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Ram 3500Model year report

2015 Ram 3500 Problems

Compared with other Ram 3500 years

Typical for this model

37/100 0.7× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2013

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
137filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
28,000miles, 101 complaints with mileage
Recalls
14campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2015 Ram 3500 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2015 RAM 3500 most often write about the diesel powertrain and the towing hardware: delayed or dropping throttle response, turbo actuator faults that put the truck into limp mode, and a factory integrated trailer brake controller that several owners say does not deliver enough voltage to trailer brakes. A second group of complaints covers the front end — steering drag link and pitman arm hardware loosening, shake or wobble at highway speed — and a third covers wheel studs and wheel separation. Many reports arrive at relatively low mileage, and several describe symptoms that came back after a dealer repair.

  1. Steering

    Loose steering drag link and pitman arm hardware

    • 15 complaints (11%)
    • median 29,400 mi at 4.0 yrs old (13 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2015–2026

    Owners describe the steering wheel rotating on its own, uneven steering travel and loose jam nuts on the drag link or pitman arm, in some cases while towing at highway speed. Several reports mention a prior repair under the drag link recall that involved welding, and owners say alignment could not be performed afterward. Dealers in the complaints sometimes tightened fasteners, sometimes could not duplicate the concern, and in one case found cracked drag link and tie rod parts. Spread from about 20,000 to 30,000 miles up to high-mileage trucks over 150,000 miles, often noticed while towing or during an alignment.

    Recall 19V021000Recall 16V5590001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Ask whether the drag link recall repair was completed and whether any parts were welded, then have a shop check the jam nuts and front-end hardware and confirm an alignment can be set.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The truck was recalled and a temporary weld was placed on the front steering alignment until parts could be obtained for a permanent fix. Now it shows as repaired but a permanet repair was never made. I can not align my steering because it is welded. At the very least this will cause uneven tire wear and premature replacement”

    NHTSA complaint #11395809, filed 2021-02, 54,000 miles

    “Truck has 26,300 miles on it. 7 days after getting the truck serviced and aligned at my local dealer, while driving at 70 MPH on the highway in gainsville, fl, the steering wheel slowly became mis-aligned to the left by over 180 degrees, causing reduced ability to steer to the left, a check engine light, a failure of the anti-lock brake control module, and failure of the cruise control. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10990782, filed 2017-05, 26,300 miles
  2. Transmission and drivetrain

    Delayed throttle / dead pedal on takeoff

    • 14 complaints (10%)
    • median 20,295 mi at 2.4 yrs old (13 state mileage)
    • filed 2015–2019

    Owners describe pressing the accelerator and waiting a second or more before the truck moves, most often when pulling away from a stop or after braking and accelerating again. Some say the transmission feels held back by torque management and the truck accelerates at its own pace. Complaints describe this as happening repeatedly rather than once, and several owners say dealers or forums characterized it as normal or could not change it. Reported from as little as a few hundred miles up to about 70,000 miles, often in stop-and-go or merging situations.

    Recall 17V821000

    What to check: Drive the truck from several standing starts and note whether there is a pause before it moves. Ask the seller whether any transmission or engine calibration work was done.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “When accelerating (either from a stop or a rolling stop) and then braking and then accelerating again, the engine will hesitate. Some call this dead pedal but I feel it's dangerous because it leaves vulnerable in traffic to a collision. It's happened to me numerous times and again today. I was at a 4 way stop and proceeded to accelerate when it was my turn, about 1/3 way into the intersection, a vehicle traffic ignored the stop sign and attempted to cross my line of travel. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10984671, filed 2017-05, 23,365 miles

    “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!”

    NHTSA complaint #11145266, filed 2018-11, 67,000 miles
  3. Brakes

    Integrated trailer brake controller weak output

    • 9 complaints (7%)
    • median 12,025 mi at 1.2 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2015–2026

