2023 Ram 1500 electrical problems

Filed Nov 6, 2026 · Electrical · FL · fire

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 electrical components also raises concerns about the vehicle's electrical system safety. The vehicle remains at the dealership and is available for further inspection.

Filed Oct 27, 2026 · Acceleration, Brakes · LA

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 the federal safety agency 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, leaving thousands of owners without remedy. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Repair estimates range from $1,200 to $2,000. The part remains on backorder or engineering hold, making timely repair impossible through normal channels. REQUESTED ACTION: I respectfully request that the federal safety agency: 1. Open a formal investigation into the 2023 Ram 1500 Classic ABS HCU failures for thousands of trucks, 2. Compel FCA/Stellantis to expand Recall 24V‑896 or issue a new recall to include the 2017-2024 Ram 1500 DS models. 3. Require FCA to reimburse owners who have already paid for this repair out of pocket

Filed Oct 2, 2026 · Electrical · 50,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Sep 21, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · VT

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.

Filed Sep 16, 2026 · Electrical · 33,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Sep 8, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · NC

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 their records did not show that the SCCM had been replaced or that the previously diagnosed problem had actually been repaired, despite my having been told at the earlier visit that it was fixed. The turn-signal malfunction remains a safety concern because other motorists may not receive an accurate indication of my intention to turn or change lanes, increasing the risk of a collision. The vehicle and the condition are available for inspection. I have retained service documentation concerning the original diagnosis and subsequent dealership visits.

Filed Aug 24, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NM

After my warranty was up, my rear back up sensor stopped working. The camera still works but the warning sensor stopped and is giving me a warning on the dash.

Filed Aug 13, 2026 · Electrical · 127,150 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2023 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on several occasions, the 12-Volt battery had low voltage which failed to provide enough power for the display screen, the fuel system, and other electric features. The contact stated that the failure caused the vehicle to shut off and not be able to drive. The contact stated that the vehicle was jumpstarted, and the vehicle started. The battery was replaced; however, the battery replacement failed to fix the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,150.

Filed Aug 11, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

The truck has done this four times since 01/22/2026. While still moving slowly the truck will do this while going down the highway. One other safety issue was when I merged into traffic on the highway (You have to merge into the fast lane at this location) the truck wouldn't go past 4th gear approximately 40 mph with cars coming up on me at 70. All of these problems correct when I can get the truck restarted.

Filed Aug 2, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · KY

This vehicle was purchased used from Carvana, LLC on [date] with three open safety recalls unrepaired at time of sale: the federal safety agency #23V‑799, #24V‑754, and Campaign #48A. The vehicle was previously owned by a rental car company and was transferred at auction while these recalls were open, in apparent violation of 49 U.S.C. § 30120(i), which prohibits rental companies from selling vehicles with unremedied open recalls. Despite Carvana's own signed Recall Acknowledgment listing these recalls as open, their delivery agent verbally represented the recalls had been fixed. All three recalls remain unrepaired as of this filing