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 Module as faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified and informed…
2015 RAM 1500 brakes problems
moderate 90 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
90
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
3crashes
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 90 brakes complaints filed for the 2015 RAM 1500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 90 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 11 model years of RAM 1500 in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2015 Ram 1500 has a well-documented ABS module failure affecting dozens of owners, with the critical part (68228991AD) discontinued and unavailable for months to years—leaving trucks unsafe to drive and unsellable. Even owners with failed brakes at low mileage face dealership repair queues with no part availability, no recall coverage for this model year, and no manufacturer assistance.
The 2015 Ram 1500 brake system failures center on a single critical issue: the ABS module (Part 68228991AD) fails and the replacement is unavailable. Owners across this cluster describe identical sequences—ABS, traction control, and brake warning lights come on simultaneously; the module stops functioning; and the truck defaults to brakes without anti-lock protection. Mileage at failure ranges from 20,000 to 188,000 miles with no clear pattern.
The part is either discontinued or listed as "under engineering review" indefinitely. Owners report waiting 11 months to over 2 years for delivery with no guarantee arrival. Dealers say nothing can be done without ordering the part first, and Chrysler corporate offers no assistance. Used modules cannot be reprogrammed to individual vehicles, and the replacement cost runs $1,400–$2,000 before labor.
Separate from the module failure, owners report soft brake pedals that go to the floor, requiring pumping to regain stopping power—some occurring at 5,000 miles. A few cases mention brake caliper seizure with smoke, and one brake pad detachment at 20,000 miles. One owner's truck rolled away from the driveway despite being in park with e-brake set.
Chrysler issued a recall for 2019–2021 Ram models for the identical ABS module defect (affecting ~1.5 million trucks), but the 2015 model year is explicitly excluded from coverage, leaving owners stranded without remedy or recourse.
Same RAM 1500 brakes reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
ABS Module Failure (Part 68228991AD)
Electronic ABS control module fails, disabling the anti-lock brake system. Owners report the module is discontinued or under indefinite engineering review, with part unavailability lasting months to years. The failure triggers multiple warning lights and reduces braking capability to conventional mode without ABS protection.
When: Mileage ranges from 20,000 to 188,635 miles; onset appears unpredictable across the fleet. Some failures occurred within first year of ownership; others after 7+ years.
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illumination; Brake warning light illumination; Traction control light illumination; Service Electronic Braking System message; Service Antilock Brake System message; Service Trailer Brake System message; Cruise control inoperative when ABS fails; Loss of traction control function; Braking system operates in conventional mode only
Codes mentioned: C0020, C2200-49
Repairs/costs cited: Part 68228991AD (replacement for 68228991AA, AB, AC) costs approximately $1,400–$2,000 at dealership. Part listed as on indefinite backorder or under engineering review; some owners report waiting 11+ months to 2+ years with no arrival guarantee. No aftermarket or used parts readily available; used modules cannot be reprogrammed to individual vehicles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler issued recall for 2019–2021 Ram 1500 models (approximately 1.5 million trucks) for the same ABS module defect. 2015 model year excluded from recall despite identical failure mode. No warranty extension, buyback, or repair assistance offered for out-of-warranty vehicles.
Soft or Failed Brake Pedal
Brake pedal loses firmness or travels to the floor when depressed, reducing stopping power. Owners report the pedal must be pumped multiple times to regain braking function, or brakes fail to respond entirely on first application.
When: Failures reported from 5,000 miles onward; early occurrence in vehicle life suggests potential manufacturing or design defect.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal goes to the floor on depression; Spongy or soft brake pedal feel; Loss of braking response on initial pedal application; Need to pump brakes repeatedly to regain function; Brake failure without warning
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to reproduce failures during diagnosis in some cases; cause often remains undiagnosed. One brake pad detachment reported at 20,000 miles requiring pad replacement.
Brake Overheating and Rotor Damage
Rotors overheat and pit during normal commute driving, causing squeak on brake application at low speeds. Service departments attribute wear to high nickel content in rotor material. Failures occur early in vehicle life with low mileage.
