceDiagnosed right, fixed once
Proper diagnostics
We find the real cause rather than guessing — so you fix the problem once, not the symptom.
Pre-purchase inspection
Buying a used RAM? We check it over and flag the known weak points before you commit.
Free VIN check
Decode the vehicle and get its recall and safety record before you buy.
In the deep south, easy to reach
We're at Unit 615, 12445 Lake Fraser Dr SE, Calgary, at Avenida Village on Macleod Trail — minutes from the SE communities we look after.
RAM problems — FAQ
What is death wobble on a RAM?
It's a violent, self-sustaining shake of the steering, usually after hitting a bump at speed, on solid-front-axle trucks (RAM 2500/3500). It's caused by wear or looseness in steering and suspension components — we can diagnose the cause and fix it so it doesn't come back.
Is the Hemi reliable?
It's a strong engine, but the cylinder-deactivation (MDS) versions can develop lifter and camshaft wear. A tick or misfire is the sign to have it looked at early, before it does more damage.
Should I buy a RAM EcoDiesel?
They're efficient and torquey, but some years had emissions-system and oil-cooler issues. Check the specific truck's history and recall status, and get a pre-purchase inspection before committing.