2025 Ram 1500 Problems

What owners report

Owner complaints on this model year center on electrical faults: instrument cluster blackouts, batteries draining, failed starts, and trailer-light/trailer-brake warnings, many appearing within the first few thousand miles. A second cluster involves engine misfires at cold start with the check engine light on, plus a smaller group about transmission engagement and brake pedal behavior. Many reports mention that a dealer could not reproduce the problem or that a remedy was not yet available.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Instrument cluster goes blank or flashes

   • 45 complaints (12%)
   • median 5,400 mi at 1.2 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners describe the digital instrument cluster going completely dark while driving or at startup, sometimes with warning lights cycling and the truck refusing to move until it is shut off and restarted. Complaints mention dealers unable to duplicate the failure, software updates or recall remedies performed without lasting results, and cases where the display blacked out again afterward. Some report the blank panel leaves them without speed or fuel information. Mostly reported under about 20,000 miles, in some cases within the first few thousand miles of ownership.

   Recall 26V225000Recall 25V826000

   What to check: Ask whether the instrument cluster software recalls (25V826000 and 26V225000) were completed, and whether the cluster has ever gone blank before or after the update.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dash cluster blacks out. Have taken to two different dealerships and told can not replicate. Started at 1200 miles. Safety issues makes it hazardous to drive. Transmission fails to shift to 8th gear. Can be at 70 MPH and stays in 7th gear. Two dealerships not resolved. Last dealership followed service bulletin and updated transmission. Appears not to have worked”

   NHTSA complaint #11686561, filed 2025-09

   “Vehicle is shifting it self to park while driving and your truck will lock up in traffic, digital instrument. Cluster will go black then come back saying restart required before you can start driving and get out of harms way. Digital cluster will flash while driving causing the turn signals to malfunction and you can not see how fast you are going. It is also causing the transmission to get stuck in the current gear it is in not allowing for acceleration. You have to turn truck on and off to get the transmission to shift. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11732827, filed 2026-04
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Trailer lights and trailer brakes not working

   • 37 complaints (10%)
   • median 8,700 mi at 1.4 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners towing trailers describe messages that the trailer lights are disconnected or that the trailer system needs service, along with trailer brake lights and brakes failing to operate. Some complaints describe brake and trailer warning lights coming on even with no trailer attached, and dealers reporting that recall remedy parts were not yet available. Reported mostly between a few thousand and about 30,000 miles, and typically while towing or after hooking up a trailer.

   Recall 26V0590002 related service bulletins

   What to check: If you plan to tow, ask whether the trailer tow module recall (26V059000) was completed and test the trailer lights and brakes with a trailer before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving while pulling a trailer using the towing package included on u-connect. When applying pressure to the brake pedal the trailer brakes locked up and the driver had trouble maintaing control of the truck. The turn signal and brake lights on the trailer do not work while hooked up the wiring harness.”

   NHTSA complaint #11718579, filed 2026-02

   “The contact owns a 2025 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V059000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that only one part was shipped to the dealer per week. The contact then stated that while driving at highway speeds and towing a trailer, the message Service Trailer System was displayed the instrument panel. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11758606, filed 2026-08, 5,800 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Batteries drain and truck will not start

   • 56 complaints (15%)
   • median 5,000 mi at 0.7 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners report the truck failing to start, often finding both batteries drained, and needing a jump start or a tow. Complaints describe battery and main fuse line replacements that did not stop the problem from returning, and dealers telling owners that other vehicles were in for the same complaint. Some mention warning lights cycling and messages such as the key fob not being detected. Reported from very low mileage up through roughly 15,000 miles, often after the truck sits or shortly after purchase.

   Recall 26V5600001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the battery, charging system, and any battery-control software updates have been addressed, and whether the truck has ever needed a jump start.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle experienced two complete electrical failures (total battery drain) within two months. Both batteries were replaced in March 2026 but truck failed again in May 2026. Two open recall campaigns (71X010 and Campaign 25-239 — BCM software update) were identified in March and remain unresolved. Suspect unresolved BCM update is contributing to repeated battery drain. Vehicle required jump start both times and left me stranded.”

   NHTSA complaint #11739707, filed 2026-05

   “The contact owns a 2025 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the voltage meter warning light illuminated. The contact stated that occasionally the vehicle needed to be jump-started. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer on two occasions, and the two main batteries were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4.”

   NHTSA complaint #11709615, filed 2026-01, 4 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine misfire and check engine light

   • 59 complaints (16%)
   • median 2,245 mi at 0.7 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners report the check engine light coming on, often within the first few hundred or few thousand miles, with diagnostic trouble code P0300 for multiple cylinder misfires. Complaints describe misfires at cold start, rough running, and reduced performance, with dealers applying software updates or replacing spark plugs and ignition coils, and some owners being told no repair was yet available. Mostly reported under about 15,000 miles, frequently within the first few thousand miles and often noticed at cold start.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether any powertrain control module software updates for misfire codes were applied, and check whether the check engine light is currently on.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My check engine light came on after 200 miles of owning my vehicle, this started in July of 2024. Code scanner revealed it is several misfire codes. This issue seems to be very common for the 2025 ram with the new twin turbo V6 engine where many people in vehicle groups for this truck all know about it. Ram has acknowledged the issue but doesn’t have a fix almost 6 months later. I call the dealer monthly and they always say there is no fix. There is nothing they can do. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11626729, filed 2024-11

   “My 2025 Rebel is actively stalling at low RPMs and dropping into Auto Park while driving, creating a severe safety hazard. It is also running rough when in idle while parked which leads to a stall.”

   NHTSA complaint #11770911, filed 2026-10
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake pedal goes soft or to the floor

   • 84 complaints (23%)
   • median 3,400 mi at 0.7 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe the brake pedal traveling to the floor, sometimes at startup and sometimes while driving, with ABS and other warning lights illuminated and reduced braking response. Complaints mention dealers confirming the condition but not resolving it, and vehicles staying at the dealership for extended periods without a diagnosis. Reported from very low mileage up to about 30,000 miles, sometimes within the first thousand miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the brake system control module software update was applied, and press the pedal at startup and at low speed during a test drive to check for a soft or sinking pedal.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The brake pedal goes to the floor when starting the truck. The dealer has confirmed it. It is available for inspection. My safety and others are in possible danger from failing brakes. The dealer has confirmed the problem. The manufacturer has been involved with the dealer. They opened a star case that has not resolved the defect. So far, the problem has only affected the truck while starting. The brake light did come on one time while driving. The truck has been in the dealer service for over 40 days with no resolution. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11673075, filed 2025-07, 5,462 miles

   “The contact owns a 2025 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel became very difficult to turn to the left or the right. The contact depressed the brake pedal, and the pedal was very soft. The contact stated that there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence and then had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11665717, filed 2025-06, 3,400 miles

Buying note. Much of what owners report here is electrical and software related rather than wear related, so confirm which recalls and software updates were completed and whether the cluster, batteries, and trailer system have behaved since. A test drive that includes a cold start, a trailer hookup if you plan to tow, and a check of the brake pedal feel will tell you more than mileage alone.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.