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Ram 2500Model year report

2015 Ram 2500 Problems

Compared with other Ram 2500 years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

32/100 0.7× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
215filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
35,000miles, 141 complaints with mileage
Recalls
13campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
4 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
—not in EPA data

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2015 Ram 2500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this 2015 Ram 2500 most often report steering and transmission problems, with many complaints centering on the drag link jam nut and the welding remedy used in a related steering recall. Transmission complaints describe rough or missed shifts, sticking in fourth gear, and noisy downshifts, often in the 40,000-160,000 mile range. A smaller share concern engine and electronic display/electrical faults reported at low to moderate mileage.

  1. Steering

    Steering drag link nut loosens and weld remedy limits

    • 41 complaints (19%)
    • median 50,000 mi at 3.8 yrs old (27 state mileage)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2015–2025

    Complaints describe the drag link adjustment nut working loose, steering wander or play at the wheel, and in some cases the linkage separating while driving. Many owners also describe having the recall remedy performed and then finding that the welded nut prevents a front-end alignment or tire removal at shops. Owners report either being told the condition was normal or having difficulty getting follow-up service. Reported from a few thousand miles up to roughly 145,000 miles, with many in the 30,000-75,000 mile range.

    Recall 19V021000Recall 16V5590001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Ask whether the steering recall repair was performed and whether front-end alignment is still possible; inspect the drag link and jam nut area for looseness or welding.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The nuts securing the drag link adjustment sleeve worked loose. Because I read about this problem on the internet, I caught it during an inspection before it caused any problems. I do not know how many miles I drove with it in this condition. I noticed that the adjusting sleeve is a very loose fit on the small threads of the drag link bars. I believe the sloppy fit is the root cause of the nuts backing loose.”

    NHTSA complaint #10837556, filed 2016-02, 12,000 miles

    “After getting an alignment done at the local dealership due to my steering wheel not sitting straight after less than one year of ownership; my steering control rod almost fell apart while driving due to inadequate tightening of the locking nuts.”

    NHTSA complaint #10864460, filed 2016-05, 9,200 miles
  2. Transmission and drivetrain

    Transmission rough shifts, stuck in 4th gear, limp mode

    • 33 complaints (15%)
    • median 49,897 mi at 3.4 yrs old (22 state mileage)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2015–2025

    Owners describe abrupt or harsh downshifts, the transmission sticking in fourth gear with a loud pop or thump, and the vehicle dropping into reduced-power limp mode. Some mention a broken transmission dipstick tube or a loose filter fitting, and several report dealer visits where no code was stored or the problem could not be reproduced. Mostly reported between about 35,000 and 160,000 miles, often at highway speeds.

    Recall 17V8210003 related service bulletins

    What to check: Test drive at highway speed and note any harsh downshifts or sticking gears; ask whether the transmission fluid and filter fittings have been serviced and whether any shift-related bulletins were applied.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Our 2015 Ram power wagon less than 40,000 miles on the odometer went into limp mode(service adviser told us that's what is called) while we were driving on I-65. We took the car to freeman dodge in nashville, tn and they could not find a problem, apparently truck didn't give a code and they could not replicate the issue. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11364483, filed 2020-10, 40,000 miles

    “Vehicle is automatic transmission with optional up or down manual shifting on the shifting column. When driving and in 6th gear, if you hit the down shift on the shifting column, it will drop 6 gears - into first gear causing the truck to rev engine at 7000rpms which is hard on the drive line and is a safety hazard. I've contacted dodge and the local dealerships - jones junction (bel air, md) and len stoler (westminster, md). I have been told this is the correct characteristics of the truck . …”

    NHTSA complaint #10692689, filed 2015-03, 1,000 miles
  3. Engine

    Unintended acceleration or throttle response faults

    • 14 complaints (7%)
    • median 35,000 mi at 2.9 yrs old (11 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2015–2023

