2015 Ram 1500 Electrical Problems

Which parts fail

• Ignition
  2
• Software
  2
• 12V/24V/48V battery
  1
• Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer
  1

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  2228%
• 25k–50k
  2025%
• 50k–75k
  1519%
• 75k–100k
  911%
• 100k–150k
  1114%
• 150k+
  34%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to stop and had the vehicle jumpstarted. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The contact advised the mechanic that the check engine warning light was illuminated for almost one year prior to the failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the check engine warning light had been illuminated. The contact called a dealer who advised the contact to bring the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test to be performed. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,545.

I was driving on the Interstate when a electronic short warning light come on, I pulled over on the shoulder of the road and my engine quit and smoke started to come from the engine. I opened the hood and the engine was on fire. I emptied my cooler, all the bottles of water I had and Cokes and managed to put the fire out with out damage to any thing or any one other than the engine, windshield and hood. Dealer does not want to take responsibility, oil cooler seems to be the source of the fire. Oil sprayed on to the fire blanket on the hood kept burning after the main fire was extinguished. My truck was running fine prier to the fire, I have been waiting for a replacement tone wheel (recall # W58) for 6 months. I have had the EGR (recall #VB1) go out twice and fixed. Numerous electrical tail light shortages.

The Starter of the truck seems to have "shorted" and started an electrical fire that burnt the wiring harness leading up to the battery including part of the battery cover. Drove truck on 100 mile trip. Arrived, parked. 2 days later went out to truck to drive home. Turned key, check engine light came on. Service electronic throttle control light came on. Opened hood, smelled burned smell. discovered battery cover and harnessed burned. Disconnected and removed battery. Had truck towed 100miles home. Went to mechanic who traced the burn down to the starter. He replaced the starter and showed me where the fire started. FYI I called the service manager at Berthod Ram in Glenwood Springs Colorado to ask if they would like to see the Starter, left message. THEY DID NOT REPLY.

On July 2nd, I was actively driving my 2015 Ram 1500 equipped with the 5.7L Hemi V8 gas engine. The vehicle is completely factory-stock with zero aftermarket electronics, wiring modifications, or accessories. While operating the truck, the dashboard instrument cluster suddenly began flickering wildly, indicating a severe voltage drop or electrical system failure. Immediately following the flickering, a catastrophic fire erupted inside the cabin, originating directly underneath the dashboard on the passenger's side. The fire department responded to extinguish the flames. The engine bay was unaffected by fluid leaks, and the fire originated strictly within the factory dashboard electrical wiring harness/modules. The vehicle is a total loss.

About a year ago my vehicles auto traction , brake light and abs light illuminated. The warning that my vehicle gives when I turn it on and start is braking system needs serviced and electrical breaking system needs serviced. The code that shows in diagnosis is abs brake module needs replaced. My brakes have not been right. The part has been back ordered for over a year. There are no parts and my dealer and Ram answer is it's under engineering review till January 15. The dealership answer is get one from the junk yard which they're aren't any. I wouldn't feel confident driving my grand babies with used brake parts. I was in an accident today because of brake failure and thankfully I didn't hurt anyone in the car in front of me.

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle and while the vehicle was idling, the message "Regeneration Mode" was displayed on the instrument panel and the vehicle failed to start. The contact made several attempts to start the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 200,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Driving down the freeway Without warning vehicle dashboard started throwing out all kind of code warnings. Vehicle went into limp mode. Vehicle started on fire. Dealership states the blue def system was at fault. A problem this same dealer fixed just last year. At a cost of over $3000. This time with the fire the bill is over $8000. Not to mention the def system recall from a few years back where these components were suppose to be under an extended warranty. What is a consumer to do. We are at the mercy of these dealers Thank you [redacted]

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while attempting start the vehicle using the manual key, the vehicle failed to start. The key not in ignition message was displayed. The contact called the dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 110.000.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was purchased at the local independent dealer with an odometer reading of 141,356. Later, after obtaining a Carfax report, the mileage listed on the vehicle was 230,229.

While driving my truck with randomly loose power steering and this happens at all speeds. It will also make my dashboard go crazy move my dashboard measurement alol over the place like a haunted clock. It will also give me more messages such as service power steering, electronic throttle control, service shifter, service transmission, service airbags. This will then cause my car to not shift up or down a gear while driving. This will happen and then if I unplug my battery for 10 minutes or so it goes away and then will randomly come back same day or the next day. My power steering will go out whether I'm parked going 10 miles an hour or if I'm going 75 miles an hour which is a gigantic safety issue. My steering wheel will randomly lock up and my car with then to move left and right as it locks up. In addition the check engine will either light up or not light up and then will disappear. …

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Electrical complaints in other 1500 years