Ram 1500 Acceleration Problems

Owners have filed 537 complaints about speed control & acceleration problems with the Ram 1500 — 5% of all 1500 complaints. The worst model years are 2016 (111), 2014 (89) and 2015 (86). Problems typically start around 38,000 miles. One related recall has been issued.

537complaints
2016worst year
38ktypical miles
1related recalls
44crashes
4fires

Acceleration complaints by model year

’09’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’2637898611143315312301865151
Acceleration complaints per model year, Ram 1500.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
202611%—
2025154%17,000 miles
202456%0 miles
202363%60,000 miles
2022183%59,000 miles
2021304%2,000 miles
2020122%22,000 miles
2019534%5,000 miles
2018315%23,000 miles
2017435%22,000 miles
20161117%44,000 miles
2015866%60,000 miles
2014895%50,000 miles
2013373%25,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Cruise control
    13
  • Accelerator pedal
    10
  • Throttle
    5
  • Throttle › Throttle position sensor (tps)
    1

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

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    9840%
  • 25k–50k
    5523%
  • 50k–75k
    4117%
  • 75k–100k
    239%
  • 100k–150k
    239%
  • 150k+
    31%

What owners report

The contact leased a 2025 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed to park the vehicle inside the residence's garage, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, crashed through the rear wall of the garage, and into a snowbank, where the vehicle came to a stop. No warning light was illuminated. The garage rear wall and lawn care equipment were damaged. No injury was sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was repaired. The contact stated that while the technician was conducting a post-repair test-drive, the failure reoccurred when there was a sudden acceleration. The technician was able to stop the vehicle. The contact was advised to tow the vehicle to the dealer for further inspection. The dealer was made aware of the failure and requested a manufacturer engineer inspection. …

2025 1500 · 5,000 miles · Mar 2026 · crash

The contact owns a 2025 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving with cruise control engaged, the cruise control system accelerated and failed to recognize objects or vehicles ahead. The contact was forced to manually override the cruise control system to regain control of the vehicle and prevent an accident. The contact stated that a "Driver Override" warning message appeared on the instrument panel as the vehicle accelerated without the contact depressing the accelerator pedal. A dealer was notified of the failure, and an appointment was scheduled to have the vehicle inspected. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.

2025 1500 · Cruise control · 17,000 miles · Jun 2026

The contact owns a 2024 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed on a steep hill, the engine braking system failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the engine braking system failed to activate, and the vehicle independently accelerated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the failure was confirmed. The contact was informed that no repair was available for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the case was closed. The failure mileage was approximately 50.

2024 1500 · 0 miles · Jun 2024

The electric emergency brake engaged twice while I was driving; luckily, both times, I was just above idle speed in a parking lot. One time, the engine cut off wholly and randomly while driving. Once, at an intersection with my family in the truck, the truck began revving up and accelerating toward oncoming traffic. My family was in the vehicle. I had to smash the brakes several times, and the back wheels were chiroing due to the forward acceleration. There were no warning lamps. I turned the truck into the local RAM dealership, and they cannot find an issue. This makes the truck more dangerous because it happens at random, and the cause can't be found.

2024 1500 · Apr 2025

Check engine light blinks on and off intermittently, vehicle shakes and feels as if it's going to stall. From time to time when going to accelerate I pulled out on a main roads and the vehicle lost all power my kids and I flew forward. While idling at a red light, the vehicle started to shake as if it was going to stall and jerked forward and hit the car in front of me. I brought this to the attention of the dealer. I purchased it from and They stated they cannot find any issues. I have pictures and videos of the check engine light coming on in intermittently. I also called when it lost power, pulling into the intersection. This all should be recorded with Jerry Ulm dealer in Tampa.

2023 1500 · Dec 2023 · crash

The contact owns a 2023 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the cruise control became inoperable and failed to disengage as needed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure caused the vehicle to fail to stop. The contact also stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle to unintendedly accelerated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by telephone, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

2023 1500 · Accelerator pedal · 60,000 miles · Sep 2026

I was at a complete stop awaiting a draw bridge to lower. I put my vehicle in park. When the cars In front of me started to move I put my foot on the brake and turned the knob to drive. My vehicle immediately accelerated out of control. I immediately pressed both feet on the brake as hard as I could and the vehicle kept moving. I hit a guy on a motorcycle and swerved left as hard as I could. I traveled another 150-200 feet and was quickly approaching a gate at a local factory when my vehicle stopped three feet in front of the gate. I thought I killed the guy on the motorcycle- luckily he was ok. The witness behind me described the incident exactly as I did too. I contacted Daimler Chrysler and opened up a case with them. Seems like the gas pedal was pressing itself and I could over power it.

2022 1500 · Aug 2022 · crash

Driving on wet road, braking system acting strange. Slowed down, dashboard lit up, tried to get off freeway and ended up spinning into wall. Drove home 30 miles on back roads, then slowed down at intersection, dashboard lit up again, parking brake engaged, vehicle locked up, dash kept flashing, could not start vehicle or put in neutral. Dealer states there were multiple failed brake system alerts and had to reset module. Had to tow. Filed a case with FCA in June, have not had a call from case worker, been without a vehicle for almost 3 months because FCA has stated this vehicle may not be safe to drive and that I should not start collision work yet.

2022 1500 · Jun 2022 · crash

Related recalls (1)

Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal

NHTSA recall 20V-513 · Aug 27, 2020 · 160,229 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with adjustable pedals. In certain accelerator pedal positions, the floormats may prevent the pedal from returning to the normal resting (idle) position.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will modify the driver's floormat to remove the potential for pedal interference, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020.

Frequently asked questions

Which Ram 1500 years have acceleration problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (111), 2014 (89), 2015 (86), 2019 (53) and 2017 (43) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 2016.

Is there a recall for Ram 1500 acceleration problems?

Yes — 1 recall, including 20V-513 (accelerator pedal, Aug 27, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Ram 1500 acceleration problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles; 63% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the cruise control (13 mentions), followed by the accelerator pedal (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.