VinCanary

Reliability report · 2023 Ram 1500 · Updated July 2026

The newest and by far the quietest Ram year we cover — the same engine to listen to, but a fraction of the complaints.

On the numbers, 2023 is the standout year of the Ram set: 179 complaints, well under a third of 2022's total, helped by being the newest and mostly still in warranty. The recent file is short and led by electrical and powertrain items, plus a small cluster of driver-assist complaints (unexpected automatic-braking events). By 2023 the water-leak era is behind the truck and the recall list is shorter.

It lands at Chirping rather than Squawking because the volume is low and most of the truck is still covered, but it isn't a blank check: a 2023 recall (24V413) covers a transmission control-unit weld that can leak fluid onto the electronics and cause a loss of drive power or park, and the 5.7L Hemi's manifold-bolt and lifter risks travel with every year of this engine. Confirm the transmission recall, cold-start for a tick, and check remaining warranty — do that and 2023 is a sensible, low-drama buy.

Evidence: 179 NHTSA complaints · 10 recall campaigns · 3 mechanic & forum sources

Canary status

Chirping

What that means: 179 federal complaints — less than a third of 2022 and the fewest of any Ram year here — with electrical, powertrain, and some driver-assist (phantom-braking) reports leading a short file. A transmission recall and the familiar Hemi checks still apply, but this is the calmest, most-in-warranty year in the range.

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

179

Federal complaints

10

Recalls (all populations)

Known issues

Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.

Transmission control-unit weld — recall 24V413

major

The notable 2023 mechanical recall: an insufficient weld in the transmission control unit can let transmission fluid leak onto electrical components, causing a loss of drive power or loss of the park function. The remedy replaces the valve body and control unit free. Loss of drive or park is a genuine safety issue, so the task is confirming by VIN that the recall was completed — and, if not, treating it as a must-fix before purchase. Test-drive for clean shifts and reliable park engagement.

What to check

Pink and cleanServiced. Proceed.

Dark brownDamage underway.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Ram 1500 (body-style-aggregated) · NHTSA recall database and manufacturer communications (recalls 24V413, 24V199, 23V799, 24V729, 24V653)

5.7L Hemi manifold bolts and lifter tickmajor

The Hemi's cross-generation risks don't skip the newest year: exhaust-manifold bolts can snap (a cold-start tick that grows) and the cam-and-lifter valvetrain can wear (a deeper tick, then misfire). Independent mechanics quote a cam-and-lifter repair at a minimum around $4,500, with engine replacement often recommended once metal appears — though on a 2023 much of this may still be covered by the 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Cold-start and listen; a Pentastar V6 avoids the Hemi-specific risk, and note that from 2023 the Hemi came only in eTorque form.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Ram 1500 (body-style-aggregated) · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (5.7 Hemi manifold/cam/lifter; eTorque MGU teardown)

~$4,500

Cam + lifter repair if out of coverage (mechanic-quoted min)

higher

Engine replacement (often recommended)

eTorque 48-volt systemmoderate

From 2023 the 5.7L Hemi came only with eTorque, so the 48-volt mild-hybrid is standard on Hemi trucks. Its motor-generator unit (MGU) is the known failure point mechanics flag, with 48-volt battery-pack faults throwing 'service required' and stop/start errors. On a 2023 much of this is still in warranty, which helps, but confirm the system is fault-free and factor the MGU into long-term ownership. The Pentastar V6 avoids the 48-volt system.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Ram 1500 (body-style-aggregated) · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (5.7 Hemi manifold/cam/lifter; eTorque MGU teardown)

Electrical and driver-assist complaintsmoderate

The short recent file is led by electrical items (battery drain, no-start, infotainment) and includes a small but repeated cluster of driver-assist complaints — unexpected automatic-emergency-braking or forward-collision events. Phantom-braking reports are usually intermittent and software-related rather than a mechanical fault, but they're worth taking seriously on a test drive. Confirm reliable starting after sitting, exercise the electronics and cameras, and note how the driver aids behave.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Ram 1500 (body-style-aggregated)

Steering-column-module and other safety recallsminor

2023 carries a set of steering-column-control-module recalls to confirm by VIN: a welding defect that can prevent driver-airbag deployment (24V199), a high-beam/turn-signal fault (23V799), and a turn-signal self-canceling issue (24V729), plus the ABS-module/ESC software item (24V653), the shared driver-airbag connector recall (25V298), and rearview-camera software (23V059). All are free fixes; just confirm they're done.

Sources: NHTSA recall database and manufacturer communications (recalls 24V413, 24V199, 23V799, 24V729, 24V653)

A transmission recall for 2023: an insufficient weld can let fluid leak onto the electronics, causing a loss of drive power or loss of park.
3 mechanic & owner sources

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Open recalls

Free fixes at any Ram dealer. Run the VIN — “completed” isn’t always completed.

  1. 24V413Insufficient weld in the transmission control unit can leak fluid onto electronics, causing loss of drive power or park (2023); valve body and control unit replaced free.open
  2. 24V199Steering-column control module may be improperly welded and prevent driver-airbag deployment (2023–2024); module inspected/replaced free.open
  3. 23V799Steering-column control module can cross high beams and turn signals and disable self-cancel (2023); SCCM software updated / module replaced free.open
  4. 24V729Turn-signal self-canceling feature may not work (2023–2024); SCCM inspected/replaced free.open
  5. 23V059Trailer-reverse-steering module may block the rearview image in reverse (2021–2023); software updated free.open
  6. 24V653ABS module software can disable electronic stability control (2019, 2021–2024); software updated free.open
  7. 25V298Driver airbag may be improperly connected and not deploy (2019–2024); connectors secured free.open
  8. 23V263Diesel-only: high-pressure fuel pump can fail and stall the engine (2022–2023 diesel); pump/components replaced free.open

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