2025 Ram 2500 Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year are dominated by two themes: trailer wiring and trailer brake functions that owners say stop working, often tied to the trailer tow module recall, and an instrument cluster that goes blank while driving. Owners also report the engine shutting down at low speed and a brake pedal that feels soft and travels far before the truck slows. Because the truck is still new, most reports arrive within the first few thousand miles.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Trailer lights and trailer brakes not working

   • 23 complaints (35%)
   • median 2,600 mi at 1.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners describe trailer marker, tail, turn and brake lights that stop working or flash erratically once a trailer is plugged in, and in some cases a message saying the trailer is disconnected or that the trailer brake system needs service. Several say the same trailer worked on a different truck, and a few report the trailer brakes locking up or dropping out as they tow. Complaints frequently mention that the trailer tow module recall part was not available, with dealers rationing parts, so the vehicle had not been repaired. Reported mostly on trucks with a few thousand miles, often the first time owners towed with the vehicle.

   Recall 26V0590001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the trailer tow module recall (26V059000) has been completed and whether the part was actually replaced, not just ordered. Hook up a trailer and confirm every light and the trailer brakes work before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Purchased above vehicle on 7/12/25. Was advised no towing for 1st 500 miles. At 712 miles, I hooked my fishing boat up to the truck to go fishing. Initially, truck did not recognize my boat trailer lights (marker and tail lights). My previous truck was a 2023 Ram 2500 rebel that never had an issue with connecting my boat trailer electrical system. All lights worked as should. I still have the same boat trailer as previous(2020 shore lander trailer with led lights). …”

   NHTSA complaint #11679052, filed 2025-08

   “I have a 2025 ram 2500 diesel, and I use it to tow, as I am a farmer, and have a farm. I pull stock trailers, my tractor, and other trailers associated with my farm. I took my truck in for the trailer tow module recall to be done over 4 months ago, and they said they had to order the part and would call once it came in. It has now been over 4 months, I have called the dealer to follow up, and keep getting the same answer. The part hasn't arrived yet, and they will call me when it comes in. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11745154, filed 2026-06
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Instrument cluster goes blank while driving

   • 13 complaints (20%)
   • median 1,450 mi at 0.9 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners report the digital instrument cluster going dark while driving, sometimes for minutes at a time, leaving no speedometer, gear indication, fuel or warning lights. Some say the truck also stays in an ignition-on state, that the push-to-start does not respond, or that the dashboard stays blank after a restart. Dealers reportedly diagnosed instrument cluster software problems and applied software updates, and in some cases the problem returned after the update. Reported across a wide mileage range, from trucks with only a few thousand miles up to higher-mileage examples, often without warning.

   Recall 25V826000Recall 26V225000Recall 25V2970001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether any cluster-related recall or software flash has been done. On a test drive, watch the cluster through a full start cycle and check that it stays lit after restarting the truck.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Instrument cluster would not turn on in the truck. I turned truck off 2 times and would not power on. I was unable to tell Speed, Fuel level, DEF level or any warning indicator that would have pop up if there was an issue with the truck. Once I made it to my destination came back 15 minutes later the cluster started working again.”

   NHTSA complaint #11694457, filed 2025-10

   “I parked in a lot for about 30 minutes while taking a short hike. When I returned and started the truck the dash was black, no gauges, no PRND indication, nothing and the warning lights in the mirrors stayed illuminated continuously. We were in a National monument and decided to try and get back to the visitor center for someplace safe. When I placed the vehicle in what should have been reverse the vehicle rolled back but only because it was on a slope. When I shifted to where drive should be nothing happened. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11736206, filed 2026-05
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine shuts off at low speed

   Mentioned in 9 of 59 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the engine stopping while slowing for a turn, a stop sign or while coasting at low speed, leaving them to shift into park and press the start button to restart. Some report the cluster going dark at the same moment or a message telling them to shift to park to start. Dealers reportedly could not duplicate the condition or found no stored codes, and in some cases involved engineering support. Reported mostly at low speed while slowing or coasting, from a few hundred to several thousand miles.

