RAM’s 3.0-liter Hurricane is powerful, quiet, and still too new to have a proven long-term reliability record. Many owners report trouble-free driving through 10,000 to 30,000 miles, but others have dealt with check-engine lights, misfires, turbo-control faults, electrical problems, and extended dealer visits.
The fairest answer is that the Hurricane does not currently look like a universally defective engine. However, early-production trucks have accumulated enough software and component issues to justify a careful inspection before buying a used or leftover 2025 RAM 1500.
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What Is the RAM Hurricane Engine?
The Hurricane is a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six gasoline engine used in the RAM 1500 and several Jeep products. In the RAM, it is offered in two versions:
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match| Version | Horsepower | Torque | General positioning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Output (SO) | 420 hp | 469 lb-ft | Efficiency-oriented option with strong towing and acceleration |
| High Output (HO) | 540 hp | 521 lb-ft | Performance-focused option with greater turbo-system demands |
The engine first appeared in the RAM 1500 for the 2025 model year. That gives it some field history from Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer applications, but RAM 1500 mileage is still limited compared with long-established engines such as the 5.7-liter Hemi.
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For 2026, RAM also brought the Hemi V8 back to the lineup. Therefore, the Hurricane is not the only gasoline engine available in the current RAM 1500.
What Owners Like About the Hurricane
Positive owner reports tend to be consistent. Drivers commonly praise the Hurricane for its:
- Strong acceleration and abundant low-end torque.
- Smooth, quiet inline-six operation.
- Good highway performance when towing or carrying a load.
- Fuel economy that can compete with, and sometimes improve on, the outgoing V8.
- Refined power delivery compared with older truck engines.
A RamForum poll started in May 2025 had 20 of 31 respondents—64.5%—reporting “Perfect, no issues.” Six more reported minor issues while remaining generally satisfied. That is a small, self-selected forum sample rather than a scientific reliability survey, but it does show that online complaints do not represent every Hurricane owner.
Other owners have reported 15,000, 20,000, or nearly 30,000 miles without engine trouble. Those are encouraging results for a new engine. They should not be mistaken for proof that the engine will be durable at 100,000 miles, because very few RAM Hurricanes have reached that mileage yet.
The Most Credible Hurricane Problems So Far
Turbo wastegate faults on some HO trucks
Ram Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 09-008-25 covers certain 2025 RAM 1500s equipped with the High Output Hurricane and built from June 1, 2024, through March 3, 2025.
The issue involves improperly installed wastegate-rod retention clips. A wastegate controls turbocharger operation, so a fault can cause:
- A check-engine light.
- Diagnostic code P0248-00 or P2B94-00.
- Reduced turbocharger performance.
- Loss of acceleration or reduced power.
The dealer procedure is to inspect the retention clips and replace them when necessary. This is a defined service issue affecting a production range, not evidence that every Hurricane turbocharger is defective.
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Car and Driver also encountered a wastegate-actuator fault in a long-term RAM 1500 test vehicle at approximately 30,000 miles. The truck lost power because the turbochargers were not operating normally. The dealer replaced the actuator, and the publication did not report a repeat of the fault during the test.
Misfires and check-engine lights linked to software
Some early Standard Output trucks have received powertrain-control software updates for misfire-related problems. TSB 08-031-25 applies to certain vehicles built on or before January 15, 2025, and addresses:
- P0300 multiple-cylinder misfire codes.
- P0301 through P0306 cylinder-specific misfire codes.
- Check-engine-light illumination.
- Hesitation or rough running.
The listed repair involves reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and Ignition System Control Module (ISCM). A software fix is preferable to an internal-engine repair, but repeated misfires should not be dismissed. Prolonged misfire operation can damage catalytic converters and may indicate a problem that has not been correctly resolved.
