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What 136 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Ram 3500

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (136)Crash / fire / injury (8)Transmission & drivetrain (32)Engine (27)Brakes (24)Steering (21)Electrical system (19)Suspension (16)Wheels (15)Fuel system (6)Speed control (6)Airbags (4)

Newest first · 136 complaints · page 4 of 6

Mar 22, 2018Transmission & drivetrainEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V562000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN). THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. WYATT ARP CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP IN SEGUIN, TEXAS AND ANCIRA CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS WERE MADE AWARE OF THE RECALLS AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11080954

Feb 24, 2018

WHEN STARTING FROM A STATIONARY OR NEAR STATIONARY POSITION, THE TRUCK WILL HESITATE FOR 1-2 SECONDS IF THE ACCELERATOR IS FULLY DEPRESSED. THE ACCELERATION MUST BE SLOW AND GRADUAL TO AVOID THE HESITATION. THE IS DANGEROUS WHEN SLOWLY MERGING INTO TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI 11074610

Feb 12, 2018EngineFire

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT IN FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT *TT *CN

NHTSA ODI 11072283

Feb 7, 2018Transmission & drivetrainBrakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V562000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11067408

Feb 7, 2018Transmission & drivetrainEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V562000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (GREENWAY DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM ORLANDO, 9051 E COLONIAL DR, ORLANDO, FL 32817, (888) 292-3985) WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY WHEN THE REMEDY AND PARTS WOULD BE SUPPLIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TT UPDATED 10/1/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 11067419

Feb 7, 2018

SINCE RECALL #17V-562 HAVEN'T BEEN FIXED DEALER DON'T HAVE READY SINCE 09/2017 AND THIS CAN MAKE FIRE OR EXPLOSION, THEN LIGHT ENGINE CAME ON 02/01/2018 DEALER FIXED CONCERN 26 EMISSION PROBLEM, WITH BREATHER CRANKCASE , THIS IS RELATED BECAUSE WATER VAPOR ...... WHY DEALER CHARGE $1913 TO ME ON 02/01/2018 AT GREENWAY CHRYSLER JEEP AT 9051 EAST COLONIAL DR ORLANDO FL 32817, THIS RECALL 17/V 562 IF IT WAS FIXED SINCE 09/2017 THEN THIS WATER VAPOR PROBLEM WITH BREATHER CRANKCASE SHOULD BE AVOIDED. PLEASE CALL ME [XXX] I FEEL GOT CHARGED BECAUSE DODGE FAIL TO AVOID THIS PROBLEM [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *PM *TR

NHTSA ODI 11067426

Jan 19, 2018EngineFire

MY DODGE RAM TRUCK WAS THE SUBJECT OF THREE SAFETY RECALLS, TWO OF WHICH WERE COMPLETED DECEMBER 12, 2018. A THIRD SAFETY RECALL, T25/NHTSA 17V-302, THAT, AT THE TIME OF MY FIRE INCIDENT, HAD NOT BEEN APPROVED BY CHRYSLER FOR THE WORK TO BE DONE. THE TWO SAFETY RECALLS WERE COMPLETED BY A DEALER APPROXIMATELY 80 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOME. ON THE DAY AFTER PICKING UP MY TRUCK, THE TRUCK'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAD A FIRE DURING MY 1-MILE DRIVE HOME FROM WORK. I OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, TURNED OFF THE MOTOR, OPENED THE HOOD AND OBSERVED FLAMES. MY LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THE SCENE, BUT I HAD ALREADY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. I NOTIFIED CHRYSLER AND THEY SUBSEQUENTLY DISPATCHED AN INVESTIGATOR TO MY HOME TO CONDUCT AN EVALUATION. ON JANUARY 3, 2018, THE INVESTIGATOR MET WITH ME AND PHOTOGRAPHED MY DAMAGED ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE INVESTIGATOR HAD EARLIER INFORMED ME THAT CHRYSLER WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE TOW TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE A PROPER EVALUATION COULD TAKE PLACE. THE SAFETY RECALL INDICATED THAT, FOR MY MODEL AND YEAR OF TRUCK, THE WATER PUMP COULD FAIL AND "MAY" CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. TODAY, JANUARY 19, 2018, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILES INFORMING ME THAT AFTER THEIR INSPECTION OF MY VEHICLE, "THE INFORMATION AT HAND WOULD NOT PERMIT US TO ASSOCIATE THE FIRE WITH A MANUFACTURING OR ASSEMBLY ERROR..." THEIR EVALUATION PROCEDURE WAS HAPHAZARD, AT BEST, AND HANDLED IN A VERY POOR MANNER. I ASKED THE EVALUATOR ABOUT HIS PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND, AND HE WAS NOT AN ENGINEER, OR A MECHANIC. HE SIMPLY OBTAINED PHOTOGRAPHS FOR HIS REPORT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW CHRYSLER COULD MAKE A REASONED DECISION IN THIS MATTER WITHOUT A PROPER EVALUATION BY A TRAINED ENGINEER OR MECHANIC. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI 11063835

