2015 RAM 1500 Engine and Engine Cooling Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 9, 2026 · 63 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the 2015 RAM 1500, 4% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 115,116 miles. The words owners use most often: “tone wheel” (21% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Tone wheel: mentioned in 13 of 63 complaints (21%)
  • Position sensor: mentioned in 10 of 63 complaints (16%)
  • Motive power: mentioned in 9 of 63 complaints (14%)
  • Throttle control: mentioned in 7 of 63 complaints (11%)

At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?

Based on 55 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles1 · 2%
10k–25k miles0 · 0%
25k–50k miles4 · 7%
50k–75k miles4 · 7%
75k–100k miles7 · 13%
100k–150k miles27 · 49%
150k+ miles12 · 22%

How serious are the reports?

Of 63 complaints, 3 a fire, 1 an injury.

RAM 1500 engine and engine cooling complaints by model year

Peak: 2015, with 63 complaints
2013: 8201382014: 502014502015: 632015632016: 622016622017: 322017322018: 462018462019: 182019182020: 102020102021: 4202142022: 4202242023: 1202312025: 620256

n = 304 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearEngine and Engine Cooling complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2025 150062%3,523
2023 150010%52,000
2022 150041%60,000
2021 150041%52,850
2020 1500102%58,450
2019 1500181%63,000
2018 1500467%96,500
2017 1500324%95,000
2016 1500624%102,000
2015 1500634%115,116
2014 1500503%105,000
2013 150081%66,114

When owners reported it

Peak: 2025, with 13 complaints
2015: 1201512017: 1201712018: 1201812019: 3201932020: 9202092021: 4202142022: 2202222023: 122023122024: 122024122025: 132025132026: 520265

n = 63 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (4)

Engine and engine coolingJun 8, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V411000 · 80,629 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. 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.

Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.

Engine and engine cooling:engine:dieselAug 13, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V475000 · 58,016 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. 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.

Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-2002. FCA US's number for this recall is W58.

Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)Oct 24, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V757000 · 107,980 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic Pickup trucks equipped with 3.0L Eco Diesel engines. 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.

Risk: Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. The recall began April 16, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB1.

Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables; engine and engine cooling:engine:dieselAug 14, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V517000 · 1,655 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ram 1500 diesel 4x2 trucks manufactured August 8, 2013, to July 2, 2015. The affected vehicles have a battery harness that may rub against the frame bracket for the right engine mount resulting in an electrical short.

Risk: If the harness shorts, the vehicle may stall and there is an increased risk of a fire.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to confirm that the battery harness is correctly routed and secured. Any harness that shows evidence of wear will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 8, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R43.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that there was an abnormally strong diesel odor coming from the vehicle at startup and while driving, with black smoke coming from the exhaust pipes while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the…

Received Oct 1, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11768327

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the dealer performed an unknown software update associated with an unknown class-action lawsuit settlement without the owner's consent. Following the software update, the vehicle experienced cooling system failures, including oil intrusion…

Received Aug 24, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11759012

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 80 MPH with cruise control engaged, the contact heard an abnormal sound. Upon deactivating the cruise control feature, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over…

Received Feb 25, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11720514

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2015 RAM 1500s have engine and engine cooling problems?

No. NHTSA has 63 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the 2015 RAM 1500 (4% of the 1,457 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2015 RAM 1500 engine and engine cooling?

Yes: 4 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems start?

The median reported mileage is 115,116 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the 2015 RAM 1500?

The most frequent phrase is “tone wheel”, in 13 of 63 complaints, followed by “position sensor” (10).

Other 2015 RAM 1500 problems

See all 2015 RAM 1500 problems or engine and engine cooling problems across all 1500 years.