2015 Dodge Ram 2500. Consumer writes in regards to diesel water pump safety recall. *ld updated 12/07/2017*js *js
2015 RAM 2500 engine problems
moderate 22 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 22 engine complaints filed for the 2015 RAM 2500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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 engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2015 Ram 2500s cite a range of engine and cooling system failures. Water pump failures are the most significant: some pumps fail while driving, causing serpentine belt slip and loss of power steering and braking; dealers report recall 17V562000 parts unavailable for extended periods (eight months minimum, with dealers reporting 100+ customers waiting over a year). Coolant reservoir leaks and separation at seams also appear, with multiple owners reporting the same issue.
Turbocharger actuator failures occur at low mileage (41,000 miles reported); owners claim the actuator loses communication and exceeds learning limits, with repair costs around $4,018. One owner with extended warranty X99 coverage reports manufacturer denial of reimbursement despite meeting coverage terms.
Throttle response delays are widespread on Cummins diesel models—owners describe up to 8 seconds of dead pedal when accelerating from stop or after letting off the pedal momentarily, creating safety risks in traffic and merging. One owner reports this condition present since day one despite dealer visits and firmware updates.
Other issues include broken transmission dipstick tubes at low mileage (under 40,000 miles) with no apparent external damage; cracked exhaust manifolds with audible leaks and no available replacement parts; broken exhaust manifold bolts; limp mode activation with check engine lights; NOx sensor failures at 100,500 miles; and one incident where the key fob was bumped into the off position during normal driving, disabling the engine.
Same RAM 2500 engine reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Water Pump Failure
Water pump fails internally, sometimes catastrophically while driving. Serpentine belt slips off pulleys, causing total loss of power steering and loss of brake power. Also linked to coolant leaks and reservoir issues.
When: Varying mileages; one owner reported at low mileage; recall 17V562000 issued, parts unavailable for extended periods
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant loss; Belt slip; Loss of power steering; Loss of brake power; Engine overheating
Repairs/costs cited: Recall 17V562000 remedy unavailable—dealers reported 100+ customer backlog, 2–3 repairs per week allocation, over one-year wait times. Water pump replacement required; one owner's vehicle rolled after losing steering in a turn.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 17V562000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) issued; parts distribution severely constrained, exceeding reasonable timeframes per federal law.
Coolant Reservoir Leaks and Separation
Coolant reservoirs leak or separate at seam during driving, spraying coolant across engine bay, battery, and exhaust. Multiple owners report the same failure.
When: 51,753 miles reported; varies
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant leak; Coolant spray in engine bay; Coolant loss during operation
Repairs/costs cited: Reservoir replacement required; not covered under warranty per dealer (no recall issued for this specific failure). One owner states manufacturer referred to NHTSA.
Turbocharger Actuator Failure
Turbocharger actuator loses communication and exceeds learning limit, causing limp mode and power loss. Failures occur at low mileage on new vehicles. Extended warranty X99 covers this on some models, but manufacturer denies coverage despite policy language.
When: 41,000 miles reported on new 2015 vehicle; another at approximately 93,000 miles; varies
Symptoms owners cite: Limp mode; Loss of power while driving; Check engine light / malfunction indicator lamp (MIL); Reduced engine power
Codes mentioned: Turbo Actuator communication loss, Turbo Actuator learning limit exceeded
Repairs/costs cited: Actuator replacement ~$4,018; also includes push pin replacement. One service included failed coolant refill requiring return trip. Warranty X99 (15 years/150,000 miles) allegedly covers at 93,000 miles, but manufacturer (Stellantis) denies coverage without clear explanation; customer unable to reach supervisor.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer warranty X99 for 6.7 Cummins turbocharger actuator issued 2022 (covers failures per Warranty Bulletin); 2015 model year owners report denial of reimbursement and extended warranty benefits. One 2022 recall noted but earlier 2015 vehicles reportedly excluded.
Throttle Response Delay (Dead Pedal)
Cummins diesel exhibits unpredictable 2–8 second delay between accelerator press and engine response—not turbo lag, but actual fuel application delay. Occurs after releasing and re-pressing pedal, especially under hard acceleration in traffic or merging. Present from day one and persists after dealer updates and latest firmware.
