Vehicle reliability is paramount for any car owner. While considering the dependability of your 2019 Ram 1500 Classic, you might be thinking about everything from engine performance to the functionality of your 2019 Ram 1500 Classic Key Fob. Like any vehicle component, engines and electronic systems can experience issues, and understanding common problems across different makes and models can be insightful. Historically, automotive manufacturers have faced various engine challenges, often due to design flaws or inadequate maintenance practices. Let’s delve into some examples of engine vulnerabilities throughout automotive history, echoing concerns about overall vehicle reliability, which indirectly relates to the convenience and dependability we expect from even small components like our key fobs.
Early air-cooled Volkswagen engines, particularly those predating 1970, were known for exhaust valve problems in cylinder #2. These valves would stretch, eventually colliding with the piston and breaking. Although a larger oil cooler was introduced post-1970, shifting the issue to cylinder #3, the fundamental vulnerability persisted. Regular valve adjustments offered some mitigation, but ultimately, a valve job was necessary to address compression loss in the affected cylinder.
In the 1960s and 70s, American V8 engines from the “Big 3” automakers often utilized nylon teeth on timing gears, purportedly to reduce noise but primarily as a cost-saving measure. Around the 60,000-mile mark, these nylon teeth would degrade, causing the timing chain to skip a tooth on the camshaft gear. In fortunate scenarios, the engine would simply stall. However, in more severe cases, valve and piston damage would occur. Skilled mechanics could detect erratic ignition timing during tune-ups, prompting recommendations for timing set replacements before catastrophic failure.
The Chevrolet 305 engines produced between 1976 and 1978 were plagued by faulty camshafts that experienced lobe wear as early as 5,000 miles, with more typical failures occurring between 20,000 and 30,000 miles. Chrysler’s V6 engines, found in models like the Sebring, were susceptible to oil return passage blockages due to sludge buildup, leading to oil starvation in the lower engine components.
Ford’s 2.7L twin-turbo engines have been reported to suffer from premature turbocharger failures, while their redesigned 5.0L engines initially exhibited high oil consumption rates, surpassing even GM’s 5.3L engines until piston ring modifications were implemented. Early Gen II Hemi engines were so powerful they were humorously noted for their tendency to rapidly wear out rear tires.
Overhead camshaft (OHC) engines are vulnerable to timing belt failure if replacements are not performed at recommended intervals. Non-interference engines would typically only require a belt replacement after such an event, but interference engines often suffered more serious damage. FCA’s Eco-Diesel implementation also faced scrutiny, with reports of antifreeze flammability issues leading to engine fires. And, in a more contemporary safety concern, the Chevrolet Bolt’s battery fire risk has even been associated with potential house fires if parked in a garage.
As noted by 2018Nissan, the perception of engine lifespan has shifted dramatically. In the past, 100,000 miles signaled the need for an engine rebuild. Today, that mileage is considered only the halfway point for many modern engines, evidenced by discussions of camshaft failures occurring at 150,000 miles and beyond. This evolution in engine durability underscores the importance of considering long-term reliability, not just immediate issues like those potentially related to a 2019 ram 1500 classic key fob, when assessing the overall quality of a vehicle.
