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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 RAM 1500 engine problems
severe Owners of the 2015 RAM 1500 have filed 242 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 87,600 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
242
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 1500 | 94 |
| 2014 1500 | 225 |
| 2015 1500 (this page) | 242 |
| 2016 1500 | 230 |
| 2017 1500 | 136 |
| 2018 1500 | 106 |
| 2019 1500 | 115 |
1crash
28fires
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 242 engine complaints filed for the 2015 RAM 1500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ 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
Of the 12 model years of RAM 1500 we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 242.
Owners have filed 242 engine 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
CEL (Check Engine Lamp) C006A-49 Multi-Axis Acceleration Sensor Internal Electronic Failure And C10CC-00 ESC Sensors.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Throttle Blade Icing Service Fix Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find that one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) have been set: ? P2072 - Electronic Throttle Control System - Ice Blockage. ? P2110 - Electronic Throttle Control - Forced Limited RPM. ? P2118 - Electronic Throttle Control Motor Current Performance - Bank 1. The customer may also comment on the following: ? The vehicle may not start (below freezing conditions - typically -7 °C (-20 °F)) This bulletin involves removing the PCV valve and hose to dry out, drying out the throttle body and installing an updated make-up air h
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Water Quality When Mixed With Engine Coolant
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2015 RAM 1500 EcoDiesel has spawned an unusual volume of engine failure complaints across a wide mileage range. The core issue is crankshaft tone wheel delamination—the magnetic material on the sensor ring separates, killing the crankshaft position signal. Engine stalls without warning, sometimes on the highway, and won't restart. Owners report this at 16,000 miles and at 180,000 miles. Recall 20V-475 (software update, August 2020) didn't stop it; recall 23V-411 (parts replacement, June 2023) came later but some VINs were excluded. Owners say the recalls were marked complete without parts actually being installed.
EGR cooler failures add another fire risk. Internal cracks introduce coolant into the intake and exhaust systems, triggering combustion in the manifold. Owners report engine fires while driving at highway speed with no warning lights beforehand. Recall 19V-757 (October 2019) promised a fix but parts were unavailable for months or years; many owners waited 6–12 months without a repair slot.
The high-pressure fuel pump (recall 22V-406, June 2022) fails causing sudden loss of power on highways. As of 2024, parts remain on backorder with no ETA. Main bearing failure destroys entire engines catastrophically—crankshaft bearing starves for oil (from EGR soot clogging galleries), overheats, seizes, and punches a hole in the block. Some owners have had engines replaced multiple times. Separately, the emissions software update (V08 recall) created dangerous acceleration hesitation—cold starts now require 4–7 seconds before the truck will move, forcing drivers to bury the throttle to merge safely into traffic. Dealers confirm the software is the cause but offer no fix.
Same RAM 1500 engine reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Crankshaft Position Sensor Tone Wheel Failure
Magnetic material attached to the crankshaft tone wheel delaminates or separates, causing loss of crankshaft position signal. Engine loses ability to synchronize fuel injector pulses and cam timing, resulting in stall and inability to restart. Occurs across low and high mileage vehicles.
When: Reported from 16k to 184k miles; multiple owners report sudden onset without warning
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning while driving; Loss of motive power, sudden drop to limp mode; Unable to restart after stall; Check Engine light with P0336 code (Crankshaft Position Sensor Performance); Electronic Throttle Control warning light; Prolonged cranking before starting; Loss of power steering and brakes during stall
Codes mentioned: P0336, P0299, P2D2F
Repairs/costs cited: Crankshaft position sensor and/or tone wheel (reluctor ring) replacement required. Owners report costs around $2,300. Some tone wheels replaced under extended warranty associated with EcoDiesel emissions class action settlement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 20V-475 (W58, NHTSA 20V475000) issued August 2020 with software reprogramming remedy only. Recall 23V-411 (NHTSA 23V411000) issued June 2023 with parts replacement remedy. Multiple owners report recall was applied but failures continued. Some VINs excluded from recall coverage despite experiencing identical failure symptoms. Owners report dealerships marking recalls complete without performing required parts replacement.
