2015 Ram 3500 problems
Owners have filed 208 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Ram 3500. Drivetrain & axles is the most reported problem area, at 15% of complaints. After that come engine (15%) and brakes (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 208 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Drivetrain & axles 15% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 12
- Injuries and deaths
- 4 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 27,000 miles 147 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 54 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 31 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 19 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 18 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 6 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 5 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 4 |
What the data shows
Among the 147 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 27,000 miles. For drivetrain & axles specifically, the median reported mileage is about 26,000 miles (22 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 12 complaints mention a fire; 4 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2015 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 13 model years of the Ram 3500 with enough data (171 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 14 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
On pressing the accelerator pedal, there is a noticeable hesitation before the powertrain responds. I fear one day getting t boned (side impact) from another motorist that is unable to stop or not realizing this is happening to me and not slow down quick enough. This is only noticeable from accelerating from takeoff as in later gears the response from accelerator to response is faster. I bought this truck used almost 2 months ago and dealerships and ram cummins forums site this as a common problem!
Manufacturing defect in a drainage rail on sunroof causes water to run into electronics and side curtain airbag and its wiring. This leaking occurs when the vehicle is in motion and when stationary. Here's a youtube video of my findings. [link removed]