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2014 Ram 3500 Electrical Problems

17 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data

17
Complaints
2
Recalls
1
Crashes
3
Fires
Jan 2019Nov 2020
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Electrical Recalls (2)

RECALLCampaign #18V332000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

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.

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.

RECALLCampaign #13V486000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

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.

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.

Owner Complaints (17)

criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Mar 2026

Your vehicle's heater has an electrical defect that can cause fires. This is a known safety issue covered under recall 14V-635. You should contact a Ram dealership immediately to have this defect repaired before using the heater.

NHTSA #: 11725649
criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Aug 2023

Your truck's hydraulic control unit (HCU) and anti-lock braking system (ABS) are faulty, causing multiple electrical problems. You're experiencing unpredictable braking, dashboard gauges and warning lights flashing on and off, wipers activating randomly, and the radio malfunctioning. The truck has stalled completely during driving and required towing to the dealer, who has identified a bad HCU and ABS but is waiting for parts to become available. Fixing this will require replacing the hydraulic control unit and ABS module.

NHTSA #: 11537551
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER INDICATOR FAILED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE MILEAGE READINGS. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. JERRY DAMSON FORD (810 N. BRINDLEE MOUNTAIN PKWY, ARAB, AL 35016, (256) 586-6041) AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR REPAIR OPTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V486000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED, WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 62,369. INVALID VIN.

NHTSA #: 11375197
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Nov 2019

SAFETY RECALL R36 / NHTSA 15V-459. MY TRUCK HAS HAD THE RECALL DONE AND STILL HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUES THE RECALL WAS SUPPOSED TO CORRECT. I AM NOT CONFIDENT THE DEALER ACTUALLY DID THE WORK PROPERLY OR AT ALL. MY STEERING WHEEL MOUNTED CONTROLS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND THE HORN RARELY WORKS BUT WHEN IT DOES IT USUALLY COMES ON AND STAYS BLOWING UNTIL THEY IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN INVOLVING THE CRUISE CONTROL, HORN, AND AIRBAG SYSTEM. THE ONLY ANSWER I GET FROM MY DEALER IS "THE RECALL HAS BEEN DONE, YOU'LL NEED TO PAY FOR THE WORK". I DON'T FEEL IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR A SHODDY REPAIR JOB INVOLVING A RECALL. ADDITIONALLY, THERE ARE 4 OTHER OPEN RECALLS ON MY TRUCK THAT THE DEALER "CAN'T FIT IN THEIR SCHEDULE".

NHTSA #: 11278654
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2019

I LOCKED IN CRUISE CONTROL AT 45MPH, ENGINE WENT TOTALLY WIDE OPEN, I WANTED TO LET IT GO TO SEE HOW FAST IT WOULD GET TO BUT A CAR WAS PULLING OUT OF WOODLAND WAY.LESS THAN 5 SECONDS I WAS AT 85MPH. I HAD TO BRAKE HARD TO BRING IT BACK DOWN BEFORE THE INTERSECTION. NOW THE TOTAL STEERING WHEEL IS DEAD.NO HORN OR OTHER CONTROLS. QUALITY SHOP SAY'S 500.00 TO REPAIR. ALSO EARLIER TOTAL SHUT DOWN.WRECKER HAUL TO QUALITY 150.00. QUALITY SAID BATTERIES LOW VOLTAGE AT ONLY APPOX. 38000 MILES. 380.00 FOR TWO MOPAR BATTERIES. I'M STILL USING BOTH BATTERIES AT OUR EQUIPTMENT RENTAL BUSINESS. I TOLD QUALITY ABOUT CRUISE CONTROL AND THEY REPLACED SWITCH BUT ALWAYS SAID COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS. IS THIS A SAFETY RECALL OR NOT? I REALLY DON'T WANT TO PUT 500.00 0N A NEW WATCH SPRING JUST TO SMOKE IT AGAIN!! THANK YOU (XXXX) THIS HAPPENED OVER A YEAR OR TWO AGO. I KEPT DRIVING AS IT WAS. BILL COPIES ARE IN TRUCK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA #: 11217978
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2019

