2015 Ram 3500: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 204 complaints
204
Total Complaints
26,750mi
Median Mileage
Power Train
Top Issue
3
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
8,424
25th Percentile
26,750
Median Mileage
65,725
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Power Train
31
Engine
27
Service Brakes
24
Steering
20
Electrical System
19
Suspension
16
Unknown Or Other
14
Wheels
13
Vehicle Speed Control
6
Fuel/Propulsion System
6
Severity Assessment
3
Crashes
12
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS AN STRONG ODOR OF DIESEL FUEL PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME ILL DUE TO THE STRONG ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE..."
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIO FAILED IN THE VEHICLE. THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ..."
"THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE THERE IS NO METHOD TO KNOW, IN ADVANCE, THE FACTORY INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE MODULE (ITBM) WILL FAIL TO PROVIDE FULL VOLTAGE TO THE ELECTRIC TRAILER BRAKES I ATTACHED MY 13,000 POUND FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER TO MY TRUCK AND FOLLOWING THE ITBM SETUP STEP..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Power Train
31 complaints
25th: 5,000 mi
Median: 25,000 mi
75th: 67,000 mi
Engine
27 complaints
25th: 16,323 mi
Median: 31,500 mi
75th: 66,000 mi
Service Brakes
24 complaints
25th: 3,596 mi
Median: 16,641 mi
75th: 31,250 mi
Steering
20 complaints
25th: 21,570 mi
Median: 29,400 mi
75th: 48,000 mi
Electrical System
19 complaints
25th: 4,745 mi
Median: 41,500 mi
75th: 62,425 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
TX: 25
CA: 17
FL: 16
OR: 11
NC: 10
MI: 8
SD: 6
WV: 6
GA: 6
LA: 6
Who Files Complaints?
3.9%
Original Owners
96.1%
Second+ Owners
Ram 3500 — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (16)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Connection
Campaign 19V021000 | 25/01/2019
A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.
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 numbe
Linkages
Campaign 18E096000 | 16/10/2018
The weakened connection may result in a fractured steering drag link, causing a loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Latch
Campaign 19V347000 | 09/05/2019
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.
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 rec
Tailgate
Campaign 18V486000 | 27/07/2018
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.
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.
Wiring
Campaign 18V332000 | 17/05/2018
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
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
Inflator
Campaign 21V632000 | 12/08/2021
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.
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
Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Campaign 21V398000 | 27/05/2021
Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
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
Column Shift
Campaign 17V821000 | 20/12/2017
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.
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.
Wheels
Campaign 17V499000 | 10/08/2017
If the wheel fractures, a loss of vehicle control can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Equipment
Campaign 17V824000 | 21/12/2017
If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
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.kidd
Air Bags
Campaign 17V302000 | 09/05/2017
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.
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.
Diesel
Campaign 17V562000 | 12/09/2017
The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
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.
Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
Campaign 15V461000 | 23/07/2015
Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 deale
Steering
Campaign 16V559000 | 26/07/2016
If the bracket components separate from the frame, the vehicle may have a reduced response to steering input, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Seat Belts
Campaign 15V460000 | 22/07/2015
Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.
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.
Equipment
Campaign 16E041000 | 16/05/2016
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.
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.
Extend Your Transmission Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Change transmission fluid at manufacturer intervals — not 'lifetime' fluid
- Come to a full stop before shifting from reverse to drive
- Don't ride the brakes on hills — use a lower gear
- Check transmission fluid level and color monthly — dark fluid needs changing
- Address slipping, hard shifts, or delayed engagement immediately
Vehicle Rankings
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28