Another bulletin, TSB 18-031-25, covers certain Standard Output trucks built on or before May 8, 2025. It addresses fault codes involving fuel-rail pressure, knock sensors, fuel-pressure sensors, EVAP purge operation, and starter-relay operation. Ram also lists a possible stall while coming to a stop, followed by an immediate restart.
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Transmission behavior can feel like an engine problem
Not every rough shift or drivability complaint originates inside the Hurricane. TSB 21-015-25 covers certain 2025 RAM 1500s with either Hurricane output level and the 8HP75 transmission, built on or before November 20, 2024.
Reported symptoms include a bump during engine start/stop operation, a bump during a tip-in downshift, and shifting concerns at low mileage. The remedy is a transmission-control-module software update.
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This distinction matters when evaluating reliability. A truck that jerks during a shift may have a transmission calibration issue rather than a damaged engine. The repair may be straightforward, but it still affects ownership satisfaction and should appear in the truck’s records.
Electrical and module failures
A significant portion of owner complaints concerns the truck’s electronics rather than catastrophic internal-engine damage. Reported issues include:
- Repeated check-engine lights.
- Battery drain or failed batteries.
- Touchscreens that become unresponsive.
- Remote-start failures.
- Module communication faults.
- Intermittent warning lights.
One Edmunds owner described spending more than 70 days at a dealer while technicians investigated recurring parasitic battery drain. The reported repairs included the main battery, auxiliary battery, turbo water pump, alternator, voltage sensor, and WIN module. This is an individual account, not a measured failure rate, but it illustrates how frustrating a modern truck’s electrical problems can become.
Car and Driver’s long-term test truck required repairs to an integrated trailer-control module and a forward-collision radar module in addition to the wastegate repair. The publication recorded four unscheduled dealer visits in 30,000 miles, although not all of those visits involved the engine.
Are Thermostat Failures a Known Hurricane Defect?
Thermostat failures, cooling-system faults, and overheating are frequently mentioned in owner discussions and secondary automotive coverage. At present, however, the available evidence does not establish a universal Hurricane thermostat defect or a confirmed failure rate.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThere is an important difference between an owner reporting a failed thermostat and Ram issuing a bulletin that identifies a specific part, production range, symptom, and repair. There is also a difference between a TSB, a warranty program, and a federal safety recall.
Do not assume that a forum post about a thermostat amounts to a recall. Check the truck’s 17-character VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup and Ram’s owner-service system before making a purchase.
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What About Turbo Leaks and Turbo-Pump Failures?
Some owners report turbo leaks or faults in the turbocharger cooling system. A Ram warranty bulletin also lists a Fast Feedback Program for selected 2026 vehicles with the 3.0-liter Standard Output Hurricane. The program references the front turbo assembly, rear turbo assembly, turbo wiring assembly, and fuel-rail assembly.
That program indicates that Ram was collecting information or managing selected warranty cases. It does not mean every Hurricane has a turbo defect, and it is not the same as a safety recall.
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Turbocharged engines naturally have more components than a naturally aspirated engine, including wastegates, actuators, intercooler plumbing, sensors, oil lines, and cooling hardware. More complexity creates more potential failure points, even if the core engine itself remains healthy.
Does the Hurricane Have an Engine Recall?
The current recall records reviewed include 2025 and 2026 RAM 1500 recalls involving issues such as instrument-cluster software and trailer-light or trailer-brake operation. These are not Hurricane engine recalls.
A TSB, Rapid Service Update, or warranty program is not a federal safety recall. Recall coverage can also depend on the truck’s VIN, build date, and equipment, so a general internet search is not sufficient. Use the VIN-specific NHTSA lookup before buying.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How Reliable Is It Compared With the Hemi?
There is not enough Hurricane mileage to make a fair long-term comparison with the 5.7-liter Hemi. The Hemi has years of field data, including known patterns and widely understood maintenance concerns. The Hurricane has better performance and modern efficiency, but its long-term repair history is still being established.