When: 1 year, 26,000 miles; stop-and-go highway rush-hour traffic identified as trigger.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake squeak at low speeds; Rotor pitting and overheating; Brake noise during application
Repairs/costs cited: Rotor machining or replacement recommended at cost of $250 plus new pads, despite pads still being serviceable. Rotors warranted only 1 year or 12,000 miles.
Brake Caliper Seizure
Front and rear brake calipers seize during operation, causing brakes to lock up and produce smoke. Vehicle speed suddenly decreases, creating safety hazard.
When: 36,000 miles and 87,500 miles reported; can occur suddenly without prior warning.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal applied with normal pressure; Brakes seize and lock up; Smoke and burning odor from brake area; Vehicle speed suddenly decreases; Vehicle spins out in traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Faulty calipers replaced at dealership. One case involved both front and rear passenger-side assemblies requiring replacement.
Brake Pad Detachment
Brake pads detach from caliper assembly on driver-side wheels, causing loss of braking function and near-collision.
When: 20,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depressed but vehicle fails to stop; Failure without prior warning; All brake pads on driver-side detached
Repairs/costs cited: Both driver-side brake pads replaced by independent mechanic.
Unintended Automatic Braking
Brakes apply automatically without driver input while vehicle is in motion. Occurs multiple times over short periods, creating rear-end collision risk on highways.
When: Undisclosed speeds and mileage; repeated occurrences over days.
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes apply without driver touching pedal; Multiple unintended brake applications; Cruise control not engaged during events
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer test drive could not duplicate issue; vehicle has no automatic braking mechanism per manufacturer.
Tone Wheel (ABS Sensor) Failure
Cracked ABS tone wheel causes check engine light and limp mode, rendering vehicle unable to start without towing.
When: 138,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine warning light illuminated; Service Electronic Throttle Control message; Vehicle enters limp mode; Vehicle fails to start
Repairs/costs cited: Tone wheel replaced by dealership; repair successful.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner referenced unknown recall with similar failure; VIN not associated with any recall.
Vehicle Rolling Away When Parked
Parked vehicle with parking brake engaged and transmission in park rolls away down driveway and into neighbor's property, causing $3,500 in damage. Raises questions about parking brake or transmission park mechanism reliability.
When: Incident occurred shortly after normal operation; vehicle had been parked with e-brake and in park.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls away despite transmission in park; Vehicle rolls despite electronic parking brake engaged; Vehicle moves without driver input
Repairs/costs cited: $3,500 collision damage; vehicle repaired through insurance claim. No diagnosis provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Federal investigation announced for 2014–2016 Ram trucks with similar rollaway incidents.
Unexpected Loss of Traction Control and Stability
Traction control and stability control systems fail or behave erratically during wet or slippery driving conditions, causing vehicle to slide and throw occupants side to side.
When: Undisclosed mileage; failure apparent during wet-pavement driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Traction control light illuminated; Loss of traction on wet pavement; Vehicle slides when traction is lost; Erratic auto-correction behavior; Vehicle thrown side to side on road; Hard braking on dry pavement
Repairs/costs cited: ABS Control Module identified as cause; part unavailable for repair.
Synthesized from 90 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
ABS control unit and ABS pump failure, repaired and more failures. Repair is to keep buying new expensive parts that will fail again. This ABS system is poorly designed or the feedback control component is poorly designed. It doesn't work properly, repairing it is not answer, parts are back ordered for months or years AND IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE, HIGH SPEED SAFETY, WHERE PEOPLE DIE DUE TO NOT…
The abs module is throwing lights which then of course disables my cruise control. Also with no antilock brakes it definitely puts not only myself but others at risk in the case I have to stop quickly or on lwet/slick roads. We have had it to a shop and have a quoted price of 2500 to fix. I had no problems whatsoever with this until I started the truck one morning and the lights came on. Upon…
Had brakes trouble with your 2015 RAM 1500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2015 RAM 1500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 90 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 29 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 26,000 and 108,000 miles, with the median around 63,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 26,000; a quarter make it past 108,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/RAM/1500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.