Ram trucks are tough, but they cost more to repair than average, mostly because of the drivetrain: Hemi V8 lifter and camshaft wear, high-pressure fuel pump recalls on the Cummins and EcoDiesel, and 68RFE transmission fluid leaks on heavy-duty trucks. Air suspension and tailgate latch faults round out the list.
Ram split from Dodge as its own truck brand for the 2011 model year, and in Palm Beach County you see every kind: Ram 1500s used as family vehicles, 2500 and 3500 Cummins diesels towing boats and trailers, and ProMaster vans working for contractors. The current 1500 generation, called DT, started for 2019, and the older DS body stayed on sale alongside it as the 1500 Classic.
RepairPal rates Ram 3.0 out of 5, 23rd of 32 brands, with average annual repair costs of about $858, among the highest of any mainstream brand and well above the $652 average. Owners go in for unscheduled repairs about 0.3 times a year, but 15 percent of those visits are severe. Big trucks, big parts and diesel fuel systems explain most of that.
Engines matter more than model year when you are sizing up a Ram. The 5.7L Hemi V8 powered most 1500s through 2024. For 2025 Ram replaced it with the 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six, then brought the Hemi back for 2026. Heavy-duty trucks use the 6.4L Hemi or the 6.7L Cummins, and the 3.0L EcoDiesel was offered in the 1500 from 2014 into the early 2020s.
Popular Ram models in South Florida
- Ram 1500 DT (2019-present): Coil-spring rear suspension, optional four-corner air suspension, and the 5.7L Hemi with or without eTorque mild hybrid. Check tailgate striker and airbag recalls on 2019-2022 trucks.
- Ram 1500 Classic (2019-2024): The previous-generation body sold as a lower-priced truck, often in fleets. Shares the older 2013-2018 truck's parts and side curtain airbag recalls.
- Ram 1500 (2013-2018): Common used truck. The 8-speed automatic arrived in this generation. The 3.0L EcoDiesel version from 2014 has its own recall list.
- Ram 2500 and 3500 (2019-present): 6.4L Hemi gas or 6.7L Cummins diesel. 2019-2020 Cummins trucks are in the fuel pump recall, and 68RFE automatic trucks have fluid leak recalls.
- Ram 1500 TRX (2021-2024): Supercharged 6.2L Hellcat engine. Specialized parts, high tire and brake costs, and many owners use dealer service.
- ProMaster van (2014-present): Front-wheel-drive work van with the 3.6L V6. Contractors running them all day around Boca should budget for frequent front brake and A/C service.
Known Ram problems to watch for
5.7L Hemi lifter and camshaft failure
The roller on a lifter can stop turning and chew into its camshaft lobe. Early on it sounds like a tick at idle, sometimes called the Hemi tick, then a misfire code shows up for one cylinder. Waiting can scatter metal through the engine. The repair is new lifters and usually a new camshaft, and many shops also recommend new oil pump and timing parts at the same time.
Guide: What is that knocking noise coming from my engine?6.7L Cummins high-pressure fuel pump
The high-pressure fuel pump can fail and shut the engine off without warning, and a failed pump can send debris through the injectors. The recall replaces the pump, updates engine software and replaces other fuel system parts if they are contaminated. Out of warranty, a contaminated system is one of the most expensive repairs a diesel truck can need.
Guide: Check engine light on but the car drives fine: what does it mean?68RFE automatic fluid leak from the dipstick tube
Heat and pressure inside the transmission can push fluid out of the dipstick tube onto hot exhaust parts. The first recall replaced the valve body separator plate and reprogrammed the engine computer; the second replaced the dipstick and vent. A burning smell after towing, or fluid sprayed on the underside, should be checked right away.
Guide: Is my car leaking transmission fluid?3.0L EcoDiesel EGR cooler and fuel pump recalls
The EGR cooler can crack and let coolant vapor into the intake, where it can ignite. The high-pressure fuel pump can fail and starve the engine of fuel. Both are free recall repairs, and the EGR remedy includes an intake manifold inspection. A used EcoDiesel without dealer paperwork for these campaigns is a gamble.
Guide: Why is white smoke coming from my exhaust?Air suspension leaks and compressor failure
Rubber air springs dry out and crack with age and heat, and the compressor wears out trying to keep up with leaks. Signs are one corner sitting low in the morning, a suspension warning, or a compressor that runs constantly. Replacing one leaking air spring early often saves the compressor.
Guide: What's that clunking noise when I go over bumps?Tailgate may open while driving
Misaligned tailgate strikers can keep the tailgate from latching fully, so it can drop open on the highway and spill cargo. Dealers inspect and adjust the strikers. If your tailgate needs a slam to close or rattles over bumps, check the recall before the next trip to the hardware store.
Airbag control and connection recalls on the 1500
Corrupted memory in the restraint controller can disable the airbags and seat belt pretensioners, and a poorly connected driver airbag may not deploy. An airbag warning light on the dash is the only clue, so never ignore it. Both are free repairs at a Ram dealer.
