2024 Ram 2500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report a soft, spongy, or long-travel brake pedal, and some describe the truck not slowing or stopping as expected. Other recurring reports involve sudden power loss or engine shutdown while driving, engine ticking from lifter problems, and electrical faults that prevent starting or trigger warning lights. Mileage is often not listed, and the reports that do list it range from very low mileage to about 38,000 miles.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Spongy brake pedal that travels far before braking

   • 17 complaints (29%)
   • median 13,500 mi at 2.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe brake pedals that feel soft, spongy, or numb, with long travel before the truck slows, sometimes reaching the floor. Some say they had to pump the pedal several times to stop, and some say bleeding the brakes helped only briefly. According to complaints, dealers said the feel was normal or found nothing wrong, while one independent mechanic bled the brake lines. In one case, the owner said the truck could not tow a trailer because the braking system was not working properly. Most complaints do not list mileage; where it is listed, reports are at about 15,000 and 30,000 miles, and some describe the problem on trucks bought new with few miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the brake system has been bled and checked for air or fluid leaks, and whether the dealer documented the pedal complaint. During a test drive, press the pedal firmly at low speed and confirm it feels firm and the truck slows without pumping.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The brake pedal on my truck is very spongy. It goes halfway to the floor if it isn't pumped at least 2 times before braking. I find it very distressing in tight situations where I do not have time to pump before braking. I took it to the dealership and they say there is nothing wrong. This is a brand new truck.”

   NHTSA complaint #11670091, filed 2025-06

   “When the brakes are applied during normal driving the pedal travels 2-3 inches before the brakes start to apply. During a panic stop and a strong force on the pedal it will travel almost to the floor. ABS never applies except on loose surfaces, i. e., snow, gravel and sand. I have had the vehicle to the dealer on three different occasion's for this problem. The dealer and the service technicians said it was normal, as they all do this. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11711854, filed 2026-01
2. 2
   Brakes

   Sudden brake loss or failure to slow the truck

   • 13 complaints (22%)
   • median 13,500 mi at 2.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe a truck that did not slow even with the brake pedal pressed to the floor, in some cases ending in a collision with another vehicle. One owner reports a sudden, complete loss of braking, and says the dealer documented the main brake fluid line as routed incorrectly during assembly. Others describe reduced stopping power in low 4x4 mode, and one reports smoke and flames from a front door panel after the truck failed to stop. According to one complaint, the anti-lock system did not engage when the brakes were applied hard. Mileage is listed for only some of these complaints, at about 10,000 and 30,000 miles, and the others do not list it.

   What to check: Ask whether the brake fluid lines have been inspected for correct routing and leaks, and whether any brake service is documented. Confirm that the truck slows firmly in normal driving before any longer trip.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was traveling about 50mph on a highway as I was approaching vehicles stopped for a traffic light I applied my brakes normally and the truck would not slow down so I pressed on the brakes as hard as I could and the car just continued forward till finally I plowed into the rear of another vehicle. I had no brakes, the ABS never kicked on or the vsc.”

   NHTSA complaint #11723316, filed 2026-03

   “October 30, at approximately 8:00 AM MDT. While I was heading to work, I was approaching an intersection with a vehicle in front of me making a left turn in the opposite direction was a vehicle also preparing to make a left turn and as I approached the intersection the vehicle turned in front of me. I fully applied the brakes, and the pedal went to the floor, my truck did not stop or slow down. I ended up striking the vehicle turning in front of me, fortunately at a low speed of approximately 11-12 miles per hour. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11696841, filed 2025-10
3. 3
   Engine

   Sudden power loss, stalling, or shutdown while driving

   • 8 complaints (14%)
   • median 38,000 mi at 1.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe a truck that lost motive power, stalled, or shut off while moving, sometimes at highway speed. In some cases the truck restarted, and dealers could not determine the reason. Others describe a rod that came loose and damaged the engine, a transmission that slipped, and a truck that accelerated on its own after a stall, with the brakes not slowing it. One owner says the engine stopped during a stop while the torque converter stayed locked, and another describes a sudden shutoff that felt like the engine stop button was pressed. Most complaints do not list mileage, and the one that does reports a power loss at about 38,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the engine, transmission, and torque converter have been checked for stored fault codes, and whether any diagnosis is documented. On a test drive, accelerate and slow gently, and check that the truck drives normally after a stop and restart.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving my Ram 2500 completely shut off just like I had hit the engine stop button. Luckily, I was traveling at a low speed at the time, so I was able to coast to a complete stop, put the truck in park on the side of the road. I was then able to restart the vehicle and resume driving without any more issues.”

