2015 RAM 3500 Problems and Recalls (136 Complaints)
The most-reported problem on the 2015 RAM 3500 is Transmission / driveline (18% of 136 owner reports). There are 16 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Transmission / driveline — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 136 complaints · 16 recalls
What problems show up on the 2015 RAM 3500?
25 of 136 filings named Transmission / driveline (18% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.
Second is Steering (15 reports).
There are 16 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Airbags, Engine, Transmission / driveline, Steering, Electrical, and Wheels. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.
The 2014 has 201 reports on file; this year has 136. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.
What owners reported
System named most often: Transmission / driveline 25 complaints · 18.4% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
- Crashes 3
- Fires 5
- Injuries 1
- Deaths 0
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Which systems owners named
Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.
“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.
View component data as a table
| System / Component | Complaints | Share of Reports | Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) | 25 | 18.4% | 1 crashes · 1 fires |
| Steering (STEERING) | 15 | 11.0% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
| Suspension (SUSPENSION) | 14 | 10.3% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Wheels (WHEELS) | 14 | 10.3% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Engine (ENGINE) | 13 | 9.6% | 0 crashes · 1 fires |
| Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) | 12 | 8.8% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
| Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) | 11 | 8.1% | 0 crashes · 1 fires |
| Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) | 3 | 2.2% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) | 3 | 2.2% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Unclassified NHTSA leftover | 26 | 19.1% | 0 crashes · 2 fires |
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
When reports and recalls showed up
When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.
- Campaign 15V461000 was reported 8 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 17V562000 was reported 743 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 17V821000 was reported 802 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 18V332000 was reported 1,016 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 18V486000 was reported 1,108 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 18E096000 was reported 1,134 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 19V021000 was reported 1,235 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 19V347000 was reported 1,394 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 21V398000 was reported 1,812 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 21V632000 was reported 1,027 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
| Date | Record type | Count | Record identifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2015-Q3 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2015-Q4 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2016-Q1 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2016-Q2 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2016-Q3 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2016-Q4 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2017-Q1 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2017-Q2 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2017-Q3 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2017-Q4 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2018-Q1 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2018-Q2 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2018-Q3 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2018-Q4 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2019-Q1 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2019-Q2 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2019-Q3 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2019-Q4 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2020-Q1 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2020-Q2 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2020-Q3 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2020-Q4 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2021-Q1 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2022-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2022-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2022-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2022-Q4 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2023-Q4 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2024-Q1 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2024-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2024-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2024-Q4 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2025-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2026-Q1 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2026-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 15V460000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 15V461000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 16E041000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 16V559000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 17V302000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 17V499000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 17V562000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 17V821000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 17V824000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 18V332000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 18V486000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 18E096000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 19V021000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 19V347000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 21V398000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 21V632000 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | RQ15004 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE18016 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | EA19004 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | RQ25003 |
Safety Recalls (16)
Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.
In short, these campaigns were filed about Airbags, Engine, Transmission / driveline, Steering, Electrical, and Wheels.
-
Recall campaign 15V460000
Airbags
- Report date
- Component:
- Airbags (AIR BAGS)
- Consequence:
- Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Control module calibration, free of charge. The recall began on September 8, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R23.
-
Recall campaign 15V461000
Safety recall 15V461000
- Report date
- Component:
- Unclassified NHTSA leftover
- Consequence:
- Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge. Optionally, owners may download the update to their own USB drive from http://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ or take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for immediate installation. In an effort to mitigate the effects of this security vulnerability, Chrysler has had the wireless service provider close the open cellular connection to the vehicle that provided unauthorized access to the vehicle network. This measure may not have been implemented on all vehicles and does not address access by other means that will be remedied by the software update. The recall began on August 25, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R40.
-
Recall campaign 16E041000
Safety recall 16E041000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- If the seat cover impedes the air bag deployment, the seat thorax air bags may not provide adequate protection in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of a injury.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners to remove the front seat covers and return them for a full refund. The recall began on July 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S30.
-
Recall campaign 16V559000
Safety recall 16V559000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- If the bracket components separate from the frame, the vehicle may have a reduced response to steering input, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will weld on a new track bar frame bracket or replace the frame of the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S58.
-
Recall campaign 17V302000
Safety recall 17V302000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- If the rollover side curtain air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a crash that necessitates activation of these safety systems.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ORC software, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T25.
-
Recall campaign 17V499000
Safety recall 17V499000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- If the wheel fractures, a loss of vehicle control can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- AEV will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wheels with wheels of similar value, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2017. Owners may contact AEV customer service at 1-248-926-0256 extension 500.
