286 of the
16,087 complaints filed about the Dodge RAM 1500
are about the throttle and cruise control —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2012.
286
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
49
Crashes
7
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
Driving my vehicle throughout December of 2024 and the vehicle would die and power back up, vehicle would run intermittently and fail to continue operating while driving to and from work. Vehicle intermittently stalling during driving would cause "Near Miss" accidents on the road. Potentially endangering myself as the operator and other operators on the road due to a "no start" issue and unsafe operating condition in the electrical system of the vehicle. I thought it was a bad battery so I replaced it with a brand new battery from the auto parts store While I struggled to have this matter resolved before leaving for Army Active Duty. I arranged to have the vehicle turned into a Chrysler, Dodge, Ram dealer to have a diagnostic done on the vehicle. on June 6th according to their technicians report, it shows my TIPM is bad. and needed to be replaced. The dealer failed to acknowledge this was a recall issue and would not cover the repair cost since the vehicle was out of warranty due to mileage and age. when their our hundreds of models being turned in for the same issue nationwide.
NHTSA complaint #11679997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On Saturday, [XXX] my husband was in his 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 slowly pulling into our gate to access our carport. I was holding the gate open for him. Suddenly, the truck took off like a rocket. It crashed through the back wall of the carport, across our backyard, into our large shed, through the shed, exited the shed and went over our chain link fence, the neighbor’s chain link fence and came to a stop in the corner of her front porch. The first neighbor that got to the truck after hearing the wreck said the engine was still revved up so he turned the key off. My husband was alert but in a state of shock. Neither he nor our dog, who was in the back seat, were hurt thank [XXX] . I called 911. We had Highway Patrol, Sheriff, Fire and EMTs all come to the scene. The EMTs and Highway Patrolman said he was alert and responding to them. He was not injured, so he did not go to the hospital to be checked out. He was not given a citation by the Highway Patrolman. Our insurance agent said, after looking at the photos I sent him, that the truck will probably be totaled, but as yet, we’ve not heard for sure. The only thing that makes sense to us is that the accelerator must have stuck wide open as he started pulling in to the carport. There’s no way he could have kept his foot on the accelerator in error throughout the multiple crashes he went through. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11631168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warning light came on suddenly. Vehicle lost power. Smoking out of the tail pipe. Very dangerous for other drivers. Took the vehicle to a mechanic, said I have problems with the lifters, and need to replace the engine. I don’t know why Chrysler doesn’t issue a recall for this issue, it seems to happen often. Thank you very much.
NHTSA complaint #11612812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and turning left at a traffic signal, while straightening the steering wheel and lightly depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated abruptly. The contact stated that the rear tires made an abnormal squealing noise and he observed smoke in the rear-view mirror. The contact stated that the vehicle then spun 180 degrees to the right. The contact turned the steering wheel to the left to compensate and the vehicle spun 180 degrees to the left. The contact used the steering wheel to regain control of the vehicle and took his foot off the accelerator pedal and did not use the brake pedal to correct the vehicle. The contact stated he was not aware of any warning lights. The contact then drove to his residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 142,753.
NHTSA complaint #11506477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle is making a loud clicking noise coming from the engine area. . it gets louder when accelerating. It is unknown to me if it could be manifold issues or camshaft issues. It feels unsafe to drive.
NHTSA complaint #11505507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Malfunction of electronic stability control while in 4x4 driving in heavy snow. Almost hit a light pole, could have caused significant harm. Unknown. No. No precursors. Hit a pot hole while on the on ramp unloading the suspension and the truck started to yaw clockwise. Applied throttle to have front end pull truck straight. ESC applied brakes and chopped power inducing a significant yaw rate counterclockwise driving the rear of the truck into the hard snow bank perpendicular to vehicle travel. Another excessive clockwise yaw occurred at this time. NO throttle control and brakes unresponsive. 1. Had the driver been allowed to retain throttle control upon initial yaw this was easily recoverable. 2. Anti-lock brakes, needed to be disabled so the truck could slide across the snow and not into the ditch when the second clockwise yaw started. 3. This caused minor body damage to the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11501101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle's fuel pump continues to run even when the vehicle is turned off causing the overheating of electrical wiring and draining the battery, it's a serious issue and a fire hazard that will set the fuel tank on fire, I filed a complaint back in June and no action has been taken.
NHTSA complaint #11493614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving the Vehicle at 9:30pm on 7/22/22 the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own at a very fast rate after I sped up to yield over into another lane coming off the highway. There was luckily no vehicles ahead of me and I was on a straight away or else I would’ve hit someone. I pressed the brakes down but they wouldn’t bring the vehicle to a stop. I placed the transmission in neutral and it slowed down but soon as I put it back in drive it accelerated again. I went through this cycle 4 times then finally I gained control of the vehicle again. I have read online the dealer says it’s user error or floor mats. That was not the case at all. My floor mats are stock and have taps keeping them secure. This situation was very dangerous and if it happens again it could cause serious injury to me or someone else.
