Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 45 | 12% | 114,000 miles |
| 2011 | 17 | 8% | 96,000 miles |
| 2010 | 17 | 11% | 145,000 miles |
| 2009 | 6 | 6% | 42,000 miles |
| 2008 | 18 | 10% | 140,000 miles |
| 2007 | 24 | 11% | 93,000 miles |
| 2006 | 53 | 21% | 80,000 miles |
| 2005 | 15 | 8% | 89,000 miles |
| 2004 | 15 | 7% | 94,000 miles |
| 2003 | 9 | 3% | 70,000 miles |
| 2002 | 2 | 5% | 14,000 miles |
| 2001 | 6 | 5% | 60,000 miles |
| 2000 | 7 | 12% | 106,000 miles |
| 1999 | 5 | 5% | 120,000 miles |
| 1998 | 14 | 13% | 120,000 miles |
| 1997 | 6 | 5% | 140,000 miles |
| 1996 | 10 | 8% | 170,000 miles |
| 1995 | 8 | 7% | 400,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The WIN Module for the ignition system on my truck is faulty. There has been several time where I'm driving down the highway and the vehicle just shuts off completely. This disables my power steering and brakes. So I either have to shift into neutral and try to start the engine while rolling with a trailer hooked on behind me with no road shoulders to pull off on or if shoulders on road pull off and try to restart the truck then again. There has also been times when I start the truck that the dash lights just flash or the truck starts for a second and then shuts off again on its own with the key still turned to run. The dealer said that this has been happening a lot on these trucks and there is no recall for it. In my opinion this is a major safety hazard for myself and others traveling on the road.
My key fob ignition switch is going bad. The 1st time I noticed is when I was pulling my camper on vacation and the truck just shut off all the lights everything. I safely pulled over and then I tried to start it and it wouldn't start.. I then wiggled the key and then it started. I talk to other people that own rams and they say they have the same problem. So I talked to the dealer and they said the only thing they can do is replace the Ignition. Which could cost more than $600. Now I would think being that this is quite a common thing that Chrysler would take care of the problem before somebody gets hurt or even killed from their vehicle shouting off and not knowing what to do. There are videos on YouTube on how to Terra park and clean the Ignition but I don't think that is a good idea.
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the OEM trailer brake controller indicated that the trailer brake was disconnected even though it was attached correctly. The failure occurred while different trailers were hitched to the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The contact replaced the OEM brakes with new OEM brakes; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed and determined that there was not enough amp signal to recognize that the trailer was connected. The mechanic attached a magnetic pigtail line with magnets attached to both ends, and the vehicle recognized that the trailer was connected. The cause of failure was found; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ram 3500. The contact stated that during cold weather, the engine would not heat up properly and hesitated to start. In addition, the contact stated that on several occasions, the heater grid connector on the driver's side melted bolts and wiring that intruded into the engine, causing piston #6 to misfire. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V060000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact stated that the failure occurred after driving over a bump in the roadway. The contact stated that occasionally, while wiggling the ignition key the engine would turn on before shutting off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that the ignition switch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V373000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 270,000.
Truck totally destroyed by spontaneous fire, suspected to be related to short in radio or dashboard. Assessment done by fire department and truck paid off by Progressive Insurance but no compensation for contents of truck. Truck in driveway, not running and fire damaged adjacent vehicle at cost of $7000 paid by vehicle owner and USAA insurance.
My 2011 mega cab 3500 was purchased in nov of 2018 with only approx. 110K miles on odometer. After a short while of driving, a vibration started getting worse up until I took to a dealer at approx. 114K for a check on toe & alignment. It ended up being a total repair of upper & lower u-joints & ball joints. Also had to replace driver's mirror-had short, wiring harness on passenger headlight-had short, transmission shifter seal leaked, new pinion gear & seal, & few other items also. It seems like a diesel that has just started breaking in was falling apart on me before it's time. Needless to say, about 4 months or so after I made the purchase, I had to fork out a !!heap!! Of $$$$$ for repairs that I couldn't recover. Funny thing is, before I bought the truck, another gentleman told me these years of Dodge trucks he had heard they were having a lot of front end trouble. …
I have a 2009 Dodge Ram 3500. I was riding down the road and all the gauges started going crazy then suddenly I smell something electrical burning by this point nothing is working im just coasting to a stop. There was no smoke from the dash that was my first instinct I then open the hood and smoke is rolling out of the fuse box. I have a friend that has the same truck but a year older and this same problem has occurred on his vehicle two different times I then done some research and found that on copart which is a salvage auction and there are a very large amount of the Dodge trucks with the 6.7 liter cummins motor in them that the fuse box is just burnt up or in some cases has caused the entire vehicle to burn. I am just wondering why this has not been brought to attention and is my truck gonna burn down. …
Related recalls (2)
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Police vehicles, 2007-2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2013 RAM 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator with a revised alternator, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
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
Clutch Interlock Switch Malfunction
On December 16, 2104, Chrysler Group LLC submitted a Safety Recall Report to NHTSA describing a defect in the clutch ignition interlock switches in approximately 66,819 model year (MY) 2006 through early-2007 Dodge Ram Trucks, Dodge Dakota, and Mitsubishi Raider vehicles equipped with manual transmissions and built between July 1, 2005 and July 31, 2006 (NHTSA Recall No. 14V-795, Chrysler Recall No.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Ram 3500 years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (53), 2012 (45), 2007 (24), 2008 (18) and 2010 (17) model years. Electrical complaints make up 21% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Dodge Ram 3500 electrical problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 16V-739 (alternator/generator/regulator, Oct 13, 2016); 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 3500 electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 103,000 miles; 28% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the wiring › interior/under dash (19 mentions), followed by the wiring (10).
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.