Ram 1500 Complaints
11,877 consumer complaints on file.
- #11513132March 21, 2023ENGINE
My engine light came on. I had the dealer hook it up to their diagnostic machine. It came back that cylinder 4 was misfiring. They looked into it a little farther and my camshaft and Lifter was no good. I bought this vehicle used and there had been no recalls fixed on it. We did have the airbag recall fixed. The Hemi 5.7 engines seem to have this problem and is well-known for it.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11512954March 21, 2023AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 25-30 MPH, another vehicle ran a stop sign and crashed into her vehicle head-on. The vehicle then struck a pole. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy after the initial crash or after striking the pole. The contact sustained injuries to her ribs, head, left leg, lower back, pelvic bone, and sustained a concussion. Medical assistance was provided. The contact was unaware of any other injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the tow lot and was not diagnosed, inspected, or repaired. The contact was unaware if the vehicle had been deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,738.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11512986March 21, 2023POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated while stopped in traffic, the vehicle inadvertently shifted into park and turned off without warning. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 108,818.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11512998March 21, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING
At about 75,000 miles, the BRAKE, ABS and Traction Control lights on my dash came on intermittently. Shortly thereafter, they said on indefinitely. I have had diagnostics run and the shop confirmed that the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) and/or ABS Control Module has failed. I was told by the Dodge dealership that this is a known issue with Ram trucks of this generation and they have replaced countless HCUs/ABS Control Modules. These failures cause the ABS system to no longer function. It also disables cruise control. I understand NHTSA has already opened an investigation into a similar issue with heavy duty 2017-2018 Ram trucks, but this problem is common among 2016 models AND 1500 (not just the 2500 or 3500). I have encountered innumerable people online with this exact same problem. The dealership wants $2,000.00 for the repair.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11512738March 20, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, EQUIPMENT
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while parked, the radio and instrument panel failed to illuminate as designed. The contact stated that after inserting the ignition key into the ignition switch, the vehicle failed to start; however, the windshield wipers inadvertently activated. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V461000 (Equipment) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11512316March 17, 2023UNKNOWN OR OTHER, POWER TRAIN
When driving at speed and speeding up the transmission can go out of gear and leave the truck unable to accelerate. This has happened on the highway multiple times. Dealership CJDR24 unable to diagnose issue. Has been there twice. First time they said it was battery next time they said it was a transmission recall code that needed to be reset. Issue still remains. It is not a persistent issue but it is dangerous and has almost caused accidents on multiple occasions. To get transmission back in gear vehicle must be put in park or turned off then back on and it can drive normally again.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11512367March 17, 2023FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11512417March 17, 2023FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE
The problem is with the whole DEF System in the truck. for the last 6 months I can't go a week or less without getting some kind of code. Every time it effects the electronic throttle control and the truck goes into limp mode, I can be going 70 mph and it drops down to 30-40 mph no matter where I am at. I have almost been rear ended several times. I fix that code and a week later another code pops up and we do it all over again. I think I may have gone 2 weeks without a problem in the last 6 months. This time it is the DPF and DEF system, and here we go back into limp mode. I have had it to the dealer last week for issues which they couldn't figure out but thought that reprogramming would fix. So I leave to go out of state to work and here we go again less than 100 miles from home. Exhaust filter is full with no regen for over 400 miles. Now I'm stuck out of state with this problem. I think this really needs to be addressed because after all of my research this seems to be a normal problem.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11512419March 17, 2023ENGINE
Ticking noise. Issue with manifold. Had it fixed in 2022. Now it's occurring again. Called my local Dodge dealership and they said these parts are on back order because "so many are having the same issue". And asked if it was "still under warranty". #dodge When will this obvious recall actually be fixed? So many of your loyal customers are having issues. Your service depts are backed up with no parts. If you think we will stay loyal, you're wrong.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11512436March 17, 2023STEERING
The power steering system failed and malfunctioned resulting in the loss of all steering control. The safety of myself and drivers around me are put at risk as the vehicle is nearly impossible to control or turn without the power assistance. Thus is making any slight turns or changes will result in continuing forward without the ability to move out of the way or pull over to the curb. The vehicle was not inspected by the manufacturer, police, or dealer. It was inspected and reproduced at my local service station. There was no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. And it first appeared on March 16th, 2023. My truck has never had any major issues. While the truck is 10 years old, it has low mileage at just under 55k miles driven. Dodge RAM has an outstanding recall for this issue on several of their 1500 model, however I was informed today that this truck is not part of the recall. Researching online, I have found that this is a major problem for my model and that owners have to fork out an average of $2,500 for the repair. This is a major safety issue and should be included in the recall.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11512389March 17, 2023UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Musty smell coming from the Heating/AC since new. Caused a fellow worker to have sneezing fits. Have tried to alleviate the problem myself. Changed cabin air filter, cleaned an already clean cab even more, added disinfectant to vents….to no avail. Smell is still there. Makes me question when this truck was built and how long it sat outside in a field/lot somewhere?