    Owners towing travel trailers and fifth wheels report the factory trailer brake controller putting out far less voltage than expected at maximum gain, so the trailer contributes little braking in harder stops. Some measured around 7.5 to 9 volts where they expected 12 or more. Complaints describe dealers saying the unit works as designed; in a few cases the module was replaced and the problem returned. Reported at very low mileage, from a few hundred up to roughly 55,000 miles, almost always while towing.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: If you plan to tow, hook up a trailer and test trailer braking at maximum gain, or have the controller output measured. Ask whether the trailer brake module has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “This is a particularly dangerous situation because there is no method to know, in advance, the factory integrated trailer brake module (itbm) will fail to provide full voltage to the electric trailer brakes I attached my 13,000 pound fifth wheel trailer to my truck and following the itbm setup steps in the owners' manual, the results were as expected. There were no warnings or indicators signaling an issue with the itbm's ability to apply the trailer's electric brakes. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10746286, filed 2015-08, 2,234 miles

    “The integrated trailer brake control in the 2015 Ram trucks does not provide adequate brake control to the trailer brakes. I traded in a 2013 Ram 3500 and the integrated controller allowed me to set up the brakes so I could lock the tires up, then I would back the voltage down slightly from there to get maximum braking performance from the trailer. With the new truck, there wasn't the ability to get much braking at all. Dealers are telling those with the same trucks, that it is working as designed and there isn't a problem. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10749880, filed 2015-08, 405 miles
  4. Suspension

    Front-end shake or wobble at highway speed

    • 18 complaints (13%)
    • median 24,298 mi at 4.2 yrs old (16 state mileage)
    • filed 2016–2025

    Owners describe violent shaking or wobbling of the front end at highway speeds, sometimes triggered by a bump or while towing. Repairs described in the complaints include front hubs and bearings, tire replacement, shocks and balancing, and some owners say the shake returned after those repairs. Tire cupping, tread separation and a crowned tread were also reported as problems identified by shops. Mostly from about 4,000 to 50,000 miles, typically at 45-70 mph or after hitting a bump.

    What to check: Test drive at highway speed over expansion joints and bumps, and inspect the front tires for cupping or uneven wear. Ask for records of hub, bearing and tire replacement.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was towing my travel trailer and entered a slight left turn at approximately 50mph when my front driver side tire started to shake/wobble uncontrollably. I slowed down and it stopped. Dealership replaced both front hubs and bearings. When I hit a small bump while turning and not towing, it still shakes/wobbles uncontrollably. I notified dealership about it and they still failed to make the repair. The vehicle is still under warranty.”

    NHTSA complaint #11398518, filed 2021-03, 41,000 miles

    “I have a new 2015/3500 dually, with air ride, advertised at 30k towing capacity, the air ride system doesn't work, it has the death wobble in the front end, the lights flicker at night when it's cold, the roof has leaked water since I took delivery in the last week of july 2015, it has been in the shop more than I have been able to drive it, almost lost control at freeway speeds several times when hitting a bump, the dealer and chrysler say it is overloaded because I have a toolbox and a fuel tank in the back, I have weighed it myself on …”

    NHTSA complaint #10822459, filed 2016-01, 4,000 miles
  5. Engine

    Turbo actuator failure and limp mode

    • 9 complaints (7%)
    • median 50,000 mi at 2.6 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2015–2026

    Owners report the check engine light coming on, loss of power and the truck dropping into limp mode, sometimes at highway speed. Diagnosis in the complaints is commonly a failed turbo boost actuator, with a P00AF code mentioned in one report; some owners also note the exhaust brake stops working on descents. Repairs described range from replacing the actuator to an owner fitting an aftermarket part. Mostly between about 24,000 and 70,000 miles in the sample, with one report near 50,000 miles.

    3 related service bulletins

    What to check: Scan for stored and pending codes before buying, and test the exhaust brake on a downhill stretch. Ask whether the turbo actuator or turbo assembly has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Consistently getting a p00af engine code. Pertains to the turbo boost actuator. Apparently this has become a common problem with many of the Ram 6.7l cummins engines. This can lead to poor engine performance and eventually catastrophic engine failure. Currently the repair cost just for the actuator through mopar is $3000. Obviously this is a recurring issue with these trucks, at a substantial cost to the consumer. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11316016, filed 2020-03, 69,000 miles

    “Tipm, rear end leaks, transmission replaced, def pump replaced, knox, EGR valve replaced, turbo sensor, this truck cost 2 dollars a mile to operate, bringing it into the shop is like pulling teeth horrible it's two to three weeks.”

