2020 Ram Limited - Cylinder Head Problems - Loss of Trust

[johssm]

I have a 2020 RAM Limited 4WD with 21,000 miles. One morning my truck started shaking furiously, no power, but I was able to drive it the 1.5 miles to my house. I tried letting it sit, restarting it, checked all the plug wires, as it felt like it was missing - like when a plug wire comes off, etc. I had it towed to the dealership as it's still under warranty. After six weeks I got it back. They had to replace the right cylinder head completely due to a broken spring and other damage. FCA only let them try to replace a solenoid and a spring at first, but it didn't fix it. FCA finally relented and sent a new head. My truck seems to be running fine for the last 400 miles since it's been fixed.

The powertrain warranty will expire in two years. I like the truck but don't trust it anymore. I've had many cars, rebuilt engines myself (69 350), owned over a dozen cars, drove a car for two years where I had to hit the starter with a hammer once every 8 or 9 trips, so it would start, so it's not like I don't know what I'm doing, but a 65K truck with 20K miles, oil changed religiously, 91 Octane gas, never hot-rodded or off-roaded hard, having this big a problem, and the dealership only replacing one head, doesn't give me that warm fuzzy feeling of having a truck that I can put 200K miles on. I wanted to keep it for "life" but thinking I should get rid of it. What do y'all think?

 

[PurpleRT]

So you’re giving up on it because you had a uncommon valve spring issue? It’s a mass produced truck/motor.. there’s bound to be a few issue to a few unlucky ones.. let the dealer fix it and keep on moving.


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[Gobassin]

I have a 2020 RAM Limited 4WD with 21,000 miles. One morning my truck started shaking furiously, no power, but I was able to drive it the 1.5 miles to my house. I tried letting it sit, restarting it, checked all the plug wires, as it felt like it was missing - like when a plug wire comes off, etc. I had it towed to the dealership as it's still under warranty. After six weeks I got it back. They had to replace the right cylinder head completely due to a broken spring and other damage. FCA only let them try to replace a solenoid and a spring at first, but it didn't fix it. FCA finally relented and sent a new head. My truck seems to be running fine for the last 400 miles since it's been fixed.

The powertrain warranty will expire in two years. I like the truck but don't trust it anymore. I've had many cars, rebuilt engines myself (69 350), owned over a dozen cars, drove a car for two years where I had to hit the starter with a hammer once every 8 or 9 trips, so it would start, so it's not like I don't know what I'm doing, but a 65K truck with 20K miles, oil changed religiously, 91 Octane gas, never hot-rodded or off-roaded hard, having this big a problem, and the dealership only replacing one head, doesn't give me that warm fuzzy feeling of having a truck that I can put 200K miles on. I wanted to keep it for "life" but thinking I should get rid of it. What do y'all think?

Well, since FCA repaired it all under warranty, and its stiill under warranty. I would just truck on!

 

[johssm]

Thanks. I don’t want to give up on it but was getting ready to do a 4 in BDS lift and new rims and tires, at about 8K, and wasn’t sure if this is a symptom of a future problematic engine 5 - 8 years down the road.

I’ll keep it two more years and if there are no more problems, I’ll make the additional investment. I do love the truck.

 

[Punderwo]

Replace the springs on the other head if you gives you piece of mind. Shouldn't be much more than about $750 for parts and labor.