Problems · NHTSA complaints

2023 Ram 1500 problems

Owners filed 205 complaints about the 2023 Ram 1500 with NHTSA between Mar 2023 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (70).

Complaints
205
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system70
  2. Engine47
  3. Service brakes34
  4. Power train29
  5. Forward collision avoidance21
  6. Steering18
  7. Exterior lighting16
  8. Fuel/propulsion system15
  9. Structure10
  10. Vehicle speed control7
  11. Air bags6
  12. Back over prevention4
  13. Suspension4
  14. Service brakes, hydraulic3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
202321
202451
202560
202673

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

70 reports2 crashes
“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,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11773991

Engine

47 reports1 crash
“I am filing this complaint to formally document a potential safety concern involving the transmission in my Dodge Ram 1500. The transmission has been slipping while driving, and I am concerned that this malfunction could lead to an unexpected loss of drive power or other transmission failure while the vehicle is in operation, potentially creating a serious safety hazard for me, my passengers, and other motorists. The vehicle is currently at a Chrysler Dodge dealership in East Brunswick, New Jersey, for diagnosis and evaluation of the transmission problem. The underlying cause has not yet been confirmed, and the dealership's diagnostic findings are pending. The vehicle and its transmission are available for inspection. I have reported the transmission issue to Chrysler Customer Care and opened a case. I am also submitting this complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) so that my reported transmission problem and related safety concerns are formally documented. I am aware of NHTSA Recall 24V-413, which concerns certain 2023 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles and identifies a potential defect that may result in a loss of drive power or…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11773954

Service brakes

34 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11765951

Power train

29 reports1 related recall
“I had to get a couple jump starts in one day. then got a diagnosis check it said u1267 then got battery check it said it wasn't charging, check engine light was one after awhile went off. y'all installed the standard battery instead of the agm battery in the ram torque. that's reason for other glitches as well heat an air control getting stuck etc. I had to buy the right battery. BATTERY TO EXPENSIVE NEW”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 5, 2026Power trainODI 11762357

Forward collision avoidance

21 reports2 crashes
“The major, widely reported, 1.4-million-vehicle Ram recall regarding malfunctioning tailgates that may open while driving primarily affects 2019–2022 model year Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks, not the 2023 model year. The issue stems from misaligned striker plates that can cause the tailgate to unlatch.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 18, 2026Forward collision avoidanceODI 11725222

Steering

18 reports1 crash2 related recalls
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 8, 2026Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11762860
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.