Jan 3, 2018Electrical systemEngine

VEHICLE FAILS TO START IN COLD WEATHER BELOW 55 DEGREES. WHEN IT IS BELOW 55 DEGREES, THE WIN MODULE WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY FOB AND VEHICLE WILL NOT START. I MUST KEEP INSERTING THE KEY FOB, TURN IT OFF AND ON, RECYCLE DOOR LOCKS, OPEN AND CLOSE DOOR. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALER. NO PARTS AVAILABLE. BROUGHT IT TO CHRYSLER'S ATTENTION, NO REPAIRS OR PARTS. IF I NEEDED TO GO ANYWHERE IN AN EMERGENCY, IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE. ATTACHING VIDEO OF WHAT I GO THROUGH. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY CHRYSLER DOES NOT HAVE PARTS NOR ARE THEY REPLACING DEFECTIVE PARTS UNDER WARRANTY. WEB SITE IS NOT ALLOWING ME TO UPLOAD A VIDEO OF THE PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI 11058199

Dec 27, 2017Engine

MANUFACTURERS FAILED TO REMEDY A RECALL FOR THE WATER PUMP IN A TIMELY MANNER.

NHTSA ODI 11056735

Nov 10, 2017Transmission & drivetrainEngine

BOUGHT TRUCK NEW AND AT 40K MILE MARK WATER PUMP ASSEMBY FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH TOWING CAMPER,ALMOST CRASHED,LOST STEERING & CONTROL, TRUCK ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE, WAS SO HOT, STEEMING & SMOKING , MECHANIC COULDNT TOUCH HOOD FOR 45 MINUTES. STRANDED FOR A WEEK BEFORE FIXED-NOW AT THE 80K MILE MARK RE-CALL CAME OUT FOR EXACT PROBLEM AND NOW THERES NO FIX AVAILABLE ? ROLLING THE DICE WITH MANY LIVES ! AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. ALL MY ISSUES DOCUMENTED AT CHRYSLER CARE. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THEY ARE LETTING PEOPLE DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITH NO FIX ....I NEED HELP AS WELL AS ALL WHO OWN THIS VEHICLE ORIGINAL ACCIDENT HAPPEND 3/2016

NHTSA ODI 11045092

Nov 7, 2017Engine

IF YOU LET UP ON THE THROTTLE FOR A TRAFFIC ISSUE AND PRESS IT BACK DOWN QUICKLY THE THROTTLE RESPONSE GOES DEAD FOR 1-2 SECONDS. THIS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE IN LEFT TURNS AND/OR MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. AKA DEAD PEDAL, WHICH IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON INTERNET SITES ASSOCIATED WITH RAM DIESEL PICKUPS.

