Dodge Ram 2500 Acceleration Problems

Owners have filed 172 complaints about speed control & acceleration problems with the Dodge Ram 2500 — 3% of all Ram 2500 complaints. The worst model years are 1995 (34), 1998 (18) and 2004 (17). Problems typically start around 86,000 miles. One related recall has been issued.

172complaints
1995worst year
86ktypical miles
1related recalls
23crashes
4fires

Acceleration complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’123416151883551017610591136
Acceleration complaints per model year, Dodge Ram 2500.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
201262%35,000 miles
201131%39,000 miles
201010%74,000 miles
200910%82,000 miles
200893%60,000 miles
200751%19,000 miles
2006101%63,000 miles
200561%100,000 miles
2004173%90,000 miles
2003102%135,000 miles
200253%81,000 miles
200151%99,000 miles
200031%—
199983%72,000 miles
1998188%260,000 miles
1997157%79,000 miles
1996165%223,000 miles
19953413%80,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Cruise control
    17
  • Cables
    15
  • Accelerator pedal
    14
  • Linkages
    12

Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1821%
  • 25k–50k
    1618%
  • 50k–75k
    1618%
  • 75k–100k
    1011%
  • 100k–150k
    1416%
  • 150k+
    1315%

What owners report

I was driving at 60 MPH when I had to come to a stop because of traffic and the throttle apparently did not disengage causing me to slam on the brakes hard. Only after a few seconds when I stopped did the vehicle downshift and returned to idle function.this has happened before and since this incident.the vehicle has also idled high at times and will not slow down when removing pressure to the fuel pedal.it is as if the throttle assembly sticks which is an apparent electrical malfunction.this is and has become a serious safety issue with this vehicle. I have made a complaint before and contacted Dodge Ram about this with no satisfaction.I will be drafting a registered letter to nhts board and Dodge Ram releasing liability from this issue until it is resolved. …

2012 Ram 2500 · 35,000 miles · Jul 2014

R03 (replaces l25) wireless ignition node (win) module win module failure. When driving the vehicle in motion, the engine and power shuts off to the vehicle, causing loss of power steering and braking power. This happened to me while driving on the freeway. This has been recalled due to the same situation on multiple other Dodge/Chrysler vehicles that have the same win module part/part# as my 2012 Ram. 'the wireless ignition node (win) module on these vehicles May have unintentional movement of the frequency operated button ignition key, or fobik, from the 'on' to the 'accessory' position while driving. This could cause unintended engine shut off and increase the risk of a crash.' https://static.NHTSA.gov/odi/rcl/2016/rcmn-16V240-9929.pdf

2012 Ram 2500 · 94,000 miles · Dec 2018

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 14V635000 (engine and engine cooling, fuel system, diesel) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The dealer stated that parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the delay. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure related to the recall, but did experience acceleration failures. The specifics of the failure were not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000.

2011 Ram 2500 · 60,000 miles · Jan 2015

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact engaged the brake pedal and the gear lever was shifted into reverse when the vehicle began to lunge forward independently. The failure recurred in cold weather temperatures. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer eight times for the same failure. The torque converter was replaced and the computer system was updated. The failure persisted after the repairs were performed. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000.

2011 Ram 2500 · 8,000 miles · Dec 2011

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated that while approaching a stop, the contact engaged the brake pedal and the vehicle accelerated independently. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact had to crash into a mountain order to stop the vehicle. The contact did not sustain any injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,869. Updated 7/21/15 updated 9/23/15

2008 Ram 2500 · 73,000 miles · May 2015 · crash

I entered the highway in my Dodge Ram 2500 2008 truck, while I was at 50 MPH my truck started making growling noises from the engine and I heard explosive noises from the bottom of the truck. My speed dropped to 25 MPH and I could see from my side mirror car parts exploding off the truck on the highway in front of other vehicles while I was in motion and driving. This a highway at speeds of 70 MPH so I had to move over to the service lane luckily I was in the right lane but I barely avoid a large petroleum truck from crushing my truck which would have been a homicide because he was blowing his horn and could not stop in time. The car dealer claims they are investigating its has now been 4 days and I have not heard anything yet called Chrysler manufacturer waiting to hear back about what caused this to happen to my truck. I only know some of the parts damaged on the truck

2008 Ram 2500 · 200,000 miles · Feb 2016

Tl contact owns a 2007 Dodge Ram 2500. While driving into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to approximately 50 MPH. The vehicle crashed into a wall and the air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The air bags burned the contact's stomach, nose and she also sustained ankle injuries. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure; however, they made repairs. The current mileage was 19,000 and failure mileage was 18,500. Updated 01/17/08 updated

2007 Ram 2500 · 19,000 miles · Aug 2007 · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 mega cab. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH the electronic throttle control light on the instrument panel illuminated randomly causing the speed to decrease. As the accelerator was being depressed, the vehicle speed failed to increase and eventually it would stall. Occasionally, if the engine was turned off and on the vehicle would restart within a couple minutes and sometimes it would take longer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated the failure was caused by the accelerator pedal which was replaced at least six times but the failure continued to occur. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 92,000.

2007 Ram 2500 · 50,000 miles · Jul 2009

Related recalls (1)

Vehicle speed control

NHTSA recall 03V-033 · Feb 5, 2003 · 19,500 vehicles

Certain pickup trucks, equipped with cummins diesel engines and manual transmissions, May experience an elevated idle speed after extended cruise control use.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the software in the cummins engine controller. Owner notification began on March 10, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…

NHTSA investigations

Loss of throttle control

NHTSA investigation PE00048 · opened Dec 11, 2000 · closed Mar 7, 2001 · led to recall 01V-037

Alleged that the throttle cable can fray or sever during normal use resulting in the throttle not returning to idle or an inability to accelerate.

Frequently asked questions

Which Dodge Ram 2500 years have acceleration problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (34), 1998 (18), 2004 (17), 1996 (16) and 1997 (15) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 13% of all complaints for the 1995.

Is there a recall for Dodge Ram 2500 acceleration problems?

Yes — 1 recall, including 03V-033 (vehicle speed control, Feb 5, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Dodge Ram 2500 acceleration problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles; 39% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the cruise control (17 mentions), followed by the cables (15).

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.