2019-2026 Ram 2500 or 3500 with the 6.4L Hemi? Engine ticking, lifter failure, or fire recall? Learn your California lemon law rights and get a free review.
The 2019-2026 Ram 2500 and 3500 powered by the 6.4L Heavy-Duty Hemi V8 are built to haul, tow, and work. Owners pay a premium expecting bulletproof reliability, and too many have instead faced a catastrophic engine noise at 50,000 miles, a dealer diagnosis of 'camshaft and lifter failure,' and a repair estimate that runs $7,000 to $12,000 or more. The 6.4L Hemi's Multi-Displacement System (MDS), the cylinder-deactivation technology designed to save fuel, has a documented tendency to starve its own valve train of oil, destroying lifters and camshaft lobes. FCA filed a formal STAR Case (S1709000010) with NHTSA in January 2021 acknowledging the problem, yet no recall has been issued. A class-action lawsuit (Petro et al. v. FCA US LLC) followed, reinforcing that Stellantis knew about the defect and continued selling affected trucks. Beyond the engine, these heavy-duty trucks have also been the subject of multiple recalls, including a fire-risk recall covering the intake air heater relay (23V-060) that prompted an official advisory to park outdoors. If you own a 2019-2026 Ram 2500 or 3500 gas and have had repeated dealer visits for an engine tick, rough idle, or a fire-related recall, California's lemon law may entitle you to a buyback or replacement.
The issues owners report most, ranked by severity — each one verified against a cited NHTSA source.
Loud engine ticking or knocking on startup or at idle; rough idle; misfire; loss of power; surging; chirping or metallic noise; check engine light; engine failure requiring replacement
Engine compartment fire or smoke, even with ignition off; burning smell; vehicle fire while parked
ESC warning light does not illuminate when Electronic Stability Control system malfunctions; driver unaware of ESC system degradation; vehicle may fail to limit engine torque unexpectedly
Backup camera screen goes black or shows blank image when shifting into reverse; rearview camera does not display at all during backing maneuvers
Brake drag felt while driving; brakes overheat; vehicle pulls during braking; reduced braking effectiveness; burning smell from front brakes
Driver airbag may not deploy in a crash; no warning light prior to failure; SRS/airbag warning lamp may illuminate
A settled Margarian Law case on this exact model, published with the actual settlement math.
Open any defect for the symptoms and why it matters for a California lemon-law claim. Each is tied to a cited NHTSA source.
Loud engine ticking or knocking on startup or at idle; rough idle; misfire; loss of power; surging; chirping or metallic noise; check engine light; engine failure requiring replacement
Catastrophic engine failure requiring full engine replacement or repeated cam/lifter repairs strongly supports substantial-impairment and reasonable-number-of-attempts prongs. Acknowledged by FCA via STAR Case filed with NHTSA; active class action (Petro v. FCA US LLC) confirms widespread manufacturer awareness. Repair costs $7,000-$12,000+ per episode.
Camshaft and all lifter replacement if no metal debris in OCV screens; full engine replacement if metal debris is present. TSB S1709000010 Rev. A governs diagnosis and repair procedure.
Engine compartment fire or smoke, even with ignition off; burning smell; vehicle fire while parked
Safety recall involving fire risk; owner advised not to garage vehicle. If relay repair delayed (parts shortage documented in complaints), extended period of restricted vehicle use supports lemon-law diminished-use arguments. FCA confirmed 7 actual fires under original campaign.
Dealer replaces intake air heater grid relay free of charge under Recall 23V-060 (FCA 13A). Owners advised to park outdoors away from structures until repaired.
ESC warning light does not illuminate when Electronic Stability Control system malfunctions; driver unaware of ESC system degradation; vehicle may fail to limit engine torque unexpectedly
Safety-critical system (ESC) rendered unreliable without driver awareness. Recall covers ~349,848 Ram 2500 units across 2019-2022 model years — a very large population indicating systemic nature. Crash-risk consequence stated in recall.
ABS control module software update performed by dealer free of charge under Recall 22V-140 (FCA Z20).
Backup camera screen goes black or shows blank image when shifting into reverse; rearview camera does not display at all during backing maneuvers
FMVSS 111 (rear visibility standard) compliance issue. ~272,911-unit recall signals systemic software defect. Repeated failure to display backup camera is a documented safety-critical system nonconformity supporting lemon-law claims.
Dealer performs radio software update free of charge under Recall 23V-654 (FCA 97A). Owner notification letters mailed November 2023.
Brake drag felt while driving; brakes overheat; vehicle pulls during braking; reduced braking effectiveness; burning smell from front brakes
Manufacturing defect causing brake drag and overheating in a heavy-duty truck creates safety risk; ~5,495 units affected. If repeated repair visits required before caliper replacement addressed, supports reasonable-number-of-attempts argument.
