The Ram 2500 Heavy Duty is a full-size American pickup powered by a 6.7-litre Cummins inline-six turbo-diesel mated to a six-speed automatic, designed to tow well over four tonnes. What makes the Australian version unique is how it arrives: Ram Trucks Australia (formerly American Special Vehicles) ships left-hand-drive trucks from North America and remanufactures them to right-hand drive on a production line in Melbourne. For buyers, that means the Cummins carries a near-legendary commercial diesel reputation, but RHD conversion quality and the local parts-and-service ecosystem are additional considerations that don't apply to a mainstream ute. The 2015–2019 models represent the first serious wave of factory-backed RHD examples on the used market; many have covered big kilometres without drama, but there are well-documented issues to understand before buying.
EGR cooler, DPF and AdBlue system
The 6.7 Cummins carries substantial emissions hardware, and the three components most likely to cause grief are the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) cooler, the diesel particulate filter (DPF), and the DEF/AdBlue dosing system. These faults are the most consistently reported across owner forums worldwide, and Australian trucks are no different.
EGR cooler failure
The EGR cooler's internal tubes can crack — typically after 150,000–250,000 km but sometimes earlier under hard towing or in hot climates. Coolant enters the intake, producing white smoke at idle and unexplained coolant loss with no visible external leak. Left unchecked, this can cause hydrolock damage costing many thousands of dollars. Replacement is a significant job; budget roughly $2,500–$5,000 AUD at a diesel specialist, depending on what else is replaced at the same time.
DPF blockage and oil dilution
Short-trip, light-load or idle-heavy use loads the DPF with soot faster than normal driving can clear it. When the ECU triggers an active regeneration (late fuel injection to raise exhaust temperatures), raw fuel can wash past the rings into the sump, diluting oil and accelerating engine wear. Watch for frequent regen cycles, check engine codes P2002 or P2463, and a rising oil level between services. Professional DPF cleaning costs roughly $400–$900; replacement filters are considerably more.
AdBlue dosing injector
The DEF (AdBlue) dosing injector is prone to crystallisation — white chalky deposits form where urea solution has leaked and dried. A clogged injector or failed pump typically triggers fault code P20E9 and can force the truck into a reduced-power or limited-start mode. Budget roughly $800–$1,800 for a pump-and-injector repair at a diesel workshop.
Turbocharger: VGT actuator
The Holset variable-geometry turbocharger (VGT) is a robust unit, but its electric actuator is a documented weak point across all 6.7 Cummins models. When the actuator corrodes or fails electrically, the variable vanes stick, resulting in loss of boost, sluggish acceleration, excessive black smoke, and fault codes P003A, P00AF, or P2262. Symptoms can be intermittent before becoming permanent. Actuator replacement alone runs roughly $600–$1,500; a full turbo replacement is considerably more. Ask for any history of turbo-related codes on inspection.
Transmission: 68RFE torque converter
Most Australian Ram 2500s from this era use the Chrysler 68RFE six-speed automatic. Under sustained heavy towing the torque converter clutch regulator valve wears its bore, causing erratic lockup. The tell-tale symptom is a shudder between 70 and 110 km/h under light throttle — often mistaken for a tyre balance issue. Contaminated fluid accelerates the wear. A valve body service runs roughly $1,500–$3,500; a full rebuild is more. Check fluid colour and smell during inspection.
Steering: drag link and death wobble
The Ram 2500 uses a solid front axle, which is excellent for towing and off-road capability but susceptible to "death wobble" — a sudden violent oscillation of the front end when a wheel hits a bump at highway speed. It stems from worn steering and suspension components: the track bar, drag link, tie rod ends, steering stabiliser, or ball joints. A worn steering stabiliser can mask the symptom without fixing the cause.
There is also a documented Australian recall covering drag link failure on 2015–2018 models (see Recalls section). If buying from these years, confirm the recall has been completed. A front-end inspection at a heavy-vehicle or 4WD specialist is strongly recommended; budget $200–$600 for a steering component rebuild depending on what needs replacing.
RHD remanufacture: specific concerns
The remanufacture process is factory-engineered and ADR-compliant, not a backyard conversion — the dashboard, wiring loom, steering column, and pedal assembly are all purpose-built for right-hand drive. That said, used examples warrant extra scrutiny in a few areas:
- Conversion harness connectors: Some owners have experienced intermittent electrical gremlins — instrument cluster faults, sensor drop-outs — traceable to joints in the conversion wiring rather than the original factory loom. If any unexplained warning lights appear, have a technician familiar with these trucks check the connector condition.
- Under-seat ECU location: Control modules relocated during remanufacture sit near floor level in some configurations. Water ingress from a leaking door seal or high-water crossing can affect these modules. Check for musty smells and corrosion around wiring under the seats.
- Interior fit on early examples: Some 2015–2016 trucks show minor fit-and-finish gaps on the replacement RHD dash that later production runs improved. Check door seals and interior panel joins carefully.
- Service history: Prioritise trucks with documented Ram dealer or specialist service history, and verify AdBlue has been used correctly — water or other fluids in the DEF tank causes expensive catalyst damage.
Recalls & safety
The Ram 2500 has been subject to several ACCC-listed recalls. Two are particularly relevant for 2015–2019 used-market examples:
- Steering drag link (MY2015–2018): Affecting Ram 2500 and 3500 models supplied through Australian dealers between 2015 and 2018. The drag link jam nut could loosen, allowing the drag link to separate from the adjuster sleeve and causing potential loss of steering control. Affected vehicles were entitled to a free repair at a Ram dealer. Confirm this has been completed before purchasing any vehicle from these years.
- Instrument cluster and ORC module (MY2019–2025 range): A later recall covered a software fault that could suppress instrument cluster warning lights for brake and gear selection systems, and a separate ORC module defect that could disable Electronic Stability Control and prevent airbag and seatbelt pre-tensioner deployment.
Carify has recall data mapped by year. Check the pages for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 to see what safety notices apply to the year you're considering. The recalls landing page covers all makes.
Buying a used Ram 2500? What to check
- Coolant condition: Milky or discoloured coolant suggests EGR cooler or head gasket contamination.
- Oil level and quality: A rising oil level or fuel smell in the oil points to DPF regen dilution.
- AdBlue system: Look for white crystalline deposits around the DEF injector and confirm the warning system is functioning.
- Turbo response: Test for hesitation under load; pull stored fault codes for any turbo or boost-related entries.
- Front-end steering: Inspect the drag link, track bar, tie rod ends, and steering stabiliser for wear; confirm the drag link recall is rectified.
- Transmission behaviour: Feel for torque converter shudder at highway cruise; check that transmission fluid is clean and at the correct level.
- RHD conversion quality: Check cabin moisture, wiring connector condition under seats, and door seal integrity.
- History check: Run a Carify VIN check to confirm the vehicle's identity, verify outstanding recalls, and review its ownership and accident history before you commit.
The verdict
The Ram 2500's 6.7 Cummins is a genuinely long-lived diesel when properly maintained — many Australian examples have covered 300,000 km and beyond without major engine work. The RHD remanufacture is factory-backed and well-engineered, but the emissions hardware demands diligent servicing and predominantly highway driving to stay healthy. The 68RFE transmission and solid-axle steering also reward careful pre-purchase inspection on high-mileage or heavily towed examples. Buy a well-documented truck, confirm all relevant recalls have been addressed, and the Ram 2500 remains one of the most capable heavy-duty work vehicles available on the Australian used market.