MGU failed (e-torque)

[J-dubyoo]

2021 1500 5.7 e-torque, weird noise at cold start, gradually got worse over 3-4 weeks. Started to hear other noises any time it was in any gear besides 8th. Drove 400 miles yesterday, pulling into the hotel it sounded like the engine was falling out of the truck. Still 400 miles short of home. Took it to a dealership this morning, bad MGU, they located one in a warehouse but because of the strike might be up to 4 days before they receive it.

31,000 miles. Is this a fluke or a weakness?

 

[New Silver]

I just leased a brand new 2024 Ram Laramie night edition. Absolutely love the truck. Was driving back to the dealership to drop off my old ram extra key fob when the volt meter went low and the check engine light came on. They ended up having to keep it for the weekend. Got a text message on the next Monday that the etorque MGU was faulty and was replaced. I asked them how often does this happen….their reply “this was our first”. Since reading through many threads, it does happen, just not ver often. Since then my truck has been fine. The volt meter goes down to less than 14 sometimes like my old Laramie, but no check engine light. So far so good.

 

[Mister Luck]

Got it “Motor Generator Unit”

MGU​

 

[GM26J]

Just another data point for anyone else dealing with this - 2021 Laramie 1500 5.7 e-torque w/41,000. Bearing noise started a few hundred miles ago. Took it to the dealer today and they confirmed it's the MGU.

Service manager told me there are none available in the U.S. and approximately 5,000 on order. About 75 are on a priority list as the vehicles are dead (main fuse blown). I am on the next tier with about 1,000 other owners. The rest on order are for spares at dealers/warehouses. The SE *thinks* the delay is because they are coming out with a new revision of the MGU. I sure hope so - 40,000 miles isn't much for a major component to fail. Just outside of the regular warranty, too. Thankfully I had a 5yr/60,000 extended.

I was told 1-2 months - maybe...

 

[clay282]

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[oe542bob]

Clay282, I’ve wondered the same things about rebuilds since there seems to be no new ones to repair down trucks. Years ago we had starter, alternator and radiator shops around. Don’t see them anymore. Throw it away and replace is ok, but when you can’t get the part you need your stuck with a boat anchor.
To think when I ordered my ‘22 Ram 1500, I had a choice of eTorque or not with the Hemi. Reading the above posts makes me regret my choice! No problems with mine YET, I just turned 20,000 mi.
Too bad the “bearing” noise people say they heard, isn’t just a bearing replacement, but oh yeah, it’s 2025 and we don’t repair and reuse anymore.

 

[truckoffroad]

Just another data point for anyone else dealing with this - 2021 Laramie 1500 5.7 e-torque w/41,000. Bearing noise started a few hundred miles ago. Took it to the dealer today and they confirmed it's the MGU.

Service manager told me there are none available in the U.S. and approximately 5,000 on order. About 75 are on a priority list as the vehicles are dead (main fuse blown). I am on the next tier with about 1,000 other owners. The rest on order are for spares at dealers/warehouses. The SE *thinks* the delay is because they are coming out with a new revision of the MGU. I sure hope so - 40,000 miles isn't much for a major component to fail. Just outside of the regular warranty, too. Thankfully I had a 5yr/60,000 extended.

I was told 1-2 months - maybe...

I am facing the same issue. MGU failed and its a 2023 hemi etorque at only 20000 miles. It's been at the dealership for two weeks now. Need some advice. Did you ask for a rental or get a loaner? If they take 2 months, wouldn't it also qualify for a lemon ? This is disheartening honestly!

 

[GM26J]

I am facing the same issue. MGU failed and its a 2023 hemi etorque at only 20000 miles. It's been at the dealership for two weeks now. Need some advice. Did you ask for a rental or get a loaner? If they take 2 months, wouldn't it also qualify for a lemon ? This is disheartening honestly!

I don't drive too much and I picked up this noise early, so I told the dealer I'd be OK (for now) continuing to drive it. If it gets worse, I'll ask for a loaner - I have to check to see what my extended warranty covers. But at 20,000 miles you've got a straightforward warranty claim and I think you're entitled to a loaner - especially after two weeks.

And regarding rebuilds, in the past I would have agreed but now I wonder if it would even be possible to get any quality parts for a rebuild? I recently had to replace some wheel bearings on a car I'm restoring and finding some non-asian parts was tough (I ended up locating some NOS Fafnir bearings). The junk you get from Autozone or NAPA lasts about 10-12 months.

And of course, there is a question of whether or not the fundamental design of the MGU has a problem. It would be interesting to hear from an auto engineer on that question.

I think those of use affected should also file a problem report with the NHTSA. Those reports do carry some weight in getting a formal recall issued. Here's a link: https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem#index


And here's a RAM Technical Service Bulletin I found which talks about replacing the MGU for bearing noise. So this appears to be a well known issue at RAM: https://www.tsbsearch.com/RAM/S2208000009

 

[GM26J]

SOUNDS LIKE... a lucrative opportunity for anyone with the knowledge to rebuild them. I kid you not! There's an alternator / generator rebuild shop in our town and it's always got a parking lot FILLED.

