My 2015 Ram 1500 Big Horn Has Intermittent ABS and traction control lights, no cruise or 4x4 The SEBS and ABS lights, and alarm will start flashing and dinging. then goes out, but come back on when on wet road. Truck slides around with loss of traction.
2015 RAM 2500 brakes problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
The failure pattern owners describe
A 2015 Ram 2500's brake system can fail in multiple ways. Owners report soft brake pedal response requiring extended stopping distance, with dealers unable to diagnose the problem during testing. The integrated trailer brake controller consistently underperforms—even at maximum gain setting it can't lock trailer brakes properly, allowing the trailer to push the tow vehicle during braking; this problem is specific to 2015 models and documented on owner forums.
Parking brake failure before 86,000 miles stems from lining material separating from the brake shoes, and adjustment doesn't restore function. Both front brake lines have ruptured in the braided hose section near the connector at highway speed, with both lines failing on the same end within inches of each other.
Electronic brake system warnings persist: Service Electronic Braking System (SEBS) and ABS lights flash intermittently, especially on wet roads, causing loss of traction control and truck sliding. Trailer brake controllers cut out without reason during motion, displaying wiring error messages despite intact wiring. One owner's vehicle was sold with an open interlocking braking system recall and no parts available—dealer did not disclose this at sale. These are not minor nuisances; they're core safety failures.
Same RAM 2500 brakes reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Soft or unresponsive brake pedal with extended stopping distance
Owner reports brake pedal does not respond to immediate foot pressure and requires long braking distance to stop. Dealer tested and determined the system was OK despite owner concerns about safety, particularly in emergency situations. Owner reports never feeling ABS activate during sudden hard braking.
When: Occurring during local and highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal unresponsive to immediate pressure; Extended braking distance required; No ABS activation felt during hard braking; Safety concern in emergency stopping scenarios
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer tested and cleared the issue; no repair documented
Integrated Trailer Brake Controller voltage inadequate
Multiple owners report the OEM integrated trailer brake controller fails to provide proper voltage to apply adequate trailer braking. Even at highest gain setting, the controller cannot lock trailer brakes or achieve proper stopping force, creating an unsafe condition where the trailer can push the tow vehicle during braking. Owners note this is common on 2015 model year and documented on forums.
When: During braking events and panic stops with trailer
Symptoms owners cite: Insufficient voltage output to trailer brakes; Inability to lock trailer brakes; Trailer pushes tow vehicle during braking; Unable to set proper controller gain; Issue absent on 2014 model year
Parking brake shoes delamination and failure to hold
Parking brake became loose and stopped holding the vehicle prior to 86,000 miles. Adjustment was attempted but failed; subsequent diagnosis confirmed delimitation (separation) of lining material from the parking brake shoes, preventing proper engagement and hold. Owner notes online searches indicate other owners report the same issue.
When: Prior to 86,000 miles; diagnosed 2/10/2020
Symptoms owners cite: Parking brake loose and does not hold vehicle; Parking brake fails to hold vehicle after adjustment; Separation of lining material from brake shoes
Repairs/costs cited: Adjustment attempted but unsuccessful; delimitation of parking brake shoe lining diagnosed
Service Electronic Braking System (SEBS) warning light
Cruise control disengaged unexpectedly and SEBS warning message appeared on cluster. Message continues to appear every time truck is started. Owner reports this issue is documented online by other owners.
When: Intermittent occurrence; persistent after first event
Symptoms owners cite: Unexpected cruise control disengagement; SEBS warning message on cluster; Message appears every time truck is started; Intermittent ABS and traction control lights
Codes mentioned: Service Electronic Braking System warning
ABS and traction control intermittent failure
Owner reports intermittent ABS and traction control lights with no cruise control or 4x4 function. SEBS and ABS lights flash intermittently with audible alarm, then go out but return when driving on wet roads. Loss of traction control results in truck sliding around during wet weather driving.
When: Intermittent; worse in wet road conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent ABS lights; Intermittent traction control lights; SEBS lights flashing; Audible alarm sounding; Loss of traction on wet roads; Truck sliding during braking on wet roads; No cruise control or 4x4 function
Codes mentioned: ABS light, SEBS light, Traction control light
Front brake line rupture in braided hose
Both front brake lines ruptured in the braided hose portion. Left front line ruptured while operating at highway speeds; right front line ruptured immediately after replacement of the left. Both ruptures occurred on the same end of the hose within 0.75 to 2 inches from the connector, indicating a potential manufacturing or design defect.
When: During highway operation; right line ruptured immediately after left was replaced
Symptoms owners cite: Left front brake line rupture at highway speed; Right front brake line rupture immediately after left replacement; Both ruptures in braided hose near connector
Repairs/costs cited: Both front brake lines ruptured; replaced
Trailer Brake Controller intermittent cutout
Trailer brakes cut out intermittently while in motion with no apparent reason. Owner steps on brakes and they work, then they cut out without explanation. Dashboard messages indicate 'disconnected' or 'check wiring' but wiring appears intact. Issue is intermittent but getting progressively worse.
When: Intermittent during motion; worsening frequency
Symptoms owners cite: Trailer brakes cut out intermittently; Brakes work then suddenly cut out; Dashboard warning: disconnected or check wiring; Issue is intermittent but progressive
Codes mentioned: Trailer brake controller disconnected warning
Open recall on interlocking braking system with unavailable parts
Vehicle was sold on 1/20/2018 with an open recall on the interlocking braking system, but dealer did not advise the owner of the recall status. Owner did not learn about the recall until filing a corporate complaint on 5/21/2018, at which time RAM stated parts were available. This represents a dealer disclosure failure rather than a component defect, but reflects a systemic issue with the braking system requiring recall attention.
When: At point of sale 1/20/2018; recall status not communicated until 5/21/2018
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle sold with open recall on interlocking braking system; Parts listed as unavailable at time of sale; Dealer failed to disclose recall status to buyer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Open recall for interlocking braking system; parts became available by 5/21/2018
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2015 RAM 2500?
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 2500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 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?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 34,932 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2500.
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.