NHTSA Complaint #11580151 — 2019 RAM 1500

There is a ticking noise I hear when the truck is first started and it is very obvious until the engine warms up and then it is less noticeable. I also noticed a decrease in fuel mileage. I had a mechanic look at it and he told me that the right side exhaust manifold was cracked. I ordered the right side manifold and new bolts and had the mechanic install them for me. Once it was installed when we started the truck the noise was still present but not as loud. I had him look at it again thinking that maybe the install was not done correctly and he said the left one was cracked as well. He showed me the crack. I got online and tried to order the left manifold but it was backordered. I told him that I couldn't find one and that I was on a waitlist at one of the dealerships for it. He told me I needed to try to get it ordered as soon as possible because further cracking could cause issues in the engine and cause a catastrophic event and ruin the engine. A year and a half later there are still no parts available. Upon further investigation I have found that this is a common event for these engines and has been for a very long time. The reason the parts are on backorder is because it is happening to most of the trucks with these engines. Also there is not a replacement part that fixes this issue so there are lots of posts online about it happening a second time after replacing the cracked manifold. The only alternative is to change the OEM manifolds out for shorty headers, which is a lot more expensive, and from the looks of it they are on backorder as well now. It's also a safety hazard because all the exhaust fumes leaking out can get into the cabin and cause carbon monoxide poisoning, accidents, deaths, etc. This is unacceptable. A recall needs to be issued and these vehicles need to be repaired at Chrysler's expense no matter the mileage. The worst part is that people agreeing to repair it can't because the parts are on an extended backorder with no ETA.