    Complaints describe the truck re-accelerating after the pedal was released, engine revs continuing with the brakes applied, and the check engine or lightning-bolt indicator illuminating. Some owners also describe a delay between pressing the accelerator and the engine responding, and dealers being unable to duplicate or diagnose the condition. Reported from about 10,000 to 140,000 miles, with several under 45,000 miles.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether engine calibration updates were performed; during a test drive check for delayed throttle response and have any stored codes read.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “On november 4, 2017 at about 10:30 am after hard acceleration to 70 MPH on an open four lane highway in clear weather, and application of brakes, the truck re-accelerated on its own with no pressure on the fuel pedal. Upon application of the brakes, the truck slowed but when pressure removed from the brakes, the truck re-accelerated. It took three separate applications of the brakes, before the unintended acceleration stopped, and the truck was again under control. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11051041, filed 2017-11, 42,000 miles

    “On 6.7l cummins diesel there can be an unpredictably long ( up to 2 second) delay between when the accelerator is pressed and when the truck actually begins to accelerate. This is not turbo lag (which may limit the amount of power until the turbo spools up). This is not a stumble. This is an actual delay in the computer applying fuel to the engine. It is total dead time as if the accelerator was not pressed at all. It happens under the worst of conditions, when you need hard acceleration and need it now. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10795315, filed 2015-11, 10,000 miles
  4. Electrical system

    Electronic display, radio and key fob malfunctions

    • 16 complaints (7%)
    • median 30,000 mi at 3.1 yrs old (15 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2015–2023

    Owners report the center information display freezing, the radio failing after startup and taking the backup camera with it, and key fobs or remote start functions working intermittently. Some describe water entering through the cab brake light and reaching the headliner, dash and electrical components. Mostly reported between about 20,000 and 45,000 miles, with some higher-mileage examples.

    Recall 18V332000Recall 15V4610001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Check that the radio, backup camera and information display work after starting, test both key fobs, and look for water stains near the headliner and third brake light.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Cab brake light went bad after 5 years and the interior of truck was flooded with rain water. Water was running out of headliner into the dashboard, radio and electrical components. After researching this issue and speaking to the dealership, this has been an ongoing issue for Ram vehicles. I now have mold set up in my vehicle but consider myself lucky that a fire didn't occur.”

    NHTSA complaint #11374334, filed 2020-11, 36,100 miles

    “When I bumped the ignition key with my knee while driving 75 MPH ; the engine died. I had to come to a complete stop, put the vehicle in park, and press on the brake to restart the engine. I lost power steering while pulling a load in heavy traffic.”

    NHTSA complaint #11244067, filed 2019-08, 37,000 miles
  5. Brakes

    Brake pedal feel and parking brake holding

    • 15 complaints (7%)
    • median 39,292 mi at 3.2 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2015–2025

    Complaints describe longer stopping distances and a pedal that needs more travel or force than expected, with dealers testing the brakes and reporting them within specification. Others report the parking brake loosening and no longer holding the truck, with lining material separating from the shoes. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 86,000 miles.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Test the brakes from moderate speed on a clear road, confirm the parking brake holds on a slope, and ask about recent brake service.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Parking brake became loose and stopped holding the vehicle prior to 86,000 miles. Adjustment was made to the parking brake but it failed to hold the vehicle after adjustment when the parking brake was tested. Problem was diagnosed on 2/10/2020 as delimitation of lining material from the parking brake shoes. Online searches indicate other owners reporting the same issues.”

    NHTSA complaint #11308294, filed 2020-02, 86,000 miles

    “Losing brake lights while stopping. Not specific to driving conditions, I.e. Day night city highway weather. Error message is displayed on instrument cluster, dash. Happens usually once each trip.”

    NHTSA complaint #10781944, filed 2015-10, 15 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the steering linkage and whether the recall remedy was applied, and on transmission behavior during a highway test drive. Checking electrical functions and brake feel at the same visit gives a reasonable picture of the common owner complaints for this year.

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.

