Failure mode - Ram 1500 EcoDiesel 3.0L V6 (2014-2019)
EGR cooler cracking and coolant loss (recall 19V-757)
Reliability tier: verified - verify before ordering, see /disclosure/
Symptoms
- coolant loss with no visible external leak (microscopic cooler cracks consume coolant through the EGR diffuser path)
- white smoke from the tailpipe, sweet exhaust smell, low-coolant warnings
- in the worst case the vaporized coolant/EG mix combusts inside the intake manifold - the fire path behind recall 19V-757
Compare with the other causes of the same sign on this engine: white smoke from the exhaust · losing coolant (2 causes)
Root cause
The A630's EGR cooler cracks under thermal fatigue. Chrysler recall 19V-757 (FCA campaign VB1, launched 04/16/2020) covers every 2014-2019 Ram 1500 / 1500 Classic 3.0L diesel: replace the EGR cooler and inspect (replace as necessary) the intake manifold. VOQ cluster: 139 of 1,785 complaints on VIN-confirmed EcoDiesel trucks (peak 2015-2016); owner litigation alleges the remedy cooler can fail again - post-repair coolant loss still warrants monitoring.
Diagnosis
- check recall 19V-757 completion by VIN FIRST - the cooler replacement is free under the campaign
- unexplained coolant loss + white smoke with no head-gasket symptoms points at the cooler; borescope the EGR/intake path for coolant residue
- the intake manifold must be inspected per the campaign - coolant pooling there is the fire risk
Fixes
replace the EGR cooler (campaign 19V-757/VB1 first - free remedy; post-campaign replacement uses the same service part) ()
inspect and, if coolant-contaminated, replace the intake manifold (explicit campaign step) ()
soot-bound EGR valve found during the job - replace the valve ()
Prevalence
common
Parts for this repair run about $480-$2,350: see them next to the other repairs on this engine in repair costs.