Ram 1500 Reliability Problems

1500 owners have made 999 complaints over 9 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it dead last in overall reliability, with significant interior and engine concerns.

8 Common Ram 1500 Problems

A list of some of the most common issues 1500 owners have to deal with.

  1. EcoDiesel EGR Cooler Leak

    The 3.0L EcoDiesel engine's exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler is known to form microcracks that allow coolant to leak and start a fire. Ram recalled the issue in 2019 but a series of delays and backordered parts left many …

    Continue reading article "EcoDiesel EGR Cooler Leak" A red Ram 1500 truck with a coolant logo super-imposed over the top

  2. Air Suspension Fails When It's Cold

    The optional air suspension in 4th and 5th generation Ram 1500 won't work in colder climates where the air temperature regularly dips below freezing. As you might image, depending on four deflated bags to provide an adequate ride doesn't wo…

    Continue reading article "Air Suspension Fails When It's Cold" Console Message That Says Service Air Suspension Immediately, With Fake Ice on Top

  3. TRW Crash Sensor Defect

    There's growing concern that some sort of electrical overstress is messing with airbag control units (ACU) in certain Ram trucks. At this time the problem is believed to be responsible for as many as eight deaths which has sparked an invest…

    Continue reading article "TRW Crash Sensor Defect" ZF Headquarters

  4. UConnect Frozen with Blank Screen

    The uConnect infotainment system will often boot into a blank screen, becoming unresponsive to the touch, or reboot at random times. Each time it'd force owners to turn off their cars, restart, and just hope for a better outcome. And an ove…

    Continue reading article "UConnect Frozen with Blank Screen" Ram console with uConnect loaded on the infotainment screen

  5. EcoDiesel Emissions

    Fiat-Chrysler has agreed to pay over $800 million in fines and compensation for using defeat devices in 3-liter EcoDiesel engines. The settlement includes an average payout of $2,800 for each of the affected owners and lessees.

    Continue reading article "EcoDiesel Emissions" Smoke coming out of a tailpipe

  6. uConnect Hacked, Should You Be Concerned?

    On July 21, 2015 a report surfaced that hackers had remotely taken control of a Jeep Cherokee through its UConnect system. They turned on the A/C, cranked the volume of the radio, and even killed the transmission while the vehicle was on th…

    Continue reading article "uConnect Hacked, Should You Be Concerned?" Ram console with uConnect loaded on the infotainment screen

  7. Ram Death Wobble

    Death wobble is a violent shaking of the front end of the vehicle while driving. It usually happens after hitting a bump while traveling at highway speeds, and doesn’t stop until the truck slows down.

    Continue reading article "Ram Death Wobble" Dismantled suspension component

  8. Ram Vehicles with Recalled Takata Airbags

    Parts supplier, Takata, manufactured defective, shrapnel-hurling airbag inflators that need to be recalled. The issue affects 37 million+ vehicles spread out across 24 brands, making it one of the largest (and most dangerous) recalls in aut…

    Continue reading article "Ram Vehicles with Recalled Takata Airbags" Crash test dummy about to hit an airbag with the Takata logo super-imposed on top

What 1500 Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

1500 Generations

The 1500 has 2 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 4th generation (2012–2018).

1500 Key Numbers

  1. 999 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 713 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 49 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

1500 Class-Action Lawsuits

The 1500 has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • A.S. v. FCA CANADA Inc., et al.

    1. Case Filed

      The class action lawsuit includes all Quebec current and former owners and lessees of 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and Ram 1500 Classic trucks equipped with 3-liter EcoDiesel engines.

    Problem
    EcoDiesel EGR Cooler Leak
    Class Vehicles
    • 2014–2019 Ram 1500 with 3.0L EcoDiesel
    • 2014–2019 Ram 1500 Classic with 3.0L EcoDiesel
    Class Members
    Quebec Residents
    Location
    Quebec

  • Jacquard v. FCA Canada Inc., et al.

    1. Case Filed

      A Ram 1500 EGR cooler class action lawsuit filed in Canada alleges the 3-liter EcoDiesel trucks are at risk of fires because the exhaust gas recirculation coolers may crack and leak coolant. The coolant may leak into the intake manifolds and send the trucks up in flames.

    Problem
    EcoDiesel EGR Cooler Leak
    Class Vehicles
    • 2014–2019 Ram 1500 with 3.0L EcoDiesel
    • 2014–2019 Ram 1500 Classic with 3.0L EcoDiesel
    Class Members
    Canadian Citizens
    Location
    British Columbia

  • Anderson, et al., v. FCA US LLC

    1. Case Filed

      A Ram 1500 EGR cooler recall allegedly failed to help customers of 2014–2019 Ram 1500 and Ram 1500 Classic trucks equipped with 3.0L EcoDiesel engines and built between June 12, 2013, to October 23, 2019.

    Problem
    EcoDiesel EGR Cooler Leak
    Class Vehicles
    • 2014–2019 Ram 1500 with 3.0L EcoDiesel
    • 2014–2019 Ram 1500 Classic with 3.0L EcoDiesel
    Location
    Wisconsin

  • Christopher Heard and Jane Doe v. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.