Maintenance schedule highlights
| When the oil change indicator calls for it, no later than the manual's mileage cap | Oil and filter in the grade printed on the cap. Hemi lifters depend on clean oil at the right viscosity, so many Florida owners change around 5,000 miles. Cummins diesels use a heavy-duty diesel oil and have longer intervals; check the manual for your year. |
| Every oil change | Rotate tires and inspect brakes, steering linkage and the air suspension springs for cracks. Check the transmission for wet spots on heavy-duty trucks. |
| Every 15,000 to 30,000 miles | Engine air filter, and cabin filter at least yearly in South Florida. Diesel fuel filters at the interval in the owner's manual; water-in-fuel warnings should be dealt with the same day. |
| Every 3 years | Brake fluid flush. Heavy trucks that tow generate high brake temperatures, and moisture in the fluid lowers its boiling point. |
| About 100,000 miles | Spark plugs on the 5.7L Hemi, which uses two per cylinder. Inspect the serpentine belt and tensioner, which wear faster with the A/C running all year. |
| 10 years or 150,000 miles | Engine coolant change with the specified OAT coolant. Diesel trucks also need DEF refills and periodic fuel system inspection. |
Always confirm against your owner's manual or maintenance minder for your exact model and year.
Typical Ram repair costs
| Job | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Synthetic oil change, 5.7L Hemi | $80-$140 | Cummins diesel oil service runs $150-$260. |
| Hemi lifter and camshaft replacement | $3,000-$5,500 | Dealer quotes often start near $5,000. |
| Cummins high-pressure fuel pump replacement, out of warranty | $2,500-$4,000 | Full fuel system replacement after contamination can exceed $8,000. |
| Front brake pads and rotors, Ram 1500 | $380-$650 independent, $550-$900 dealer | |
| Front brake pads and rotors, Ram 2500 or 3500 | $450-$800 independent | |
| Air spring replacement, one corner | $450-$900 | |
| Air suspension compressor | $800-$1,500 | |
| A/C compressor replacement | $1,200-$2,000 | |
| Diagnostic scan and inspection | $100-$190 |
Typical South Florida ranges for parts and labor, for budgeting only. Your quote depends on the vehicle and the shop.
Dealer or independent shop?
Ram has many drivetrain and airbag recalls, and every one of them is a free repair only at a Ram dealer. That is especially valuable on diesels, where a fuel pump recall can save thousands of dollars. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before agreeing to fuel system or transmission work elsewhere.
For a gas Ram 1500 out of warranty, an independent shop is often the best value for brakes, suspension, A/C and even a Hemi lifter job. Parts are widely available and labor rates in Palm Beach County usually sit well below the dealer's.
For diesel trucks, choose a shop that works on diesels every day and has the scan tools to run regeneration, injector tests and DEF system checks. The difference between a diesel specialist and a general shop shows up quickly in diagnosis time.
Owning a Ram in South Florida
A Ram 2500 pulling a 26-foot boat out of the water at a Boynton or Hillsboro ramp in August is running at full transmission and cooling load in 90 degree air. That is exactly when the 68RFE dipstick tube leaks happened. Watch the transmission temperature on the dash, and after a heavy pull let the truck idle a minute before shutting it off.
Salt from launch ramps and A1A spray attacks steel frames, brake lines, hitch receivers and exposed suspension bolts. A freshwater rinse under the truck after every salt exposure, and a frame inspection once a year, keep small rust from growing into failed brake lines or seized suspension parts.
Air suspension rubber ages faster in heat and UV, and a truck that sits at a seasonal home for months can come back resting on its bump stops. If you leave for the summer, have someone start the truck every few weeks, or put it on a battery maintainer so the system can keep its height.
Repair shops near Boca Raton
- Boca Auto Fix4301 Oak Circle, Boca Raton, FL, 33431
- Element, Pickup trucks and trailer repair3120D Northwest 16th Terrace, Pompano Beach, FL, 33064
- Europen Auto Service CentreParkland, FL
- Ferrari of Boca Raton6403 W Rogers Cir, Boca Raton, FL, 33487
- FirestonePompano Beach, FL
- Firestone1259 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL, 33432
Ram FAQ
What is the Hemi tick?
It is a light ticking noise from a 5.7L Hemi. Sometimes it is harmless exhaust manifold bolt leakage, but it can also be a failing lifter roller. A misfire code or a tick that grows louder means it is time for diagnosis before the camshaft is damaged.
Is my Cummins part of the fuel pump recall?
Recall 21V-880 covers certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups and chassis cabs with the 6.7L Cummins. Enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or call Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Why does my Ram sit low on one corner in the morning?
On trucks with air suspension, a leaking air spring or line is the most common cause. Fixing the leak quickly keeps the compressor from wearing out.
Should I buy a used EcoDiesel Ram 1500?
Only with records showing the EGR cooler and fuel pump recalls were done, and ideally a pre-purchase inspection by a diesel-savvy shop. Out-of-warranty repairs on these engines are expensive.
Can an independent shop service a Ram under warranty?
Yes, for maintenance and non-warranty repairs. Keep receipts showing the correct oil spec and dates. Warranty and recall repairs must be done at a Ram dealer.
Guides for Ram owners
Ram services
Open recalls are repaired free at any franchised Ram dealer. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or see recent recalls.
- RepairPal: Ram reliability rating and repair cost
- NHTSA recall lookup: search the recalls above by VIN or by year, make and model
General information, not a diagnosis. A car problem can have causes a guide cannot see, so have anything safety-related inspected in person. Read our editorial policy.