RAM 2500 Electrical System Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 9, 2026 · 961 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 961 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the RAM 2500 across 14 model years. The 2018 model year has the most (476). The words owners use most often: “traction control” (28% of reports).

What owners describe

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

  • Traction control: mentioned in 272 of 961 complaints (28%)
  • Service electronic: mentioned in 102 of 961 complaints (11%)
  • ABS module: mentioned in 78 of 961 complaints (8%)
  • Anti lock: mentioned in 54 of 961 complaints (6%)

At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?

Based on 193 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles63 · 33%
10k–25k miles30 · 16%
25k–50k miles31 · 16%
50k–75k miles30 · 16%
75k–100k miles13 · 7%
100k–150k miles19 · 10%
150k+ miles7 · 4%

How serious are the reports?

Of 961 complaints, 14 mention a crash, 29 a fire, 3 an injury.

RAM 2500 electrical system complaints by model year

Peak: 2018, with 476 complaints
2013: 412013412014: 422014422015: 282015282016: 382016382017: 12120171212018: 47620184762019: 292019292020: 202020202021: 352021352022: 612022612023: 102023102024: 122024122025: 382025382026: 10202610

n = 961 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearElectrical System complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2026 25001037%250
2025 25003860%2,200
2024 25001220%6,023
2023 25001020%34,500
2022 25006134%47,696
2021 25003532%48,000
2020 25002012%25,750
2019 25002915%7,425
2018 250047618%37,000
2017 250012117%52,000
2016 25003815%23,500
2015 25002813%39,864
2014 25004212%13,000
2013 25004123%44,500

When owners reported it

Peak: 2023, with 306 complaints
2013: 1201312014: 112014112015: 222015222016: 182016182017: 102017102018: 252018252019: 272019272020: 212020212021: 422021422022: 572022572023: 30620233062024: 23620242362025: 862025862026: 99202699

n = 961 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (12)

Electrical system: instrument cluster/panelApr 9, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V225000 · 65,348 vehicles

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 controlFeb 2, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V059000 · 456,287 vehicles

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/panelDec 1, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V826000 · 72,509 vehicles

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.

Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel; service brakesAug 18, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V530000 · 2,885 vehicles

Model years: 2026

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Ram 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 2500, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The instrument panel may display an incorrect brake system warning light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."

Risk: An incorrect warning light can fail to alert the driver to critical safety information, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 9, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 79C.

Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel; power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)May 8, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V297000 · 778 vehicles

Model years: 2025

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 vehicles equipped with a 3.5" cluster and column shifter. A software error may cause the gear selection display to be inaccurate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."

Risk: An inaccurate gear selection display may mislead the driver as to what gear is actually selected, leading to unexpected vehicle movement and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 36C.

Electrical system:wiring:relays/solenoidsPark outsideFeb 9, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V060000 · 302,067 vehicles

Model years: 2021, 2022, 2023

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, and 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine. An electrical short may occur in the heater grid relay with the ignition on or off.

Risk: An electrical short in the relay can result in an engine compartment fire with the ignition on or off, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the relay, free of charge. This will be a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2023 model year vehicles. FCA US will notify dealers on or about 3/23/2023 and begin notifying owners on or about 4/5/2023. Phase 2 will include 2022 model year vehicles and Phase 3 will include 2021 model year vehicles. FCA US will notify dealers and owners on or about 4/27/2023 for Phase 2 and 5/11/2023 for Phase 3. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed March 28, 2023. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 13A. This recall is an expansion of and supersedes recall number 21V-798.

Electrical system:wiring:relays/solenoidsPark outsideOct 14, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V798000 · 131,177 vehicles

Model years: 2021, 2022

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 3500, 2500 pickup trucks, and Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines. An electrical short in the relay may cause a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off.

Risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.

Fix: Owners are advised to park these vehicles outside of buildings or structures, and not near other vehicles, until the vehicle has been remedied. Dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay ("Relay"); if FCA US Recall ID Y08 (NHTSA Recall ID 21V-163) is open, then insulating material will be applied to the Relay after inspection. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y76. This recall has been superseded by 23V060.

Electrical systemMar 11, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V163000 · 19,214 vehicles

Model years: 2021

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 2500, 3500, and 3500, 4500, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine. An electrical short may occur in the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay, which could result in a vehicle fire.

Risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay ("Relay"); if FCA US Recall ID Y08 (NHTSA Recall ID 21V-163) is open, then insulating material will be applied to the Relay after inspection. Customers are advised to not park these vehicles inside of buildings or structures, or near other vehicles until the vehicle has the final repair completed. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y76. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y08. This recall has been superseded by recall number 21V-798.

Electrical system:software; vehicle speed control:cruise control; electrical system:wiringMay 17, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V332000 · 4,815,661 vehicles

Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

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:alternator/generator/regulatorOct 13, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V739000 · 74,811 vehicles

Model years: 2013

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Police vehicles, 2007-2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2013 RAM 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.

Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator with a revised alternator, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S68.

Electrical system:ignition:module; engine and engine cooling:engineSep 23, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V592000 · 41 vehicles

Model years: 2016

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis and 4500/5500 Cab Chassis trucks manufactured July 31, 2015, to August 13, 2015 and equipped with a 6.7L Cummins Diesel engine. In the affected vehicles, the Engine Control Module (ECM) may short circuit, causing the engine to stall without warning.

Risk: An engine that stalls without warning increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECM, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R52.

Electrical system: instrument cluster/panelOct 17, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V486000 · 8,370 vehicles

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.

Drove down a paved road in the legal speed limit (30mph). Hit a bump in the pavement and the dash had large amounts of disabled codes popping up: airbag disabled, emergency braking disabled, power steering disabled, blind spots need service, traction control. Brought it to a RAM dealership where…

Received Oct 9, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11770227

The truck is under recall C4b for the ABS / Traction control system, which also disables the cruise control. I have called several times and had the vehicle into local dealerships and was told there is still no fix. I asked about trading in the truck and the dealers offered me way below KBB value…

Received Oct 7, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11769551

Vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign 23V799000 (FCA Recall B2A/D5A) for the Steering Column Control Module (SCCM). The remedy has failed. The multifunction stalk continues to exhibit the exact defect: high beams inadvertently activate when using turn signals, and the self-canceling…

Received Sep 25, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11766883

Odometer Fraud. The contact intended to purchase a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. The advertised mileage was 130,200; however, a Carfax report displayed a mileage rollback, and the ECU listed the mileage at 200,220.

Received Sep 22, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11766047

While driving a phantom auto trailer light will come on and I am not tow anything. While towing phantom check brake wiring and trailer brake disconnected warning lights appear.

Received Sep 22, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11766269

Frequently asked questions

Do all RAM 2500s have electrical system problems?

No. NHTSA has 961 owner complaints about electrical system for the RAM 2500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the RAM 2500 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.

What do owners say about electrical system problems on the RAM 2500?

The most frequent phrase is “traction control”, in 272 of 961 complaints, followed by “service electronic” (102).

Other RAM 2500 problems

See all RAM 2500 problems.