Ram 1500 sudden acceleration problems

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Acceleration · ME

I am reporting a serious safety concern involving our 2020 Ram 1500 Rebel. The vehicle has experienced repeated incidents of unintended acceleration, where it accelerates without the driver pressing the accelerator pedal. This problem has occurred on multiple occasions and presents a significant risk to the driver, passengers, and other motorists. The vehicle previously displayed diagnostic trouble code P2138, which relates to the accelerator pedal position sensor circuits. We are concerned that this may indicate a malfunction involving the electronic throttle control or accelerator pedal system, although the exact cause has not been confirmed. The issue has now occurred again, raising serious concerns about the vehicle’s safety and the potential for an accident. We believe this dangerous and recurring condition warrants investigation by the federal safety agency. We are requesting that this complaint be documented and investigated to determine whether a safety-related defect exists.

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · 95,959 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the messages “Power Steering Unavailable - Service Required”, “Service Air Suspension Immediately”, and “Blind Spot Unavailable” were displayed. The contact stated that after the messages were displayed, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission intermittently surged forward while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken or towed to the dealer on several occasions. The vehicle was diagnosed with transaxle failure and steering column failures. The battery, transmission, and the radio were replaced on several occasions; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 95,959.

Filed Sep 21, 2026 · Engine · NY

This happened twice in 3 weeks. I came to a stop, and suddenly the engine raced to 3,500 rpm’s, and surged forward 20-30 feet before I got it under control with extreme brake application.

Filed Jul 15, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · OH

9/25/25 My truck accelerated on its own, in drive, while turning and a downhill situation. It revved high, about 2000 RPM but I was able to pull over to get it in park to stop revving, and turned it off. It restarted and when I arrived to work that trip, it did the same in reverse while trying to park. Had to hold brake hard to get truck to stop. Took to dealer did who did SW update to transmission module. 1/13/26 truck again revved while pulling forward in Mc'D's drive through, worker mentioned "that could have been bad", I said yes I thought they had fixed. Had to hold brake hard and shift into park to stop it. 3/31/26 It revved to about 2000-2500 rpm while stopped at Moine Rd. and 585 with car waiting in front of me with 55MPH traffic crosswise. I was able finally get into to park to stop it while holding brake hard to keep from moving, and turned off truck. Took to dealer who had truck for a week, engineers said to return to me (4-10-26)because they could not duplicate or find error code or problem. 4/13/26 SEL light came on, threw evap code P!CEA-00, they did SW upgrade to PCM. Thought it was fixed. About 2400 miles later on 7/10/26, while waiting at red light with car in in front of me it lurched and revved to 4000 RPM, worst time ever, tires where spinning, would not go in park, Brakes fully engaged, put in neutral, and not 100% sure that stopped back tire from spinning. Thankfully it just rained so there was a loss of traction. Pushed off button that shut truck down. Drove home, is at dealership now. This is a VERY dangerous situation. Stellantis needs to address it. There were no codes for this or any time it happens. I really don't want to lemon law this truck as it can't be rebuilt now, but not sure it's worth risking my life or the life of others if they cannot find what is causing it. I shouldn't have to buy a dash cam for my tach and feet to prove this! I have seen on Ram forums this is happened to others as well. Sad & scary all 5 TIMES!

Filed Jul 9, 2026 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 17,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2025 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving with cruise control engaged, the cruise control system accelerated and failed to recognize objects or vehicles ahead. The contact was forced to manually override the cruise control system to regain control of the vehicle and prevent an accident. The contact stated that a "Driver Override" warning message appeared on the instrument panel as the vehicle accelerated without the contact depressing the accelerator pedal. A dealer was notified of the failure, and an appointment was scheduled to have the vehicle inspected. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.

Filed Jun 11, 2026 · Acceleration · 5,200 miles · MI · crash

The contact leased a 2025 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed to park the vehicle inside the residence's garage, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, crashed through the rear wall of the garage, and into a snowbank, where the vehicle came to a stop. No warning light was illuminated. The garage rear wall and lawn care equipment were damaged. No injury was sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was repaired. The contact stated that while the technician was conducting a post-repair test-drive, the failure reoccurred when there was a sudden acceleration. The technician was able to stop the vehicle. The contact was advised to tow the vehicle to the dealer for further inspection. The dealer was made aware of the failure and requested a manufacturer engineer inspection. The engineer inspected the vehicle at the same independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the vehicle had passed the inspection, and there was no electrical issue. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 5,200.

Filed Apr 14, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · AL

July 2021 bought ram 1500 limited. $75k September 2021 3k miles took to dealer with REVERSE TRAILER STEERING UNAVAILABLE MESSAGES AND BACK UP CAMERA issues. Not fixed. Issues still happening. DEC 2021 ram 1500 recall y80 issued. RTSCM NEEDS updated. April 2022 dealer visit 11k miles recall y80 addressed and repaired. Issues continued. Several undocumented stop by dealer visits by request to look at while happening. Software updated each time. April 2023 purchasing dealer visit agin 26k miles. Up to this date vehicle was a lease. I bought the lease out with hopes to repair the issue. That dealer updated and also removed my dash to inspect the module. At this point as well 2 cases had been opened with ram themselves and I was wrote off as it will be fixed eventually. After that the issues never went away to this day but I was at a loss. A lemon law attorney told me that I didn’t have enough proof of the issue and i will share all my proof here with you guys. 2 month ago it froze the screen and accelerated on its own almost hitting a women and child pedestrian. I have had enough. I have worked hard for that money spent in the truck and cannot get the safety recall resolved. Now that the dash has been removed there are lights that shine in my eyes at night through the crease in the dash. All evidence cannot attach to this form because they are videos but I have over 65 showing proof and repair attempts

Filed Oct 13, 2025 · Engine · FL

After starting the 2019 Ram 1500 Bighorn in the morning, or after starting the truck and putting it in Drive, the vehicle sometimes shifts itself from Drive into Neutral as we come to a stop. When this happens, the gear indicator on the dashboard begins blinking and displays the message: “Shift to P then desired gear.” On one occasion, as my wife was merging onto the freeway in front of an 18-wheeler, the vehicle suddenly went into Neutral as she slowed down to merge. When she pressed the gas pedal, the truck did not move, putting her in immediate danger and forcing her to coast while traffic approached from behind. This issue has made the vehicle unsafe to drive because it can unexpectedly drop into Neutral at critical moments for example, while crossing lanes, merging, or pulling into intersections. There are no warning lights or alerts before this occurs. Sometimes, the truck will lunge forward or move forward unexpectedly when slowing down. Other times, it just rolls even though we are pressing the gas because it’s actually in Neutral. The problem has been repeatedly reported to the local dealership, which has replaced several parts -including the transmission and performed multiple repair attempts, but the issue continues. No other independent mechanic or third party has inspected the vehicle only the local dealership. Due to the ongoing safety hazard and repeated failure to repair, I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this issue. The unpredictable shifting poses a serious risk to drivers/passengers and others on the road.

Filed Oct 7, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · NV

On September 11, I remember because of the date, I was coming up to traffic on Flamingo heading east to Nellis Rd. As I started to brake the truck suddenly accelerated rapidly. I slammed on the brakes and barely stopped in time to not rear end the car ahead of me. I put it into park, then put it into drive and I made it home. This happened again yesterday October 6 as I came through the Carls drive through. Had to slam on my brakes again to stop.

Filed Oct 6, 2025 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH or slower, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the engine compartment. While attempting to accelerate, the vehicle intermittently hesitated and slightly surged forward before accelerating. The failure had become more persistent over time. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact found information related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V265000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the motor generator had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of replacing the motor generator unit. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.