RAM 3500 Electrical System Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 12, 2026 · 374 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 374 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the RAM 3500 across 16 model years. The 2018 model year has the most (136). The words owners use most often: “cruise control” (18% of reports).

What owners describe

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

  • Cruise control: mentioned in 69 of 374 complaints (18%)
  • ABS traction: mentioned in 54 of 374 complaints (14%)
  • Service electronic: mentioned in 29 of 374 complaints (8%)
  • Trailer brake: mentioned in 21 of 374 complaints (6%)

At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?

Based on 106 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles33 · 31%
10k–25k miles14 · 13%
25k–50k miles15 · 14%
50k–75k miles21 · 20%
75k–100k miles5 · 5%
100k–150k miles9 · 8%
150k+ miles9 · 8%

How serious are the reports?

Of 374 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 19 a fire, 5 an injury.

RAM 3500 electrical system complaints by model year

Peak: 2018, with 136 complaints
2007: 3200732008: 112013: 172013172014: 25252015: 192015192016: 10102017: 332017332018: 1361362019: 212019212020: 992021: 172021172022: 23232023: 3202332024: 12122025: 282025282026: 1717

n = 374 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearElectrical System complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2026 35001763%6,000
2025 35002865%500
2024 35001227%96,000
2023 3500318%65,000
2022 35002312%7,505
2021 35001727%25,000
2020 350098%102,500
2019 35002115%55,000
2018 350013617%44,000
2017 35003311%42,500
2016 3500107%9,000
2015 35001914%50,000
2014 35002512%40,000
2013 35001715%27,711
2008 3500125%200,000
2007 3500350%—

When owners reported it

Peak: 2023, with 92 complaints
2014: 6201462015: 142015142016: 142016142017: 5201752018: 102018102019: 192019192020: 5202052021: 182021182022: 312022312023: 922023922024: 622024622025: 282025282026: 70202670

n = 374 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (13)

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.

Engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication; electrical system:softwareAug 27, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V511000 · 32,318 vehicles

Model years: 2019, 2020

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 cab chassis built with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine. Inadequate warmup protection can cause a lack of oil film on the engine connecting rod bearings while the engine is reaching operating temperature. This can result in engine damage and connecting rod failure, which could potentially puncture the engine block.

Risk: A damaged engine block may leak oil, which can contact hot engine or exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the engine calibration software to enhance the engine warm up protection, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W57.

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: 2007, 2008, 2009, 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.

All of my dash board light lit up. I stop the truck turn it off. when I get back in to drive it would not engage the transmission. No reverse No drive and the engine would not shut off. Happened about two weeks ago. the first time what in December, Same problem! they say it just needed a software…

Received Oct 8, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11769822

Since first test driving the truck in March of 2025, there was an issue with the ABS system warning coming on. When that happens, it also disables 4 wheel drive, electronic stability control, cruise control and trailer brakes. The first 3x it happened while NOT towing at about 45mph. Other times it…

Received Oct 5, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11768900

On my 2019 RAM 3500, I reported a problem with th eNHSTA back in 2023, and NO response yet. This is about the integrated brake controller, that provides NO electrical signal to stop the towed trailer at speeds what apear to be below 35MPH. This is a very dangerous failure on these trucks.

Received Sep 29, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767624

On the morning of August 29th around 8:10am the Ram truck caught fire under the hood with the engine/ignition off, after it was driven around the yard lot and shut off. The fire seems to have originated in the center of the engine on the drivers side of the cylinder head. Mimicking the same…

Received Sep 8, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11762774

towing control module, brake lights work trailer breaks will not grab, lights on the module do not come on the module has never worked since I bought the 2024 dodge 3500 dually diesel

Received Sep 8, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11762908

Frequently asked questions

Do all RAM 3500s have electrical system problems?

No. NHTSA has 374 owner complaints about electrical system for the RAM 3500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the RAM 3500 electrical system?

Yes: 13 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 3500?

The most frequent phrase is “cruise control”, in 69 of 374 complaints, followed by “abs traction” (54).

Other RAM 3500 problems

See all RAM 3500 problems.