NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
283 reports100,000 miles · Nov 18, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE IT WILL UNEXPECTEDLY TURN OFF, WHEELS LOCK UP, STEERING LOCKS UP, ENGINE STOPS COMPLETELY NO MATTER WHAT I AM DOING. AS OF LATE THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. AFTER RESEARCH WAS DONE, IT'S THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM THAT WILL CAUSE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. THIS TRUCK HAS DONE THIS ON THE INT…
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WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE IT WILL UNEXPECTEDLY TURN OFF, WHEELS LOCK UP, STEERING LOCKS UP, ENGINE STOPS COMPLETELY NO MATTER WHAT I AM DOING. AS OF LATE THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. AFTER RESEARCH WAS DONE, IT'S THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM THAT WILL CAUSE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. THIS TRUCK HAS DONE THIS ON THE INTERSTATE, HWY, AND CITY STREETS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS TIMES. THIS IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE AND IS USED TO DRIVE MY 4 CHILDREN AROUND, AGES 17 TO 1YR OLD.
NHTSA ODI #10927050
60,000 miles · Oct 31, 2016
Exterior Lighting
THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF IN THE DARK FOR NO REASON. I WAS DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD WITH NO STREET LIGHTS. I WAS COMING INTO A TURN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. IT WAS PITCH BLACK AND THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS IN THE AUTO FEATURE. I QUICKLY REACHED AND TURN THEM ON MANUALLY. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. IF I WAS…
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THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF IN THE DARK FOR NO REASON. I WAS DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD WITH NO STREET LIGHTS. I WAS COMING INTO A TURN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. IT WAS PITCH BLACK AND THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS IN THE AUTO FEATURE. I QUICKLY REACHED AND TURN THEM ON MANUALLY. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. IF I WASN'T ON A ROAD I NORMALLY TRAVEL I WOULD HAVE WRECKED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10920199
826,260 miles · Oct 10, 2016
Steering
TRUCK GOT THE DEATH WOBBLES ON FREEWAY AT FULL SPEED ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT AND RAM IS REFUSING TO FIX IT WITH OUT CHARGE....THEY CLAIM OUT OF WARRANTY.... FROM ALL CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS AND WHAT IS ON THE WEB I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE COVERED.THEY ARE TELLING ME TRUCK IS NOT DERIVABLE IN IT CURRANT STATE
NHTSA ODI #10915133
30,567 miles · Sep 28, 2016
Air Bags
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. NO ACCIDENTS OR ANY UNUSUAL CONDITIONS. IT JUST CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL CITY STREET.
NHTSA ODI #10910452
40,000 miles · Sep 19, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainSteering
FRONT END VIBRATION LOOSE STEERING. OVER 60MPH VERY BAD VIBRATING ALMOST FEELS AS IF THE TRUCK WAS BEING PUSHED ONE WAY AND GOING THE OTHER. BRAKING ALSO CAUSES THE STEERING TO WOOBLE OR PULL DEPENDING ON THE SPEED, WHEN HITTING BUMPS IN THE ROAD WAY IS THE WORST I NEVER KNOW WHERE I MAY END UP. ALL HIGHWAY AND TURNING INTO COMP…
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FRONT END VIBRATION LOOSE STEERING. OVER 60MPH VERY BAD VIBRATING ALMOST FEELS AS IF THE TRUCK WAS BEING PUSHED ONE WAY AND GOING THE OTHER. BRAKING ALSO CAUSES THE STEERING TO WOOBLE OR PULL DEPENDING ON THE SPEED, WHEN HITTING BUMPS IN THE ROAD WAY IS THE WORST I NEVER KNOW WHERE I MAY END UP. ALL HIGHWAY AND TURNING INTO COMPANIES I USE IT AS A SALES VEHICAL
NHTSA ODI #10908020
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2016
Electrical System
AIRCON/HEAT CONTROL HEAD NOT WORKING. A/C AND HEAT BLOWER CUTS OUT. BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES FOR FIX STARTING IN JUNE. DEALER SAYS PART NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER. VERY DANGEROUS IF SOMEONE IS IN CAR WITH A/C ON AND IT CUTS OUT ON A HOT DAY. CONTACTED DODGE DIRECTLY AND NOT HELPFUL. APPARENTLY HUNDREDS OF BACKORDER FOR THIS PA…
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AIRCON/HEAT CONTROL HEAD NOT WORKING. A/C AND HEAT BLOWER CUTS OUT. BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES FOR FIX STARTING IN JUNE. DEALER SAYS PART NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER. VERY DANGEROUS IF SOMEONE IS IN CAR WITH A/C ON AND IT CUTS OUT ON A HOT DAY. CONTACTED DODGE DIRECTLY AND NOT HELPFUL. APPARENTLY HUNDREDS OF BACKORDER FOR THIS PART. HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE MOVING, STATIONARY, ETC.
NHTSA ODI #10894932
40,000 miles · Jul 26, 2016
Unknown Or Other
LEAKING EXHAUST AT THE HEAD. SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET INDICATE A RECALL MAY BE NECESSARY DUE TO DANGER OF ASPHYXIATION.
NHTSA ODI #10888860
71,994 miles · Jul 15, 2016
Air BagsSeat BeltsService BrakesCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO SECURE THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND LOWER …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO SECURE THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND LOWER BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND A COLLISION CENTER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE BODY DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,994. ..UPDATED 12/11/17 *BF *CN
NHTSA ODI #10885031
40,989 miles · Jul 11, 2016
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CYCLED OFF AND ON FOR THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORM…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CYCLED OFF AND ON FOR THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SOLENOID PACK ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,989. UPDATED 11/01/16*LJ *TR
NHTSA ODI #10883900
10,000 miles · Jun 23, 2016
Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500 EQUIPPED WITH FEDERAL COURAGIA A/T TIRES, SIZE: 35X12.50R20M/T (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT WHEELS STARTED TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED SEVERE BELT SEPARATION ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500 EQUIPPED WITH FEDERAL COURAGIA A/T TIRES, SIZE: 35X12.50R20M/T (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT WHEELS STARTED TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED SEVERE BELT SEPARATION ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE DEALER WHERE THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA ODI #10876267
Official recalls
4Dec 20, 2017
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Jul 22, 2015
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2011, to October 7, 2014, and equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center option. The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness. Additionally, protective caps will be added to the air bag retainer spring ends. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R36.
Oct 8, 2014
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P65.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Diesel
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
Consequence: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P65.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
Consequence: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P65.
Nov 6, 2013
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about February 27, 2014, Chrysler ceased its recall remedy program due to parts quality concerns, and then re-initiated it on or about April 14, 2014. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N49.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA19001 · Electrical Overstress
Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
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