The 2015 RAM 1500 has 1,443 NHTSA owner complaints and 18 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 338 complaints (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Significant reliability concerns on file. Read the trouble spots before buying.
0
Critical
18
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2015 1500?
Avoid — the engine
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced.
28 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the engine
Powertrain: 209 complaints, classified severe
Reliability score 3.0/10 — below the segment average
18 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
4 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★4/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★3/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2015 Ram 1500 Quad PU/EC 4WD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2015 RAM 1500? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 338 owner reports
· ~$700 to fix
engine — 243 owner reports
· ~$3,100 to fix
powertrain — 209 owner reports
· ~$2,500 to fix
electrical — 112 owner reports
· ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 18 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 3.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2015 1500· brakes
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS, Traction Control, and Brake warning lights remained illuminated, and the brake pedal was not firm while depressed. The vehicle was taken to two local mechanics who diagnosed the ABS…
EGR cooler cracked and leaked coolant onto the intake. This melted the intake and caused other damage. What happened to my vehicle sounds the same as NHTSA recall id 19v757.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. While driving 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The check engine warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on multiple occasions…
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while sitting idle and the brake depressed when the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward. The vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle in front. The contact stated that they had to turn the vehicle off in…
Had a problem with your 2015 RAM 1500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3
Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2022. Owner notification letters for were mailed for Jeep Grand Cherokee owners starting January 11, 2024. Owner notification letters for Ram 1500 owners were mailed March 7, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLS's number for this recall is Z46.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Ram 1500 Classic, 2015-2016 Ram 3500, and Ram 2500 vehicles, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating less than 10,000 lbs
A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on October 4, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 26, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y55.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 3.0 out of 10 based on 1,443 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 RAM 1500 has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2015 RAM 1500?
On the NHTSA data, the 2015 RAM 1500 is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 28 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the engine; Powertrain: 209 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 3.0/10 — below the segment average; 18 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2015 RAM 1500?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 338 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2015 RAM 1500 a good used car to buy?
It scores 3.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 1,443 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2015 RAM 1500?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 338 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my RAM 1500 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2015 RAM 1500?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,443 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 12 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/RAM/1500.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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