The Hurricane also shifts some potential risk away from traditional engine components and toward turbocharger, sensor, software, and module systems. That does not automatically make it less reliable. It does mean that a fault can be more difficult to diagnose and may require dealer-level scan tools, software updates, or parts that are not immediately available.
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What to Check Before Buying a Used or Leftover 2025 Hurricane RAM
- Run the VIN through NHTSA and Ram. Look for open recalls, service campaigns, and completed warranty repairs.
- Identify the engine version. If it is an HO truck, determine whether its build date falls between June 1, 2024, and March 3, 2025, the range covered by the wastegate-clip bulletin.
- Ask about software updates. Have the dealer verify PCM, ISCM, and TCM updates rather than relying on a seller’s statement that the truck has been “flashed.”
- Inspect the service records. Repeated check-engine-light visits, battery replacements, unresolved misfires, or multiple turbo-related repairs deserve extra scrutiny.
- Test it from cold. Watch for an uneven idle, hard starting, warning lights, hesitation, or a misfire during the first few minutes of operation.
- Test the electronics. Try the touchscreen, remote start, trailer functions, driver-assistance features, charging ports, and all warning-light systems.
- Ask how long it has spent at the dealer. Long repair delays may matter as much as the mechanical fault, particularly if the truck is used for work or towing.
- Get a pre-purchase inspection. A technician should scan all modules for stored and pending codes, not just check whether the dashboard light is currently off.
A clean vehicle-history report is useful but not conclusive. Warranty repairs may be missing, and a check-engine light can be cleared before a sale. Service invoices and a full diagnostic scan provide better evidence.
What Is the Hurricane’s Long-Term Outlook?
The early evidence points to a mixed but not disastrous picture. Many owners have experienced smooth, powerful, trouble-free operation. At the same time, early 2025 trucks show a concentration of documented software updates and component-related service issues.
The High Output version deserves particular attention because it uses a more demanding turbo system and has a documented wastegate-clip issue for a defined production range. Complaints about electronics and dealer support also appear regularly, although those problems do not necessarily indicate internal engine failure.
Reports of 10,000 to 30,000 trouble-free miles are a positive sign, but they cannot answer the 100,000-mile question. Buyers who want a proven long-term record may reasonably prefer an established engine. Buyers who prioritize power, refinement, and newer technology can consider the Hurricane, provided they verify the VIN and service history.
One warranty detail is easy to misstate: Ram advertises a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty for select 2026 vehicles under the stated warranty terms. That coverage should not automatically be applied to every 2025 RAM 1500.
FAQ
Is the RAM Hurricane engine reliable?
Many owners report reliable operation through 10,000 to 30,000 miles, but the engine is too new to have a proven 100,000-mile record. Early trucks have experienced software-related misfires, turbo-control faults, and electrical problems.
Does the RAM Hurricane have a recall?
The issues discussed here are primarily covered by technical service bulletins and warranty programs, not a confirmed universal Hurricane engine recall. Check the truck’s 17-character VIN through NHTSA to identify open recalls.
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Which Hurricane engine is more reliable, the SO or HO?
There is not enough long-term data to establish a definitive reliability winner. The HO has a documented wastegate-rod retention-clip issue affecting certain early 2025 trucks, while both versions have had software and drivability bulletins.
Should I buy a used 2025 RAM 1500 with the Hurricane engine?
It can be a reasonable purchase if the VIN is clear, applicable software updates are complete, and service records show no repeated warning lights, misfires, battery problems, or unresolved turbo faults. A pre-purchase scan and cold-start inspection are strongly recommended.
The Bottom Line
The RAM Hurricane is promising but not yet proven. Owners commonly praise its power, smoothness, and fuel economy, while a smaller but important group reports misfires, check-engine lights, turbo faults, electrical problems, and lengthy dealer repairs. The strongest verified evidence points to early-production software and component issues—not proof that the basic inline-six design is fundamentally defective. Check the VIN, confirm all updates, and judge each truck by its repair history rather than by forum anecdotes alone.
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