Failure modes owners describe
Fuel system fire (EcoDiesel engines)
Engine fire while driving, traced to faulty fuel injectors, fuel lines, or electrical shorts in fuel system. One owner sustained smoke inhalation and first-degree burns. Fire department personnel noted multiple ECO fires they've witnessed. RAM issued a recall (2014–2019 EcoDiesel for fire hazard) after the fact, but owners with earlier failures were denied warranty coverage.
When: Early to mid-operation; owner's truck at 40K miles; fire risk noted as ongoing across model years
Symptoms owners cite: Throttle sensor light illumination; Vehicle stalling; Thick black or blue smoke billowing from under hood; Flames from engine; Chemical smell from engine bay
Repairs/costs cited: Owner's truck totaled by insurance; RAM replaced fuel injectors at 18K miles prior but issue recurred. Engine replacement required in one case; fire extinguishing required in another.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: RAM issued recall for 2014–2019 EcoDiesel fire hazard (108K units). Earlier owners denied warranty and recall coverage; emissions settlement disputes; poor customer service documented (hang-ups, no call-backs).
Steering wheel electrical short and airbag/horn malfunction
Steering wheel wire harness becomes chaffed or damaged, causing electrical shorts, loss of horn function, and loss of steering wheel-mounted controls (cruise control, radio, phone controls, menu navigation). One complaint involved recurrence after recall R36 repair attempt. Airbag light remains illuminated, raising concerns about spontaneous or failed deployment.
When: Intermittent to persistent; one recall (R36/15V459) was performed but issue recurred years later
Symptoms owners cite: Horn inoperable; Steering wheel controls non-functional (cruise control, radio, phone, menu navigation); Airbag warning light constantly on; Ghost blinker operation (lights engage but all lights on simultaneously); No menu access on instrument cluster
Repairs/costs cited: Recall R36 (15V459) involved harness replacement; one dealer charged $403.78 for correction of failed recall work. Chaffing caused by driver airbag module retainer spring ends damaging the harness insulation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign R36/15V459 issued for steering wheel wire harness chafing. Chrysler warranty claim (D-17 clock spring lifetime warranty) denied by dealer despite recall notice and lifetime warranty issued by manufacturer.
Heated seat electrical fire
Integrated heated seat element caught fire while seat was in use, creating a deep burn hole in the seat and burning through owner's jacket. Owner had recently turned off the seat warmer moments before discovering the fire, preventing a cabin fire. Incident occurred during highway drive with family.
When: While operating heated seat function
Symptoms owners cite: Chemical/burning smell from seat area; Deep burn hole in seat cushion; Burn marks on owner's jacket
Repairs/costs cited: Truck under extended warranty at time of failure; dealership initiated open case for repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership unsure of reporting requirements and did not report to NHTSA initially; open case established through dealership
Uconnect system crash and door lock failure
Over-the-air software update caused Uconnect system to crash, disabling climate control (defrost, vent direction, temperature), audio system, and remote app functionality. Vehicle would randomly lock itself with keys inside (opposite of design intent), suggesting software/electrical malfunction in keyless entry module.
When: After OTA update; door locking occurred spontaneously while owner was sleeping
Symptoms owners cite: Uconnect system completely non-responsive; Climate control stuck in last position; Random self-locking of vehicle doors; Audio/stereo system inoperable
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership confirmed OTA update caused the crash; new system installation or repair needed. Pop-A-Lock technician noted this model year is in top 4 vehicles for random door lockouts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; dealership service manager aware of the OTA glitch
ABS/HCU module failure causing cascading electrical faults
ABS and hydraulic control unit (HCU) failure initiates a cascade of electrical malfunctions, disabling cruise control, trailer braking, and traction control. Warning lights toggle intermittently, leading to CAN bus system failure and complete vehicle shutdown. Two dealerships could not replicate or diagnose root cause despite code history and warning lights being present.
When: Initially intermittent; progressed to complete vehicle shutdown over nearly two years
Symptoms owners cite: Warning lights toggling on and off (ABS, trailer brake, traction control, check engine); No-start conditions with flashing check engine light (3–10 flashes); Cruise control malfunction; Trailer braking failure; Traction control inoperative
Codes mentioned: C0020 (ABS), UO140 (CAN bus)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner advised to replace TIPM, battery, and starter (shotgun approach); these did not resolve the root issue. Actual fault in ABS module/HCU likely caused damage to canbus system and other components.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Known issues with ABS/HCU documented; no recall issued; ongoing investigation requested by owner
Total Integrated Power Module (TIPM) failure and no-start condition
TIPM failure causes complete electrical system shutdown, preventing engine start and key fob operation. Vehicle becomes a total loss with only 1000 miles on odometer or is stranded at home/roadside. Chrysler reportedly aware of widespread issue with months-long national backorder. Multiple owners report repeated TIPM failures over vehicle lifetime, sometimes requiring replacement 4–5 times.