Dealer replaces front brake calipers, front rubber brake lines, and bleeds brakes. ~2 hours estimated repair time. Free of charge under Recall 19V-635 (FCA V98).
Driver airbag may not deploy in a crash; no warning light prior to failure; SRS/airbag warning lamp may illuminate
Airbag non-deployment is a catastrophic safety defect and a federal FMVSS violation. Even a small affected population creates strong lemon-law safety-impairment argument for 2023-2024 model owners.
Dealer inspects SCCM and replaces if defective, free of charge under Recall 24V-199 (FCA 14B).
Engine hesitation or surge at low vehicle speeds; hesitation when turning steering wheel to full lock; rough acceleration; intermittent stumble at light throttle
Drivability complaints that persist after a PCM reflash, or that require multiple dealer visits, can support a lemon-law claim. Owner must document repeated repair attempts. Applicable to early 2019 build-date vehicles.
PCM software reflash (update) performed by dealer per TSB 18-056-19 Rev. A.
open
SCCM may have an insufficient weld between the internal flexible flat cable and a busbar, preventing the driver airbag deployment signal from reaching the airbag module.
open
Radio software may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying during a backing event under certain conditions.
open
An electrical short in the heater grid relay can result in an engine compartment fire with the ignition on or off.
open
ABS control module software may prevent the Electronic Stability Control malfunction indicator lamp from illuminating when ESC is degraded.
superseded
Electrical short in the solid-state intake air heater grid relay may cause an engine compartment fire with ignition on or off.
closed
Front brake calipers manufactured with incorrect assembly fluid may cause the rubber caliper seals to swell, resulting in brake drag and overheating.
Every item below comes from this vehicle's documented defects. The more you recognize, the more a free case review is worth your time.
California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (the 'lemon law') applies to new and certified pre-owned vehicles purchased or leased in California. If your Ram 2500 or 3500 (6.4L Hemi gas) has been in the shop multiple times for the same defect — or has been out of service for an unreasonable number of days — and the defect substantially impairs its use, value, or safety, you may qualify for a repurchase (buyback) or a replacement vehicle at the manufacturer's expense. California law also allows recovery of incidental costs and, in cases of willful violation, civil penalties. A manufacturer's internal technical service bulletin (like STAR Case S1709000010) or a safety recall (like 23V-060) can be powerful evidence that Stellantis knew about the defect. This is general legal information only — not legal advice. Every case depends on its specific facts.
“Could not duplicate” doesn't mean the defect isn't real. Here's exactly what to do to protect a potential California lemon-law claim.
Document the moment it happens. Photos, video, and screenshots of any warning lights — with the date and the mileage.
Get a repair order every visit — even “found nothing.” That paperwork is the foundation of a claim.
Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Note any recall that has no available remedy yet.
Track your out-of-service days. California law counts the cumulative days your vehicle spends in the shop.
Keep loaner & rental records. Alternate-transport paperwork during long repairs matters.
Save everything in one place. Symptoms, dates, repair orders, and every repeat visit — the intermittent ones especially.
The 6.4L Hemi lifter tick is intermittent — it often disappears once the engine warms up, exactly when the dealer test-drives the truck. Here is what to do if the dealer writes "cannot duplicate" on your repair order:
1. Document every episode. Record a short video on your phone the moment you hear the tick or knock, ideally on a cold start. Note the date, mileage, temperature, and how long you had let the truck sit before starting.
2. Ask for a cold-start inspection. Specifically request that the technician perform the diagnosis procedure from STAR Case S1709000010 Rev. A — remove the oil control valve (OCV) screens and inspect for metal debris — while the engine is cold. Put this request in writing on the service write-up.
3. Get every repair order in writing. Even a "no fault found" visit counts as a repair attempt under California's lemon law. Keep every page.
4. Demand a loaner or rental. If the truck is in for more than one day, California law gives you the right to a replacement vehicle at the manufacturer's expense.
5. Escalate to RAM Customer Care. Open a case number. This creates a paper trail that the manufacturer's own records will corroborate.
6. Check your recall status. Visit nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN. If you have an open heater-relay recall (23V-060) and the dealer cannot schedule you promptly, that extended unsafe period is relevant to your case.
7. Contact a lemon-law attorney early. In California, if the truck has been in for the same problem two or more times for a serious safety defect — or four or more times for any warranty defect — you may already qualify.
The 6.4L Hemi lifter issue is the defining defect of this generation of Ram HD gas trucks. It meets the textbook definition of a lemon-law defect: it is a known, documented mechanical failure acknowledged by the manufacturer in a STAR Case filed with federal regulators, it recurs, and it can escalate to a $10,000+ engine replacement. Owners who have had even two shop visits for cam-and-lifter noise — and who are still driving a truck that sounds like it has a loose valve train — should consult a lemon-law attorney before spending another dollar on repairs. The fire recall (23V-060) adds a separate, independent safety basis for a claim on affected 2021–2023 trucks. These are not isolated incidents; they are systemic, and California law exists precisely for situations like this.