NHTSA ODI 11044385

Nov 6, 2017SteeringBrakes

I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND I HEAR A LOUD POP LOTS POWER STEERING AND BRAKES SYSTEM . THE CAR IS ONLY 2 YRS OLD

NHTSA ODI 11043754

Nov 3, 2017EngineFuel system

THERE IS A DEFINITE DELAY IN ACCELERATION WHEN PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC. SOMETIMES 2 OR 3 SECONDS OR MORE. ALSO WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC IF YOU LET UP ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THEN RESUME ACCELERATING IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE STALLS. VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI 11043024

Aug 29, 2017Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ROSEVILLE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (2805 LONG LAKE RD, ROSEVILLE, MN, 55113) FOR TRANSMISSION WORK. THE CONTACT INQUIRED WITH THE DEALER TO HAVE THE BRAKE BOOSTERS ADJUSTED BECAUSE THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THIS WAS THE FOURTH TIME THE BRAKE BOOSTERS FAILED. WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKES SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. PER THE MANUFACTURER'S ORDERS, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTERS AS A COURTESY. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO HAVE THE FAILURE REPAIRED, BUT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE LAST COURTESY OR REIMBURSEMENT. ANY ADDITIONAL FAILURES REGARDING THE BRAKE BOOSTERS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11020419

Aug 17, 2017Suspension

SHAKE IN THE TRUCK BEGINNING AT 65MPH UP TO AROUND 75MPH. I HAVE REPLACED TIRES, RIMS, REBALACED TIRES, REPLACED STEERING STABILIZER SHOCK, TRIED RUNNING AT DIFFERENT TIRE PRESSURES, ALL WITH NO IMPROVEMENT IN THE SHAKING.

NHTSA ODI 11016030

Jul 28, 2017Engine & cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL EXHAUST ODOR ENTERING THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LAKESHORE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT LOCATED AT 330 E HOWZE BEACH RD, SLIDELL, LA 70461, (985) 641-9595, AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A THREE WEEK BACK LOG TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11011202

Jul 25, 2017Steering

LOST STEERING TO THE LEFT, ONLY 2 INCHES OF TRAVEL. DRAG LINK ADJUSTMENT LOCK NUTS BACKED OFF ON THERE OWN. ALMOST HIT 3 VEHICLES INCLUDING A WV STATE TROOPER. RECEIVED A WARNING TICKET FOR DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT.

NHTSA ODI 11010486

Jun 30, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

DURRING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE HAS SIGNIFICANT LAG IN THROTTLE RESPOSE, AS NOTED IN FORUMS AS A "DEAD THROTTLE". THE DELAY CAN BE AS SIGNIFICANT AS A COUPLE OF SECONDS BEFORE THE VEHICLE RESPONDS. I AM AFRAID THAT IT COULD OCCUR IN SITUATION WHEN ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE IS NESSECARY AND THE THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESPOND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE DELAY HAPPENS OFTEN, AND HAS BEEN DOING IT OVER THE SPAN OF SEVERAL MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI 11002432

May 25, 2017Electronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. DADELAND DODGE REPLACED THE ESC MODULE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000. ..UPDATED 07/31/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI 10991646

May 23, 2017Engine & cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (COAST AUTO CENTER INC. 530 CHETCO AVE, BROOKINGS, OR 97415) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DEGRADATION OF THE SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT DODGE HAD NOT YET MANUFACTURED THE PART. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CONTACT COULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER EVERYDAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED, BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI 10991220

