The navigation does not track my vehicle properly. The key fobs fail over 50% of the time. The uconnect application on my phone fails to work over 50% of the time and truck will not start, lock or unlock. The truck says the key fob left the vehicle when it is still in the vehicle causing a safety concern when driving. Even with new batteries in the fobs. The updates have failed different times…
2015 RAM 2500 electrical problems
severe 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 23 electrical complaints filed for the 2015 RAM 2500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report electrical failures spanning nearly every major system. Key fob and ignition problems appear repeatedly—codes displayed as "wrong key fob," failures to start, and inability to turn off or remove keys from ignition. One owner's knee bumped the ignition key while driving 75 mph, shutting off the engine and power steering in traffic; another lost all power while driving at 75 mph after the same design issue.
Two separate owners report vehicles catching fire or burning internally while parked: one truck spontaneously ignited and burned to total loss; another had its dashboard melt. A third owner experienced the engine stalling with increasing frequency until reaching multiple times per week despite a dealer replacing ignition and wire harness for $865.
Display and control failures include instrument panels that freeze, information centers that malfunction, horns that stop working, and radios that only function with the ignition in accessory position. One owner reports the backup camera becomes unusable because the radio failed.
Multiple owners describe wiring harness damage in the frame rail where fuel tanks pinch wires, causing cascading failures in ABS sensors, backup cameras, and rear blinkers. Blower motors work intermittently with corrosion found in computer boxes from improper factory sealing.
Window, mirror, and wireless connectivity failures are common. One owner had unresponsive front windows while rear windows worked fine; another reports Uconnect app and remote start failures happening 50% of the time. Manufacturers have issued recalls for electrical and lighting systems but parts remain unavailable, leaving owners stranded.
Same RAM 2500 electrical reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Key fob and ignition system failure
Key fob loses code for ignition, displays 'wrong key fob' on dash, preventing engine start. Occurs intermittently; sometimes one fob works while the other doesn't. Code B1A7B-01 documented in diagnostics.
When: July 2016 and February 2019 in complaint #2; Fall 2017 onwards in #4
Symptoms owners cite: Engine will not start; Dashboard displays 'wrong key fob' message; Key fob intermittently fails to unlock/lock; Lost code for ignition
Codes mentioned: B1A7B-01
Gear shift indicator and ignition lock malfunction
Dash displays gear in reverse when truck is actually in park; key cannot be turned off or removed; engine cannot be started. Requires override button and resets after 15 minutes to one hour, though one owner waited 5 hours before tow.
When: Occurs from cold start or while stationary in park
Symptoms owners cite: Gear shift indicator shows reverse while in park; Key cannot be turned off or removed; Engine will not start; Gear shift cannot be moved without override button; Vehicle requires reset period before function returns
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to duplicate problem; manufacturer denies existence of defect in other vehicles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to reproduce; Chrysler denies problem exists on other vehicles
Wireless connectivity and remote start failure
Uconnect app fails over 50% of the time; navigation does not track vehicle properly. Remote start function only allows engine to run 5 seconds before shutting off. System incorrectly reports key fob left vehicle when still inside, causing safety concern. Problem attributed to Sierra Bolo wireless card per owner research.
When: Started fall 2017 in complaint #4; complaint #6 spans two years
Symptoms owners cite: Uconnect app fails to work; Navigation inaccurate; Remote start shuts engine off after 5 seconds; System indicates key fob departed vehicle when present; Wireless card failures during updates
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite owner identifying multiple similar cases
Power window, mirror, and radio control failure
Front driver and passenger windows inoperable while rear windows function normally. Outside mirrors will not retract. Radio remains on after key removal and locked; only manual knob turns it off. Remote start functions only 5 seconds.
When: Ongoing across two years in two states
Symptoms owners cite: Driver and passenger windows do not raise or lower; Rear seat windows operate normally; Outside mirrors will not retract; Radio does not turn off when key removed; Remote start shuts down after 5 seconds
Repairs/costs cited: Seen by Dodge dealer multiple times in Texas and Arizona
ABS hydraulic control unit failure
ABS hydraulic control unit failed with warning lights and transmission shifting problems. Repair cost $5,651. Manufacturer later issued Recall 24E-100 (C7B) for identical defect in 2012-2018 Ram vehicles, but denied pre-recall repair reimbursement citing parts not covered, despite federal TREAD Act requiring reimbursement for pre-notification repairs.
When: September 2022
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning lights illuminated; Transmission shifting problems; Hydraulic control unit failure
Repairs/costs cited: $5,651 repair cost for ABS hydraulic control unit replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 24E-100 (C7B) issued November 2024 for 2012-2018 Ram vehicles; FCA US LLC improperly denied reimbursement under case 92237530, claiming parts not covered; referenced wrong recall campaigns in denial letters
Integrated trailer brake control failure
Integrated trailer brake control fails to respond when braking with trailer hitched. Independent mechanic diagnosed inadequate power to brake control unit.
When: 207,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Integrated trailer brake control does not respond; No adequate power to brake control
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired
Ignition switch position vulnerability
Ignition key location allows right knee to bump and turn key off while driving, similar to the GM ignition defect issue. Owner's knee turned off engine once at highway speed.
