2018 RAM 2500

Typical onset: 50,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Sudden metallic knocking or ticking at idle, Loss of oil pressure, Metal shavings in oil, Catastrophic engine failure without warning

Fix: The 6.4L Hemi suffers from inadequate bearing material and oiling issues under load, especially when towing. Rod bearings spin and destroy the crankshaft, requiring complete engine rebuild or replacement. We're seeing this at alarming rates — often 60-80k miles on trucks used for towing. Short block replacement takes 18-24 hours labor, plus machining if crank can be saved. Many opt for reman long blocks.

Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000

Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission fluid leaking at radiator area, Pink fluid under truck, Harsh shifting when fluid low, Overheating transmission temps

Fix: The cooler lines running to the radiator develop pinhole leaks or crack at fittings due to vibration and corrosion. Replacement involves dropping skid plates and sometimes exhaust components for access. Plan on 3-4 hours labor. Replace both lines and fittings preventively when one fails. Check for cross-contamination if coolant gets into trans fluid.

Estimated cost: $400-800

Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi

Symptoms: Hard starting after sitting overnight, Loss of prime, extended cranking, Fuel weeping from filter housing, P0087 fuel pressure codes, Rough idle or surging

Fix: The plastic fuel filter housing develops cracks or the water drain valve seals fail, sucking air into fuel system. Kills prime overnight. Replace entire housing assembly — aftermarket options from Airdog or FASS are superior. Takes 2-3 hours including bleeding system. Some techs also replace lift pump while in there.

Estimated cost: $600-1,200

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunk when shifting into drive or reverse, Vibration at highway speeds, Driveline shudder under acceleration, Visible sagging of transmission crossmember

Fix: The 68RFE is heavy and the factory rubber mount fatigues, especially on trucks that tow. Creates excessive drivetrain movement and annoying NVH. Replacement is straightforward — support trans, unbolt crossmember, swap mount. 1.5-2 hours labor. Use OEM or upgraded polyurethane if truck sees heavy duty.

Estimated cost: $250-450

Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Loose or wandering steering feel, Clunk over bumps in steering, Uneven tire wear, Play in steering wheel at center

Fix: Track bar bushings and drag link ends wear on these heavy trucks, worsened by oversized tires. Death wobble can result if ignored. Inspect all steering components under load — a pry bar reveals play. Typically replace track bar, drag link, and tie rod ends as a set. Plan 4-5 hours for full front-end refresh with alignment.

Estimated cost: $800-1,400

Symptoms: Tailgate won't latch or pops open, Handle won't return to position, Corrosion or binding in latch mechanism

Fix: The electric tailgate lock actuator or mechanical latch corrodes and binds, especially in salt states. Recall covers some VINs but many fall outside range. Replacement latch assembly takes 1-1.5 hours, requires interior door panel removal to access rods and actuator. Lubricate regularly to prevent recurrence.

Estimated cost: $300-600

Symptoms: Intermittent black screen when in reverse, Foggy or distorted camera image, Moisture visible in camera lens, No camera image, 'check surroundings' message

Fix: Camera housing seal fails and moisture gets in, corroding connector and circuit board. Recall 23V-333 addresses some units but many still fail outside coverage. Replacement camera is plug-and-play in tailgate handle. 0.5-1 hour labor. Aftermarket units often have better sealing.

Estimated cost: $200-450