2015 Ram 1500: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Oct 1, 2026 · Engine · 177,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that there was an abnormally strong diesel odor coming from the vehicle at startup and while driving, with black smoke coming from the exhaust pipes while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle was overheating and that the catalytic converter was contaminated. The contact was initially informed that the repair was covered under Emission Recall Number: V08; however, the contact was later informed that the catalytic converter replacement was not covered and was required prior to performing the recall repairs. The contact declined to pay for the repair and associated the failure with Emission Recall Number: V08. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · AR · fire

On July 2nd, I was actively driving my 2015 Ram 1500 equipped with the 5.7L Hemi V8 gas engine. The vehicle is completely factory-stock with zero aftermarket electronics, wiring modifications, or accessories. While operating the truck, the dashboard instrument cluster suddenly began flickering wildly, indicating a severe voltage drop or electrical system failure. Immediately following the flickering, a catastrophic fire erupted inside the cabin, originating directly underneath the dashboard on the passenger's side. The fire department responded to extinguish the flames. The engine bay was unaffected by fluid leaks, and the fire originated strictly within the factory dashboard electrical wiring harness/modules. The vehicle is a total loss.

Filed Oct 3, 2024 · Engine · 127,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated while cold starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact smelled an abnormal burning odor and observed white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, when the light turned green, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that an independent road service mechanic stopped and scanned the vehicle and informed the contact that the crankshaft position sensor tone wheel had failed and referred the contact to a dealer for assistance. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V411000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

Filed Sep 5, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · 140,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and experienced a loss in motive power. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road and restarted the vehicle; however, upon arrival to the destination, there was black smoke coming from the rear exhaust. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was advised to take the vehicle to a local dealer for a recall repair. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where the high-pressure fuel pump was replaced; however, metal fragments were found in the fuel injectors were damaged. The contact was informed that unburnt fuel had damaged the DEF sensor and the sensor needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact was informed that the failure was related to Chrysler Recall: Z46; however, the repair was not covered by the warranty. The vehicle was not repaired because the repair was not covered by the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Jun 21, 2024 · Engine · 122,000 miles · CO · fire · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while hauling a 2018 Jayco Hummingbird at 50 MPH, the "Low Voltage Battery" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact immediately pulled over and exited the vehicle as white smoke began to emit from underneath the hood. The smoke quickly turned into flames as the contact attempted to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. The contact used a total of three fire extinguishers in an attempt to extinguish the fire; however, the fire returned after each attempt. With the assistance of a fellow motorist, the contact managed to pour water over the entire engine which finally extinguished the fire. The authorities arrived at the scene and performed a thorough inspection of the vehicle to ensure that the fire was extinguished. A police report was filed. The contact suffered severe mental trauma as a result of the incident. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent tow yard but was later placed in the possession of the contact's insurance company. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was deemed a total loss as a result of the fire. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

Filed Feb 13, 2024 · Electrical, Fuel system · MI · fire

Driving down the freeway Without warning vehicle dashboard started throwing out all kind of code warnings. Vehicle went into limp mode. Vehicle started on fire. Dealership states the blue def system was at fault. A problem this same dealer fixed just last year. At a cost of over $3000. This time with the fire the bill is over $8000. Not to mention the def system recall from a few years back where these components were suppose to be under an extended warranty. What is a consumer to do. We are at the mercy of these dealers Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 6, 2023 · Engine · 109,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH and making a right turn, the vehicle jerked twice. There was white smoke coming from under the hood. The smoke was thick and obstructed the driver’s view before the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing had become inoperable, and an engine replacement was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

Filed Jun 15, 2023 · Fuel system · TX

2015 RAM 1500-Consumer states "truck stopped going 75 miles per hour" on the highway. Consumers husband had to pull over to the shoulder & truck refused to start again. Consumers husband call for a tow. The tow trucks policy is one rider. Consumers son is disable and relies on father to drive. Consumer states: "This left my husband to the mercy to flag down a car and ask them if they could take my son. That may not sound like a huge deal, but my son's disability causes him not to know directions or place and space. The fear of getting in a car with completely and total strangers, hoping they would take him to Paducah was horrifying to him and me. He's still having fearful thought about that event. He chewed his finger nails so bad that the hotel towel was covered with blood from anxiety. It was completely and utterly ridiculous. Two days were spent trying to figure out what the issue was with the Truck. The dealership put in a new computer board, that wasn't the issue. We got charged for that part. After the final analysis we were told it was the fuel pump and it was on recall. The time estimation to fix the truck was given 45 days to 3+ month - if not more- as the part has still not been created for this recall. We had to rent a vehicle for a month, costing $1,900.00. I called the Ram customer service 6 times just to be told by a Kelly that she would not give me a supervisor as I was requesting that the computer part ($850) and the month rental ($1,900.00) be reimbursed to us 35 there is no ETA of when we will get our vehicle hack. Case #86107003. We later were told that it has been stated that sometime the vehicles catch on fire due to this default. That's very scary as my husband said he could smell gas. Since the "customer service" agents did NOT allow me to speak to their supervisor's I was left to basically deal with a very expensive and unresolved loss of our vehicle due to RAM. They literal have given us no assistance or time frame of when our truck will be fixed. I am requesting that our expenses of t

Filed Jul 13, 2022 · OK · fire

Truck caught on fire

Filed Feb 19, 2022 · Fuel system · MS

Smoke coming from top of motor by fuel line cause a fire

Filed Feb 4, 2022 · Engine · WI · fire

1) engine 2) yes 3) No 4) Police and fire chief...waiting on Insurance 5) electronic throttle control error light - repaired 1/20/22 driving home from work (about 35 mile drive) and 2.5 miles from home - engine made a LOUD/LARGE pop and the engine died....drifted to side of road where the inside immediate filled with smoke. Got out and the engine was on fire and within a matter of minutes the entire front end was ingulfed in flames. I find it interesting that I found and article from Ram "Ram Recalls 108,000 EcoDiesel Pickup Trucks over Fire Risk - 2014-2019 trucks...out truck is a 2015 Why we never informed of this potential deadly issue? My husband could have been killed as quickly as this all happened, and wiht no prior warranty, and for it to fully engulf so quickly https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a29622403/ram-1500-recall-ecodiesel-pickup-trucks/?fbclid=IwAR2_75MVCiq4C8Ab_ANM7XV3JNhbTGuM6UNSGTdyCM62tRMG9eLeFKemlmc#:~:text=Fiat%20Chrysler%20Automobiles%20(FCA)%20has,or%20any%20gasoline%2Dpowered%20trucks

Filed Jul 1, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · GA · crash · fire

I was driving on the Interstate when a electronic short warning light come on, I pulled over on the shoulder of the road and my engine quit and smoke started to come from the engine. I opened the hood and the engine was on fire. I emptied my cooler, all the bottles of water I had and Cokes and managed to put the fire out with out damage to any thing or any one other than the engine, windshield and hood. Dealer does not want to take responsibility, oil cooler seems to be the source of the fire. Oil sprayed on to the fire blanket on the hood kept burning after the main fire was extinguished. My truck was running fine prier to the fire, I have been waiting for a replacement tone wheel (recall # W58) for 6 months. I have had the EGR (recall #VB1) go out twice and fixed. Numerous electrical tail light shortages.