    NHTSA complaint #11365011, filed 2020-10, 265,000 miles

Buying note. Before buying, scan for engine codes tied to the turbo actuator, test-drive at highway speed over rough pavement, and check the front-end steering hardware and wheel studs. If you plan to tow, verify the trailer brake controller output and test the exhaust brake, and ask for service records on any steering recall work.

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 137 consumer complaints for the 2015 Ram 3500. 101 of the complaints include a mileage, and 62% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 28,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns and 523 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 9 Ram 3500 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 37 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (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: Air bags (4), Engine cooling (3), Equipment (3), Exterior lighting (3), Body and structure (3), Tires (3), Electronic stability control (2), Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “In june 2016, towing a 14 foot light trailer up sonora pass on hwy 108 in california, the truck bucked, studdered and shook in first gear, stalled and slipped backward towards a 1000 foot cliff, it then lunged into gear and it was smoking the tires. I let it do that to gain traction and then slowly made my way back up. I cannot tow anything out of first gear without the bucking and studders, and losing forward momentum, anywhere. Almost lost it all that day including my life and nothing has been done to fix the issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #10930188, filed 2016-12, 15,000 miles

Engine: “My 2015 Ram 3500 has gone through 3 wheel alignment within a year 12000 miles. I also been getting a lot of bad fumes in cab where you have to open windows at around 20 to 40 MPH or when you start truck while warming up in cold weather. I had wheels rotated and the TPMS where reading wrong. It was not connecting with system in truck had to take to dealer to reset.”

NHTSA complaint #10936561, filed 2016-12, 10,000 miles

Brakes: “When towing my 13000 pound trailer, I noticed that the electronic trailer brake controller in my truck will provide sufficient braking power to stop at slower speeds. However, when a harder/faster stop, such as when I was traveling at 45-50 MPH is required there is not sufficient braking to the trailer. I was not able to stop as quickly as I should have. I tested the voltage on the controller with the settings to maximum (gain at 10 and manual slider to 100%) and was only getting 7.5 volts. The reading should be closer to 12 volts. …”

NHTSA complaint #10766411, filed 2015-09, 4,050 miles

Steering: “While driving the truck and turning slightly left, I hit a small bump on the road and my truck started vibrating uncontrollably and I lost the ability to steer the vehicle. The vehicle vibrated so hard that I slid across other lanes of traffic to my right without being able to steer. I brought the vehicle to a complete stop on the side of the road. After the complete stop, I was able to drive and steer the vehicle. Since this incident happened, I have had the same issue happen when I'm driving while turning and hitting a bump. …”

NHTSA complaint #11194498, filed 2019-04, 55,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

62% of the 101 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 9,000 and 67,000 miles.

26%0–1019%10–2518%25–5019%50–754%75–1009%100–1506%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (101 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 28,000 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.

2016212018212020202220242026
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.

Recalls and investigations

See all 14 recalls for the 2015 Ram 3500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

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. 523 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 523 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ram 3500

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2026281,0004——Too new to compareToo new
2025437505——Too new to compareToo new
2024459,5002——Too new to compareToo new
20231714,0005———Too new
202219027,50012——78 · MoreRising
20216260,0009——15 · FewerRising
202011626,35011——62 · TypicalFalling
201913735,58214——40 · TypicalFalling
201880743,00010——66 · MoreRising
201731532,00012——54 · TypicalRising
201613422,69014——47 · TypicalRising
201513728,00014——37 · TypicalFalling
201420234,00015——53 · TypicalFalling
201311538,82516——24 · FewerFalling
2007678,1281———Not enough data

All Ram 3500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Ram 3500?

Owners of the 2015 RAM 3500 most often write about the diesel powertrain and the towing hardware: delayed or dropping throttle response, turbo actuator faults that put the truck into limp mode, and a factory integrated trailer brake controller that several owners say does not deliver enough voltage to trailer brakes. The issues reported most often: Loose steering drag link and pitman arm hardware; Delayed throttle / dead pedal on takeoff; Integrated trailer brake controller weak output.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2015 Ram 3500 have?

NHTSA recorded 137 consumer complaints for the 2015 Ram 3500 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2015 Ram 3500 is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 32 complaints (23% of the total), followed by engine with 28.

Has the 2015 Ram 3500 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2015 Ram 3500 reported?

Among the 101 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 28,000 miles and the middle half falls between 9,000 and 67,000 miles; 62% 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.

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.