I Passed on the Expensive Warranty For a Used 2019 Ram, 7,000 Miles Later the Engine Blew, and Not Getting It Was a Huge Mistake

Here is the story of how a dream Ram pickup turned into a financial nightmare, and the specific advice that can keep you from the same fate.

I discovered a troubling case on a Ram 1500 Owners forum that highlights a worst-case scenario for used truck buyers. One owner, who bypassed an extended warranty to manage high monthly payments, is now facing a total engine rebuild due to failed cam lifters and metal shavings after driving only 7,000 miles. 

The High Cost of Skipping the Warranty

In my three decades covering the automotive industry, I have seen the same heartbreaking story play out countless times. A buyer stretches their budget to get into their dream truck, prioritizing the monthly payment over long term protection. It is a gamble that rarely pays off, especially with modern trucks that are essentially rolling computers with high-performance engines.

Logan Pressley's situation is the textbook definition of this risk. On the RAM 1500 Owners Facebook page, he admits, "I financed a used 2019 Ram 1500 from a well known dealer in my town, but I passed on the expensive warranty because I'm broke and got a high interest rate to be able to afford the monthly payment."

This decision, while understandable in a tough economy, left him completely exposed when the truck began to fail. Buying a used modern pickup without a safety net is akin to walking a tightrope without a harness. The complexity of these vehicles means that when things break, the cost is high. 

I recently covered a similar situation in my report, where another owner faced a massive repair bill that eclipsed the truck's value. That story serves as a stark reminder that the 5.7L Hemi, while powerful, has specific failure points that can ruin your finances if you aren't prepared.

The Classic Signs

The unraveling of Logan's truck didn't happen all at once; it started with the classic signs of 2019 Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi engine reliability issues. He describes the initial symptoms: "I've been having a misfire for weeks now in cylinder eight, and I changed the coil, spark plugs, and even wired on a new ignition coil connector. The truck was driving fine yesterday, and the check engine light came back on with the same code."

The phrase "cylinder eight misfire" is a notorious term in the Hemi community. Often, owners throw parts at the problem, replacing plugs and coils in the hope of a cheap fix. But deep down, this is frequently the first whisper of a much louder problem: the cam lifters eating into the camshaft.

To make matters worse, Logan attempted to diagnose electrical gremlins himself, likely triggering the truck's security or safety systems. He writes, "Well, I went to check to see if there was a relay or fuse and pulled out 2 (one at a time) and now my truck won't start. It's got power, but the brakes are locked up, and it has many messages like 'service trailer brake system', 'auto park disengaged', and something about a transmission. It won't turn over or anything."

This cascade of electrical errors is common when the Controller Area Network (CAN bus) is disturbed or when low voltage mimics catastrophic failure. However, the electrical gremlins were just a distraction from the terminal illness inside the engine block. 

I warned readers about the dangers of buying based on price rather than utility and reliability in my article, I Got a Great Deal On This 2022 Chevy Silverado 2WD, and This Is the Only Off-Road It's Gonna See, Now I Hope I'm Not Sorry I Didn't Go 4WD, I Live In Texas. Just as compromising on 4WD can lead to regret, compromising on a mechanical inspection or warranty for a complex truck like the Ram 1500 often leads to the exact scenario Logan is facing.

The Final Nail In the Coffin

The troubleshooting eventually revealed the grim reality. Logan shares the final nail in the coffin: "So, I just found out yesterday the cam lifters have gone bad, and there's metal shavings in the engine. Now, my only options are a new motor or rebuild, and I have only put 7,000 miles on it since I bought it. Now I regret not getting that warranty. Has anyone ever been in the same boat?"

Finding metal shavings in the oil is the mechanical equivalent of a terminal diagnosis. It means the hardened surface of the camshaft or lifters has disintegrated, causing abrasive metal particles to circulate throughout the engine. These particles act like liquid sandpaper, destroying bearings, the oil pump, and cylinder walls. This is one of the most severe symptoms of bad cam lifters in Ram trucks.

