2015 RAM 1500 Engine Problems
Owners have filed 335 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2015 RAM 1500, 23% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 68,221 miles. The words owners use most often: “eco diesel” (5% of reports).
- 335engine complaints
- 68,221median miles at failure
- 6mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $5,950typical repair cost reported by owners
- 52%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Eco diesel: mentioned in 17 of 335 complaints (5%)
- EGR cooler: mentioned in 17 of 335 complaints (5%)
- Chrysler dodge: mentioned in 17 of 335 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the 2015 RAM 1500 at $5,950, and half of them between $2,950 and $8,600.
Based on 9 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2018–2022), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 226 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 335 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 39 a fire, 4 an injury.
RAM 1500 engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 1500 | 12 | 12% | — |
| 2025 1500 | 75 | 21% | 3,600 |
| 2024 1500 | 23 | 30% | 2,150 |
| 2023 1500 | 46 | 23% | 1,496 |
| 2022 1500 | 248 | 40% | 39,950 |
| 2021 1500 | 276 | 40% | 15,319 |
| 2020 1500 | 155 | 24% | 31,124 |
| 2019 1500 | 232 | 16% | 19,000 |
| 2018 1500 | 110 | 17% | 26,000 |
| 2017 1500 | 156 | 18% | 39,000 |
| 2016 1500 | 291 | 19% | 60,000 |
| 2015 1500 | 335 | 23% | 68,221 |
| 2014 1500 | 304 | 17% | 75,000 |
| 2013 1500 | 123 | 10% | 70,000 |
| 2009 1500 | 5 | 14% | 80,454 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Engine and engine cooling
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:diesel
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)
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:diesel
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.
I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2015 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel 3.0L, VIN [XXX]. My vehicle previously received an EGR/emissions-related repair in XXX. The vehicle records also show emissions-related campaigns/repairs, including VB1, V08, and VA7. I am concerned that Ram/Stellantis is not…
Exhaust bolts broken. Exhaust leak and loud ticking noise and smell
On July 2nd, I was actively driving my 2015 Ram 1500 equipped with the 5.7L Hemi V8 gas engine. The vehicle is completely factory-stock with zero aftermarket electronics, wiring modifications, or accessories. While operating the truck, the dashboard instrument cluster suddenly began flickering…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2015 RAM 1500s have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 335 owner complaints about engine for the 2015 RAM 1500 (23% of the 1,459 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?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 68,221 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the 2015 RAM 1500?
Owners report a typical cost of $5,950 (half paid between $2,950 and $8,600), from 9 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2015 RAM 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “eco diesel”, in 17 of 335 complaints, followed by “egr cooler” (17).
Other 2015 RAM 1500 problems
See all 2015 RAM 1500 problems or engine problems across all 1500 years.