RAM 1500 Electronic Stability Control (esc) Problems
Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA about electronic stability control (esc) problems on the RAM 1500 across 13 model years. The 2019 model year has the most (21). The words owners use most often: “brakes hydraulic electronic” (41% of reports).
- 111electronic stability control (esc) complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 11mention a crash
- 6mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 48%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.
- Brakes hydraulic electronic: mentioned in 46 of 111 complaints (41%)
- Control ESC contacted: mentioned in 10 of 111 complaints (9%)
- ABS module: mentioned in 8 of 111 complaints (7%)
- Air suspension: mentioned in 6 of 111 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do electronic stability control (esc) problems happen?
Based on 83 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 111 complaints, 11 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 6 an injury.
RAM 1500 electronic stability control (esc) complaints by model year
| Model year | Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 1500 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2024 1500 | 1 | 1% | 10,000 |
| 2022 1500 | 12 | 2% | 45,000 |
| 2021 1500 | 16 | 2% | 40,500 |
| 2020 1500 | 1 | 0% | 2,500 |
| 2019 1500 | 21 | 1% | 72,000 |
| 2018 1500 | 5 | 1% | 13,000 |
| 2017 1500 | 4 | 0% | 122,260 |
| 2016 1500 | 7 | 0% | 65,877 |
| 2015 1500 | 8 | 1% | 48,100 |
| 2014 1500 | 17 | 1% | 84,000 |
| 2013 1500 | 17 | 1% | 75,000 |
| 2009 1500 | 1 | 3% | 51,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Electronic stability control (esc); wheels:hub
Model years: 2025
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025 Ram 1500 vehicles. The front wheel hub encoder rings may be damaged, which can disable the electronic stability control system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Risk: Driving with a disabled electronic stability control system can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front wheel bearing hub assembly, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 97B.
Electronic stability control (esc):control module; service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Model years: 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019, 2021-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles. Due to a software malfunction, the anti-lock brake system (ABS) control module may disable the electronic stability control system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Risk: Driving with a disabled electronic stability control system can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the ABS control module software, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed October 10, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning September 26, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 85B.
Electronic stability control (esc)
Model years: 2013
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 RAM 1500 4x4 trucks manufactured June 26, 2012, through February 5, 2013. Due to a software issue with the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) module, the ESC system may be disabled when the vehicle is started.
Risk: A disabled ESC system may result in loss of directional control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ESC module software, free of charge. The recall began on September 11, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N37.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V653000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer contacted Stellantis and there was an attempted download of the software upgrade…
The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the cruise control feature was inoperable. The contact stated that the cruise control system failure had…
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the ABS, ESC, and cruise control warning lights were illuminated and became inoperable. While depressing the brake pedal, the braking distance became extended. The failure made the vehicle difficult and unsafe to drive in inclement weather…
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the electronic stability control disabled warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The contact associated the failure…
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Service Electronic Stability Control" was displayed. While investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was…
Frequently asked questions
Do all RAM 1500s have electronic stability control (esc) problems?
No. NHTSA has 111 owner complaints about electronic stability control (esc) 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 electronic stability control (esc)?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list electronic stability control (esc). Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about electronic stability control (esc) problems on the RAM 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “brakes hydraulic electronic”, in 46 of 111 complaints, followed by “control esc contacted” (10).
Other RAM 1500 problems
- Steering problems (2,661)
- Engine problems (2,391)
- Electrical System problems (2,372)
- Power Train problems (1,447)
- Service Brakes problems (1,092)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (1,072)
- Air Bags problems (572)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (537)
See all RAM 1500 problems.