The tragedy here is that this failure likely began long before Logan signed the papers. The "Hemi Tick" often precedes this failure, a sound that can be masked by unscrupulous sellers using thicker oil or additives. Once the metal starts circulating, you are looking at the cost to rebuild a 5.7 Hemi engine vs replacement, both of which are thousands of dollars.

How To Protect Yourself When Buying Used

If you are in the market for a used truck, you must take proactive steps. Never rely on a standard test drive. You need to know how to check a used truck engine's health before buying. This includes a Pre Purchase Inspection (PPI) by an independent mechanic who knows Hemis. They can listen for the tick and check for Ram 1500 cylinder eight misfire causes and fixes history in the computer.

Furthermore, do not modify a truck until you are sure it is healthy. I've written about how sensitive modern truck sensors are in my report, 2026 Ram Rebel Owner Says, 'I Installed a K&N Filter, and One Test Drive It Threw an Engine Light, and Won't Go Past 15 MPH, It's Crazy, All I Did Was Put the Filter On. If a simple air filter can throw a new truck into limp mode, imagine what a failing internal component does to the system.

Key Takeaways for Used Ram Buyers

• Never Skip the Warranty: On a used modern truck, an extended warranty is not a luxury; it is a necessity. If you cannot afford the warranty, you likely cannot afford the repair bill coming up.
• Listen for the Tick: The "Hemi Tick" at idle, especially on a cold start, is a major red flag. Walk away.
• Oil Analysis is Cheap Insurance: For $35, a lab like Blackstone Laboratories can analyze the oil for metal content. This would have caught the shavings in Logan's engine before he bought it.
• Beware of Electrical Gremlins: If a truck has a history of random codes or misfires, assume the worst until proven otherwise.
• Idle Hours Matter: High idle hours can accelerate lifter failure due to low oil pressure at idle. Check the engine hours in the instrument cluster.

Buying a used Ram 1500 without a warranty is a high-stakes gamble. Common problems with 2019 Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi engines are well documented, and ignorance of them is not a defense against financial ruin.

What Ram Owners Are Saying

The community is well aware of these issues. Here is what others are saying about the Hemi lifter failure:

Reddit: One user on the Ram Trucks subreddit noted, "Lifter failure ticking at 8K miles. Excessive idling is often the culprit, but for it to fail that early suggests a manufacturing defect."

YouTube: A mechanic on YouTube, documenting a similar repair, stated, "I've seen this on police vehicles and daily drivers alike. Once the cam is eaten, the metal goes everywhere. It's a complete teardown."

Quora: Regarding driving with a misfire, a user warned, "The worst case would be an ignition failure... motor bearings lubricated by gasoline can friction-weld themselves solid. Poor mileage is the least of your worries."

The Expensive End

Logan's story is a heartbreaking reminder that the cheapest truck on the lot is often the most expensive to own. By skipping the warranty and inspection, he walked into a financial trap that many used truck buyers face. As I discussed in my article, My 2024 Chevy Silverado 2500 Broke So Often, I Made GM Buy It Back; I Hope This Stripped-Down 2025 Silverado 1500 I Just Bought Is More Reliable, even new trucks have major issues, so a used one without protection is a gamble I would never recommend. Always budget for the warranty, or buy a different truck.

We Want To Hear From You

Have you ever bought a used vehicle and regretted skipping the warranty, or did a pre-purchase inspection save you from a disaster like this? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

I'm Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012, bringing over 30 years of automotive expertise to every story. My career began with a consulting role with every major car brand, followed by years as a freelance journalist, test-driving new vehicles, which equipped me with a wealth of insider knowledge. I specialize in delivering the latest auto news, sharing compelling owner stories, and providing expert, up-to-date analysis to keep you fully informed.

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Photo credit: Denis Flierl