TAKATA RECALL AFTER WE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP THE TRUCK STILL DIDN'T PERFORM LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE FOR A 2 YEAR OLD DUALLY WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON IT. AROUND 1 YEAR AGO, WE WERE DRIVING AND SUDDENLY WERE ABLE TO SMELL AN EXTREMELY FOUL SMELL COMING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD, UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION WE DISCOVERED THAT THE ANTI FREEZE WAS LEAKING FROM SOMEWHERE AND ENTERING THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD. AFTER THIS OCCURRED IT SEEMED AS IF THE TRUCK ITSELF JUST STARTED TO FALL APART. BOTH BATTERIES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED COUNTLESS TIMES AS WELL. THE RADIO AND A/C DO NOT WORK AND THE HEATER DOESN'T COME CLOSE TO GETTING HOT.

NHTSA #: 11191690
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2019

SMELLED BURNING WIRE(S) WHILE EXITING INTERSTATE. AT BOTTOM OF RAMP ENGINE QUIT. HAD LIGHTS ETC AND ENGINE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. TRUCK WAS TOWED TO DEALER - SCAN INDICATED LIFT PUMP BAD. REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. REPLACEMENT PUMP FAILED SHORTLY AFTER INSTALL WHILE TESTING. TECH FOUND BURN AND SHORTED WIRES IN HARNESS BEHIND LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL. TECH SPLICED DAMAGED WIRES AND TEST WITH ANOTHER PUMP. HOWEVER ON FURTHER TESTING FOUND THE SHORTS DAMAGED THE BCM(BODY CONTROL MODULE) WHICH RELATED IN FUEL GUAGE NOT WORKING. REPLACED BCM. WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER REPAIR TO WIRE HARNESS OR BCM. ALL SEEMED TO BE WORKING WHILE TRAVELING BACK HOME HOWEVER THE BACKUP GUIDE LINES FOR BACKUP CAMERA DO NOT APPEAR NOW. NOT SURE IF IT IS HARNESS OR BCM.

NHTSA #: 11171507
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Jan 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 RAM 3500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK, IT DID NOT SHUT OFF AND "VEHICLE WAS NOT IN PARK" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MARTIN CHRYSLER, DODGE, JEEP & RAM (262-878-1226, LOCATED AT 1422 MAIN ST, UNION GROVE, WI 53182), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000.

NHTSA #: 11166538
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2017

MY HUSBAND RECEIVED A RECALL FOR A WATER PUMP FAILURE THAT MAY RESULT IN ENGTINE FIRE OR RISK OF INJURY TO OCCUPANTS AND WAS ALSO INFORMED THEIR IS NO REMEDY FOR THIS CONDITION SERVICE IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE. DOES THIS MEAN RAM WELL BE RESPONSIBLE OF ANY INJURY THAT MAY OCCUR. A RECALL FOR A DANGEROUS CONDITION BUT NO FIX AVAILABLE

NHTSA #: 11045897
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Sep 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16E039000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) OVER SIX MONTHS AGO. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO SUPPLY THE PART WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SUPPLY THE PARTS TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 11/01/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE THE RECALLED COMPONENT. UPDATED 12/13/16.*JB

NHTSA #: 10903838
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Jul 2016

BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR FAILED CAUSING BLOWER MOTOR TO BURN AND THUS BURNING BACK TO THE WIRING HARNESS. SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT FROM BEHIND THE HEATER AND RADIO KNOBS. AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON, BUT WHEN TURNED OFF IT CONTINUED TO BLOW. RADIO AND AIR/HEATER PANEL BECAME HOT TO TOUCH. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING. INCINDENT HAPPENED ONLY A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO DEALER AND TURNED OFF. BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED AND FIRE SELF-EXTINGUISHED.

NHTSA #: 10884765
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,WHEELS
Filed: Jun 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT TIRES WERE WORN OUT PREMATURELY. IN ADDITION, ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERED AND THE VOLUME FOR THE RADIO INCREASED AND DECREASED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA #: 10872803
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Mar 2016

