2023 Ram 1500 TRX electrical system problems

“While the vehicle was parked with the ignition turned off, the windshield wipers unexpectedly began operating continuously despite the controls being in the OFF position. Upon investigation, a strong electrical burning odor was detected, followed by visible smoke coming from the under-hood power distribution center (fuse box). The negative battery terminal was immediately disconnected to prevent further electrical damage or a potential fire. Visual inspection revealed blackened and apparently melted electrical components beneath multiple relays. The vehicle was no longer considered safe to operate and required towing to an authorized RAM dealership. The dealership inspected the vehicle and verbally attributed the failure to corrosion within the power distribution center. The vehicle was purchased as Certified Pre-Owned with the protective fuse box cover missing, a condition previously brought to the dealership's attention. Whether this contributed to the electrical failure remains undetermined. This malfunction presents a potential fire hazard due to electrical overheating and smoke occurring while the vehicle was turned off. The unexpected activation of…”

“I am filing this safety complaint regarding a defective ABS Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) on my 2023 Ram 1500 Classic TRADESMAN CREW CAB 4x4 5.7L Hemi with approximately 87,000 miles. DEFECT DESCRIPTION: The ABS HCU periodically fails, resulting in complete loss of anti-lock braking, traction control, electronic stability control, 4WD and cruise control. This is an identical failure mode to the defect addressed under NHTSA Recall 24V-896, which covered 2017-2018 Ram 2500-5500 trucks. My 2023 Ram 1500 Classic uses the same or substantially similar HCU component and is experiencing the identical failure. SAFETY RISK: The loss of ABS, ESC, 4WD and traction control significantly increases the risk of a crash, particularly in adverse weather conditions. This is not a minor inconvenience — it is a serious safety hazard that FCA/Stellantis has already acknowledged in heavier-duty Ram platforms. MANUFACTURER KNOWLEDGE: FCA was aware of this defect as early as 2016 based on warranty claims and customer complaints. Despite issuing Recall 24V-896 for heavier Ram trucks with the same HCU failure, FCA has failed to extend recall coverage to the 2017-2024 Ram 1500 DS models,…”

“The contact owns a 2023 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The battery light was illuminated and displayed 0 percent but then increased to 25 percent. Due to the failure, the vehicle failed to shift into neutral, and the contact was unable to activate the hazard warning lights to alert other drivers. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was scheduled to be diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.”

“My truck went into park while in traffic and engaged the parking brake. I believe it is part of the eTorque electrical stalling failure. I had to turn off the truck, put it in drive, then put it in park, then turn off parking brake, then back into drive.”

“The contact owns a 2023 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and depressing the brake pedal to stop at a stop sign, the vehicle lost motive power. The SOS warning lights were illuminated momentarily. The contact attempted to turn off and restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then towed to the dealer the following day. The dealer diagnosed that the electrical console needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure had occurred twice. The approximate failure mileage was 33,000.”

“The vehicle developed a turn-signal malfunction in which the turn signal would not operate/cancel properly. An authorized Ram dealership inspected the vehicle and diagnosed a failed Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) that required replacement. The part was backordered for approximately four months. I was later advised to contact another authorized Ram dealership that had the part available, and I scheduled an appointment specifically to have the previously diagnosed SCCM issue repaired. After that appointment, I was advised by the service department that the issue had been fixed. Because I am a truck driver and can be away for four to five months at a time, I later discovered that the same turn-signal problem was still occurring. I contacted the dealership and reported that the problem had not been corrected. I was subsequently told I would need to pay approximately $150 for another diagnostic evaluation, which I declined because the problem had already been diagnosed and I had been told it was repaired. During a recent visit to the same dealership for a separate recall, I asked another service advisor to review the prior service visit. I was informed that…”