Etorque issues/reliability question

[Bad Moose]

I might be opening up a can of worms, but here it goes. What is the general consensous on the Hemi Etorque reliabilty?

Situation: I currently drive a 2020 F250 6.7l diesel and might be possibly selling it later this Summer. I bought my son a 2019 Ram 1500 Hemi at 100 000 miles for college and beyond a few years. In driving it while he had my truck up at school, I have decided that the Ford "premium price" is not worth it as the Ram offers more creature feature for less. Therefore, I'm looking for a 2021 and up Ram 1500 BigHorn or better. I have been looking at just the Hemi's and bypassing the Etorques but there are quite a few Etoques available as well. I am wondering if I should consider an Etorque as well.

This truck would be used mainly as a long distance driver for vacations and hobbies and then some around town as needed. Won't be hauling anything just need the bed and cab for extra space. Think large dog in the cab and general house and yard items in the bed or luggage for vacations.

 

[Grape_Ape]

There is absolutely some level of reliability issue with the e-torque. The question is - how prevalent is it really? This forum is a small subset of the larger number of ram owners. Of those most people join to complain about issues with their truck. The bearings can fail in the Motor Generating Unit and unless something has drasticslly changed - there is/was a shortage on parts. Many people have found this to be a task that is able to be DIY'd if you catch it quick enough.

There is one individual who got out of his Ram because he went through 3 in like <90,000 miles. Then you've got me rocking my original unit at almost 88,000 miles. I intend on replacing the bearings at some point for peace of mind but as it stands I've been satisfied with the truck.

Someone may be able to give you actual data. I'm just telling you the trend I've seen. Gemini thinks 2.5-3 million etorques have been on the road. There is no official figures or recalls on the issue for me to figure out the total percentage. Remember 1% of 2.5 million is still 25k. That's a lot of people joining to complain.

TL;DR - They do fail. I don't know what percentage of them actually fail though.

 

[vincentw56]

I might be opening up a can of worms, but here it goes. What is the general consensous on the Hemi Etorque reliabilty?

Situation: I currently drive a 2020 F250 6.7l diesel and might be possibly selling it later this Summer. I bought my son a 2019 Ram 1500 Hemi at 100 000 miles for college and beyond a few years. In driving it while he had my truck up at school, I have decided that the Ford "premium price" is not worth it as the Ram offers more creature feature for less. Therefore, I'm looking for a 2021 and up Ram 1500 BigHorn or better. I have been looking at just the Hemi's and bypassing the Etorques but there are quite a few Etoques available as well. I am wondering if I should consider an Etorque as well.

This truck would be used mainly as a long distance driver for vacations and hobbies and then some around town as needed. Won't be hauling anything just need the bed and cab for extra space. Think large dog in the cab and general house and yard items in the bed or luggage for vacations.

If you can get one without, that's your best bet. But it's mixed on the reliability. Almost 6 years and 79,000 miles, I've had 0 issues with my truck with eTorque. But others have at less years and mileage. While more are like me, no issues.

 

[CHeYeNNe71]

23 and up, etorque is standard. I personally would shy away from the gimmick.

 

[Scap]

Have a '21 and >90k miles.
Zero issues.

Would do it again without hesitation.

 

[FlightLevel350]

If you do get the ET version, keep auto start/stop disabled. That is bound to save a lot of wear on the MGU.

 

[John Kloehr]

Include Hemi Tick and exhaust manifold cracks in the list of concerns, also the rear window leak (which damages some computer and bricks the truck). Most owners will never have any of these problems. All vehicles have some list of "common" failures.

For the eTorque, the long wait for parts is a big disappointment in Stellantis customer service. Since a home repair is not very expensive or difficult, I might try this rather than waiting weeks (months?) for parts if mine does fail.

 

[Bad Moose]

There is absolutely some level of reliability issue with the e-torque. The question is - how prevalent is it really? This forum is a small subset of the larger number of ram owners. Of those most people join to complain about issues with their truck. The bearings can fail in the Motor Generating Unit and unless something has drasticslly changed - there is/was a shortage on parts. Many people have found this to be a task that is able to be DIY'd if you catch it quick enough.

There is one individual who got out of his Ram because he went through 3 in like <90,000 miles. Then you've got me rocking my original unit at almost 88,000 miles. I intend on replacing the bearings at some point for peace of mind but as it stands I've been satisfied with the truck.

Someone may be able to give you actual data. I'm just telling you the trend I've seen. Gemini thinks 2.5-3 million etorques have been on the road. There is no official figures or recalls on the issue for me to figure out the total percentage. Remember 1% of 2.5 million is still 25k. That's a lot of people joining to complain.

TL;DR - They do fail. I don't know what percentage of them actually fail though.

You hit the nail on the head with, this is a small portion of the market and most come to complain about the issues they have, and ask about the solutions. So data tends to be skewed. The one that I have learned though is if you ask directly you usually get a different perspective than the usual of, "there is a prblem stay away, these are piles of @#$%" . As suspected, from the replies so far there are issues, but not as many as one would believe. Preventative maintenance could help with some reliability.

Thank you!!!!
Please keep the comments coming.

 

[Bad Moose]

Include Hemi Tick and exhaust manifold cracks in the list of concerns, also the rear window leak (which damages some computer and bricks the truck). Most owners will never have any of these problems. All vehicles have some list of "common" failures.

For the eTorque, the long wait for parts is a big disappointment in Stellantis customer service. Since a home repair is not very expensive or difficult, I might try this rather than waiting weeks (months?) for parts if mine does fail.

Thank you for your input. We just are in the process of replacing the exhaust manifolds that just cracked, and just finished repairing the rear window frame. LOL, go figure. I'm just doing a little research so I go in with both eyes open and avoid a headache is there is one to be found. I can do the maintenance and most repairs, so not scared there. I just want more real world feedback so I know what I'm getting into.

