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 3500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 3500. The contact stated that after his wife started the vehicle, the transmission failed to shift into the intended gear because the gear shifter was loose. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the gear shifter bolt was tightened; however, after the repair was performed, the gear shifter detached while the contact was shifting into gear. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V821000 (Power Train); however, the failure occurred. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V821000 (Power Train). The contact had experienced the failure and paid for the repair before receiving the recall notification. The contact stated he received the notification in January 2024 and took the vehicle, the notification, and the receipt for the repair to the dealer to be reimbursed. The contact stated the manufacturer was made aware of the issue however, the contact was not reimbursed for the repair. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at night, an orange glow coming from underneath the vehicle and there was odor of smoke in the cabin. The contact stop in the middle of the road because the vehicle was on fire and was able to exit the vehicle with his wife safe but inhaled a little smoke. Medical attention was not required. The contact noticed under the hood was in flame. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police and fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to umansky Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealer, (960 hilton heights rd, charlottesville, va 22901, [phone]) where the contact was informed what cause fire, which was a faulty transmission cooling line clip. The transmission fluid ignited the exhaust causing the fire. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the awaiting on a part to test everything. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Ram 3500. While driving at various speeds, smoke appeared under the hood and the engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over, looked under the hood, and noticed that the engine compartment was on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. The contact sustained minor burns that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the motor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,900. ..updated 06/08/16 the consumer stated there was an issue with the radio, transmission, catalytic converter, electrical system and interior lighting. Updated 06/29/16.
While parked on side of hill and loading an attached trailer, transmission park failed after approx 15 minutes causing truck to roll down hill barely missing buildings through a fence and into a bog. In calling dealer this morning says a recall for transmission locking pin but received no notice.
2015 Ram 3500 laramie dually 4x4, 6.7 i6 cummins, aisin transmission. Truck experiences "dead pedal" under hard acceleration or when depressing pedal 3/4 to full throttle suddenly. This happens under all conditions: stopped, rolling, under acceleration. Advancing the pedal suddenly or completely down in emergency situations results in a 3-4 second delay where the truck will not respond, then slowly adds power. This is extremely dangerous as the truck will not respond to the drivers inputs. Possibly resulting in a crash or death. In several cases the truck has responded in the above described manor resulting in emergency action by the driver to avoid a crash or wreck. Problem has been occurring for the past 10 - 15K miles and still continues. As per the dealer servicing the vehicle. We were told nothing is wrong, this was normal and they refused to do anything about it. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Ram 3500. The contact took the vehicle to carlock Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of tupelo (966 cross creek dr, saltillo, ms 38866, [phone]) for routine maintenance at 151,000 miles. The service mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was due for a differential oil change, the contact agreed to the service and a differential oil change was performed. At 173,000 miles, the contact began to hear a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle without warning. The contact then returned to the dealer to have the vehicle inspected. The mechanic test drove the vehicle and the rear differential began to seize. The contact witnessed the mechanic trying to accelerate, but the vehicle failed to engage and would not accelerate. The dealer diagnosed that the rear differential failed and would cost approximately $6,000 to repair. …
Under certain driving condition the throttle does not respond in a timely manner. In merging traffic if you let up on the throttle and then apply it again, the engine does not respond for up to 2 seconds. This is a very dangerous situation, in heavy traffic many have complained to FCA/Ram starting with the 2013 model through the current models. There are many similar complaints of "dead pedal" on each year and 2500 or 3500 with diesel engines, both with the 68rfe and aisin transmitter. Some trucks and/or drivers have more trouble with the issue than others. It is past time for you to get Ram to address this issue. I look through the manufacturers communication section and see no response to this issue. There are many complaints on your site cover this time frame for the year/models, and that is a tip of the iceberg. …
When accelerating (either from a stop or a rolling stop) and then braking and then accelerating again, the engine will hesitate. Some call this "dead pedal" but I feel it's dangerous because it leaves vulnerable in traffic to a collision. It's happened to me numerous times and again today. I was at a 4 way stop and proceeded to accelerate when it was my turn, about 1/3 way into the intersection, a vehicle traffic ignored the stop sign and attempted to cross my line of travel. I had to break and then immediately accelerate and the truck hesitated which left me in the intersection. If the other vehicle had been traveling at a faster rate, it would have t-boned me. As it was, the other driver was able to maneuver his vehicle around me. To me, this isn't a delay in which the turbo spools up to help deliver power. It almost feels like the throttle is dead however the truck is still running. …
In June 2016, towing a 14 foot light trailer up sonora pass on hwy 108 in california, the truck bucked, studdered and shook in first gear, stalled and slipped backward towards a 1000 foot cliff, it then lunged into gear and it was smoking the tires. I let it do that to gain traction and then slowly made my way back up. I cannot tow anything out of first gear without the bucking and studders, and losing forward momentum, anywhere. Almost lost it all that day including my life and nothing has been done to fix the issue. 2 dealerships in 2 states acknowledge the problem, state they have other customers that have the same problem but Dodge cannot seem to understand a fix or the seriousness of this defect. The truck is not safe to tow anything anywhere and that is obsurd for a Ram 3500. This truck is advertised as the number one truck for towing, but it just can't do the job safely. …
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.
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…
Transmission complaints in other 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2015 Ram 3500?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2015 Ram 3500, 23% of the model year's 137 complaints. The component named most often is driveline › differential unit (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Ram 3500 transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-821 (column shift, Dec 20, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2015 Ram 3500 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 27,000 miles, and 45% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 1 injury 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.