When: As early as 1000 miles (new vehicle); recurs periodically throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Complete electrical system failure on key fob unlock; Unable to start vehicle; No power to any electrical systems
Repairs/costs cited: TIPM replacement; national backorder documented (months long); repair cost $800–$1830 per instance; some owners report paying out of pocket 4–5 times. One owner: 40 days in dealer service for initial replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler aware of widespread issue; legal action pending; national backorder for parts (as of report dates)
Water intrusion through third brake light and roof trim seals
Deteriorated seals on third brake light and black roof trim (windshield-to-windshield gasket) allow rainwater to enter the cab, pooling 6+ inches of standing water in floor compartments. Water drips from headliner onto dashboard. Third brake light bulb failure rate elevated (yearly bulb failures, housing/gasket replacements).
When: Occurs after heavy rain; chronic issue throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Water pooling in floor compartments (6+ inches documented); Water dripping from headliner; Mildew and mold odor in cab; Water stains on interior headliner; Recurrent third brake light bulb failures (yearly); Dashboard moisture
Repairs/costs cited: Third brake light bulb replaced yearly; housing light assembly and gasket replaced twice; owner repairs attempted with silicone sealant. No OEM fix available; widespread owner workarounds documented on forums and YouTube.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued; Dodge refused warranty repair on one truck 700 miles out of warranty; no manufacturer acknowledgment of systemic issue documented
Instrument cluster flickering, strobing, and blackout
Gauge cluster display intermittently flickers, strobes at high frequency, or goes completely black while driving. Strobing described as party mode and causes visual distraction and eye fatigue. Multiple owners report loss of critical information (engine status, fuel level, speed, tire pressure, oil pressure, ABS status, etc.). Owner reports driving off road twice due to strobing distraction.
When: Intermittent to recurring; occurs day and night, stationary or in motion
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard/gauge cluster flickers on and off; Strobing display (high-frequency flashing); Complete blackout of DIC (driver information center); Loss of critical vehicle information display; Visual distraction and eye strain reported
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership advice to adjust DIC dimmer knob does not resolve issue. One owner told issue is not covered under recall despite similar issues being recalled on other trucks. Body control module replacement attempted; repair unsuccessful.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued for this complaint; one dealership stated vehicle is not eligible for recall despite known issue
Headlight flicker and multiple light bulb failures
Headlights blink as if vehicle is on a bumpy road even on smooth pavement. Multiple light bulbs and assemblies fail prematurely: headlights, brake lights, fog lights, blinkers. Wiring harness issue identified as root cause. Dealership technicians report the problem is very common in RAM trucks. Multiple failures can occur in sequence within a single trip or day.
When: Early in ownership (14,000 miles documented); ongoing throughout vehicle life
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights flickering/blinking on smooth roads; Front blinker bulb failures (both sides); Fog light bulb failures; Brake/tail light bulb failures; Sequential bulb failures (multiple lights in short period)
Repairs/costs cited: Wiring harness issue; repair cost documented as $40 diagnostic + $180–$360 per side for headlight repair. Dealership technician stated very common issue in RAM trucks. One owner also replaced three brake lights due to leaking.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite dealership acknowledgment of commonality; one owner's insurance electrical coverage did not cover wiring harness repairs
Engine stall with power loss while driving
Engine suddenly loses all power while driving at highway speed, with minimal or no warning. Vehicle enters limp mode or complete shutdown. Occurs unpredictably, stranding owner in dangerous situations (narrow shoulders, traffic, towing trailer). Throttle sensor light or check engine light may illuminate briefly or not at all.
When: Unpredictable; multiple incidents per owner reported
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of engine power while driving; Vehicle enters limp mode; Throttle sensor light (briefly or not); Check engine light (briefly or not); No time to react or safely pull over; Smoke from engine bay (in some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: TIPM, fuel pump, fuel sending unit, ECU, and ignition module implicated in various cases; multiple repair attempts documented ($968–$1830); some owners report repeated failures after repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler aware of TIPM issue; legal action pending; no systematic recall issued
Uncontrolled acceleration and electronic throttle failure
Electronic throttle control malfunctions, causing uncontrolled acceleration, inability to downshift, loss of braking effectiveness, and inability to shut engine off. Engine RPM climbs to 1500–2500 RPM unpredictably and does not respond to pedal or ignition input. Occurs in tow mode, at idle, and while driving. Multiple episodes documented; brake and steering control compromised.
