2015 Ram 1500: Ticking sound from engine
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2015 1500 report: ticking sound from engine. CarComplaints.com lists 5 owner complaints, average mileage 89,050 miles.
NHTSA has 393 owner complaints for the 2015 1500 in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11768327 (filed 10/01/2026): “The contact owns a 2015 ram 1500. the contact stated that there was an abnormally strong diesel odor coming from the vehicle at startup and while driving, with black smoke coming from the exhaust pipes while accelerating. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, w…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11765531 (filed 09/19/2026): “I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2015 ram 1500 ecodiesel 3.0l, vin [xxx]. my vehicle previously received an egr/emissions-related repair in xxx. the vehicle records also show emissions-related campaigns/repairs, including vb1, v08, and va7. i am c…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: lifters don't get enough lubrication (2 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $7,100 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
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