When: Consistent across ownership; present from purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Delayed throttle response; Dead pedal / no response when accelerating; Slow response from dead stop; Slow response exiting parking spot; Worse with harder pedal pressure
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealer visits; latest firmware flashes applied without resolution. Owner notes this is the worst throttle response of all their Cummins diesels (owned 1993, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008, and 2015); plans to switch brands (Ford or GMC) next.
Transmission Dipstick Tube Breakage
Transmission dipstick tube breaks at low mileage with no apparent cause or external damage to surrounding area. Vehicle is nearly 2 feet off ground (lifted truck), not taken off-road. Breaks with surgical precision—no scratches or dents around tube. Service adviser reports seeing this problem multiple times in the past.
When: Under 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Limp mode; Loss of power while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost over $500, not performed by owner. Dealer unable to explain cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer aware of issue; addressed on newer models per owner's research.
Exhaust Manifold Cracking and Bolt Breakage
Exhaust manifolds crack or bolts break, causing audible exhaust leaks. Exhaust enters cab during startup, idling, or reversing. Bolts break without clear cause—an ASE master tech notes bolts 'just don't break' and identifies this as a major ongoing problem. Mopar has discontinued parts for 2011–2019 models with 6.4L Hemi.
When: Varies; affects models 2011–2019
Symptoms owners cite: Loud ticking noise from engine compartment; Audible exhaust leak; Exhaust smell in cab; Exhaust entering vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Cracked manifold or broken manifold bolts. Mopar has discontinued parts; no aftermarket parts readily available. Renders truck unusable per DOT guidelines; would fail roadside DOT inspection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued. Manufacturer has no indication of providing a fix. Owner reports no response from manufacturer; dealers have no solution.
Limp Mode with No Diagnostic Code / Unable to Replicate
Vehicle enters limp mode while driving, but dealer cannot retrieve diagnostic codes or replicate the issue. Limp mode limits vehicle to very low speed (5 mph or less in some cases) with check engine light illuminated.
When: Under 40,000 miles (one case); 59,200 miles (another); varies
Symptoms owners cite: Limp mode; Check engine light; Reduced engine power; Vehicle limited to 5 mph speed
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to diagnose; no codes stored. Multiple dealers consulted; vehicle not repaired. Manufacturer contacted in at least one case.
NOx Sensor Failure
NOx sensor fails, triggering check engine light and limp mode with speed countdown (5 mph max speed in 150 miles message on display).
When: 100,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Limp mode; '5 MPH MAX SPEED IN 150 MILES' message on instrument panel
Codes mentioned: NOx sensor fault
Repairs/costs cited: NOx sensor replacement required; not performed. Vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated repair would not be covered under warranty.
Key Fob Interference with Engine Ignition
During normal driving, owner's knee contacts key fob/key chain and turns ignition from ON to ACC position, disabling the engine. Vehicle loses all power and power steering becomes difficult. Knees from normal driving position make periodic contact with the key fob.
When: During normal highway driving at ~35 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off unexpectedly; Loss of power; Loss of power steering; Difficulty steering
Catalytic Converter Failure
Check engine light triggered by catalytic converter failure. Dealer indicates this is a recall issue, but no recall notice received and part not yet listed in system. Dealer charges $2,000 for repair.
When: Timing unknown; vehicle has extended warranty
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light
Codes mentioned: Catalytic converter fault
Repairs/costs cited: $2,000 repair cost quoted by dealer; not performed at time of complaint. Owner has extended warranty but dealer claims recall not yet listed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Possible recall mentioned by dealer but not yet issued or listed in system.
Synthesized from 22 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 2500. While driving 35 MPH, "5 MPH max speed in 150 miles" illuminated on the instrument panel. The miles began to count down as the contact continued to drive the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to ken nelson Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (1000 n galena ave, dixon, il 61021, (815) 288-4455) where it was determined that a nox sensor needed to be replaced. The…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2015 RAM 2500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 22 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 41,625 and 100,500 miles, with the median around 59,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 41,625; a quarter make it past 100,500. 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/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.