When: Unpredictable; multiple incidents per owner over short periods
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden uncontrolled acceleration; Electronic throttle control light on; Engine RPM climbing without pedal input (800 → 1500 → 2500 RPM); Unable to shift out of Drive; Unable to shut engine off; Loss of brake response (temporary); Loss of steering control (temporary)
Repairs/costs cited: No documented repair; dealership has not been able to identify root cause in some cases; electronic throttle control malfunction suspected
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Software update attempted (campaign 18V332000); remedy failed to repair; cause could not be determined
Fuel level sensor and fuel gauge failure
Fuel level sensor fails or becomes erratic, causing fuel gauge to read empty when tank has fuel (commonly at 1/4 to 3/4 capacity), or to drop suddenly to zero. Check engine light illuminates with fuel level sensor failure code. Occurs consistently around 35K–60K miles but can occur earlier or later. Multiple owners report this as extremely common.
When: Typically 35K–60K miles; some cases as early as 14K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel gauge reads zero despite fuel in tank; Fuel gauge drops suddenly to zero while driving; Check engine light on (fuel level sensor code); False low-fuel warning; Intermittent gauge operation (sensor failure code flashes on/off)
Codes mentioned: P203E (DEF level sensor circuit intermittent/erratic – EcoDiesel), Fuel level sensor circuit fault
Repairs/costs cited: $800 typical repair cost; requires fuel tank drop or bed/bumper removal to access fuel pump/sensor assembly. Some owners report needing replacement every 50K miles. EcoDiesel crystallized DEF on sensor (P203E code) noted in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued; common online discussion and forum complaints; two recalls cited for EcoDiesel (18-038-15 Rev B and 25-001-15 Rev A) but one owner's 3L EcoDiesel not covered
Key fob and ignition module failure
Key fob fails to communicate with vehicle, preventing unlock and engine start. Ignition switch intermittent (requires multiple turn attempts) or completely non-functional. Some owners report necessity of cleaning ignition contact with alcohol to restore function. Module replacement required in some cases but issue recurs.
When: Intermittent initially; progresses to complete failure
Symptoms owners cite: Key fob does not unlock vehicle; Ignition switch intermittent (key must be turned multiple times); Engine will not start with key; Complete module failure (key system does not communicate)
Repairs/costs cited: Key system module replacement; ignition switch cleaning with alcohol is owner workaround; one owner's module replacement failed to resolve related TIPM stall issue. Repair timelines: 2 months for module replacement in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: RAM engineers blamed broken wire in one case; TIPM recall was denied (as of owner's report date)
Body control module and electrical system cascading faults
Body control module (BCM) or central electrical system develops intermittent or persistent faults, causing multiple unrelated electrical components to malfunction simultaneously: lights (dash, interior, brake, headlights), climate control, door locks, windows, seat heaters, and entertainment systems. Software updates and BCM replacement have not resolved issues in reported cases.
When: Intermittent to chronic; affects multiple systems in sequence or simultaneously
Symptoms owners cite: Dash lights randomly flicker or fail to illuminate; Interior lights on/off intermittently; Remote start activates door locks instead of starting engine; Window operation rough or intermittent; Heated/cooled seats inoperable; Climate control unresponsive; Multiple unrelated electrical faults simultaneously
Repairs/costs cited: BCM replacement and software updates attempted; dealership unable to isolate root cause in some cases. One owner's truck required three dealership visits without permanent resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Software updates offered; no systematic recall; repairs have not resolved underlying issue in reported cases
Power steering and brake system electrical failure
Electrical faults disable power steering and power braking systems, leaving vehicle with manual steering and braking only. Brake pedal becomes soft or unresponsive. ABS sensor failures documented as contributing factor in some cases. Occurs during low-speed driving and recovery is unpredictable.
When: Intermittent; one case at approximately 30 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering light illuminates; Steering wheel becomes very firm (manual steering only); Power brakes inoperative (soft brake pedal); Traction control inoperative; Multiple warning lights on dash
Codes mentioned: ABS sensor faults (condensation-related in one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator fuse failure (replaced); ABS sensor and module replacement attempted; one case involved grease in sensor cap and loose connections causing condensation and recurrent failure. Electrical system reprogrammed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer did not provide assistance in one documented case; no recall
Overhead interior light fixture fire hazard
LED courtesy/map light fixtures in overhead console have chaffed wiring that poses fire hazard. Light flickers and dims intermittently, making interior visibility poor. Wiring insulation damaged, creating risk of electrical short and fire.
