2015 RAM 5500

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 14 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports and 6 EWR Death & Injury (D&I) reports describing post recall remedy failures of the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) system in certain Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 RAM pickup trucks.The subject vehicle models include 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks equipped with a column mounted shift lever.The failures of the BTSI described in the VOQs occurred on vehicles that had all previously been repaired under recall 17V-821 or 18V-100.Both recalls address a potential condition which can cause the BTSI locking pin to become stuck allowing the transmission to be shifted out of Park without depressing the brake pedal and/or without having a key in the ignition.Shifting the transmission out of Park when not having the brake pedal depressed can result in a vehicle rollaway. ODI is opening this Recall Query (RQ) to review the effectiveness of the 17V-821 and 18V-100 recall remedies, understand the root cause of additional vehicle rollaway incidents, and identify any other possible root cause that may affect the performance of the BTSI system. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

On December 12, 2019, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 19-017 after receiving three Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports alleging failures of the front driveshaft and/or transfer case, resulting in conditions of 1) a loss of engine power, 2) loss of steering assist, 3) loss of foundation brakes, 4) unintended air bag deployment and 5) engine/cab fires from combustible fluids striking hot exhaust components. The VOQs involved model year (MY) 2015 through 2017 RAM 4500 and 5500 vehicles. ODI received information from the vehicle manufacturer [Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA)] via information request letters dated February 28, 2020, and April 21,2020. Supplemental information was received on March 17, 2021. A review of the responsive manufacturer information, and related meetings and presentations, showed that the transfer case failures in 97.5% of the claims did not disable the vehicle. Since analysis showed that a failed driveshaft could result in catastrophic damage to the transfer case as well as other safety risks (i.e. steering/brake failures etc.), ODI shifted the investigation to focus only on the front driveshaft failures. The double cardan universal joint design requires maintenance lubrication within every 8000 miles. Despite an under-hood maintenance reminder label and professional servicing at both dealers and independent repair facilities, the driveshafts were often found to be unlubricated due to lack of awareness, difficulty of the operation or the lack of the special tools needed to perform the work. To increase the maintenance lubrication rates, in the summer of 2021, FCA launched a communications campaign, circulating awareness bulletins, training information, special tool options and instructional videos through more than a dozen channels covering both dealer and independent repair facilities. Additionally, in the fall of 2021, FCA mailed a VIN-specific letter to each registered owner reminding them of the maintenance needs, and also sent a special grease gun adapter to every FCA US dealer and fleet operator with an FCA US dealer code. Since January 2022,NHTSA has not received a complaint of front driveshaft failure due to lack of lubrication that can lead to failure conditions such as loss of engine power, loss of steering assist, loss of foundation brakes, unintended air bag deployment and engine/cab fires. This drop in complaints, the communications campaign launched by the manufacturer, and the absence of reports from the manufacturer, support the closing of this Preliminary Evaluation. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

On July 23, 2015, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) launched Safety Recall 15V-461 to remedy security vulnerabilities in approximately 1.4 million model year (MY) 2013 through 2015 vehicles equipped with Uconnect head units (HU) 8.4A (RA3 radio) and 8.4AN (RA4 radio) manufactured by Harman International.On July 24, 2015, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query, RQ 15-004, to investigate HU security vulnerabilities and remedy effectiveness in the recalled population and to determine whether similar units have been supplied for use in other FCA vehicles.In an August 11, 2015 letter, FCA submitted a second Part 573 safety recall report expanding the scope of the Uconnect RA4 model radio to include additional 7,810 MY 2015 Jeep Renegade vehicles manufactured from September 18, 2014 through June 25, 2015 (Recall 15V-508).Scope analysis indicated that Uconnect radios installed in FCA vehicles not included in recalls 15V-461 or 15V-508 (subject recalls) are not equipped with built-in cellular access or short range wireless communication features and, thus, do not contain the security vulnerabilities addressed by the subject recalls. SUBJECT VEHICLES: MY2014 through 2015 Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Cherokee sport utility vehicles; MY2013 through 2015 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500 and 4500/5500 pickup trucks; MY2013 through 2015 Dodge Viper vehicles; and MY2015 Chrysler 200, 300, Jeep Renegade, Dodge Charger and Challenger vehicles.According to FCA, long and short range wireless vulnerabilities identified in the recalled vehicles could allow unauthorized third-party access to, and manipulation of, networked vehicle control systems.Successful exploitation of the vulnerabilities, coupled with reverse engineering of networked microprocessor control modules, could result in unauthorized manipulation of vehicle control systems. This unauthorized manipulation of vehicle controls and systems could expose the driver, vehicle occupants or other highway users to an increased risk of injury.FCA and its network provider, Sprint, conducted a nationwide campaign to block access to a radio communications port that was unintentionally left open.On July 27, 2015, short range wireless vulnerabilities were also blocked.Finally, third party security evaluation and regression testing identified vulnerabilities that were either remedied by Sprint or through updates to the FCA Uconnect software.ODI identified a total of 30 complaints or field reports on unique vehicles submitted by FCA (29) or received by NHTSA (1) alleging incidents of theft from a vehicle or anomalous performance that the owner alleged were caused by, or may have been caused by, remote hacking.Twenty-six (87%) of these reports were submitted after a magazine article was published on July 21, 2015, describing the remote hacking of an FCA vehicle by researchers who were able to affect the operation of various vehicle control systems, including the service brakes, steering, throttle and ignition.Most of the complaints involved vehicle systems that were not safety critical (e.g., complaints related to radio, navigation system, or air-conditioning control) and did not affect vehicle control.Three complaints reported engine stalls.One owner reported sudden unintended acceleration allegedly related to hacking.None of the complaints or field reports reviewed involved the steering and braking vehicle control effects demonstrated by the research hackers prior to the recall.There were no confirmed incidents of hacking in any of the records reviewed by ODI.The remedies completed by Sprint and FCA appear to have eliminated vulnerabilities that mi

