RAM 1500 Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 2,370 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the RAM 1500 across 15 model years. The 2019 model year has the most (382).
- 2,370electrical system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 58mention a crash
- 21mention an injury
- 12related recalls
- $1,150typical repair cost reported by owners
- 38%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical electrical system repair on the RAM 1500 at $1,150, and half of them between $790 and $1,900.
Based on 19 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2019–2026), 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 electrical system problems happen?
Based on 735 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 2,370 complaints, 58 mention a crash, 55 a fire, 21 an injury.
RAM 1500 electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 1500 | 49 | 49% | 42,500 |
| 2025 1500 | 187 | 52% | 5,000 |
| 2024 1500 | 28 | 37% | 10,000 |
| 2023 1500 | 69 | 34% | 13,909 |
| 2022 1500 | 196 | 31% | 40,000 |
| 2021 1500 | 197 | 29% | 43,535 |
| 2020 1500 | 164 | 26% | 30,000 |
| 2019 1500 | 382 | 26% | 18,000 |
| 2018 1500 | 159 | 24% | 20,712 |
| 2017 1500 | 109 | 12% | 23,000 |
| 2016 1500 | 192 | 12% | 32,666 |
| 2015 1500 | 159 | 11% | 45,900 |
| 2014 1500 | 246 | 14% | 49,439 |
| 2013 1500 | 227 | 18% | 37,100 |
| 2009 1500 | 6 | 16% | 79,300 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (12)
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Model years: 2025, 2026
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the instrument panel display to fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards numbers 102, "Transmission Shift Position Sequence," 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems," 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment," 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems for Light Vehicles," 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems," 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System," and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as gear selection and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 35D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 16, 2026.
Exterior lighting:brake lights; exterior lighting:turn signal; electrical system: integrated trailer brake control
Model years: 2025, 2026
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Jeep Wagoneer S, 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, Ram 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. Due to an improperly designed trailer tow module, the trailer lights may fail to illuminate and the trailer brakes may fail.
Risk: Trailer brake lights and turn signals that do not illuminate reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, trailer brakes that fail increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the trailer tow module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning March 17, 2026. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 03D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 10, 2026.
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Model years: 2025, 2026
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Ram Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the instrument panel cluster display to be blank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems," 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems," and 102, "Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect."
Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or gear selection, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and update the instrument panel software or replace the instrument panel cluster, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are B4C and B8C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 4, 2025.
Air bags; electrical system:wiring
Model years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles. The driver's side air bag may not be connected properly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers secured the connectors for the air bag, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 08C.
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel; tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Model years: 2025
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025 Ram 1500 vehicles. A software error may cause an incorrect tire inflation pressure message to display on the instrument panel.
Risk: An incorrect tire pressure message may result in improperly inflated tires, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning April 24, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 30C.
Electrical system:software; exterior lighting:headlights
Model years: 2025
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025 Ram 1500 pickup trucks. Incorrect headlight module software may cause the headlights to become inoperative. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Inoperative headlights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the headlight module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is D4B.
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Model years: 2019
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 vehicles. The instrument cluster may not properly illuminate driver warnings. As such, these vehicles fails to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."
Risk: Failure of the instrument cluster to properly illuminate may prevent the driver from receiving warnings about the vehicle's systems and increase the risk of crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began August 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V83.
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery
Model years: 2019
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with a 48v auxiliary battery system located behind the rear seat (sales code: XBZ). Due to an incorrect assembly repair process, the auxiliary battery wire terminal connection may overheat.
Risk: If the auxiliary battery system overheats, there is an increased risk of a fire within the cabin even if the ignition is off.
Fix: FCA US has notified owners, and dealers will properly secure the auxiliary battery fasteners, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1-800-853-1403. The Chrysler number for this recall is V17.
Electrical system:wiring:front underhood
Model years: 2018
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
Electrical system:software; vehicle speed control:cruise control; electrical system:wiring
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. 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, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables; engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel
Model years: 2014, 2015
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.
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Model years: 2014
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014 RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured July 1, 2013, through August 22, 2013. Randomly, the warning lights in the instrument cluster may fail to illuminate as designed.
Risk: Inoperative warning lights may not properly warn the driver of vehicle problems, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N59.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
On three occasions over the last 6 months my truck has died completely. The first time all warning lights came on and there was no speed showing but the truck kept driving. When I finally parked and restarted everything was normal. The second time all warning lights came on the cool air turned hot…
My 2025 Rebel is actively stalling at low RPMs and dropping into Auto Park while driving, creating a severe safety hazard. It is also running rough when in idle while parked which leads to a stall.
My 2026 RAM 1500, with approximately 3,900 miles, experienced an unexpected engine shutdown on XXX. After entering the vehicle, fastening my seatbelt, pressing the brake, and starting the engine, the engine ran for approximately one second. When I attempted to shift into Reverse, the engine shut…
My 2026 RAM 1500, with approximately 3,900 miles, experienced an unexpected engine shutdown on October 13, 2026. After entering the vehicle, fastening my seatbelt, pressing the brake, and starting the engine, the engine ran for approximately one second. When I attempted to shift into Reverse, the…
The electric power steering has gone out
Frequently asked questions
Do all RAM 1500s have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 2,370 owner complaints about electrical system for the RAM 1500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the RAM 1500 electrical system?
Yes: 12 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix electrical system problems on the RAM 1500?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,150 (half paid between $790 and $1,900), from 19 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
Other RAM 1500 problems
- Steering problems (2,659)
- Engine problems (2,390)
- Power Train problems (1,447)
- Service Brakes problems (1,092)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (1,071)
- Air Bags problems (572)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (537)
- Suspension problems (434)
See all RAM 1500 problems.