NHTSA complaint #11475431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact also stated that the vehicle would not reverse whenever the pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the transmission needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 232,575.
NHTSA complaint #11423007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEVERAL TIMES WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY OR BUSY ROAD AND THE ENGINE GETS TO NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, THE ENGINE STALLS AND SHUTS OFF. THEN I HAVE TO MANEUVER IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND LET IT COOL OFF APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES AND THEN IT CRANKS BACK UP AND I CAN DRIVE 5 MINUTES AND IT DOES THE SAME THING AGAIN, VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #11406817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2002 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 5.9L WAS DRIVING DOW HEY 10 WHEN MY BACK TRIES LOCKED UP COULDN'T GET IT IN GEAR OR OUT ALMOST CRASH WHEN GOT IT ON TO SIDE OF ROAD AND STOPPED WHEN IT FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GO IN A GEAR IT WAS REVERSES AND IT WOULD JUST MAKE THIS GOD AWFUL GRINDING NOSE TRUCK WAS TOWED BACK HOME
NHTSA complaint #11403626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON AND MY HORN OR CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. NOT SURE IF I GOT IN AN ACCIDENT THAT MY AIR BAG WOULD ACTUALLY DEPLOY.. THINKING IT IS A CLOCK SPRING ISSUE.. HAD A RECALL ON MY 2011 WRANGLER AND SAME THING WAS HAPPENING TO THAT VEHICLE ALSO..THIS HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER I STARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER WORK TODAY.
NHTSA complaint #11389291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE RAM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BALL JOINT THAT SECURE THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V037000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO DCH CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT OF TEMECULA (26845 YNEZ RD, TEMECULA, CA 92591) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED FAILED TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO SPOKE TO LARRY H. MILLER DODGE RAM PEORIA (8665 W BELL RD, PEORIA, AZ 85382) AND LARRY H. MILLER CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM SURPRISE (13165 N AUTOSHOW AVE, SURPRISE, AZ 85388) WHO BOTH DISPUTED THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC'S CLAIMS. THE DEALERS STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CERTAIN TO RECUR DUE TO THE HIGH MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A RECALL REPAIR WAS A ONE-TIME FREE REPAIR AND THAT ANY ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE DONE AT THE VEHICLE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 255,000.
NHTSA complaint #11330847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN THE MORNING WHILE STARTING TRUCK NO PROBLEM, ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING ON STREET THE TRUCK JUST TURNED OFF. IT HAD HAPPENED BEFORE ON 3 OTHER OCCASIONS BUT THE FIRST ONE WAS FAR APART THEN THE OTHER 2 IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS. WHEN I GOT ON THE FREEWAY I NOTICED A HAD TO PUSH HARDER ON THE GAS PEDAL TO GAIN SPEED BUT IT FELT LIKE IT WAS HARD TO PRESS ON AND I WASN'T GETTING TO THE SPEED (60MPH) SO I JUST TOOK IT SLOWLY TO GAIN SPEED. THAT LASTED ABOUT A WEEK. THE FOLLOWING WEEK AFTER TRYING TO GAIN SPEED AT ABOUT 45-50 MPH THE TRUCK STARTED SHAKING REALLY BAD SO I LET GO OF THE GAS PEDAL AND TOOK IT SLOW AGAIN. SO I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC TO GET A BASIC TUNE UP SINCE I HAD JUST GOTTEN AN OIL CHANGE HE WOULD JUST DO SPARK PLUGS ON3/5/20 TO SEE IF IT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AFTER EXPLAINING TO HIM WHAT IT WAS DOING HE TOLD ME RIGHT AWAY THAT IT'S PROBABLY THE CAMSHAFT AND HYDRAULIC LIFTERS WORN OUT WITH MY TRUCK MILEAGE OF 108,000 IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE BECAUSE I ALWAYS MAKE SURE MY TRUCK IS UP TO DATE WITH EVERYTHING. BY THIS TIME NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD TURNED ON. SO I DROVE IT ANOTHER WEEK AND HALF WITH THE SAME ISSUES; FINALLY ON 3/16/20 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND I TOOK IT TO GET IT CHECKED AT AUTOZONE AND OREILYS AND BOTH COMPUTER FINDING WERE CODE P0385 WHICH IS A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 5 WHICH IS HYDRAULIC LIFTER, CAMSHAFT, AND POSSIBLE IGNITION COIL GONE BAD. I DECIDED TO NOT USE MY TRUCK UNTIL I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC WHICH I DID ON 03/24/20. HIS FINDING WERE THE WORN OUT CAMSHAFT AND HYDRAULIC LIFTER ON CYLINDER 5. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND OF COURSE THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT STARTS WITH TRUCKS FROM 2011 AND SOME WITH ONLY OF 58,000 MILES. THIS IS VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR WHEN YOU EXPECT A TRUCK TO LAST A LONG TIME ESPECIALLY IF YOU TAKE CARE OF IT.