Intake air grid heater nut came off and blew the #6 piston and engine needs to be replaced.

NHTSA ID

11629076

Incident

Nov 1, 2024

While traveling on a highway at speeds in excess of 50mph the 2015 Ram 5500 lost the rear set of dual tires on the passenger side. The wheels came off after all 10-wheel studs failed and broke off. This is the second incident on this same truck despite going through the warranty process and procedures through Stellantis/Ram. No incident or injuries resulted from the failure.

NHTSA ID

11608982

Incident

Apr 26, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 5500. The contact stated while driving 69 MPH, the vehicle started vibrating abnormally with abnormal sounds coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road, exited the vehicle, and noticed transmission fluid leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the transfer case was fractured. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the fuel rail, Service 4-WD, and the braking system messages were displayed. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the transfer case needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.

NHTSA ID

11502580

Incident

Jan 17, 2023

Mileage

137,000 mi

Vehicle is 2015 and has 44.4k miles on it. Had it in for a routine oil change and the mechanic showed me that the oil pan is in extremely poor condition with multiple rot spots all over and could fail at anytime. Mopar extended warranty covers oil pans, but they dont cover rust. An oil pan is a static part, the only way it could fail is from rust or a catastrophic engine failure where a connecting rod may protrude through it. Seems to be a common problem with these oil pans failing at a high rate. I have a 1977 chevy 289k miles with no problems on that oil pan. Perhaps the metal used in production was of poor quality which caused premature and expedited corrosion.

NHTSA ID

11500141

Incident

Jan 4, 2023

HAVE HAD SHIFTING ISSUE'S IN THE PAST, REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY WAS TRANS SOLENOIDS. NOW, OUT OF WARRANTY, IT'S THE TRANS WIRING HARNESS.

NHTSA ID

11404171

Incident

Mar 18, 2021

Mileage

40,500 mi

THE DPF FILTER IS SAYING THAT ITS CLOGGED AND IT WON'T REGIN. CODES: P0234, P24A2,P0420,P0087,P2228,P1193,P243F,P0102,P203F,P2280

NHTSA ID

11384489

Incident

Oct 10, 2020

Mileage

180,000 mi

TRUCK WAS ON HIGHWAY GOING 70 MPH. DRIVER SAID IT STARTED SHAKING VERY HARD AND THEN HEARD A VERY LOUD BANG. WAS ABLE TO KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL AND BRING IT TO A STOP. THERE WERE PARTS OF THE TRANSFER CASE ALL OVER THE ROAD. DRIVE SHAFT WAS BENT AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. WIRING WAS WRAPPED AROUND YOKE, UNDERNEATH OF CAB IS DAMAGED, BRAKE SYSTEM DAMAGED, DEF SYSTEM DAMAGED, ALONG WITH OTHER PROBLEMS THAT CANT BE SEEN.

NHTSA ID

11286892

Incident

Nov 5, 2019

Mileage

148,870 mi

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO AN ISSUE WHERE WHITE SMOKE WOULD APPEAR WHEN THE ENGINE IS UNDER LOAD. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE ISSUE DUE TO SCHEDULING CONFLICTS. OWNER ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER LOCATION FOR DIAGNOSTICS. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON THE WAY TO ANOTHER DEALER LOCATION.

NHTSA ID

11283173

Incident

Sep 5, 2019

Mileage

79,000 mi

Trac-Rite Operation Diagnosis, Chatter, Shudder, Moving From A Stop And Turning

BEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT

BEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT

Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.

Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.

Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.