-
Recall campaign 17V562000
Engine
- Report date
- Component:
- Engine (ENGINE)
- Consequence:
- The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pumps, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T51.
-
Recall campaign 17V821000
Transmission / driveline
- Report date
- Component:
- Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
- Consequence:
- Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
- 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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
-
Recall campaign 17V824000
Safety recall 17V824000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
-
Recall campaign 18E096000
Steering
- Report date
- Component:
- Steering (STEERING)
- Consequence:
- The weakened connection may result in a fractured steering drag link, causing a loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Streetcar will notify owners and dealers will inspect and install a new steering knuckle, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact AEV customer service at 1-248-926-0256, extension 500.
-
Recall campaign 18V332000
Electrical
- Report date
- Component:
- Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
- Consequence:
- If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
-
Recall campaign 18V486000
Safety recall 18V486000
- Report date
- Component:
- Unclassified NHTSA leftover
- Consequence:
- If the tailgate latch releases and the tailgate opens while driving, cargo may fall out, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began September 17, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U74.
-
Recall campaign 19V021000
Steering
- Report date
- Component:
- Steering (STEERING)
- Consequence:
- A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will check the steering linkage jam nut tightness, replacing the drag link assembly or welding the nut to the adjuster sleeve, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V06.
-
Recall campaign 19V347000
Safety recall 19V347000
- Report date
- Component:
- Unclassified NHTSA leftover
- Consequence:
- If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. The recall began May 23, 2019. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded population on October 18, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's number for this recall is V44. Note: 2015-2017 MY Ram 1500 pickup trucks with truck beds other than 8 foot, are currently covered under NHTSA recall 18V-486 for this issue.
-
Recall campaign 21V398000
Wheels
- Report date
- Component:
- Wheels (WHEELS)
- Consequence:
- Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
- Remedy:
- Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.
-
Recall campaign 21V632000
Airbags
- Report date
- Component:
- Airbags (AIR BAGS)
- Consequence:
- A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
- Remedy:
- Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on October 4, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 26, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y55.
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
What owners actually wrote
Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Showing 5 of 136 complaints · page 1 of 6
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 3500. While attempting to have an alignment performed, the contact was informed that the steering drag link and the tie rod were both cracked. The failure caused rapid, premature wear on the tire. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V021000 (Steering); and believed that the welding that was performed in the recall repair had directly caused the current failure. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where the technicians diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the previous recall repair made it impossible to perform a proper wheel alignment. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 193,000.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The output voltage to the Trailer Braking system is low, only 7.5 volts. Other owners have the same problem. From what I understand there is an issue with the computer that keeps the Original Equipment trailer brake controller from delivering full power at speeds below 30 MPH. This is a safety hazard in stop and go driving. There are many complaints about this same problem in the Ram Forumz. Ram should be able to do a software update to fix the problem. One of the posts in the forum stated that Ram has the software update available but will charge a lot of money for it. This is a safety issue and these trucks should be recalled to fix the problem.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
humming from the hydroboost pump, actual issue is the high pressure steering line has a nylon tube inside the hose that breaks apart and moves throughout the system. Dodge had one revision of the hose on the early model years but this issue has gone unresolved. I am afraid if i cant get it fixed it may possibly cause the brakes or steering assistance to fail.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH in the left lane, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle simultaneously went into LIMP Mode. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact was able to continue driving, but the vehicle failed to exceed 5 MPH. Upon arriving to the residence, the vehicle was scanned, and it was determined that the turbo charger actuator had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact purchased an aftermarket part and repaired the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted. The contact later became aware that the failure was related to Chrysler Extended Warranty Coverage Number: X99; however, the contact had not received a notification from the manufacturer. The contact requested reimbursement from the manufacturer; however, the reimbursement was denied because the vehicle was not repaired by a dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
There was a recall forced by the NTSB for a condition where the track bar adjustment nut would come loose and the truck would lose steering. The recall on the track bar was rectified by the dealer by welding the nut on the track bar. Now that the nut has been welded a proper alignment can not be preformed. There is no longer adjustment available due to the welded nut. The only way to properly fix this is to replace the track bar. I have had many communications with ram (stellantis) and they refuse to remedy this as they tell me they have complied with the NTSB’s resolution.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems on the 2015 RAM 3500?
Owners named Transmission / driveline most often — 25 of 136 reports (18%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.
Are there recalls for the 2015 RAM 3500?
NHTSA lists 16 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Airbags, Engine, Transmission / driveline, Steering, Electrical, and Wheels. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.
What should I inspect before buying a 2015 RAM 3500?
Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.
Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?
No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.
Estimated Ownership Cost
EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates
Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Adjacent Model Years
Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Methodology & Data Integrity
Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.