NHTSA recorded 215 consumer complaints for the 2015 Ram 2500. 141 of the complaints include a mileage, and 64% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 35,000 miles. Of all complaints, 13 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 12 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns and 519 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 10 Ram 2500 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 32 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Wheels (10), Suspension (9), Body and structure (8), Exterior lighting (6), Electronic stability control (2), Engine cooling (2), Latches, locks and linkages (2), Seat belts (2), Seats (2), Back-over prevention (rear camera) (1), Equipment (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “The vehicle has a noise in either the engine or the transmission when cold. It's a squeak. The vehicle has been back to two different dealers seven times and I'm told this noise is normal operation. I find impossible there would be a noise designed into a new vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10850282, filed 2016-03, 1,000 miles

Steering: “While driving my stock 2015 Ram 2500 70 MPH on freeway the front end began to shake uncontrollably after traveling over a common overpass. Steering was nearly impossible, and luckily I was able to pull off and stop. This has occurred several times since. Subsequent contact with two Ram dealerships, this problem seems to be well known within the industry,”

NHTSA complaint #11112400, filed 2018-07, 50,200 miles

Engine: “While driving approximately 35 miles an hour, my right knee swiped my key fob/key chain and turn the ignition from on, to the acc position thereby turning the engine off. I loss all power and was unaware for a few seconds until the truck from loss of power was slowing down and hard to steer. Was able to get to side of road and restart engine and proceed on without further incident. …”

NHTSA complaint #10747809, filed 2015-08, 689 miles

Electrical system: “The key and the ignition switch are located such that my right knee can bump the key in the ignition and turn the vehicle off while it is running... Like the GM ignition issue that caused such a stir.... My truck had turned off once already this way while it was running since I bought the truck new on july 22, 2015, I told my dealer who said to call Ram customer care, which I did and they just said they had no recall notice. …”

NHTSA complaint #10783715, filed 2015-10, 500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

64% of the 141 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 9,200 and 60,000 miles.

26%0–1014%10–2523%25–5020%50–754%75–1009%100–1504%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (141 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 35,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

20163120182020202220242026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2015 Ram 2500. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
2500 · crew cab 2WD★★★★☆4 / 4554 · 15.5% risk
2500 · crew cab 4WD★★★★☆4 / 4553 · 23.7% risk
2500 · regular cab 2WDnot rated———4 · 15.5% risk
2500 · extended cab 2WDnot rated———4 · 15.5% risk
2500 · extended cab 4WDnot rated———3 · 23.7% risk
2500 · regular cab 4WDnot rated———3 · 23.7% risk

Neighbouring years: 2014: same overall rating; 2016: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Recalls and investigations

See all 13 recalls for the 2015 Ram 2500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 519 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 519 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ram 2500

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2026298688——Too new to compareToo new
2025662,4006——Too new to compareToo new
20245912,0005——Too new to compareToo new
20234923,50084—6 · FewerToo new
202218118,000124—59 · TypicalRising
202110834,00084—33 · FewerRising
202016210,500104—56 · TypicalFalling
20191938,72512——45 · TypicalFalling
20182,60752,00094—77 · MoreRising
201769846,500114—50 · TypicalRising
201625924,000124—51 · TypicalStable
201521535,000134—32 · FewerFalling
201434430,000144—57 · TypicalFalling
201317839,70014——17 · FewerFalling
20095161,0001———Not enough data

All Ram 2500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Ram 2500?

Owners of this 2015 Ram 2500 most often report steering and transmission problems, with many complaints centering on the drag link jam nut and the welding remedy used in a related steering recall. The issues reported most often: Steering drag link nut loosens and weld remedy limits; Transmission rough shifts, stuck in 4th gear, limp mode; Unintended acceleration or throttle response faults.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2015 Ram 2500 have?

NHTSA recorded 215 consumer complaints for the 2015 Ram 2500 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2015 Ram 2500 is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 44 complaints (20% of the total), followed by steering with 43.

Has the 2015 Ram 2500 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2015 Ram 2500 do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2015 Ram 2500 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

At what mileage are problems with the 2015 Ram 2500 reported?

Among the 141 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 35,000 miles and the middle half falls between 9,200 and 60,000 miles; 64% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.