Pentastar or Hurricane I6?

[Kyamukun]

I have a 2019 Big Horn with the eTorque V6. Apparently that was the first generation. No issues till I hit 109,000 miles. Cylinder coil needed to be replaced and now the mechanics found a coolant leak in the same faulty cylinder (#4). Shop suggested sealant instead of full gasket repair and said they heard from the dealer that these engines aren’t reliable. Suggested the temporary fix then sell it.

Really like the truck so thinking of selling it and buying another. Looking at the Pentastar which I think is the same as the 2019’s eTorque and the Hurricane I6. Wondering which is the more reliable engine. I’m assuming the Pentastar has had time to bake since it’s no longer the first of its generation. But the Hurricane I6 is new.

Any thoughts or suggestions on which is the better engine in terms of reliability?

 

[LOWRMPG]

I think you answered your own question. If you determine reliability based primarily in issues against years in service and quantity, the Pentastar has been around decade (2011) in many vehicles and proven itself to be an insanely reliable V6. That said, it is old. But if reliability is your primary focus, you answered your question..you take the decade old engine over one that has been in service since 2022.

 

[SD Rebel]

3.6L all the way if you want durability/reliability compared to the all-new buggy at the moment Hurricane. I suspect the Hurricane will have a lot less issues down the line, but right now I would avoid it.

You may want to wait and see the Hemi options for 2026 model year as another option for you. Or maybe by then, the Hurricane's issues have been ironed out. The question is long-term durability for the Hurricane even if the bugs have been worked out, since we won't know that for a while.

I am personally not a brand loyal person, I buy what I like at that moment in time, have you considered other brands?

 

[mikeru82]

I have a 2019 Big Horn with the eTorque V6. Apparently that was the first generation. No issues till I hit 109,000 miles. Cylinder coil needed to be replaced and now the mechanics found a coolant leak in the same faulty cylinder (#4). Shop suggested sealant instead of full gasket repair and said they heard from the dealer that these engines aren’t reliable. Suggested the temporary fix then sell it.

Really like the truck so thinking of selling it and buying another. Looking at the Pentastar which I think is the same as the 2019’s eTorque and the Hurricane I6. Wondering which is the more reliable engine. I’m assuming the Pentastar has had time to bake since it’s no longer the first of its generation. But the Hurricane I6 is new.

Any thoughts or suggestions on which is the better engine in terms of reliability?

Just to clarify here, the "eTorque V6" is the same thing as the 3.6 L Pentastar. You can't get a Pentastar on a 5th gen Ram 1500 without etorque.

Your shop is mistaken. The Pentastar has proven itself to be a very reliable engine. The Hurricane is too new to know about the reliability of it yet. So it's a gamble if you plan to keep it beyond the warranty period. You didn't say what you use the truck for. You can obviously tow with either one, but the Hurricane will tow better than the Pentastar. If you never tow or haul anything, and you're happy with the power you should just stick the Pentastar.

 

[Kyamukun]

3.6L all the way if you want durability/reliability compared to the all-new buggy at the moment Hurricane. I suspect the Hurricane will have a lot less issues down the line, but right now I would avoid it.

You may want to wait and see the Hemi options for 2026 model year as another option for you. Or maybe by then, the Hurricane's issues have been ironed out. The question is long-term durability for the Hurricane even if the bugs have been worked out, since we won't know that for a while.

I am personally not a brand loyal person, I buy what I like at that moment in time, have you considered other brands?

Thanks! I’m not super brand loyal. But when it comes to full-size trucks I just like the Ram’s aesthetics, IVI, and fuel economy. Most likely will stick to the Pentastar but I was curious to know if many users have had later models with the Hurricane I6 and not had any major issues.

 

[Kyamukun]

Just to clarify here, the "eTorque V6" is the same thing as the 3.6 L Pentastar. You can't get a Pentastar on a 5th gen Ram 1500 without etorque.

Your shop is mistaken. The Pentastar has proven itself to be a very reliable engine. The Hurricane is too new to know about the reliability of it yet. So it's a gamble if you plan to keep it beyond the warranty period. You didn't say what you use the truck for. You can obviously tow with either one, but the Hurricane will tow better than the Pentastar. If you never tow or haul anything, and you're happy with the power you should just stick the Pentastar.

Appreciate the response. I’m not highly knowledgeable in Ram’s engine history. I was told that the engine I have (eTorque) was unreliable but if its the same as the Pentastar then maybe I got a lemon.

I fish a lot and tow a trailer with a Hobie kayak, so nothing heavy. Occasionally will haul dirt/soil for the yard and eventually plan to get a travel trailer.

 

[mikeru82]

Appreciate the response. I’m not highly knowledgeable in Ram’s engine history. I was told that the engine I have (eTorque) was unreliable but if its the same as the Pentastar then maybe I got a lemon.

I fish a lot and tow a trailer with a Hobie kayak, so nothing heavy. Occasionally will haul dirt/soil for the yard and eventually plan to get a travel trailer.

Sounds like you might want to hold off buying a truck right now. If I were in your shoes I'd probably fix your 2019 and drive that until you have picked out a travel trailer. Then make your truck buying decision based on your towing needs. By that time you may have a better idea of the reliability of the Hurricane. And we'll likely also have the Hemi option again.