When: Chronic throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Overhead light flickers and dims; Reduced interior visibility; Visible wiring chaffing (insulation damage)
Repairs/costs cited: Wiring exposed; fire hazard exists but repair cost not documented by owner
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or manufacturer response documented
Brake warning and shift-to-park error messages during normal operation
Vehicle falsely displays 'Electrical Brake' warning and 'Switch Gear to Park' message during normal driving, causing engine power to cut and vehicle to coast. Messages appear unprovoked with no prior warning or indication of fault. Issue recurs multiple times over short periods.
When: Intermittent; multiple instances within days
Symptoms owners cite: Electrical Brake warning light illuminates; Switch Gear to Park message displayed; Engine power cuts unexpectedly; Vehicle coasts to stop
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle returns to normal operation after shifting to Park and restarting; no permanent diagnosis documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or manufacturer response documented
Airbag warning light and wiring harness design defect
Airbag warning light illuminates due to cheap plastic wiring harness under driver's seat that is easily damaged by seat adjustments, loose objects, or rear passenger contact. Poor design does not protect harness from mechanical stress. Concern raised about airbag deployment reliability if harness is compromised.
When: Chronic throughout ownership; becomes apparent during routine seat adjustments or use
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light continuously on; Wiring harness visible damage or chaffing under seat
Repairs/costs cited: Wiring harness replacement required; dealer technician acknowledged poor design and cheap plastic construction
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge acknowledged poor design in at least one service interaction; no recall issued
Transmission shift dial design and control panel electrical failure
Transmission shift dial (similar size and shape to other dash knobs and placed adjacent to comfort/radio controls) creates unintended shift risk. Control panel (4x4 settings, heated/cooled seats, air ride suspension) loses power intermittently, leaving vehicle unable to engage/disengage 4x4 and disabling secondary controls.
When: Intermittent to recurring; issue present since new
Symptoms owners cite: Control panel goes dark or loses power; 4x4 engage/disengage unavailable; Heated/cooled seat controls inoperative; Air ride suspension controls inoperative
Repairs/costs cited: Turning truck off and restarting sometimes clears issue; other times does not; no permanent fix documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or manufacturer response documented; safety concern raised by owner
Fuse and electrical surge failures
Multiple fuses blow in rapid succession; electrical surges cause unintended fault indicators to illuminate and lights to remain on, draining battery. Recurring pattern suggests systemic electrical instability or charging system fault.
When: Chronic throughout ownership; multiple instances documented
Symptoms owners cite: Repeated fuse failures (3+ within one year); Electrical surges causing false fault codes; Lights remaining on when should be off; Battery drain (lights on continuously)
Repairs/costs cited: Fuses replaced multiple times within single year; recurring pattern suggests root cause not addressed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Anti-lock brake module internal electronic failure
ABS control module fails internally, disabling anti-lock braking, traction control, and 4-wheel drive functionality. ABS, traction control, and brake warning lights all illuminate. Vehicle left with only manual (conventional) braking. Parts unavailable or on backorder for extended periods; known widespread issue across multiple RAM generations.
When: Mid to late ownership; one case at 160K miles
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light on; Traction control warning light on; Brake warning light on; 4x4 functionality disabled; Cruise control disabled; Manual braking only
Codes mentioned: C2200-49 (ABS module fault)
Repairs/costs cited: ABS module/HCU replacement required; parts on backorder for extended periods (months documented); repair cost and availability uncertain. One owner advised part is under review by engineers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: RAM has pending lawsuits for 2017–2018 RAM 2500/3500 (different year/class); no recall issued for 2014; parts on backorder; manufacturer engineers reviewing part
Door lock and electrical control malfunction
Door locks fail to respond to key fob or exhibit erratic behavior; doors lock unexpectedly with keys inside (despite keyless-entry design preventing this); vehicle randomly locks/unlocks. Water intrusion from failed seals likely contributes to electrical malfunctions in some cases.
When: Sporadic to recurring; one case occurred while owner was sleeping (truck locked autonomously)
Symptoms owners cite: Door locks fail to respond to key fob; Doors lock unexpectedly with keys inside; Random autonomous locking/unlocking; Inability to unlock doors (locked for hours in one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Pop-A-Lock technician stated this model year is in top 4 vehicles for random key lockouts; no repair documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Synthesized from 175 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.