2014 Ram 1500 · symptom sheet
Engine rattles or ticks
- 28owner reports
- 80,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jun 16, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
329 of the 1,706 complaints on this car are about the engine. 28 of those describe engine rattle.
Tick what matches of 28 reports
Engine rattle on other 1500 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Owners in this group hear something before anything breaks. Most describe a ticking or tapping at idle, a rattle that's worse on a cold start and fades as the engine warms, or a noise that comes and goes over weeks. Some report the check engine light following a while later. It's the early-warning end of the engine complaints, and the reports that end in a named part are useful to anyone hearing the same sound.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the lifters (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the engine cover the 2014 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.
All 17 recalls on the 2014 Ram 1500, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 55,000 and 120,000 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“As is clearly a very common defect, my exhaust manifold bolts broke and the manifold warped. This is the second time this has happened. RAM knows about this problem. In fact, it is so well known that it is called "the HEMI tick". The fact that such a shoddy part has continued to be put on millions of trucks and other vehicles should warrant a recall.”
Filed Jun 16, 2026
“TICKING NOISE FROM 3.6l PENTASTAR ENGINE. SAFTEY CONCERN COULD RUIN MY ENGINE CAUSING STALLS AND MISFIREING AND SEZEING.”
Filed Jan 21, 2026
“Leaky manifold with broken bolts replaced on passenger side by RAM dealer at my cost. Drivers side now needs replaced. RAM 1500 has 71,000 miles on it. The pickup has and had a ticking noise for at least a year before dealer discovered it during an oil change. I wasnât aware it was due to the defective manifolds. This seems to be a common problem with RAMs. Concerned about breathing in noxious fumes.”
Filed Oct 14, 2023 · 71,000 miles
“My 2014 ram 1500 has a ticking noise which in turn is creating an exhaust smell inside my vehicle which is making me dizzy / sleepy when I drive.”
Filed Sep 30, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 28 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 368 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 176 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 134 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 129 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 121 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 107 reports
- Fuel smells, leaks, or the gauge reads wrong 52 reports
- Fuel pump failure 44 reports
- Diesel fuel system or injector problems 44 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 38 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 37 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 36 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 32 reports
- Rolls away in Park or will not shift out of Park 32 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 26 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 25 reports