May 21, 2017Steering

TRUCK HAS 26,300 MILES ON IT. 7 DAYS AFTER GETTING THE TRUCK SERVICED AND ALIGNED AT MY LOCAL DEALER, WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN GAINSVILLE, FL, THE STEERING WHEEL SLOWLY BECAME MIS-ALIGNED TO THE LEFT BY OVER 180 DEGREES, CAUSING REDUCED ABILITY TO STEER TO THE LEFT, A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, A FAILURE OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE CONTROL MODULE, AND FAILURE OF THE CRUISE CONTROL. I STOPPED AT NEAREST DEALER WHO SAID THE TRUCK WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, BUT DID NOT HAVE ANYONE AVAILABLE TO LOOK AT IT FOR AT LEAST A WEEK AND OFFERED NO FURTHER OPTIONS. BEING AS I WAS 200 MILES FROM HOME, I TOOK THE TRUCK TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING DRAG LINK JAM NUTS WERE LOOSE ALLOWING THE DRAG LINK TO ROTATE AT RANDOM. HE WAS UNABLE TO TELL WHETHER THE DEALER FAILED TO TIGHTEN THEM AFTER THE ALIGNMENT OR BECAUSE THEY WERE NEVER TIGHTENED AT THE FACTORY. THE DRAG LINK WAS RE-SET TO CENTER THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE JAM NUTS WERE TIGHTENED. I WAS ADVISED THAT HAD I NOT STOPPED TO HAVE IT FIXED, THE DRAG LINK COULD HAVE CONTINUED TO LOOSEN CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH INDICATES THIS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS.

NHTSA ODI 10990782

May 10, 2017Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

WHEN ACCELERATING (EITHER FROM A STOP OR A ROLLING STOP) AND THEN BRAKING AND THEN ACCELERATING AGAIN, THE ENGINE WILL HESITATE. SOME CALL THIS "DEAD PEDAL" BUT I FEEL IT'S DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT LEAVES VULNERABLE IN TRAFFIC TO A COLLISION. IT'S HAPPENED TO ME NUMEROUS TIMES AND AGAIN TODAY. I WAS AT A 4 WAY STOP AND PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE WHEN IT WAS MY TURN, ABOUT 1/3 WAY INTO THE INTERSECTION, A VEHICLE TRAFFIC IGNORED THE STOP SIGN AND ATTEMPTED TO CROSS MY LINE OF TRAVEL. I HAD TO BREAK AND THEN IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATE AND THE TRUCK HESITATED WHICH LEFT ME IN THE INTERSECTION. IF THE OTHER VEHICLE HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT A FASTER RATE, IT WOULD HAVE T-BONED ME. AS IT WAS, THE OTHER DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER HIS VEHICLE AROUND ME. TO ME, THIS ISN'T A DELAY IN WHICH THE TURBO SPOOLS UP TO HELP DELIVER POWER. IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE THE THROTTLE IS DEAD HOWEVER THE TRUCK IS STILL RUNNING. THE HESITATION CAN LAST ABOUT A SECOND OR SO BUT IN THAT TIME, I FEEL THE TRUCK IS UNSAFE.

NHTSA ODI 10984671

Apr 20, 2017SuspensionTransmission & drivetrain

AT 70 MPH OR ABOVE THE VEHICLE VIBERATES HEAVILY AND HAVE CHANGED TIRES AND BALANCED FOUR TIMES, IT FIBERATES IN THE REAR MOSTLY OR UNDER THE SEATS

NHTSA ODI 10979661

Apr 6, 2017

TWO YEARS AND REPEATED VISITS TO DETERMINE A GROSS LACK OF ACCELERATION. ALMOST NON RESPONSIVE AT TIMES. ALSO A GEAR SHIFT SLAM AT TIMES. DANGEROUS LACK OF POWER TO ACCELERATE TO CROSS MULTIPLE LANES, ACCELERATION AT METERED ON RAMPS AND CROSSING AGAINST TRAFFIC. HAVE ALL SERVICE RECORDS FOR PAST TWO YEARS, AT LEAST TWO SEPARATE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AND NO CHANGE IN PERFORMANCE OR SOLUTION TO ISSUE

NHTSA ODI 10971032

Feb 13, 2017Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME AND CALLED THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THE NEXT DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DOCUMENTED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND CONFIRMED THE DEALER'S DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 23,000.

NHTSA ODI 10954350

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Working with the data? Download all 136 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 11, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2015 Ram 3500 verdict →