I think the days of everything being more cost effective to replace than rebuild, might be behind us.

I'm with you 100% on this one. I've replaced quite a few bearings in my life and rebuilt quite a few alternators and starters. Bearings aren't rocket science. This seems to be a mechanical problem rather than some computer issue. If I wasn't still driving my truck I'd be willing to pull the MGU apart and try to figure it out.

Does anyone know of someone that has been inside one of these MGUs?

Inexcusable to have cheap bearings for a part that is under significant load every second that the engine is running.

 

[Kickboxer]

I just talked to a friend whose Ram 1500 diesel has been at the
dealership since October. They can't get the parts to fix it.
Seems like a very bad problem, troubling...........

 

[clay282]

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[turkeybird56]

What really sucks is both the V6/8 has the E Torque System with the 48V Battery, but the MGU for the V6 is different than the V8, with different part numbers and of course shows backordered. Why use (2) different MGU's, wonder whom the genius was that did that, LOL. Makes me sooooo happy have straight VVT only, no E Junkola.
ADDED: I get it, turning over a V6 vs V8, wat a silly system, the genius that designed dat stuff, geez, the Ole Don't Fix if Not Broken principle should apply. I sure do feel for the PPL that have these systems, and no parts available, and not made whole.

V6: 68452771AB
V8: 68623194AB

 

[GM26J]

One more update...it appears that the controlling electronics of the MGU is in a module that is bolted to the top of a fairly conventional alternator. So, if the problem is a mechanical issue, it's likely in the alternator itself. These alternators are apparently all the same from 2010-2024 in the 5.7 and 6.4L engines and there are plenty available used ready for rebuild. I just picked on up from LKQ for $79 with free shipping so I'll tear it apart and see if I can confirm the replacement bearings used. May not solve my specific problem but will be an interesting exercise and not cost much.

 

[clay282]

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[Traverer]

I took my 5.7 torque in for a noise in the engine bay the end of December. Diagnosed as the MGU bearing failing. Said I need a new one, but it is backordered but they had never heard of one completely failing. Well…now about 4 weeks later it’s dead. Truck did a start/stop while driving but just shut back off. Battery light and start stop light lit up and battery voltage is dropping. Service department said to not drive it anymore. Yet here we are waiting for the MGUs to get produced. Now I’m stuck with a useless truck for 1-2 months?!?! I did find that it should be covered by the federal emissions warranty up to 8 years and 80k miles.

2019 Ram 1500 warranty manual

Page 17 mentions the “belt driven hybrid starter generator” being covered.

This issue seems way too common…definitely will tell everyone to NOT get an eTorque power train.

I submitted a complaint to NHTSA. If there are really 5000 people waiting for this part, that is insane. Here is a link to submit a formal complaint NHTSA complaint form.

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

31,000 miles. Is this a fluke or a weakness?

Have you ever heard the saying Dubya Dubyah?

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

the Ole Don't Fix if Not Broken principle should apply.

No, for the E junkola has the saying FIAT, fix it again tony!!!
Happy new year Boidman.

 

[oe542bob]

And here's a RAM Technical Service Bulletin I found which talks about replacing the MGU for bearing noise. So this appears to be a well known issue at RAM: https://www.tsbsearch.com/RAM/S2208000009

Reading this TSB, so if you replaced the MGU with a used one, or a new one, will it actually work in the truck? I don’t really understand since it mentions about having to register it with the truck VIN.
If a bearing was replaced, if it turns out to be possible, then I don’t think that would cause an issue. Sound like this will still be a necessary dealer visit.

 

[GM26J]

Reading this TSB, so if you replaced the MGU with a used one, or a new one, will it actually work in the truck? I don’t really understand since it mentions about having to register it with the truck VIN.
If a bearing was replaced, if it turns out to be possible, then I don’t think that would cause an issue. Sound like this will still be a necessary dealer visit.

That's the way I read it. The MGU electronics are linked to the VIN so the dealer has to be involved.

But as I mentioned above...if the electronics are simply bolted on top of the alternator and together they make up the MGU as an assembly, then as long as the electronics are OK, it should be possible to service just the alternator (replace or repair) and bolt the pieces back together and re-install.

I did verify that the part number for the alternator is the same for eTorque and non-eTorque 5.7 V8; 68422277AC (or AB, AA)

 

[GM26J]

That's the way I read it. The MGU electronics are linked to the VIN so the dealer has to be involved.

But as I mentioned above...if the electronics are simply bolted on top of the alternator and together they make up the MGU as an assembly, then as long as the electronics are OK, it should be possible to service just the alternator (replace or repair) and bolt the pieces back together and re-install.

I did verify that the part number for the alternator is the same for eTorque and non-eTorque 5.7 V8; 68422277AC (or AB, AA)

Update - turns out that part number info I got off a Mopar parts website is incorrect. The 5.7 V8 eTorque pn is 68623194AB.