2014 Ram 1500: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Sep 12, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · TX · crash · fire · 1 injury

My son was driving on the freeway and went to change lanes and all of a sudden the power steering system stopped working and he told me after the fact that it locked up and he could not turn the steering wheel so he hit a guard rail and flipped the truck on its side. It caught on fire instantly and he was lucky to be able to get out. A passerby stopped while the truck was on fire and held the passenger door opened for him as he climbed out. If there were any children in the vehicle, they might have not been so lucky! Could have killed my son and anybody else on the road that early morning. Should be a police report. No system failures at the time.

Filed Jul 22, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · CA · fire

Driving under normal conditions, truck had been running perfectly for the 3 months I owned it. Coming down a hill on the freeway, lights started blinking on the dash, then making a knocking noise, lost pressure (all control) of gas pedal, then white smoke from drivers side, then grey smoke, then completely engulfed in flames within 5 minutes of dash blinking. Complete loss of engine bay

Filed Jan 31, 2025 · Engine · 100,000 miles · VA · fire

The contact owned a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH in the mountains, the check engine light illuminated. There was an abnormally strong odor of anti-freeze inside the cab. There was antifreeze coming from the tailpipe. The contact and her son noticed smoke on the side of the vehicle. The contact decreased her speed to approximately 45 MPH and was able to pull over. After stopping, the vehicle caught fire and was engulfed in flames. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number:Â 19V757000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact, her son, and her dog were able to exit the vehicle safely. The contact and her son sustained a traumatic injury, but medical attention was not provided. The dog sustained unknown injuries and was taken to the veterinarian for medical attention. A police report was not filed. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Before the failure, the vehicle had been taken to the same dealer for the federal safety agency Campaign Number 19V757000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Sep 23, 2024 · Brakes · 95,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was smoke coming through the A/C vents. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The dealer informed the contact that the ABS module was under engineering review. The dealer advised the contact that the vehicle was drivable. The contact stated that after driving 5 miles and arriving at the residence, the front brakes seized, causing the wheels to become significantly hot, and the weights on the wheels started to melt and separate. The contact stated that the vehicle was undrivable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

Filed May 14, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · NV · fire

This vehicle lost power while driving and would not re-start. A message came on dash saying “service electronic throttle” and then the vehicle burst into flames. There is a recall for other models with the same engine but not this vehicle. It is a safety hazard that almost killed me.

Filed Jun 22, 2021 · Engine · 111,000 miles · FL · fire

The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 19v757000 (engine and engine cooling) and 20v475000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the part to do the recall was unavailable. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle caught fire without warning. There were no reported injuries. The contact was able to pull off the road and extinguish the fire with sand. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who stated the parts were not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified but declined the repairs. The failure mileage was 111,000. Parts distribution disconnect. * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

Filed Feb 8, 2021 · Electrical · 56,000 miles · AR · fire

Saturday evening we were existing the interstate when I started to smell what seemed like a chemical smell. We could not figure out where this smell was coming from. As we proceeded down the highway, I started to get warm so I turned off the heated seat. When we arrived at our destination, I could still smell the something out of the normal. I begin to look all around. Smelling my jacket to make sure the kids didn't spill something on it, or just try to find where the smell was coming from. Finally, I turn around and realize my heated seat had caught fire. Thank god I had turned the seat warmer off moments earlier. Lucky for me, the truck did not go up in flames. The seat has a deep burn hole and my jacket (which was between the seat and myself) has 2 burns in it. I was unharmed but if it wasn't for me turning the seat off, I'm afraid of what may have happened. Our truck is still under an extended warranty and is now at the dealership to be repaired. However, I asked the dealership who is to report such things? They expressed that they were not sure, but they do not. We have an open case now through the dealership and waiting for further instructions.

Filed Feb 10, 2020 · Fuel system · 82,000 miles · NC · fire

While driving through west virginia, pulling my sailboat, I got a "check engine" light; as I was coming up to the beckley service area, I decided to stop, find an auto parts store and get the code read. Just as I was entering the service area, I lost power, simultaneously having the dashboard flash a "tps sensor" warning, as I descended into the rest area, I realized that I had also lost my brakes (but not the trailer brakes) and then, while coasting into the parking lot, a wv turnpike pu pulled alongside with the driver gesticulating at me, yelling that I needed to get out of my truck, it was on fire. Immediately upon stopping, the front end became engulfed in flames, ultimately burning completely up.

Filed Dec 10, 2019 · Engine · 70,000 miles · TX · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ram 1500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v757000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact noticed a burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact also noticed smoke under the hood of the vehicle. The contact pulled the vehicle over and noticed flames underneath the hood. The contact extinguished the fire with water. A fire report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the intake manifold melted and caused the fire. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified, investigated the failure, and opened a case; however, the manufacturer denied the claim after the investigation. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Dec 1, 2019 · Engine · 76,000 miles · VA · fire

While driving at interstate speeds for approximately 130 miles (2.5 hours), vehicle sputtered and lost power, it stabilized at~40 MPH. A check engine light and red lighting bolt displayed. We exited the interstate and made course to a dealership utilizing smaller hwys. En-route to the repair shop, at about 40 MPH, vehicle started emitting smoke to include inside the cabin. Stopped the vehicle and evacuated all 4 people inside. Flames and heavy smoke soon became visible as we watched from afar. Large flames grew and quickly engulfed the whole vehicle. Fire department arrived and put out the fire.

Filed Dec 1, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 40,000 miles · SC · fire · 1 injury

Driving on hwy 17 down a ramp, throttle sensor light came on and truck stalled out. Restarted truck to pull off hwy/ramp to safer location, noticed thick bl smoke billowing out from under hood. Pulled into parking lot, lifted hood to see flames coming off engine. Bystander called 911 while I got a bucket of water. Threw bucket of water onto engine while police and fire dept finished extinguishing. Fire dept stated they have seen a few eco fires. Towed to hendrick's, contacted ram. Ram stated no need to contact ins co (they will handle it). Thought this was strange, contacted ins co anyways. Inspected by 2 fire specialists, ins co and ram. Ins co stated manufact defect, ram stated leaky injector (which were replaced by ram 18k mi prior at dealership). I sustained smoke inhalation and 1st degree burns to face,neck,lt arm and had/have headaches. Truck was still under 100k warranty with only 40k. Ram denied opened claim and warranty. Ins co totaled truck out, they still have an open claim against ram. Additionally ram denying my emissions settlement of 3k only offering 900 (stating emissions work couldn't be done due to fire classifying me as a previous owner although I was current owner even at that time). I still haven't settled emissions. Recently ram has recalled all 108k eco-diesels 2014-19 for fire hazard. My truck fits the description for what happens and always needed a little coolant with maint, insp, oil changes. I paid off my truck before, and now have a payment with what I consider a lesser truck. When I call fca and give my info they often hang up, act like they cant hear me, or state they are transferring me to manager (hanging up on me). Also stating someone will get back to me, but never any returned call (supposed to get a call tomorrow, will see).

Filed Nov 20, 2019 · Engine · 130,000 miles · NY

I was driving and the truck started to idle high and then blew a big cloud of smoke like it was on fire I shut it off and it would not restart. I took it back to where I bought it to have the warranty fix it but they are stating there is an open recall for the intake manifold catching fire and will not fix it and there is no fix for a based on the recall info