THE FACTORY INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE MODULE (ITBM) ON MY 2014 RAM 3500 MEGACAB 4X4 CUMMINS DIESEL TRUCK DOES NOT SUPPLY PROPER VOLTAGE TO ACTIVATE THE ELECTRIC BRAKES ON A TOWED TRAILER. THE VOLTAGE SUPPLIED TO THE TRAILER BRAKES IS 7 VOLTS DC WITH THE GAIN SET AT MAX, CHECKED BY A TRAILER DEALER THAT DOES PA STATE INSPECTIONS, WHERE A TRAILER REQUIRES OVER 10 VOLTS DC TO PROPERLY ACTIVATE THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE TRAILER BEING TOWED TO SAFELY AID IN STOPPING BOTH THE TRAILER AND TOW VEHICLE. I RECENTLY HAD A NOTICE APPEAR IN THE ELECTRONIC DASH (EVIC) THAT THERE WAS A TRAILER BRAKE PROBLEM AND A NOTIFICATION THAT THE TRAILER WAS NOT CONNECTED WHEN IT WAS STILL CONNECTED TO THE TRUCK. THIS PROMPTED THE FIRST VISIT TO THE DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRAILER. I HAVE HAD MY TRUCK TO THE DEALER TWO TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THE SECOND TIME THEY CHECKED THE VOLTAGE OF ANOTHER TRUCK THAT WAS 7 VOLTS DC AND SAID IT WAS OK. I HAVE A 35 FOOT 5TH WHEEL RV TRAILER AND A 18FT FLAT TRAILER THAT DO NOT BRAKE PROPERLY WHEN ATTACHED TO THIS TRUCK. THE 18 FT TRAILER BRAKES WORK PROPERLY WHEN ATTACHED TO A DIFFERENT TRUCK. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT ON MANY OF THE FORUMS DEALING WITH CUMMINS DIESEL AND RAM TRUCKS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDE SPREAD OVER MANY MODEL YEARS. ON THE DODGE RAM FORUM (WWW.RAMFORUM.COM - SEARCH BRAKE CONTROLLER) AN AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER EVEN DOCUMENTED THE LACK OF OUTPUT OF HIS 2015 RAM 3500 TRUCK. AT 100% INPUT THERE WAS ONLY 66% OUTPUT TO THE TRAILER BRAKING SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD 6 SAFETY RECALLS FOR THIS TRUCK SO FAR. THIS PROBLEM MAY NOT RECEIVE AS MUCH ATTENTION AS OTHER PROBLEMS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS A MUCH SMALLER NUMBER OF VEHICLES USED FOR TOWING. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED BEFORE INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING MY SUBMISSION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10850125
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
FireFiled: Sep 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND APPROACHING A REST AREA, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED EXTENSIVE SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE FROM UNDERNEATH. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS WAS DAMAGED DUE TO THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS FAILED CAUSING COMBUSTIBLE FRAGMENTS TO IGNITE THE FUEL, WHICH DAMAGED THE DEF SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V460000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V459000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ASSIGNED AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,214.

NHTSA #: 10766496
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Aug 2015

THE OEM TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER DOES NOT WORK AS DESIGNED. THERE HAS BEEN NUMBER OR TIMES THAT I CAME CLOSE HITTING A CARS. THE BRAKE CONTROLLER IS NOT SUPPLYING ENOUGH VOLTS TO STOP MY 17K TRAILER. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID OEM BRAKE CONTROLLER IS WORKING FINE. WHEN I CHECK CONTROLLER IT'S ONLY SUPPLYING 6.5 VOLTS WHEN THE MANUAL SLIDE IS FULLY ENGAGED. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. BY THE WAY MY TRAILER IS BRAND NEW AND WORKS FINE WITH FORD AND CHEVY OEM BRAKE CONTROLLER.

NHTSA #: 10749931
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CrashFiled: Aug 2015

MY HUSBAND WAS STOPPED AT A SIGNAL LIGHT AND THE TRUCK LURCHED FORWARD HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT. INSURANCE COMPANY HAD AN EXPERT CHECK THE TRUCK AND WE WERE ADVISED BY HIM NOT TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. CHRYSLER HAD THEIR EXPERT EXAMINE IT ON 8/4/2015. I WAS INFORMED ON THAT DATE THAT HE AND THE DEALERSHIP WERE OUT OF THE LOOP AND I HAD TO SPEAK WITH CHRYSLER. THEY WILL NOT RETURN ANY OF MY HONE CALLS.

NHTSA #: 10747188
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS
Filed: Apr 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V294000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 5/18/15*CN

NHTSA #: 10704604

Other 2014 Ram 3500 Issues