Is the 2015 Ram 1500 a bad year?
1,461 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 379, 7.2× a quiet 1500 year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 46k–106k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2015 1500 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 75,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 379 (26%) | 46k–106k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 342 (23%) | 53k–107k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 239 (16%) | 50k–113k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 160 (11%) | 26k–90k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 86 (6%) | 29k–86k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 56 (4%) | 10k–84k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Electrical system | 160 (11%) | 21k–78k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 49 (3%) | 15k–79k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 15 (1%) | 52k–118k miles · around this mileage | Exhaust leak repair $200–$1,500 · Catalytic converter replacement $500–$4,000 |
| Stability control | 8 (1%) | 40k–102k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 227 (16%) | 23k–73k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 61 (4%) | 26k–65k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 26 (2%) | 2k–57k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seat belts | 12 (1%) | 24k–62k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 75,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,461 complaints: 79 mention a crash · 58 mention a fire · 40 report an injury · 110 say the car was towed.
117 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I bought my 2015 Ram 1500 on november 27, 2017. The truck looked as though it had been very well maintained and taken care of.
Exhaust fumes fill cabin: 2015 4X4 ecodiesel. When driving in slow traffic speeds of less than 30 MPH or stopped, the cabin becomes filled with exhaust fumes.
Engine lifters and camshaft failure. Engine misfiring and power loss.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 75,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2015 Ram 1500: 18
The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation. Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture. A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold. Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving. If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving. If the tailgate latch releases and the tailgate opens while driving, cargo may fall out, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
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… If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
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. If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
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. 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.
Certain driving conditions, such as driving off-road or debris striking the vehicle may cause the roll rate sensor to trigger a fault within the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). If this fault occurs, the rollover side curtain air bag and the seat belt pretensioner will be disabled from deploying. If the rollover side curtain air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a crash that necessitates activation of these safety systems.
These Mopar canvas seat covers were sold through Chrysler dealerships beginning October 15, 2015. The seat covers can impede the deployment of the seat thorax airbags. If the seat cover impedes the air bag deployment, the seat thorax air bags may not provide adequate protection in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of a injury.
Contamination on the Electric Power Steering (EPS) control circuit board may cause a short and result in the loss of power steering assist. If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The affected vehicles may have been built with rear axles that were incorrectly heat treated. If the rear axle shaft was not properly heated treated, it may fracture and a wheel separation could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
The affected vehicles are equipped with side air bag inflatable curtains (SABIC) that may not fully overlap the C-pillars in the event of a vehicle crash. In the event of a vehicle crash, if a SABIC does not inflate as intended, there is an increased risk of injury to the rear seat occupant.
The affected vehicles have a battery harness that may rub against the frame bracket for the right engine mount resulting in an electrical short. If the harness shorts, the vehicle may stall and there is an increased risk of a fire.
The affected vehicles are equipped with radios that have software vulnerabilities that can allow third-party access to certain networked vehicle control systems. Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.
In the affected vehicles, the side impact sensor calibrations may be overly sensitive, and as a result, the side air bag inflatable curtains and seat air bags may unexpectedly deploy and the seat belt pre-tensioners may activate. Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ram: 348
Repair instructions Ram sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2015 Ram 1500. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission
CEL (Check Engine Lamp) C006A-49 Multi-Axis Acceleration Sensor Internal Electronic Failure And C10CC-00 ESC Sensors
Dual EVAP System Extreme Duty Vapor Canister Filter Kit Customers operating fleet or severe/extreme duty gasoline vehicles in continuous dusty driving…
Throttle Blade Icing Service Fix Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination
NHTSA defect investigations: 5
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
Intermittent/Comp Loss of Power Steering
High pressure fuel pump failure
Vehicle Rollaway
Software security vulnerability
Neighbouring years
2014 1500: 1,781 complaints, keep it · 2016 1500: 1,564 complaints, keep it.
Every Ram 1500 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All 1500 years side by side
Other Ram models: Ram 2500 · Ram 3500 · Ram 5500 · Ram Promaster. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2015 Ram 1500 a bad year?
1,461 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 379, 7.2× a quiet 1500 year. At 75,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 46k–106k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Ram 1500?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (379), steering (342), fuel system (239), brakes (160), speed control (86). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 46k–106k miles.
How many recalls does the 2015 Ram 1500 have?
18 recall campaigns list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 23V-411), Fuel system (NHTSA 22V-406), Air bags (NHTSA 21V-632), Engine (NHTSA 20V-475) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.