Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 2015 Ram 4500 — assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its 17-character VIN to decode that exact car — its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment — alongside these records. Free, no account.
Run a VIN →Recalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every Ram 4500 year.
No EPA fuel-economy match for this model (naming may differ or it predates EPA records).
NHTSA has no NCAP crash-test rating for this model/year (common for older, low-volume, or heavy-duty vehicles).
NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this make/model/year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car — check with a dealer using the VIN.
Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Campaign 18V332000
Issue: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Risk: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.
Campaign 21V398000
Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
Risk: Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
Campaign 17V821000
Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
Campaign 17V824000
Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2017 RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines that have Concentric-brand water pumps without a vent hole. These water pumps may leak coolant.
Risk: The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pumps, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T51.
Campaign 17V562000
Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500, 2015 Chrysler 200, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger, 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, and Dodge Durango, and 2013-2015 Dodge Viper vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with radios that have software vulnerabilities that can allow third-party access to certain networked vehicle control systems.
Risk: Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge. Optionally, owners may download the update to their own USB drive from http://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ or take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for immediate installation. In an effort to mitigate the effects of this security vulnerability, Chrysler has had the wireless service provider close the open cellular connection to the vehicle that provided unauthorized access to the vehicle network. This measure may not have been implemented on all vehicles and does not address access by other means that will be remedied by the software update. The recall began on August 25, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R40.
Campaign 15V461000
Issue: Chryser (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ram 4500 and 5500 cab chassis trucks manufactured August 20, 2013, to January 27, 2015 and equipped with 6.4L Hemi engines. The affected vehicles have a maximum governed speed of 106 mph but are fitted with tires that are only rated for a maximum speed of 87 mph.
Risk: If the vehicle exceeds the tires' maximum speed rating, the tires may suddenly fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will correct the electronic control unit software to limit the vehicle's speed to 87 mph, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R17.
Campaign 15V290000
Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ram 4500, and 5500 pickup trucks manufactured January 30, 2015, to February 6, 2015. The affected vehicles may have inadequate penetration of the front upper control arm loop to spacer weld, reducing the front suspension stability.
Risk: A reduction of suspension stability control could affect control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected upper control arms, free of charge. The recall began on September 17, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R34.
Campaign 15V468000
The parts named most often across 7 owner complaintsfiled with NHTSA for this make, model and year — the closest free answer to “what is likely to go wrong?”
1 fire
1 fire
1 crash
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so treat this as where to look, not a defect rate.
Right rear wheel studs sheered off and the wheels fell off at highway speeds. It appears recall Y26 has listed this issue. One of the wheels rolled off the highway into a Tesla dealership and hit two new cars.
ENGINE OIL COOLER POURING ENGINE OIL OUT!!
I WAS DRIVING ON HIGH WAY ENGINE POWER REDUCED. I PULLED OVER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I DROVE MY MECHANIC SHOP HE CHECKED OBD CODE TOLD ME YOUR ECU INTERNAL PERFORMANCE ISSUE MEMORY LOSS NEED TO REFLASH. IT CAN SHUT DOWN ANT TIME ON HIGH WAY AND CAUSE PROBLEM.
THE AMBULANCE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THEY FELT A VIBRATION THEN HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE CAB FILLED WITH SMOKE AND THEY LOST STEERING, BRAKES AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. ENGINE THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. AFTER THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT, FOUND THAT THE TRANSFER CASE WAS IN PIECES. FOUND ENGINE HARNESS DAMAGE, BOTH DRIVESHAFTS, BRAKE AND FUEL LINES DAMAGED. AMBULANCE BOX AND TRUCK FLOOR BOARD DAMAGED.
I PURCHASED MY 2015 RAM 4500 NEW, WITHIN THE FIRST 3000 MILES THE FRONT TIRES WERE SHOWING UNEVEN WEAR, BY 50,000 MILES THE UNEVEN WEAR WAS SEVER. I REPLACED FRONT TIRES AND HAD A FRONT-END ALIGNMENT PERFORMED. WITHIN APPROX. 3000 MILES AGAIN, THE FRONT TIRES WERE WEARING UNEVENLY. AT APPROX. 117,000 THE ABS SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON, I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID TO COME N NEXT WEEK AND THEY WOULD CHANGE A WHEEL SENSOR BUT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THEN. THE DAY AFTER THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON HOWEVER, THE HUB BEARINGS WENT OUT COMPLETELY AND CAUSED A SMALL FIRE. I HAD THE HUB BEARING, BRAKE CALIBER, BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR CHANGED AS A RESULT OF THE BEARINGS FAILURE. THESE HAVE NOT CHANGED THE UNEVEN WEARING AND HAS INCREASED THE OCCASIONALLY SEVER WOBBLE/SHAKE THAT OCCURS AT MID SPEEDS WHEN A ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD OR A SEMI SHARP CURVE IS IN THE ROADWAY.
I AM WITH A STATE DOT AND WE HAVE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION WATER INTRUSION INTO A TRANSMISSION BULKHEAD CONNECTOR ON TWO TRUCKS WITH A THIRD UNCONFIRMED. THE MODELS AFFECTED ARE FROM THE 2014 AND 2015 MODEL YEARS FOR THE RAM 4500 AND 5500. THIS BULKHEAD CONNECTOR IS LOCATED NEAR FRONT WHEEL SPLASH AND IT IS NOT PROPERLY PROTECTED. WHEN WATER ENTER THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR, THE TCM CAN SHORT CIRCUIT AND AN INPUT SPEED SENSOR CAN SHORT CIRCUIT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING TO THE DRIVER WHICH RENDERS THE TRUCK TO LOSE THE TRANSMISSION FUNCTIONALITY WHILE IN MOTION. FCA WESTERN REGIONAL MANAGERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND THE FCA FIX IS TO APPLY DIELECTRIC GREASE TO THE CONNECTOR, WHICH IS NOT A LONG-TERM SOLUTION. DIELECTRIC GREASE WILL WASHOUT IN TIME. A PROPER SOLUTION INVOLVES A PROPER SPLASH SHIELD OR RELOCATING THE ENTIRE HARNESS AWAY FROM WHEEL SPLASH.
IN NOVEMBER 2014 I PURCHASED A SECOND RAM 4500 AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT AS GOOD AS MY PREVIOUS 4500 THAT I STILL HAVE. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE SELLING DEALER AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. I DROVE THE TRUCK AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS GETTING LOWER AND SPONGY AND THAT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE TRUCK LIKE THEY SHOULD. I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO ANOTHER DEALER ON 3/11/15 WITH SAME COMPLAINT THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. WHEN I PICKED THE TRUCK UP I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE WORKING CORRECTLY. I ASKED WHAT THEY DID AND THEY SAID NOTHING. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK THE BRAKES WENT BACK TO NOT STOPPING THE TRUCK LIKE IT SHOULD AND THE PEDAL WAS SPONGY AND LOW. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AGAIN. THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. I THEN WENT TO THE DEALER WITH BOTH OF MY TRUCKS A 2014 4500 AND HAD THEM DRIVE BOTH TRUCKS. THEY STATED YES THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG AND THEY WOULD CONTACT CHRYSLER. I THEN RETURNED THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER TESTING AS CHRYSLER NEEDED THE DEALER TO DO. AFTER TESTING THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL TESTS CHECKED OUT SO CHRYSLER SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. THE DEALER AGREES THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO CHRYSLER . IF THESE BRAKES ARE CHECKING OK WHY DO THEY NOT STOP THE TRUCK AS THEY SHOULD , THIS IS A ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND THIS IS A COMMERCIAL TRUCK. IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED . *TR