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ProblemsByVin File / 2015-RAM-1500 NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
RAM

2015 RAM 1500 problems

The 2015 RAM 1500 has 1,427 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 3 active recall campaigns.

The 2015 RAM 1500 has 1,427 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 336 complaints, typically surfacing around 84,559 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

RAM 1500 owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2013 1500 1,255 5
2014 1500 1,739 3
2015 1500 (this page) 1,427 3
2016 1500 1,508 6
2017 1500 860 4
2018 1500 644 5
2015 RAM 1500
Photo: MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the RAM 1500
0 5 10
Reliability score
6.0 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
3
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.

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

⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 87,848 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 6.0/10 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.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2015 RAM 1500

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.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

Embed this reliability snapshot

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<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2015-ram-1500/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2015 RAM 1500 reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2015-ram-1500/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2015 RAM 1500 reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

steering
336 reports · fails ~84,559 mi · avg $700
moderate
engine
242 reports · fails ~87,848 mi · avg $3,100
severe
powertrain
209 reports · fails ~53,824 mi · avg $2,500
severe
electrical
109 reports · fails ~56,363 mi · avg $850
severe
brakes
90 reports · fails ~69,328 mi · avg $450
moderate
fuel system
63 reports · fails ~127,189 mi · avg $1,200
moderate
airbags
52 reports · fails ~53,373 mi · avg $1,100
critical
suspension
50 reports · fails ~69,832 mi · avg $900
severe

Your road ahead on this 2015 RAM 1500

When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.

  1. ~20,000 milighting~$250
  2. ~43,000 mibody~$1,500
  3. ~47,990 mielectrical~$850
  4. ~55,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
  5. ~56,000 miairbags~$1,100
  6. ~58,765 micruise control~$600
  7. ~63,000 mibrakes~$450
  8. ~66,000 misuspension~$900
  9. ~76,551 misteering~$700
  10. ~87,600 miengine~$3,100

"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.

Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2015 1500's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2015 1500?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

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…
12/31/2024 · at 86,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11633428.0 · see brakes pattern →
2015 1500 · powertrain
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.
12/31/2019 · at 76,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11292288.0 · see powertrain pattern →
2015 1500 · electrical
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…
12/31/2015 · at 36,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10817175.0 · see electrical pattern →
2015 1500 · cruise control Crash
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…
12/30/2020 · at 47,238 mi · NHTSA ODI #11385590.0 · see cruise control pattern →
View all 1,427 owner complaints →
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.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 3

severe NHTSA 15V534000 August 21, 2015

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ram 1500 Quad Cab trucks manufactured August 26, 2013, to August 8, 2015

In the event of a vehicle crash, if a SABIC does not inflate as intended, there is an increased risk of injury to the rear seat occupant.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, dealers will inspect the right and left side air bag inflatable curtains (SABIC) for proper orientation and a foil patch will be installed on both sides of the headliner. One or both of the air bag inflatable curtains (SABIC) will be replaced if necessary. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R47.
severe NHTSA 15V517000 August 14, 2015

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ram 1500 diesel 4x2 trucks manufactured August 8, 2013, to July 2, 2015

If the harness shorts, the vehicle may stall and there is an increased risk of a fire.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to confirm that the battery harness is correctly routed and secured. Any harness that shows evidence of wear will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 8, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R43.
severe NHTSA 15V460000 July 22, 2015

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured June 20, 2012, to January 26, 2015

Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Control module calibration, free of charge. The recall began on September 8, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R23.

Under investigation 3 open at NHTSA

RQ Power Train › Automatic Transmission · opened July 2025

NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. RQ25003 on NHTSA →

RQ Steering · opened August 2023

NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. RQ23003 on NHTSA →

EA Fuel System, Diesel › Delivery · opened March 2023

NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA23001 on NHTSA →

How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →

Common questions

Is the 2015 RAM 1500 reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.0 out of 10 based on 1,427 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, failures cluster 28,000–73,000 mi; Reliability score 6.0/10 — around the segment average; 3 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 336 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 84,559 miles. 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 6.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 1,427 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 84,559 miles. 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 336 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 84,559 miles. 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. Typical failure occurs around 53,373 miles. 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 1,427 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.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days 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. We are not affiliated with RAM. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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