   Recall 26V2880002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the dealer has documented any stall reports or applied powertrain or emission-related software updates. Note it if the truck idles roughly or sets a check engine light during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Our 2025 Ram Rebel stalled on a 55-mph curve on a busy freeway. Fearful, I deliberately drifted the vehicle to the right side of the road looking for an emergency lane. The truck regained momentum and I drove it another 10 miles. Coming to a stop, I heard mechanical griding and felt the truck shudder. I drove it home. My husband took the truck, and the same griding and shuddering happened to him twice over a 15-minute period while driving on surface streets less than 20 mph. The truck did not stall on him. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11755809, filed 2026-08, 15,000 miles

   “Subject: Safety Concern – Vehicle Shuts Down While Driving / Request for Replacement Despite multiple warranty repair attempts, my 2025 Ram 2500 continues to experience unresolved electrical failures. In addition to the previously documented issues, the vehicle shuts down while driving, forcing me to immediately pull over, place the vehicle in park, and restart the engine in order to continue driving. This condition has occurred unexpectedly and without warning. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11716737, filed 2026-02
4. 4
   Brakes

   Soft, low brake pedal

   • 16 complaints (24%)
   • median 2,100 mi at 1.4 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners describe a brake pedal that feels soft or spongy and can travel close to the floor under steady pressure, requiring extra travel or a pump before the truck slows firmly. Some say dealers told them the behavior was normal, while others had pads and rotors replaced or the system bled without a change. A few connect the same pedal feel to difficulty stopping while towing. Reported on new trucks within the first several thousand miles, often at low speed and with no load.

   What to check: Press and hold the brake pedal firmly before buying - it should stay firm rather than sinking toward the floor. Ask whether any brake work or bleeding has been done and whether the dealer documented the pedal feel.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am filing a safety complaint regarding a persistent soft brake pedal condition affecting my truck. Under normal driving conditions and especially during low-speed braking with no trailer or payload attached, the brake pedal feels excessively soft and requires additional pedal travel before adequate braking response occurs. The authorized dealer inspected the vehicle and replaced the brake pads and resurfaced the rotors; however, the soft brake pedal condition continues unchanged. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11739973, filed 2026-05

   “I purchased a new 2025 RAM 2500 on June 2, 2025. Within the first week, I began experiencing very soft brake response. Occasionally, I can press the brake pedal to the floor with modest effort, and most of the time, I need to double or triple tap the brakes to achieve a firm response. I have visited four different dealerships across three states regarding this issue. Some service departments have acknowledged the problem, while others have stated it is normal and as expected, as documented in my maintenance receipts. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11699316, filed 2025-11
5. 5
   Air bags

   Airbag and safety system warning lights

   • 12 complaints (18%)
   • median 8,100 mi at 1.5 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners report the airbag warning light coming on and staying on, or repeated safety messages such as airbag disabled, emergency braking unavailable or stability control needing service. An occupant restraint controller component and software updates were reportedly replaced or applied, and in some cases the warnings came back within days. One owner reports multiple stored codes across several safety modules after hitting a bump. Reported at low mileage, sometimes more often in cold weather or after a bump or restart.

   Recall 25V8820001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Confirm the truck has had the occupant restraint controller recall (25V882000) performed. After starting the truck, check that all warning lights go out and stay out.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle has been in to 2 different dealerships for a warning light check airbag system. I have had it in to the repair shop approximate 5 times. It's fixed for a day or 2 then the warning comes back on. There is a safety recall for this and was performed a software update which didn't solve the issue. I do not feel safe for driving this vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #11738234, filed 2026-05

   “While operating my truck i have a air bag warning indicator come up on my cluster gage. With the light still one and engine running I immediately drove the vehicle to my local Ram dealer to seek assistance. I had spoken to a service advisor who checked my vehicle in for service. The service advisor did confirm the SRS light was on. After the tech did a diagnostic they found no stored service codes, the dealer cleared rhe codes, and said there was no issue and no repairs was performed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11739974, filed 2026-05

Buying note. This model year has several active recall campaigns, so ask for the full recall history by VIN and confirm the repairs were completed rather than just ordered. Drive the truck yourself, test the brakes and the cluster, and tow with it before committing if you plan to use it for trailer work.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 59 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.