If you are shopping for a 2025-2026 Ram 1500, here is a list of known problems affecting these model years.
This list has been compiled using information from NHTSA.gov, forums, Facebook groups and our own reporting plus issues I have encountered on the 2025 Ram 1500 RHO I purchased as a longer-term review truck.
2025-2026 Ram 1500 Known Problems – 3.0L Hurricane Engine Issues
Kicking off our list is the new Hurricane lineup of engines. These are the new engines for the Ram 1500 that were added in the 2025 model year.
The Hurricane engine actually made its debut in the 2023 Jeep Wagoneer and started development back in 2021. It comes in two variants with a standard output and high output varieties with various different parts for the high output as well as horsepower and torque differences.
Over the past several years, there have been reported issues with this engine including:
- Catalytic convertors overheating/melting
- Thermostat failures
- Disconnected purge lines
In each case, Stellantis, the parent company of Ram, has addressed these issues with either software updates or service bulletins.
It is worth noting, mechanics review of this engine can be mixed.
For example, a Facebook post had two Chrysler mechanics arguing over their thoughts on the reliability of the engines in terms of heating issues.
5.7L Hemi V8 Engine Issues
For the 2026 model year, the 5.7L Hemi V8 engine returned as a higher priced option for all trim levels.
This engine was quickly returned to the market in an effort to boost sales and give customers choices between it, the Hurricane family of engines and the 3.6L V6 Pentastar engine.
While fans embraced the Hemi’s return, many wondered if Stellantis had addressed the issues the Hemi engine had become known for like:
- Exhaust manifold bolts breaking
- Hemi “tick”
- eTorque bearing going out
They also wanted Ram to do away with the cylinder deactivation system known as MDS.
I’ve found nothing was changed with the Hemi engine in regards to those issues. Every Hemi comes with eTorque mild-hybrid system and MDS.
Not every Hemi owner experiences a ticking sound nor do they experience exhaust manifold bolts breaking. Those issues are, though, popular items brought up in many online conversations.
What about the transmission?
If you have followed Dodge and now Ram trucks, you know the transmission was a concern for years.
Since 2013, Ram has adopted a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission (8HP70).
This was the ultimate “fix” for their transmission woes. ZF is renowned for building a reliable transmission and it is rare for a Ram truck these days to have a transmission issue.
Battery problems
One of the more common issues with the 2025-2026 Ram 1500 trucks are dead batteries. I experienced this first hand with my 2025 Ram 1500 RHO with a dead battery.
There are several theories on this with the most common one being the proximity of the key fob to the truck. Some have gone as far as to purchase a key fob RFID blocker to cut the transmission.
The thinking is the key fob triggers the lights to pop on and stay on killing the battery overnight. As it consistently drains the battery night after night, you end up with a dead battery.
There is a technical service bulletin, 08-380-25, on this issue to reflash the body control module to update the software to stop this occurrence from happening.
In my searching, there are owners who have said dealerships are advising other software updates to fix battery drain issues as well. I didn’t find any other specific TSBs for battery drain, but there are others for software updates.
Trailer Lighting and Trailer Brake Failure Recall
There have been a few recalls impacting the 2025 and 2026 Ram 1500 trucks with the largest of them being a trailer lighting and trailer brake failure recall causing the trailer tow module to burn up.
This recall is for 456,287 vehicles and certain 2024-2026 Jeep Wagoneer S, 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, Ram 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles.
It requires the removal of the trailer tow module located under a seat.
Common Issues – Laggy Infotainment System, Overheating Phone Chargers
The infotainment system and phone chargers seem to get the bulk of the other complaints on the 2025-2026 Ram 1500 trucks.
Owners report they find the infotainment system can be laggy at times switching between the screens as well as the phone charger overheating the cell phone.
I’ve experienced both at times. I don’t, personally, find the laggy infotainment screen to be anything other than a very occasional nuisance.
For the phone charger, it will overheat your phone on long road trips and this is a common complaint for all new trucks in the industry except for GM trucks which offer a cool vent below the phone charger. Of note, the 2026 Ram HD trucks also offer a cool vent.
Just make sure you carry an actual charging cord or occasionally take your phone off the charger at times to cool off and you’ll be fine.
Less Common Issues
There are a variety of smaller issues for many owners that aren’t as common like poor factory paint jobs, weird electrical issues like the odometer flashing (computer error, resolves itself after truck restarts), faulty parking sensors and other issues.
With the volume of trucks Ram builds, it is expected you’ll have a few odd ones here and there.
Overall, the 2025-2026 Ram 1500 trucks have climbed quite high on most reliability lists (shocking, I know!) and there are more happy owners right now versus other brands that I’ve reported on in the past few years.
The post 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Known Problems – Engines, Transmissions, Electronics appeared first on Pickup Truck +SUV Talk.
