I am writing to file a formal safety complaint regarding a widespread defect in the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Control Module and Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) on my 2016 Ram 1500. The ABS system on my vehicle has suffered an internal failure, resulting in an active ABS dashboard warning light, total loss of traction control, and immediate electronic disabling of both the cruise control system and the four-wheel drive (4WD) system. Disabling ABS and the 4WD system leaves the vehicle unable to adapt to hazardous road or weather conditions, creating a significant safety risk. This exact failure pattern mimics identical ABS defects that parent company Stellantis/FCA has previously recalled on heavier-duty Ram platforms (such as the federal safety agency Recall 24V‑896), but the 2016 half-ton models have not yet been included in a mandatory remedy campaign. I request that this issue be documented and investigated as a potential safety defect requiring expanded remedy coverage.
Ram 1500 abs comes on
835 of the 11,912 owner complaints about the Ram 1500 describe aBS light or ABS activating, most of them for the 2016 model year.
- owner complaints
- 835
- worst model year
- 2016
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,800
- typical mileage
- 90,000
By model year
Often reported together
Adaptive cruise 195Check engine light 62Power steering loss 29Brake failure 24Warning lights 23Loss of power 18Won't shift 17Engine failure 13
Trouble codes mentioned
C2200 60U0415 6C0020 5U0403 2C2206 2U1424 1U1412 1U1267 1U11BC 1U1110 1
What owners say
The ABS module has failed, leaving our truck inoperable. We can not find a new part for replacement. Our local dealer that we purchased the vehicle from said they do not have access to a new part either. Mileage is 99581. ERROR CODES: Service electronic braking system, service shifter words come on. The brake light, seat belt light, and several other miscellaneous lights come on the dash. When hooked up to a code reader: Invalid data received from ABS control module A, lost communication with body control module, High Speed CAN communication Bus, lost communication with ABS control module A DTC Severity 3of3.
ABS, Trailer brakes, and traction control lights on ABM C2200-49 DTC Code
i was driving and the headlights dimmed and went out, almost causing accident. I brought it to my mechanic and at [XXX] it says the alternator on your vehicle may experience a rapid alternator failure due to diode thermal fatigue. Variability in the failure mode ranges from no output, reduced output, and/or a fully shorted to ground condition. Depending on the alternator failure mode and timing, the vehicle electrical system voltage may drop to critical level, disabling systems such as ABS, ESC, and ECM and/ or the Central Body COntroller. the driver will have limited or no detection of the alternator failing, which can result in vehicle shutdown while driving, increasin the risk of a crash and/or an underhood electrical fire. I can't reach anyone to help me with this problem with the FCA Recall Assistance Center. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Brakes, ABS , shift sensor, in drive and would not move had to turn off in heavy traffic and then put in Drive and would go for a while, leveling off, every light was in a rolling script on my dash! Finally got to place that I could park it.Finally was able to get someone to get it home. 1 hour away. My husband is [XXX] and has dementia, can hardly walk. I am [XXX] and am responsible caregiver to him. We were in getting off work traffic when this was going on…Yes my vehicle is available to be seen. I can not drive it for fear of happening again and causing more trouble. Yes we were surely in danger as so were others in traffic. Yes has been confirmed by dealership and other mechanics. Everyone says they do not have the modular to fix it and have no idea when it might come in! I owe 1500.00 on this vechicle and have been very pleased with it. Even with getting recalls fixed. But now we have this very nice truck that we can’t drive, or trade or sale! Our other vehicle is a 2007 FJ Cruiser and has 335,000 miles on it. Bought it new and have had no problems with it. Just a little Leary for us to start out to dr. Appointments or whatever else comes up, I had always felt safe in our truck, but now I am afraid to drive out of driveway. We were told if that had part to fix it , it would be 1600.00 dollars to fix. We live on fixed income and this has caused us much despair. I was not aware of trouble with this problem until now. But have been made aware that we are not the only ones. I would love to hear from you and with a solution to this mess!!! Thank you. [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. While driving approximately 25-30 MPH, the ABS, traction control, and brake warning lights were illuminated. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a brake specialist to be diagnosed and it was determined that the ABS module had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part was on a national back order. The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted and confirmed that the part was on backorder, with no estimated time of availability. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced intermittent starting failures. In addition, the contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated and the message "Please Put the Car in Park" was displayed. The vehicle was driven to a gas station, shut off, and refueled; however, the vehicle failed to start immediately and only restarted after approximately 30 minutes. The battery was replaced by AAA. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, where the contact was informed that no failure was found and the failure could not be duplicated. Several messages and warning lights, including "Key Fob Not Detected", "Parking Brake Error", the ABS warning light, and the traction control warning light were illuminated during the failure. The dealer notified the manufacturer of the failure, and the technicians advised the dealer to replace the key fob; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was undergoing further diagnostic test. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS, traction control, and BRAKE warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and the contact was advised that the ABS module needed to be replaced; however, the parts were on back order. The failure mileage was 164,000.
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
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Ram 1500 Classic SLT trucks. Certain vehicles were built without the retaining clip that secures the master cylinder push rod to the brake pedal, which can cause the brake pedal to separate from the brake system.
- Risk
- A separated brake pedal can result in the driver being unable to apply the service brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until they receive instructions on the inspection and repair, as necessary. FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install the push rod clip, free of charge. The recall began February 9, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US number for this recall is Y04.
Recall number 21V037000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with adjustable pedals. The affected vehicles have a brake pedal that may move too far and separate from pedal assembly.
- Risk
- If the brake pedal separates from the pedal assembly, the driver may be unable to brake the vehicle, increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the adjustable pedal assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 25, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V07.
Recall number 19V067000 · Recall details
Parking brake
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 vehicles manufactured December 17, 2012, through January 22, 2013. The parking brake cable equalizer was set incorrectly and may not hold the vehicle on a 20% grade. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the parking brake performance requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
- Risk
- If the parking brake fails to operate as designed, the vehicle could roll when parked, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reset the parking brake cable equalizer if required, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N22.
Recall number 13V128000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ram 1500 abs
Why does the abs come on in the Ram 1500?
Owners who report it most often also describe adaptive cruise control problems, check engine light and loss of power steering, and the codes they mention most are C2200, U0415 and C0020.
Which Ram 1500 years have aBS light or ABS activating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2016 (250 complaints), 2014 (152 complaints) and 2015 (138 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix ABS light or ABS activating on the Ram 1500?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,800 (median of 55 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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