Ram 1500 grinding brakes problems

Filed Nov 7, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · NV

The electronic door locking and unlocking system on my 2026 Ram 1500 malfunctioned repeatedly beginning in approximately August–September 2026. During one incident, my family and I were unable to exit the vehicle normally for approximately 15 minutes in Las Vegas summer temperatures of approximately 115°F. The doors also repeatedly failed to lock, unlock, or properly secure the vehicle, creating serious safety and security concerns. No warning light was observed before these electrical failures. In October 2026, the vehicle developed additional problems involving repeated check-engine warning lights, multiple-cylinder misfires, and abnormal grinding or dragging engine sensations. Desert 215 Superstore technicians confirmed diagnostic trouble code P0300 and documented cold-start misfires affecting cylinders 1, 3, and 5 under service invoice #171349, dated October 14–19, 2026, at approximately 2,990 miles. The vehicle was returned to the dealership around October 20–21 after the engine symptoms recurred. Stellantis technical assistance was reportedly involved under STAR Technical ID 103007728. The dealership has inspected the vehicle, but I have not received documentation confirming a separate physical inspection by a manufacturer representative. The door-related safety incidents were previously reported to dealership personnel but were not adequately documented in the service records, and I have no written confirmation that those failures were reproduced. The vehicle remains at Desert 215 Superstore in Las Vegas, Nevada, and may be available for inspection through the dealership. I am requesting that the federal safety agency document and review these recurring electrical and engine-related problems as potential safety defects, particularly because of the risk to vehicle occupants and my family's safety. STAR Case / Technical ID #103007728

Filed Oct 16, 2026 · Steering · 150,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the electronic steering system began to fail, exhibiting a severe grinding noise, and the steering wheel was extremely stiff and difficult to turn. The contact steered the vehicle to the side of the road safely. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a complete failure of the steering rack and pinion assembly. Both the manufacturer and the dealer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was scheduled for repair by the independent mechanic. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · Engine · FL

On August 5, 2026 while driving my 2025 Ram 1500 with the 3.0L Hurricane engine which has approximately 25,000 miles on it, I heard a metal on metal grinding sound as I accelerated from a traffic light at approximately 20mph. The "Service engine - see dealer" warning appeared and the truck then appeared to lose power. I received no overheating warning or message and was unaware the engine had overheated. The Ram dealership determined that the thermostat failed, causing the engine to overheat, resulting in a failed head gasket and warping the cylinder head and engine block. Stellantis authorized a complete engine replacement. I was not aware the engine was overheating because no overheating warning or message displayed. My safety concern is that the engine sustained severe overheating and internal damage without warning me it was overheating. The dealership advised that the turbos were visually inspected and appeared normal, but the cause of the metal on metal grinding sound has not been identified.

Filed May 9, 2026 · VA

The entertainment system (and rear camera) freezes up and emits a loud squeal. The system eventually reboots but while backing up the camera screen is frozen and unable to see behind while backing. This creates a definite safety problem (it occurs at various time not only abcking up). The dealer hasn't been able to reproduce the error.

Filed May 7, 2026 · Brakes, Wheels · CO

Initially while taking a corner at low speed the truck made a clunk and grinding noise which resolved and then while going about 50 mph the grinding noise recurred which prompted stopping the vehicle on the side of the road and when almost to a stop, the wheels locked up causing a slight skid; the vehicle was in 4-wheel auto at the time and with change between 4wd and 2wd serveral times the front tires unlocked and i was able to drive it again. About 4 days later, while driving 70 mph, the vehicle started to make a grinding noise on the interstate, and I started to slow down, but unfortunately, I was on the left side of the highway on a narrow shoulder, and upon getting to a lower speed while in 2WD, my front axle locked up. I placed the vehicle in park, but due to safety concerns, I put the truck back in drive and tried to switch from 2WD to 4WD to unlock the axle, but unfortunately, the truck would not change gears. I then had to quickly get the vehicle to the other side during a time with fewer vehicles, while the left front tire was locked, and I had to drag it across the highway to ensure my safety. The left front tire remained locked, and after multiple attempts, the brake partially unlocked but continued to make a grinding and clunking noise. After some diagnostics, we determined the left front wheel hub was the issue, overheating and locking up. I reached out to mechanics for quotes on repair of said part, and upon reaching out to the dealer that I have used in the past for recalls and oil changes, I was informed there was a recall on said part/software that I was not aware of; the service rep used the last 8 of my VIN to look up my vehicle for the quote and provided the details about the recall. I use the RAM Guardian App which provides updates about recalls and upon checking it does not show a recall nor does it show a recall when i search my VIN and License Plate on the website. This seems to be a common issue based on customer reviews.

Filed Apr 25, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · VA

Timeline of issues: 04/11/2026 – Vehicle purchased 04/16/2026 – Brakes began grinding 04/18/2026 – Vehicle developed starting issues 04/19/2026 – Brake system parts (pads, rotors, calipers) ordered due to failure 04/23/2026 – Parts received; same day 4WD was tested and confirmed not functioning properly (dashboard indicates engagement but front wheels do not engage) 04/24/2026 – Complete brake failure occurred due to caliper failure These issues occurred immediately after purchase and indicate the vehicle had significant pre-existing mechanical defects at the time of sale. The 4WD system also does not function correctly despite indicating engagement, and the braking system failed completely shortly after purchase.

Filed Apr 18, 2026 · Transmission · NJ

Rear differential started making loud noise and grinding sounds

Filed Apr 16, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · IA

4-14-2026 3:25pm Temp 70 degrees. Dry pavement. I was approaching a red stoplight at 50mph. I pressed on the brake pedal but the brakes didn’t seem to be working well. I was slowing down but not like normal. I pressed harder. I heard the truck getting louder inside the cabin. The truck was not braking well at all. It was slowing down but it was not stopping. Alarmed, I pressed even harder on the brake pedal. I heard my tires squealing over the other loudness coming from the truck. Smoke came from my tires. I managed to finally get the truck stopped my switching the gear selector out of Drive. I pressed the Stop button to stop the engine. I turned the truck back on. The “loudness” I had heard earlier returned. The truck was still stopped and in Park with my foot still on the brake pedal. The tachometer on the truck was at just over 4000 RPM - far above normal idle of ~1000 RPM. The engine had been revving trying to drive the truck forward even though I had my foot off the gas and on the brake!

Filed Mar 19, 2026 · Electrical · OH

This is in regards to well known issue with the E-Torque MGU generator equipped on this vehicle. The internal bearing is failing causing a whining and grinding sound and results in a loss of electrical power that causes the vehicle to stall and not restart when the auto start/stop feature is engaged, which has happened to me once. I have had a dealer confirm this component failure and the vehicle is now unsafe to drive and is parked for an undetermined amount of time because the part is on national backorder per Stellantis.

Filed Feb 26, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · 82,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and hauling a 500 lb. trailer, the vehicle hesitated and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, a bearing made an abnormal grinding sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, opened the hood, and noticed dust on top of the eTorque Motor Generator Unit (MGU). The contact was able to restart the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Motor Generator Unit (MGU) had failed. The dealer informed the contact that continuous driving of the vehicle had caused the tensioner to overextend due to the loss of power by the MGU and bearing. The contact was informed that parts to repair the vehicle were on backorder. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and filed a claim. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.