BestCarRank
Ram

2015 Ram 3500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2015 Ram 3500 has 205 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 182. The most common issue is transmission problems (16% of all complaints), specifically: excessive driveline vibration at speeds from 55mph - 70mph.. There are 16 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 10 fire reports filed.

10 fire reports 3 crash reports 4 injuries

205

Total Complaints

16

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

32 complaints
16%
  • EXCESSIVE DRIVELINE VIBRATION AT SPEEDS FROM 55MPH - 70MPH.
  • THE TRANSMISSION IS SEVERELY LIMITED BY TORQUE MANAGEMENT. IF YOU STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL THE TRUCK BARELY MOVES. IT MOVES AT ITS OWN PACE INSTEAD OF BEING UNDER YOUR CONTROL. THIS CAN CREATES SOME VERY DANGEROUS MERGING SITUATIONS WHERE YOU ARE TRYING TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC AND THE TRUCK DECIDES IT WO
  • DEAD ACCELERATOR PEDAL. WHEN APPLYING ACCELERATOR THERE IS A PERIOD OF TIME WHEN NOTHING HAPPENS. THIS IS PARTICULARLY CONCERNING AS IT LEAVES THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE VEHICLE ESSENTIALLY DEAD AND IN HARMS WAY WHILE TRYING TO MANEUVER IN TRAFFIC, MERGING, TURNING, EMERGENCY AVOIDANCE, ETC.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 1 crashes

EXCESSIVE DRIVELINE VIBRATION AT SPEEDS FROM 55MPH - 70MPH.

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2015 Ram 3500

Based on 147 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 27K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
76
30-60K
28
60-100K
24
100-150K
11
150-200K
4
200K+
4

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 26K mi · 22 reports
0-30K
12
30-60K
2
60-100K
3
100-150K
3
150-200K
1
200K+
1

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 37K mi · 21 reports
0-30K
10
30-60K
4
60-100K
5
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 16 reports
0-30K
8
30-60K
5
60-100K
1
100-150K
1
150-200K
1
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 42K mi · 14 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
4
60-100K
4
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 17K mi · 12 reports
0-30K
9
30-60K
2
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

WHEELS

In line with typicalmedian 47K mi · 12 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
0
60-100K
1
100-150K
3
150-200K
2
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (16)

STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION25/01/2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Ram 3500 and 2014-2018 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab and Ram 2500 vehicles. The outboard steering linkage jam nut may loosen, allowing one end of the drag link to separate.

Risk: A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will check the steering linkage jam nut tightness, replacing the drag link assembly or welding the nut to the adjuster sleeve, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V06.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2015 Ram 3500

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,478
Full coverage / month
$123
Liability only / year
$611
vs US avg
-12%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ram 3500 Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
100K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
24K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
30K mi

5.7L HEMI: 8,000 mile oil intervals; EcoDiesel: shorter intervals for DEF and fuel filter. Towing usage requires severe service intervals.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ram New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ram. If you're buying a used 2015 3500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ram dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 205 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • TRANSMISSION: EXCESSIVE DRIVELINE VIBRATION AT SPEEDS FROM 55MPH - 70MPH.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ENGINE: MOTOR GONE AND DON'T HAVE KNOW REPLACEMENT.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • BRAKES: THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE THERE IS NO METHOD TO KNOW, IN ADVANCE, THE FACTORY INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE MODULE (ITBM) WILL FAIL TO PROVIDE FULL VOLTAGE TO THE ELECTRIC TRAILER BRAKES I ATTACHED MY 13,000 POUND FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER TO MY TRUCK AND FOLLOWING THE ITBM SETUP STEP

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • STEERING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND HAULING A TRAILER, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO TURN INDEPENDENTLY COUNTER CLOCKWISE AND BLOCKED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, LOOKED UNDERNEATH, AND NOTICED SOME BOLTS WERE LOOSE FROM THE STEERING CABLE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 16 recalls have been completed — free at any Ram dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
205
Recalls
16
Fire reports
10
Crash reports
3
Injury reports
4
Segment avg
182

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2015 Ram 3500