NHTSA complaint #11319944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CURRENTLY HAS A HAZARDOUS MALFUNCTION THAT IS PUTTING MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS AT RISK. IN THE SPAN OF 2 MONTHS, I HAVE HAD THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY "LOCK" UP WHILE IN DRIVE ON NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS (SUNNY AND CLEAR, NOT TOO BRIGHT, NOT TOO WINDY OR WET AT ALL, NO FOG) WHEN PERFORMING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROPRIATE TURN SPEEDS. YOU WOULD BE UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OUT OF HARM'S WAY WHEN THE WHEEL TENSES AND LOCKS UP COMPLETELY LIKE THIS. MY FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH THIS ISSUE WAS TURNING ON A RIGHT LANE WITH YOUR OWN PROTECTED LANE AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT FOR THE TURN. IT COMPLETELY LOCKED UP ON ME AND I EASED MY FOOT FORCIBLY ONTO THE BRAKE SO THAT I COULD AVOID BRAKING TOO HARD AND CAUSING THE TIRES TO SPIN OUT OR WORSE, HITTING THE POLE THAT IS DIRECTLY 200 FEET AWAY (APPROXIMATE SPEED WAS 35MPN AND BRAKE REACTION TIME WAS 2 SECONDS, ACCOUNTING FOR INITIAL NOTICE OF THE SUDDEN TENSION AND LOSS OF COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK'S STEERING.). THE SECOND ENCOUNTER OCCURRED WITHIN A 2 MONTH SPAN, THIS TIME CAREFULLY APPROACHING A STREET INTERSECTION. I FORTUNATELY REALIZED WHAT WAS OCCURRING AND TRIED TO MOVE FAR RIGHT AND OUT OF HARM'S WAY BUT I COULD ONLY MAINTAIN MY APPROPRIATE LANE. AT FIRST I COULD NOT TAKE OUT THE KEY OR TURN IT ON OR OFF. IT WAS STILL IN DRIVE TO MY REALIZATION. I PUT IT INTO PARK AND WAS ABLE TO TURN THE TRUCK BACK ON AND CONTINUE MY WAY TO WORK. HOWEVER, I COULD ONLY BE PARANOID THAT THIS COULD OCCUR TO ME UNDER MORE SEVERE OR WORSE CONDITIONS LIKE RAIN OR FOG. WHAT IF THIS MALFUNCTION WERE TO OCCUR TO ME IF I WAS ON A VERY ELEVATED HIGHWAY OR HAD SOMEONE TAILING ME AT THAT VERY INSTANCE?
NHTSA complaint #11302894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THE BROTHER-IN-LAWS 1999 DODGE RAM 1500. THEY STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE OUT OF THEIR DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLES ACCELERATOR PEDAL SELF INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ALTHOUGH THE DRIVER HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET OF THEIR HOME. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS WHICH ILLUMINATED PRIOR OR AFTER. THE CONTACTS NEIGHBOR EXPERIENCED A MINOR INJURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL THE RPM WERE EXTREMELY HIGH AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE OWNERS HOME AND THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. A DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11246402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE HAS PROBLEMS ACCELERATING. IT WILL HESITATE TO ACCELERATE WHEN NORMALLY PRESSING THE GAS PEDDLE. I HAVE TO FLOOR IT HEADING INTO FREEWAY ENTRANCES, UP HILLS OR PICKING UP SPEED OVER 40MPH. ONCE IT RESPONDS AFTER A COUPLE OF SECONDS IT OVER ACCELERATES JERKS AND BUCKLES THEN STRUGGLES TO KEEPS A STEADY SPEED. IT'S A DAILY SAFETY HAZARD MERGING INTO FREEWAYS COUSING OTHER DRIVERS TO SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN OR HAVE TO CHANGE LANES BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11234957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM 1500. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND AT AN INTERSECTION WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE COMPLAINANT BELIEVES THE PCM SOFTWARE NEEDS TO BE UPDATED/FLASHED THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: V08 HOWEVER, SINCE THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED THE CONTACT HAS NOTICED A HESITATION IN VEHICLE RESPONSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ARRIGO DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM WEST PALM BEACH LOCATED AT 6500 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33411, (561) 282-1545, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THERE WAS CURRENTLY NO UPDATED SOFTWARE FOR THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. PIIR=Y. AH
NHTSA complaint #11230654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL COMPLETELY FRACTURED FROM THE AXLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED, BUT NO CRASH OCCURRED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH DUE TO THE TIRE FAILURE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A YARD. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD PROVIDE A FOLLOW-UP RESPONSE TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE WHEEL FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E040000 (WHEELS) AND WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: G02 (FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS). THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ..*BF..*JB *DT*BF*JB CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE CAME OFF THE TRUCK WITHOUT WARNING, WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS. PHOTOS ATTACHED.
NHTSA complaint #11190952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.