IN JUNE 2016, TOWING A 14 FOOT LIGHT TRAILER UP SONORA PASS ON HWY 108 IN CALIFORNIA, THE TRUCK BUCKED, STUDDERED AND SHOOK IN FIRST GEAR, STALLED AND SLIPPED BACKWARD TOWARDS A 1000 FOOT CLIFF, IT THEN LUNGED INTO GEAR AND IT WAS SMOKING THE TIRES. I LET IT DO THAT TO GAIN TRACTION AND THEN SLOWLY MADE MY WAY BACK UP. I CANNOT TOW ANYTHING OUT OF FIRST GEAR WITHOUT THE BUCKING AND STUDDERS, AN…
2015 RAM 3500 powertrain problems
severe 30 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
30
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO LIMP MODE WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LITHIA CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT OF EUGENE (2121 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, EUGENE, OR 97401) WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE TURBO BOOSTER ACTUATOR. T…
THE NEW DODGE RAM EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS DIESEL EXPERIENCE A DEAD PEDAL, OR PEDAL DELAY WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL 3/4 TO FULL THROTTLE. THIS POSES A SERIOUS RISK WHEN NEEDING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY, OR MOVE THE VEHICLE UNDER EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS HAPPENS UNDER ALL CONDITIONS: STOPPED, ROLLING, UNDER ACCELERATION ETC. IF YOU PUSH THE PEDAL TOO FAR THE TRUCK WILL NOT RESPOND TO OPERATOR …
DEAD ACCELERATOR PEDAL. WHEN APPLYING ACCELERATOR THERE IS A PERIOD OF TIME WHEN NOTHING HAPPENS. THIS IS PARTICULARLY CONCERNING AS IT LEAVES THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE VEHICLE ESSENTIALLY DEAD AND IN HARMS WAY WHILE TRYING TO MANEUVER IN TRAFFIC, MERGING, TURNING, EMERGENCY AVOIDANCE, ETC.
THE TUCK HAS A HORRIBLE LAG IN THE THROTTLE RESPONSE. WHEN TRYING TO PULL OUT INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC THE TRUCK LAGS MORE THAN IT SHOULD. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT NEW WITH 16 MILES ON IT. IF YOU PRESS THE PEDAL MORE THAN HALF DOWN FROM A STOP YOU CAN COUNT TO 30 BEFORE IT ACTUALLY STARTS MOVING. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE TIMES WHERE THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I HAV…
THE TRANSMISSION IS SEVERELY LIMITED BY TORQUE MANAGEMENT. IF YOU STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL THE TRUCK BARELY MOVES. IT MOVES AT ITS OWN PACE INSTEAD OF BEING UNDER YOUR CONTROL. THIS CAN CREATES SOME VERY DANGEROUS MERGING SITUATIONS WHERE YOU ARE TRYING TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC AND THE TRUCK DECIDES IT WON'T MOVE. YOU END UP HALF WAY COMMITTED AND HALF WAY NOT.
BOUGHT TRUCK NEW AND AT 40K MILE MARK WATER PUMP ASSEMBY FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH TOWING CAMPER,ALMOST CRASHED,LOST STEERING & CONTROL, TRUCK ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE, WAS SO HOT, STEEMING & SMOKING , MECHANIC COULDNT TOUCH HOOD FOR 45 MINUTES. STRANDED FOR A WEEK BEFORE FIXED-NOW AT THE 80K MILE MARK RE-CALL CAME OUT FOR EXACT PROBLEM AND NOW THERES NO FIX AVAILABLE ? ROLLING THE D…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2015 RAM 3500?
It's a meaningful issue. 30 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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