2015 Ram 1500: Problems & Reliability
AVOID2015 Ram 1500: AVOID — 1,461 owner complaints (3.24 per 1,000 sold), 1.6× the 1500 median year; top issue: steering (342 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2015 is 1.84, where 1.00 is a typical 1500 year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; the avoid line is 1.60, so this year clears it by 0.24. Severity drives it: 82% of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury or involve a safety-critical system (engine, powertrain, steering, brakes or fuel).
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, published U.S. sales, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2015–2026 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
1,461
NHTSA complaints
3.24
Complaints per 1,000 sold
588
Service bulletins
18
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2015 Ram 1500 problems
Steering leads a spread-out record, named in 23% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2015 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 342 | 23% |
| Engine | 335 | 23% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 227 | 16% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 166 | 11% |
| Service brakes | 162 | 11% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2015 Ram 1500 recalls
18 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2015, reported between Jul 22, 2015 and Jun 8, 2023.
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 23V411000 | Jun 8, 2023 | Engine & cooling |
| 22V406000 | Jun 9, 2022 | Fuel system, diesel › Delivery › Fuel pump |
| 21V632000 | Aug 12, 2021 | Air bags › Side/window › Curtain › Inflator |
| 20V475000 | Aug 13, 2020 | Engine & cooling › Engine › Diesel |
| 19V757000 | Oct 24, 2019 | Engine & cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (egr valve) |
| 19V347000 | May 9, 2019 | Latches, locks & linkages › Tailgate › Latch |
| 18V486000 | Jul 27, 2018 | Structure › Body › Tailgate |
| 18V332000 | May 17, 2018 | Electrical system › Wiring |
| 17V824000 | Dec 21, 2017 | Equipment |
| 17V821000 | Dec 20, 2017 | Powertrain / transmission › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift |
| 17V302000 | May 9, 2017 | Air bags |
| 16E041000 | May 16, 2016 | Equipment |
+6 more campaigns on the NHTSA record.
2015 Ram 1500 service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 588 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2015 — close to the 551 of the median 1500 year from 2015 to 2026. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (138), engine & cooling (88), powertrain / transmission (72). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2015 vs. the year before and after
The 2016 that followed held roughly level (1,461 → 1,503).
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 (this page) | AVOID | 1,461 | 588 | 18 | — |
| 2016 1500 | AVOID | 1,503 | 602 | 17 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Ram 1500 years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2015 Ram 1500
Steering (342 complaints on the 2015): check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering at parking speed, and clunks over bumps.
Engine (335 complaints on the 2015): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Powertrain / transmission (227 complaints on the 2015): test-drive from cold through every gear and feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder; ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced.
Fuel / propulsion system (166 complaints on the 2015): smell for fuel around the car, watch for hesitation or stalling, and check for a lit check-engine light.
Service brakes (162 complaints on the 2015): check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, look at rotor and pad wear, and ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
Recalls: confirm all 18 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Nearby 1500 years with a better rating: 2018.
Know what to pay for the right 2015 Ram 1500 — then negotiate it
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FAQ
Is the 2015 Ram 1500 reliable?
2015 Ram 1500: AVOID — 1,461 owner complaints (3.24 per 1,000 sold), 1.6× the 1500 median year; top issue: steering (342 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2015 is 1.84, where 1.00 is a typical 1500 year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; the avoid line is 1.60, so this year clears it by 0.24.
What are the most common 2015 Ram 1500 problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2015 Ram 1500 are steering (342, 23%), engine (335, 23%), powertrain / transmission (227, 16%). The manufacturer has 588 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2015 Ram 1500 have?
18 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2015 Ram 1500, most recently 23V411000 (Jun 8, 2023, engine & cooling); 22V406000 (Jun 9, 2022, fuel system, diesel); 21V632000 (Aug 12, 2021, air bags). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2015 Ram 1500 before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2015 Ram 1500 come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the per-1,000 rate divides complaints by published U.S. 2015 calendar-year sales; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.