When: Occurred once since purchase July 22, 2015
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off while driving from accidental knee contact with key; Loss of power steering
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: RAM customer care stated no recall notice exists
Complete electrical power loss and immobilization
Truck loses all electrical power immediately after car wash with no dash warning. Power intermittently returns but starter causes clicking and immediate power shutdown. Vehicle cannot be moved out of park. Dealership unable to duplicate or determine cause.
When: Immediately after car wash
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of electrical power to all components; Vehicle stuck in park; Clicking sound from starter; Power cycles off when attempting to start; No power to any component
Repairs/costs cited: Towed to dealership; could not be diagnosed
Blower motor intermittent operation and corrosion
Blower motor for air conditioner and heater not working properly or works intermittently, starting only after 30+ minutes of driving. Service company reports ongoing issue with model. Computer box heavily corroded from improper factory sealing. Corrosion risk extends to entire ECM, threatening engine start capability.
When: Intermittent; starts after 30+ minutes driving
Symptoms owners cite: Blower motor inoperative or intermittent; Computer box corroded; Delayed heating/cooling function
Repairs/costs cited: Service company identifies this as recurring model issue; corrosion cleanup required
Instrument panel and information center display failures
Electronic vehicle information center malfunctions with frozen display showing only speed; unable to access tire pressure and towing information. Instrument panel lighting fails to illuminate while driving at highway speed. Horn does not operate.
When: 42,080 miles; 4,400 miles in separate complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Information center display freezes showing only speed; Horn inoperative; Instrument panel lights do not illuminate; Unable to access safety information
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA 15V799000 recall issued but parts unavailable
Wiring harness chafing and damage in frame rail
Wires running down frame rail between fuel tank and frame are pinched by fuel tank causing deterioration and short circuits. Affects rear ABS sensor, backup camera, driver's side rear blinker, and other systems. Factory harness routing design flaw.
When: Recurring across multiple systems
Symptoms owners cite: Rear ABS sensor fails intermittently; Backup camera fails; Rear blinker stops working; Wires pinched and damaged by fuel tank in frame rail
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer confirmed wires damaged between fuel tank and frame rail from factory routing
Clock spring steering wheel electrical failure
Bad clock spring in steering wheel causes airbag light to trigger with 'service airbags system' message; horn and all steering wheel controls inoperative. Warning light persistent on every startup. Safety risk in collision.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light triggered; Steering wheel controls non-functional; Horn inoperative; Message center displays 'service airbags system'
Repairs/costs cited: Self-diagnosed as bad clock spring; vehicle cannot pass inspection
Engine spontaneous ignition fire
Parked truck with factory auto-start running spontaneously caught fire and burned completely. Total loss. Fire department 100 yards away responded immediately.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle spontaneously burst into flames; Complete burn-down of vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Total loss vehicle
Dashboard melting and burning
Dashboard and surrounding components melted and burned while parked and unoccupied for two hours. No one in vehicle when failure occurred.
When: Two-hour period while parked
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard melted; Burned components inside vehicle
Engine stalling and dying while driving
Engine dies while driving, occurring with increasing frequency from once monthly to multiple times weekly. One incident at 75 mph caused knee-bump to ignition turning off engine. Owner lost power steering while pulling a load in heavy traffic. Dealer replaced ignition and wire harness for $865 with no resolution.
When: 10 months of escalating failures; one incident at 75 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Engine dies while driving; Loss of power steering; Knee bump to key causes shutdown; Escalating frequency of stalls
Repairs/costs cited: $865 ignition and wire harness replacement by dealer did not resolve issue
Radio on/off and backup camera integration failure
Radio fails to operate after vehicle starts; works only in accessory position. Cannot use backup camera because radio inoperative, creating safety issue.
Symptoms owners cite: Radio inoperative after engine starts; Radio works only in accessory position; Backup camera unavailable due to radio failure
Chafed wire harness and BCM short circuit
Wire harness chafed causing body control module to short out, resulting in loss of fuel gauge functionality.
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel gauge inoperative; BCM short circuit
Vehicle power loss during driving
Vehicle shuts off while driving, causing loss of braking power. Owner reports occurrence three times in one week. Brakes become inoperable when engine dies.
When: Three occurrences in one week
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shuts off while driving; Loss of power; Brakes become inoperable; Vehicle becomes undriveable
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated no issue exists; no applicable recalls
Recall parts unavailability and excessive wait times
Manufacturer notified owners of electrical system recalls (15V799000 and 16E039000) but parts were unavailable, exceeding reasonable repair timelines. One owner reported being told repair would take 2-3 days.
Symptoms owners cite: Delayed recall repairs; Extended wait times; Parts distribution issues
Repairs/costs cited: Parts unavailable for NHTSA 15V799000 and 16E039000 recalls
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Parts not available; parts distribution disconnect
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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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 electrical problem on the 2015 RAM 2500?
It's a meaningful issue. 23 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 21,500 and 46,000 miles, with the median around 39,727. A quarter of owners report trouble before 21,500; a quarter make it past 46,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.