   NHTSA complaint #11693092, filed 2025-10

   “While driving, the truck began to violently shake when downshifting. As I was exiting the highway and braking, the shaking intensified, and the truck stalled while I was traveling around 30 MPH, causing a complete power loss. To avoid a collision, I veered off the ramp and ended up scraping a road sign, which caused damage to the bed above the right fender, the road sign was intact and there was no damage to the sign. When I attempted to restart the truck and placed it in drive, it accelerated on its own. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11635642, filed 2025-01
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine ticking or rattling from lifter problems

   • 5 complaints (8%)
   • typically at 1.9 yrs old
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe a loud ticking, tapping, or rattling from the engine, sometimes heard over road noise or at idle. Some say the dealer found faulty lifters and rocker arms and replaced them, but the noise returned soon after the repair. In one case the dealer would not research the noise because it was described as under investigation, and another owner says the truck was kept at a dealer for several days without a clear fix. Mileage is not listed for these complaints, so timing is unclear.

   What to check: Ask whether the lifters, rocker arms, and camshaft were replaced and whether the noise is documented as resolved. On a test drive and at idle, listen for ticking or rattling from the engine, and ask the dealer whether any noise investigation applies to this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I had a sent the vehicle in for warranty repairs for what i was told faulty lifters. the paper work shows lifters and cam was replaced and some rocker and some rods but not all. no photos provided. after my first oil change after the repair the noise is back and they state its normal and it has been noted.”

   NHTSA complaint #11761636, filed 2026-09

   “Lifters are failing with 31,000 miles. There are thousands of these trucks with less than 30,000 miles on there second or third set of lifters. I took the truck to Allen Samuels Dodge in Aransas pass Texas for a loud rattling kept the truck several days couldn’t figure it out. I recorded a video of the banging inside the engine they kept the truck 5 days or so gave me a letter saying it’s under investigation and I should call Ram about the lifters. Called Ram they said call the dealer or take it to another dealer. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11673984, filed 2025-07
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Electrical faults leading to no-start or warning lights

   • 6 complaints (10%)
   • median 6,022 mi at 1.9 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners describe intermittent no-start conditions, repeated electrical failures, and a truck that was dead the morning after it was returned from a long dealer stay. Some say both batteries were found dead and replaced, with no warning lights shown before it would not start. Others describe airbag and forward collision warning lights coming on intermittently, an SOS feature showing as unavailable, and power-folding mirrors that would not unfold. Mileage is listed for only one of these complaints, at about 45 miles, and the others do not list it.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the airbag and forward collision warning lights have stored codes, and whether the batteries and charging system were tested after any no-start event. During a test drive, check that the warning lights stay off and that the mirrors fold and unfold normally.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Totally electrical failure leave individuals stranded, vehicle will not start both batteries dead, the vehicle was inspected and batteries replaced at dealership, no warning lights no signs vehicle just will not start and will randomly leave you stranded”

   NHTSA complaint #11665863, filed 2025-06

   “The vehicle experienced repeated electrical and no-start issues believed to be related to the RF/electrical communication system. The truck has been returned to the dealership repeatedly for this issue and recently spent approximately two months at the dealership for diagnosis and repair. After finally being returned, the vehicle was completely dead the very next morning and would not start. The vehicle has also experienced dangerous electrical failures while being driven. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11735965, filed 2026-05

Buying note. Before buying, ask for brake, engine, and electrical repair records, including whether any pedal feel complaint was resolved or only re-serviced. A test drive with a firm pedal check, a gentle stop and restart, and a check that the warning lights stay off can help show current condition.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 56 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.