    1. Case Filed

      Air suspension problems have caused a class action lawsuit in Canada after vehicle owners alleged cold weather damages all kinds of components. The vehicles include 2013-2020 Ram 1500 trucks and 2013-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs equipped with 4-corner air suspensions that allegedly fail in temperatures below freezing (0 degrees Celsius, 32 degrees Fahrenheit).

  • Crawford, et al., v. FCA US LLC

    1. Case Filed

      A Ram 1500 exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler class action lawsuit alleges coolant leaks cause fires, and a Fiat Chrysler (FCA US) recall has allegedly been practically worthless.

Recent 1500 News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. The air suspension in the 4th and 5th generation Ram 1500 doesn't work in cold weather

    and that's a pretty big problem if you live in Canada where *checks notes* ... it gets cold.

    So it's no surprise that a class-action has been filed on behalf of Canadian Ram 1500 owners who didn't get the vehicles they paid for if the suspension is unavailable for half the year.…

    keep reading article "Cold Weather Residents Aren't Happy Their Air Suspensions Don't Work in Cold Weather"

  3. More than 228,000 Ram trucks might suddenly roll away, even when the key isn’t in the ignition.

    The problem is caused by pins in the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) that stick open in higher temperatures. Fiat-Chrysler is expanding a previous recall of 1.8 million vehicles to include trucks with column shifters that were built between 01/01/2017 and 01/10/2018.

    keep reading article "Ram Expands Rollaway Recall to Include More Trucks"

  5. Ram is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 trucks because the adjustable brake pedals can fall off.

    No need to adjust your screen, you read that right. The brake pedal can detach when pushed back too far. For an extra sprinkle of fun it can even happen while driving and, well, that seems less than ideal. Hopefully Ram will hurry up and fix the estimated 220,000 trucks with this problem.

    keep reading article "The Ram 1500’s Adjustable Brake Pedals Can Just Fall Off"

  6. A lawsuit concerning hacking vulnerabilities in Fiat-Chrysler’s (FCA) Uconnect system is headed to trial this October.

    The lawsuit was filed after researchers showed how a Jeep could be controlled remotely through the infotainment system. FCA has called the case meritless and tried to get it dismissed. When that didn’t work they turned to the U.S. Supreme Court. To FCA’s surprise, the court refused to even hear the appeal.

    It’s almost as if FCA thought the were in control of the situation and then suddenly they weren’t 🤔

    This post originally appeared on JeepProblems.com.

    keep reading article "Uconnect Hacking Vulnerability Trial Date Set"

  7. The 2019 Ram 1500 is being recalled for intermittent power steering loss caused by an open electrical circuit.

    A loose connection can lead to an open electrical circuit that can cause power steering to come and go on an inconsistent frequency. A driver won't lose the ability to steer the Ram 1500 but Chrysler says oversteer and understeer conditions may cause problems.…

    keep reading article "An Open Circuit is Causing Intermittent Power Steering Loss in the Ram 1500"

  8. Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) has settled allegations that it used an emissions defeat device in over 100,000 vehicles with 3-liter EcoDiesel engines.

    FCA didn’t disclose that the 2014-2016 Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee contain an auxiliary emission control device, presumably to get around strict nitrogen oxide testing. As part of the settlement FCA will pay fines, recall the affected vehicles, extend their warranties, and pay an average of $2,800 to each affected owner or lessee.

    The settlement is pending preliminary approval from the court.

    keep reading article "Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Emissions Settlement Details"

See All 1500 News

What Owners Say About Their 1500

Ram Truck's Air Suspension Fails When Temperatures Dip Below Freezing

I have vowed to my dealer that I will park my truck at the shop door every single time I see a warning on my dash telling me I can't raise or lower my truck. Or wake up to the 'drunk truck' sickness we are all too familiar with.

2016 Ram 1500 Owner

Ram Truck's Air Suspension Fails When Temperatures Dip Below Freezing

The dealer says there is nothing they can do to fix the suspension freeze up problem, that it is a factory problem and that the trucks with air suspension should not have been sold in cold climate places.

2014 Ram 1500 Owner

uConnect Freezes and Leaves a Blank Screen That Doesn't Work

Radio and screen would just turn itself off at anytime, and the music that I had down loaded onto a thumb drive would not work unless I rebooted the complete system.

2013 Ram 1500 Owner

Death Wobble Makes Your Truck Shake Like a Washing Machine

Bought this truck with only twenty miles on it. It has had a bad vibration from day one. [The dealership] has looked at this a half dozen times and can not seem to get it fix. They say it is a known issue and don't know how to fix it. This has to be one of the worst trucks I have ever owned.

2014 Ram 1500 Owner

uConnect Freezes and Leaves a Blank Screen That Doesn't Work

When [the screen goes blank] you lose all information on your radio, phone, navigation system very annoying. My system came back after a hour of driving very annoying when you need the nav system for areas that you never been in before ad to stop and get out my map.

2016 Ram 1500 Owner

uConnect Freezes and Leaves a Blank Screen That Doesn't Work

Due to the Uconnect failure, I no longer have a functioning radio AM/FM/XM nothing! I can't access the heating features which is disheartening since I live in Michigan and its winter time. Im now paying extra for service's I cannot access due to the faulty screen.

2013 Ram 1500 Owner

Other Ram Models