Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 175 | 25% | 76,000 miles |
| 2011 | 214 | 31% | 86,000 miles |
| 2010 | 71 | 15% | 87,000 miles |
| 2009 | 97 | 14% | 82,000 miles |
| 2008 | 52 | 9% | 45,000 miles |
| 2007 | 62 | 12% | 88,000 miles |
| 2006 | 125 | 16% | 61,000 miles |
| 2005 | 63 | 5% | 84,000 miles |
| 2004 | 99 | 9% | 57,000 miles |
| 2003 | 62 | 5% | 63,000 miles |
| 2002 | 93 | 11% | 83,000 miles |
| 2001 | 81 | 7% | 74,000 miles |
| 2000 | 35 | 7% | 91,000 miles |
| 1999 | 36 | 6% | 97,000 miles |
| 1998 | 32 | 6% | 105,000 miles |
| 1997 | 23 | 6% | 103,000 miles |
| 1996 | 26 | 9% | 143,000 miles |
| 1995 | 31 | 15% | 140,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2012 Ram 1500. The contact stated when the vehicle was turned off and in park, he accidentally bumped the gear shit lever and the vehicle slipped out of park (P) without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V821000 (Power Train). The contact stated that he had attempted to set numerous appointments with a local dealer but was unable to set an appointment for the vehicle. Additionally, while driving approximately 55 MPH the contact stated that he began to smell a burning plastic odor. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact observed that smoke was being emitted from the defroster vents on the top of the dash board. The contact stated that he pulled off of the roadway and shut the vehicle off. …
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. After several attempts, the vehicle restarted. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while starting the vehicle, after releasing the key fob, the vehicle stalled. The contact taped the key to the side of the vehicle to start. The contact stated that once the key fob was taped, the windows failed to roll up, the indicators failed to function as intended, the heater and A/C failed to operate as needed, and the hazard lights were inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. The contact stated that while approaching the vehicle with the key fob, the doors would unlock independently, and the windows would roll down independently. The contact also stated that the front driver's side window had failed to roll down while using the power window switch. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that he had noticed moisture in the storage compartments underneath the rear passenger's side and rear driver's side seats. The contact stated that he also noticed that the rear driver's side floorboard was wet. …
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH at nighttime, the headlight turned off independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the taillight turned off intermittently and the rear driver's and the front passenger's turn signal light was flashing quickly. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that several weeks later after parking the vehicle and returning a minute later to restart the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormally loud sound and the vehicle turned off. The contact exited the vehicle, opened the hood, and saw battery acid all over the hood. The vehicle was not drivable. …
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 75 MPH, the ignition key fell out of the ignition module. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's husband veered to the side of the road and was able to place the key back in the ignition module. The contact stated that her husband continued to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the ignition module had failed to hold the key and they were unable to restart the vehicle. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V200000 (Electrical System). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to obtain an auto warranty from Car Shield, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 125,526 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 228,863.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 131,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered on the title that the mileage was 211,492.
Heating & ventilation, I have lost heat in my truck, issues with fuel pump/filte where truck won't start, and had the water pump had to be replace. I believe the majority of the things listed had recalls. What is included in the recalls and can a recall be replaced more than 1x?
Related recalls (1)
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Dakota, and 2006 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles manufactured July 1, 2005, to July 31, 2006 with manual transmissions. The return springs in the clutch ignition interlock switch may break.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clutch ignition interlock switch, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA investigations
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Ram 1500 years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (214), 2012 (175), 2006 (125), 2004 (99) and 2009 (97) model years. Electrical complaints make up 31% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for Dodge Ram 1500 electrical problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 14V-795 (switch, Dec 16, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Ram 1500 electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles; 27% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the wiring › interior/under dash (35 mentions), followed by the ignition (34).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.