EGR Cooler Internal Crack and Failure
EGR cooler develops internal crack, introducing preheated vaporized coolant into EGR system. In certain circumstances, this mixture interacts with hydrocarbons and air, potentially causing combustion within intake manifold. Cooler failure can also introduce coolant into engine oil and cause intake manifold damage.
When: Reported across various mileages from early ownership to 140k+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fire originating in engine bay; Loss of power while driving; Smoke in cabin and from engine compartment; Burning odor; Coolant loss with brown/black discoloration; Major soot buildup in intake manifold; Check Engine light; Vehicle loses power, throttle control warning light; Low oil light illumination
Codes mentioned: P0299, P2D2F
Repairs/costs cited: EGR cooler replacement required. Intake manifold often requires replacement due to damage from failed cooler. Owners report repair costs around $4,500 for cooler and intake manifold. Multiple owners report waiting 4+ months for parts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V-757 (VB1, NHTSA 19V757000) issued October 2019 for EGR cooler fire hazard. Initially no remedy was available. Parts delays exceeded reasonable timeframe; some owners waited over 6 months with no parts availability. Multiple owners report recalls marked complete without actual repair performed. Owners report manufacturer failing to cover failure under powertrain warranty despite parts being bolted to engine.
High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) Failure
High-pressure fuel pump fails, causing loss of motive power and inability to operate vehicle. Failure can occur while driving at highway speeds.
When: Reported at various mileages; as of October 2024 some vehicles still have incomplete recall
Symptoms owners cite: Unexpected loss of motive power while driving; Fuel light illumination; Throttle control light; Inability to maintain speed, sudden drop from 55 mph to 5 mph; Diesel fuel leaking
Repairs/costs cited: High-pressure fuel pump replacement required. Owners report having to replace pump at independent shops at personal expense when dealers cannot perform recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 22V-406 (Z46, NHTSA 22V406000) issued June 2022 for fuel pump fire risk. As of late 2024, parts remain on backorder with no estimated delivery date. Multiple owners report dealership marking recall complete without performing actual repair or parts replacement. Owners report dealerships refusing coverage and claiming vehicle missing required components (EGR).
Bearing Failure and Catastrophic Engine Damage
Main bearing on crankshaft fails due to lack of bearing lubrication. Oil key and hole become clogged (likely from EGR soot), preventing bearing lubrication. Bearing overheats and fails, sending piston and rod into oil pan, resulting in catastrophic engine failure with hole in block.
When: Reported from under 20k miles to over 90k miles; multiple instances documented
Symptoms owners cite: Loud groaning sound from engine; Loud bang followed by loss of power; Low oil pressure light (despite adequate oil level); Engine seizes completely; Smoke and flame from engine compartment; Number 5 cylinder explosion and engine block cracking
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required, estimated $20,000–$30,000. Multiple owners report having had engines replaced multiple times (up to three times on same vehicle). Owners report 60+ engine replacements on backorder with no estimated delivery.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific recall issued for bearing failure. FCA acknowledged problem when changing oil grade from older specification to newer specification. Owners report no financial assistance from manufacturer despite acknowledged defect. Warranty coverage disputed; some owners denied coverage due to mileage or EGR system removal.
Engine Fire During Operation
Engine catches fire while vehicle is in operation on roadway or during driving. Fire originates in engine bay and can spread rapidly, engulfing entire vehicle. No warning lights precede fire in some instances. Cause may be related to combined EGR cooler failure, fuel system issues, or catastrophic bearing failure.
When: Reported at various mileages and operating conditions, including highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Fire in engine compartment with no prior warning lights; Smoke filling cabin; Loss of electrical functions including braking and power steering; Unable to unlock doors due to electrical failure; Flames visible from under hood and engine bay; Thick smoke making visibility and breathing difficult
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle typically total loss. Multiple owners report vehicle completely engulfed within minutes.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V-757 (VB1, NHTSA 19V757000) issued for fire hazard with EGR cooler. Owners report fire occurring despite prior recall notification and in cases where recalls were marked complete. Multiple owners report no financial assistance from manufacturer; investigation pending or declined.
Acceleration Hesitation and Throttle Lag Post-Emissions Recall
After emissions modification software update (V08 recall related to EPA emissions class action settlement), vehicle exhibits significant delay and hesitation when accelerating from stop, particularly when engine is cold. Delay of 4–7 seconds observed before acceleration response. Issue creates safety hazard when merging into traffic.