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11512383March 17, 2023EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Headlights are frosted up under 20 degrees Fahrenheit. A frost line appears and will not disappear without cleaning. Then it reappears again. I have never experienced this before with any vehicle. Dims the already dim front headlights, not good for safe driving practices.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11512381March 17, 2023VISIBILITY/WIPER
Defrost does not clear a frozen windshield unless it is above zero and on Max (7) setting. Not enough airflow.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11512153March 16, 2023FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Front gas tank support failed dropping the front of the tank. Fuel tank made contact with driveshaft but no fuel was spilled. It appears the frame rusted and the actual strap didn't fail. I took new delivery of this 2014MY vehicle in Dec 2013. I will likely repair this myself but have not started repairs yet.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11512174March 16, 2023UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This happens randomly while driving. While driving the vehicle,The Drive indicator around the shift knob will blink and The instrument panel will also display the message "Shift to P then Desired Gear". In this time, the engine remains running and the transmission enters a neutral state. When pressing the gas pedal, the engine revs and vehicle will not move. The vehicle has to be stopped, shifted into park, then back to drive. This has happened many many times since owning the vehicle. Photos attached below are while stopped. I also have video but it will not allow me to attach.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11512261March 16, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE:FUEL LEVEL FLOAT/SENSOR/SENDING UNIT
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the fuel gauge reading was inaccurate and would display Empty (E) while the fuel tank was half full. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had prevented him from operating the vehicle with the key fob. The vehicle was taken the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure was approximately 30,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11512254March 16, 2023STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tailgate unexpectedly opened. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V904000 (Structure) however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the dealer sent pictures of the failure to the manufacturer. The manufacturer declined to repair the tailgate. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,689.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11511915March 15, 2023ENGINE, STEERING
November of 2022 I took my truck to the lithium dealership in Reno NV for an exhaust leak they reported back to me that they replaced the manifold passenger side. two weeks later exhaust leak returned they informed me that it was a lifter tick and there was no exhaust leak this was at 51,000 miles. The problem got worse I took it back to them twice with both times I'm telling me it was a lifter tick, but I could smell exhaust in the cab of the vehicle. Now that the truck is out of warranty it's 61,000 miles the exhaust leak got so bad I took it to a different dealership where they have found both exhaust manifolds were leaking and now that it's out of warranty the extended warranty has taken over. but with that said now I am without a car because the extended warranty does not cover loaner cars. the manifolds are both on national back order. the sad part about this is the lithium dealership said they replaced the exhaust manifold and they did not according to the Carson dodge dealership the manifolds were never changed. Apparently this is a known problem with these vehicles and the parts are on national back order. I just find it very disgusting that a dealership would kick the can down the road just so they didn't have to replace the exhaust manifolds or give me a rental car while my truck was sitting there so now I have my truck in the dealership with no ETA on when I'll get it back I'm having to rent a car on my own and still make a truck payments. Don't know if this is a common practice with Ram/Chrysler but this is a despicable way to do business. The second problem is the power steering assist stops working while I'm driving that is also at the dealership waiting for parts that are on national back order.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11511971March 15, 2023SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side suspension air bag had failed causing the rear passenger side of the vehicle to lean down and reducing the height of the vehicle. The contact also indicated that the failure had rendered the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the passenger’s side rear suspension and air suspension module. The vehicle was fixed but later reoccurred. The contact indicated that the vehicle had been serviced for the same failure on four separate occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11511740March 14, 2023STEERING
The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel became firm. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized with the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated as designed. The dealer was contacted but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. No assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 142,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0