Thank you again

 

[Bad Moose]

Thank you all for the replies! Lets keep honest feedback coming!

 

[1791]

i have 2 friends that had e-t one went bad at 99k the other at 60k both then got rid of their trucks as soon as they got fixed. they went bad the same month lol.
one got a ram 2500 the other got a f150....... i am a former mechanic and i told them not to buy trucks with e-trash in the first place, but you gotta make your own mistakes.
it's unfortunate i wish it was more reliable. there is actually a lot of complexity with the system. i hate to be the "just more to go wrong guy" but...........

 

[John Kloehr]

i have 2 friends that had e-t one went bad at 99k the other at 60k both then got rid of their trucks as soon as they got fixed. they went bad the same month lol.
one got a ram 2500 the other got a f150....... i am a former mechanic and i told them not to buy trucks with e-trash in the first place, but you gotta make your own mistakes.
it's unfortunate i wish it was more reliable. there is actually a lot of complexity with the system. i hate to be the "just more to go wrong guy" but...........

I understand your viewpoint and do not disagree. And also consider is a 5% hybrid really worth the complexity for that 5%?

But then there is the other side. I really like my 5.7 4WD 3.93 Rebel and absolutely did not want an F150 in any form (rear spring squeak and other reasons) and the Chevy's were too much money unless I went a lot older, and those have other problems.

So balancing cost and features and capability, I do drive an eTorque and am willing to suck up a bearing replacement even if warranty should cover it (but can not due to lack of parts). Warranty will still cover the manifolds, rear window, tick, and other issues if they pop up. Which is a roll of the dice. And most have no problem. A very few do get all the problems.

 

[boogielander]

ET is basically a fancy alternator, and just like any other alternator - when the time's up, they die.
The biggest complain point is the lack of replacement parts.

the other components - the 48v battery, the DC-DC converter, etc don't really cause problems until much later.
If you want a confidence boost, look at me.
I run TWO DC-DC charger, one in the cab and one in the camper. Both of them start drawing from battery whenever ignition is on charge my power station in the cab and 100AH LiFEPO4 in the bed. That means, the ET system is always running (they are designed to stop charging starter battery once the BMS on neg post senses there's enough voltage in the battery) as the starter battery is never full. So the ET generator is always running, the 48v battery back is always being charged and discharging, and the DC-DC for ET system is always operating until the power station and LiFEPO4 are full. That is especially worse when I am on road trip mode, since the power station and LiFEPO4 always require recharging. If ET is as fragile as people make it to be, I'd be stranded somewhere on Dempster or Dalton because of how hard they were working.

that said, if you're set on having no ET, then look for anything before mid 2022 production. post 2022 ET is mandatory.

 

[RWL11]

 

[fishslayer]

My 21 s MGU failed at 30k..9 weeks for parts..otherwise its a superb truck..I tow 12,000 lbs with no issues. Gets decent mpg. My 3rd Hemi.

 

[Ripper]

While I realize it is comparing apples to oranges my 20 Wrangler 3.6 has eTorque. Had 76k miles including a good amount of off road and I have never had a problem.

 

[TheWaterman83]

I will never buy another eTorque vehicle. That's what caused me to trade my 19 Rebel for a 26 Ford F150 Tremor with the 5.0. I had mine replaced twice, covered under warranty, $3200 repairs each time. Couple factors that led me to my stance:

- Dealer admitted they've had a lot of problems with the eTorque. Generator, 48v battery, and other issues.
- Both times the part was back ordered 4-5 weeks.
- If they seize and short, they start frying other modules.
- Despite being a simple swap, Ram designed it only to be done by dealers. That's just wrong. It's a few bolts, belt removal, and unplugging wires. Yet, has to be programmed by the dealer.

My truck was babied too. Very well maintained, light towing, lots of highway miles. I went through 2 eTorque generators in 84k in miles.

The hemi without, great motor. I'd have maybe given another chance to Ram but they continue to shove that useless piece of garbage onto their customers. Shame on Ram.

Worst of all? They re-introduced the hemi with that garbage AGAIN.

 

[boogielander]

I will never buy another eTorque vehicle. That's what caused me to trade my 19 Rebel for a 26 Ford F150 Tremor with the 5.0. I had mine replaced twice, covered under warranty, $3200 repairs each time. Couple factors that led me to my stance:

- Dealer admitted they've had a lot of problems with the eTorque. Generator, 48v battery, and other issues.
- Both times the part was back ordered 4-5 weeks.
- If they seize and short, they start frying other modules.
- Despite being a simple swap, Ram designed it only to be done by dealers. That's just wrong. It's a few bolts, belt removal, and unplugging wires. Yet, has to be programmed by the dealer.

My truck was babied too. Very well maintained, light towing, lots of highway miles. I went through 2 eTorque generators in 84k in miles.

The hemi without, great motor. I'd have maybe given another chance to Ram but they continue to shove that useless piece of garbage onto their customers. Shame on Ram.

Worst of all? They re-introduced the hemi with that garbage AGAIN.

that is not true with it can only be done by dealers because we've done one at the shop.

 

[mikeru82]

…the other components - the 48v battery, the DC-DC converter, etc don't really cause problems until much later.

Tell that to my daughter who had to have her 48v battery module replaced at less than 2k miles on her 2019 Rebel. She got off easy with only waiting 2 months for the replacement part. And that was before the pandemic, and the supply change issues which came with it.

 

[TheWaterman83]

that is not true with it can only be done by dealers because we've done one at the shop.

Care to elaborate? I mean that sincerely. My ship has sailed but I am sure there a lot of other worried folks on here that when the time comes, which it will if they keep the truck long enough, they're in for a $3200 repair bill.