When: Immediately after emissions software update; reported from multiple owners post-V08 recall
Symptoms owners cite: Large lag in engine power-up from stop; 4–7 second delay before acceleration response (cold start); Must depress accelerator to 3000 RPM to accelerate safely into traffic; Severe hesitation during acceleration; Reduced overall performance compared to pre-update baseline; Issue persists even after engine reaches operating temperature
Repairs/costs cited: Service department confirmed nothing mechanically wrong; issue directly result of V08 emissions recall software. No remedy offered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Emissions settlement recall (related to EPA lawsuit) required software update. Settlement agreement stated update was not supposed to affect drivability, but owners confirm it did so dangerously. Manufacturer has not addressed this as separate safety issue.
Oil Cooler Failure
Oil cooler fails internally, causing oil to pour from coolant reservoir overflow. Failure introduces coolant into engine oil and risks loss of oil pressure and oil starvation.
When: Reported at various mileages; owners indicate design flaw across multiple vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Large amount of oil pouring from underneath vehicle; Oil leaking from coolant reservoir overflow; Coolant reservoir full of oil; Oil coating engine and undercarriage
Repairs/costs cited: Oil cooler replacement required. One owner reported total cost of $2,128.52 including new oil cooler, new coolant hoses, rental car, and towing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued. Owner research found multiple similar complaints online regarding failed oil coolers on EcoDiesel engines but no manufacturer response or recall action.
Evaporative Emission System Leak and Check Engine Light
EVAP system develops small leak causing check engine light and fuel cap warning. Issue persists after part replacement.
When: Reported after couple months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Check Engine light with fuel cap warning message; EVAP system leak detected by diagnostic; Check engine light recurring after repairs
Repairs/costs cited: O2 sensors and fuel cap replacement attempted but did not resolve issue. Owners report dealership offered only to delete code without performing actual repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or manufacturer support offered. Dealership sales staff suggested code deletion rather than diagnosis and repair.
Exhaust Manifold Bolt Breakage
Exhaust manifold bolts continuously break off due to dissimilar metals used and difference in metal expansion/contraction as engine heats and cools. Issue creates health and environmental concern as unfiltered exhaust bypasses catalytic converters.
When: Reported as recurring issue from cold starts onward; documented as 10+ occurrences on single vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Ticking noise from engine on cold start; Exhaust manifold gases leaking directly into engine bay; Unfiltered exhaust bypassing catalytic converter; Vehicle computer thrown into open loop due to faulty O2 readings
Repairs/costs cited: Broken manifold bolts replaced repeatedly with same type and material that failed previously. Costly repairs ($1,000s reported) with no permanent fix. Owners report repairs continue to fail.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer refusing to address issue. No recall issued despite documented pattern of bolt failures across multiple vehicles.
DEF System Malfunction
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system malfunctions, limiting vehicle speed to 37 mph maximum.
When: Reported during normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle top speed limited to 37 mph due to DEF malfunction; DEF system malfunction recurring
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership reset DEF system; issue reoccurred later.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer assistance reported.
Connector Pin Looseness and Electrical Issues
Loose pins in electrical connector and loose ground wire cause multiple problem codes and sudden complete loss of power while driving.
When: Reported at approximately 36k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden complete loss of power while pulling into traffic; Loss of power steering; Loss of power brakes; Starter unable to shut off (push button start remained engaged ~20 seconds); Multiple problem codes on computer; Check Engine light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer repaired by tightening loose pins in electrical connector and loose ground wire.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer support noted; covered under warranty.
Synthesized from 242 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while his vehicle was idle, the vehicle began to overheat and white smoke started coming from the engine without warning. The contact immediately shut off the vehicle to prevent it from catching on fire. The contact then called an independent mechanic who arrived and inspected the vehicle. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause…
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V475000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH and merging onto the highway, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle stalled. The check engine and the…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2015 RAM 1500?
It's a meaningful issue. 242 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 166 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 53,000 and 115,116 miles, with the median around 87,600. A quarter of owners report trouble before 53,000; a quarter make it past 115,116. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.