The RAM 1500 truck has been on the road with varying features since 1981. Launched as “the strongest RAM 1500 ever,” the 2025 RAM 1500 is promoted for its power, performance, and fuel efficiency. However, some owners complain they are faced with dangerous engine and electrical system problems, sometimes when the truck is brand new. Brakes are also a problem for owners who cannot stop when they need to.
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Overview of Common Issues
Complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about the 2025 RAM 1500 primarily concern the electrical system, engine, brakes, and forward collision avoidance. Problems vary widely, ranging from brake failures and engine shutdowns to cylinder misfires and dead batteries.
Other problematic systems include backover prevention, exterior lighting, fuel/propulsion system, lane departure, latches/locks/linkages, powertrain, steering, suspension, and visibility/wiper.
Three recalls also affect the electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, and components related to the tires and wheels.
Recalls Affecting the 2025 RAM 1500
October 24, 2024: 33,777 RAM 1500 trucks were recalled due to potential damage to the front wheel hub encoder rings. This could disable the electronic stability control system, increasing the risk of a crash.
December 2024: 53 RAM 1500 trucks were recalled for having the incorrect headlight module software. The defect may cause headlights to become inoperative, reducing visibility and increasing crash risk.
April 10, 2025: 10,395 vehicles were recalled for incorrect tire inflation pressure information caused by a software error. This may lead to improperly inflated tires, which also raises crash risk.
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Close to one-third of NHTSA complaints by May 2025 involved the electrical system. About 44% of these also relate to engine problems. Several are linked to brake issues and forward collision avoidance failures, showing how many problems are interconnected.
There are also broader safety concerns. Dealerships often can’t diagnose the issues or provide fixes due to unavailable parts.
Battery Problems
Many electrical system complaints involve battery failures. A recurring issue is new trucks dying within a few hundred miles of purchase. Dealerships reportedly replace batteries—and sometimes alternators—but the problem often returns. RAM owner forums echo this frustration.
Dealer Returns Truck Unfixed After Two Battery Failures
An owner from Wisconsin reported that the check engine light appeared five days after purchase. Codes indicated multiple cylinder misfires. After clearing the code, the issue returned. Soon after, the battery died.
After a jump start, blind spot detection warning lights remained on. He manually shut them off. The check engine light then reappeared, this time showing low voltage.
The dealership replaced the battery but did not address the misfire issue. Three days later, the warning lights returned. After 10 days at the dealership, the owner was told Chrysler had no fix and to pick up the truck.
“I’m supposed to just take home a non-correctly functioning $62,000 truck I haven’t even made the first payment on?”
Battery Won’t Charge: Dealer Not Sure Why
A Pennsylvania owner reported that the truck died within the first week. After the check engine and battery-saving lights came on, the touch-screen became unresponsive. While pulling over, the battery voltage dropped to 9 volts. The truck lost power steering and shut off.
The vehicle was towed to the dealer. After scanning, many codes were found. The dealer initially suspected a broken wire but later blamed a battery control module.
Safety Issues
A Virginia owner experienced complete lighting failure while accelerating. The dashboard flashed warning lights. After pulling over and restarting the truck, the lights returned along with a check engine light.
Later, the check engine light reappeared. The dealership confirmed 24 error codes but couldn’t diagnose the issue for two weeks due to a backlog. Factory engineers offered no help.
Another owner reported calling roadside assistance three times and leaving a truck with under 5,000 miles in the shop for over 30 days. Service records were wiped from the app.
“This is the fifth RAM I’ve owned, but this one really scares me. Luckily, the failures haven’t caused an accident—yet.”
Door Lock Problems
Most door lock complaints state that occupants were trapped inside the RAM 1500. Some report that the auto-lock feature doesn’t appear on the infotainment display, making it impossible to lock doors from inside.
One Ohio owner said the doors failed to lock automatically while driving. Another from Nebraska said:
“My wife and kids were locked inside and couldn’t get the doors to unlock. They eventually got out, but it was stuck for a while.”
In another case, rear-seat passengers couldn’t unlock their doors. The front doors responded to the key fob, but the rear doors did not. The passenger had to climb over the center console to exit. The original fob stopped working temporarily.
Engine Problems
Nearly half of all engine-related complaints also cite electrical system failures. Issues include misfiring cylinders and unexpected shutdowns, both of which pose safety risks.
A Texas owner reported that the truck died while idling and unexpectedly shifted into Park. A Michigan owner reported a persistent misfire code (P0300) that worsened in warmer weather:
“Stellantis knows about the problem and has done nothing.”
A Minnesota driver was told the misfire would continue during cold starts. RAM had no fix.
A Georgia owner experienced a critical failure after service. The truck entered limp mode, displayed warning chimes, and refused to shift into Park. The engine then shut off and would not restart.
Brake Problems
Brake complaints include everything from squeaking noises to full brake failure.
A Pennsylvania owner noted that the brake warning light came on while at a stoplight, and the pedal went to the floor. Restarting the truck temporarily resolved the issue. After fluid adjustments by a dealer, the problem returned. No diagnosis was given.
A Texas owner said the brake pedal made a chirping noise. Even after replacing the brake booster assembly, the issue persisted. The dealership was still waiting on engineering guidance.
A Florida owner reported:
“The brake pedal got hard and went all the way to the floor. Luckily, I was pulling into a parking lot.”
Automatic Emergency Braking System Failures
A New York owner reported spontaneous braking without obstacles or warnings. The dealer was notified.
A Florida owner encountered multiple warnings:”service electronic stability control,” “4WD system temporarily unavailable,” and “emergency braking unavailable” while driving on the beach. The issue resolved itself, and the dealer couldn’t detect the problem later.
“Sounds similar to a recall for trucks built through August 2024. Mine was built in September.”
What Should You Do If Your 2025 RAM 1500 Is a Lemon?
Worried your 2025 RAM 1500 might be a lemon? Lemberg Law can help. We’ll evaluate your case at no cost and explain your options.
Our attorneys have helped countless drivers get fair compensation. And you won’t pay anything, automakers are legally required to cover attorney fees in lemon law cases.
Call our Helpline or fill out our contact form today.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
