Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
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 at approximately 70 MPH, the rear axle suddenly fractured causing the rear passenger's side wheel to separate from the vehicle. During the failure, the rear end of the vehicle began to fishtail, and the vehicle almost crashed into an oncoming semi-truck. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who replaced the rear axle. After retrieving the vehicle, the engine failed causing the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was towed back to the local service center which diagnosed that the engine crank sensor had failed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact also indicated that while operating the vehicle, the DEF system malfunctioned causing the vehicle to drive at a top speed of 37 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who reset the DEF system and the vehicle was repaired but later reoccurred. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that after several attempts, he was able to restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light and the throttle control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the magnetic material attached to the tone wheel had delaminated and the engine lost the ability to synchronize the injector pulses and cam timing. The contact was informed that the powertrain control module (PCM) software needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V475000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). …
The contact owns a 2015 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with her sitting in the passenger's side seat, the transmission inadvertently shifted into drive and the vehicle began to rollaway. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact shifted the vehicle into park and the vehicle stopped. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact referenced NHTSA Action Number: PE16014. The contact stated that while she was preparing to make a turn from a complete stop, the steering wheel inadvertently lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The dealer was not notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into neutral(N). The transmission seized, and the contact had to disconnect the battery to correct the failure. The transmission, traction control, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the windshield wipers inadvertently activated while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the wheel speed sensor and prong on the dashboard were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then towed to McLarty Daniel Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM FIAT (3709 S Thompson St, Springdale, AR 72764), where the door module, ABS sensor, and clockspring were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at McLarty Daniel Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM FIAT. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS, traction control, and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. On a separate occasion, the transmission failed to shift out of park(P). The contact manually unlocked the automatic gearbox and shifted the transmission into neutral(N) before shifting out of park(P). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and DTC: C2200-49; was retrieved. The dealer determined that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to accelerate to pass another vehicle, the vehicle went into limp mode. The vehicle was shaking and shifting gears erratically. The driver was able to decelerate to avoid an accident. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the contact was informed that the vehicle was working as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
I backup a long side a dumpster and put in park, got out and all the sudden my truck started moving backwards and just about ran me over. If I would not have had my door open and got cought on the corner of the dumpster, it would have ran me over. So this event ended up ripping my door off, so I got it replaced out of pocket because I thought it way fault but it happened again after that. But this time I cought it in time. I just would like to see if the problem is being addressed or is it still being investigated.
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated while attempting to shift into reverse, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the check engine and the service shifter warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated she had experienced the failure twice. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the shifter to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel became abnormally stiff and was difficult to maneuver. The contact also stated that the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact stated that the steering wheel warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the ETC warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The ETC light disappeared and then the check engine warning light, ABS, and ETC warning lights illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018.
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured June 17, 2015, to September 28, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been built with rear axles that were incorrectly heat treated.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the axle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 23, 2015.
NHTSA investigations
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 14 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports and 6 EWR Death & Injury (D&I) reports describing post recall remedy failures of the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) system in certain Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 RAM pickup trucks.The subject vehicle models include 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks equipped with a column mounted shift lever.The failures…
Vehicle Rollaway
Basis - On December 16, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE16-014 to investigate 43 vehicle rollaway incidents with operators alleging they had shifted to Park and then exited the vehicle prior to the rollway incidents. These complaints involved multiple Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) model and model year vehicles that share a common electronic rotary shifter design.
Transmission complaints in other 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2015 Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 226 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2015 Ram 1500, 15% of the model year's 1,459 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Ram 1500 transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-821 (column shift, Dec 20, 2017); NHTSA recall 15V-661 (axle shaft, Oct 15, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2015 Ram 1500 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 27 crashes, 5 fires and 9 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.