YearToAvoid

2015 Ram 3500 Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 33 engine-area complaints for the 2015 Ram 3500, 24% of all complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 40,000 miles. A related recall (17V562000) covers water pumps on the Cummins 6.7L diesel engine.

Engine complaints
33
24% of 136
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
40,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe a 'dead pedal' delay of several seconds between pressing the accelerator and the truck actually responding, especially under hard or sudden acceleration.
  • Multiple reports describe hesitation or lag when accelerating from a stop or after letting off the gas, including one incident where the truck bucked and slipped backward while towing on a grade.
  • Some owners report engine compartment fires, including one where smoke and an orange glow appeared while driving and the vehicle had to be stopped and evacuated.
  • Owners report the vehicle going into limp mode or stalling with a check engine light, in one case tied to a selective catalytic reduction system fault.
  • A few owners describe exhaust odor or fumes entering the cabin at low speeds or while the truck warms up.

When 2015 Ram 3500 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 31, 2015, latest Nov 1, 2024.

2015 Ram 3500 engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Aug 2015Apr 2016Dec 2016Jul 2017Jan 2018Mar 2019May 2020Sep 2024
33 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2015 to Nov 2024; peak Nov 2017 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2015 Ram 3500

  1. NHTSA 17V562000Sep 12, 2017Engine443,874 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2017 RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines that have Concentric-brand water pumps without a vent hole. These water pumps may leak coolant.

    Risk: The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pumps, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T51.

Engine complaints by 3500 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201341 (36%)
  2. 201445 (22%)
  3. 201533 (24%)
  4. 201629 (22%)
  5. 201761 (20%)
  6. 2018125 (16%)
  7. 201930 (22%)
  8. 202033 (28%)
  9. 202114 (23%)
  10. 202230 (16%)
  11. 20234 (24%)
  12. 20248 (18%)
  13. 20258 (19%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2015 Ram 3500 have engine problems?
NHTSA lists 33 engine-area complaints for the 2015 Ram 3500, which is 24% of all complaints filed for that model year, with a median failure mileage of 40,000 miles.
Is there a recall for the 2015 Ram 3500 engine?
Yes. Recall 17V562000 covers 2013-2017 Ram 3500 trucks with the Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine, addressing a water pump issue; dealers replace the water pump free of charge.
What kind of engine issues do owners report on the 2015 Ram 3500?
Owners commonly describe a delayed 'dead pedal' response, hesitation during acceleration, stalling with check engine lights, and in a few cases engine compartment fires.
How many complaints mention fire or injury on the 2015 Ram 3500 engine?
NHTSA data shows 4 fire-related reports and 1 injury among the engine-area complaints for this model year, with no crashes reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.