— The Margarian Law team
Has your Ram 2500 or 3500 (6.4L Hemi) been back to the dealer for engine ticking, camshaft or lifter repair, or a fire-related recall — more than once? You may not have to keep paying for Stellantis's defect. California's lemon law may entitle you to a full buyback or a new replacement truck at no cost to you. Margarian Law handles Ram lemon-law cases throughout California, on a contingency basis — you pay nothing unless we win. Call us or use the form below to get a free case review.
The 6.4L HD Hemi in 2019–2024 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks uses a Multi-Displacement System (MDS) that deactivates cylinders to save fuel. The MDS solenoids can restrict oil flow to the valve train — specifically the roller lifters and camshaft lobes — causing them to wear prematurely and fail. Common signs include a loud engine tick or knock (especially on cold starts), rough idle, misfire, and eventually loss of power. FCA filed a STAR Case (S1709000010 Rev. A) with NHTSA in January 2021 documenting the issue and specifying the repair: if no metal debris is found in the OCV screens, replace the cam and lifters; if debris is found, replace the entire engine. A class-action lawsuit (Petro et al. v. FCA US LLC) was filed in 2024 alleging FCA knew about the defect and concealed it.
If your 2021–2023 Ram 2500 or 3500 (any powertrain, including the 6.4L Hemi gas) is subject to Recall 23V-060 (FCA 13A) for the intake air grid heater relay, Stellantis issued an official advisory: park the vehicle outdoors and away from structures until the relay is replaced. The defect — an internal electrical short in the relay — can cause an engine compartment fire even when the ignition is off. FCA confirmed seven actual fires under the earlier campaign (21V-798) before expanding the recall. To check whether your VIN is included, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls or call NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236. Schedule the repair at your Ram dealer as soon as parts are available. If parts delays have kept you without safe access to the vehicle for an extended period, document those dates — they may be relevant to a lemon-law out-of-service claim.
It may qualify, depending on your repair history. California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act covers new and certified pre-owned vehicles purchased or leased in California. If your Ram has been in the dealer for the same defect — for example, the 6.4L Hemi camshaft and lifter failure — two or more times for a safety issue, or four or more times for any warranty defect that substantially impairs the truck's use, value, or safety, you may be entitled to a buyback or replacement at Stellantis's expense. Out-of-service days in excess of 30 cumulative days during the warranty period can also support a claim. The manufacturer's own STAR Case S1709000010 and the pending class-action (Petro et al. v. FCA US LLC) are evidence that Stellantis was aware of the defect. This is general information — consult a California lemon-law attorney to evaluate your specific situation.
A 'cannot duplicate' finding does not end your lemon-law rights, and it is common with the 6.4L Hemi tick because the noise often disappears once the engine warms up. Steps to strengthen your case: (1) Record a video of the noise on a cold start, with the date and mileage visible or stated aloud. (2) Ask the dealer in writing to follow the STAR Case S1709000010 Rev. A protocol — removing the OCV screens to inspect for metal debris — while the engine is cold. (3) Keep every repair order, including 'no fault found' visits; each one counts as a repair attempt. (4) Open a case with Ram Customer Care so the manufacturer has a record. (5) Consult a lemon-law attorney — California law does not require the dealer to successfully fix the problem, only that a reasonable number of repair attempts were made.
Yes. NHTSA Recall 23V-654 (FCA campaign 97A) covers 2022–2024 Ram 2500 (and certain 2022–2023 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis) equipped with the Uconnect 5 8.4-inch radio (sales code UBD) and ParkView rear backup camera (sales code XAC). A software incompatibility between the radio and camera module can cause the backup camera image to fail to display when you shift into reverse. This is a federal rear-visibility safety standard (FMVSS 111) issue. About 272,911 trucks were affected. The remedy is a free radio software update at your Ram dealer. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or call your dealer to schedule the update.
NHTSA Recall 24V-199 (FCA campaign 14B) covers certain 2023–2024 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks. A weld defect inside the Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) — between an internal flexible flat cable and a busbar — can prevent the airbag deployment signal from reaching the driver airbag module. In a crash, the driver airbag may not deploy. This violates FMVSS 208. The remedy is a dealer inspection of the SCCM; if the defective weld is found, the module is replaced free of charge. If you own a 2023 or 2024 Ram 2500 or 3500, check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and schedule the inspection promptly. An airbag non-deployment defect — even if the repair is completed — can be relevant to a lemon-law safety-impairment claim if the dealer took an extended period to complete the repair.
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