The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the ABS and check engine warning lights were illuminated and the cruise control became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the failure was associated with the recall. The contact was referred to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and advised the contact to repair the vehicle, and a reimbursement would be provided when parts became available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Ram 2500 check engine light comes on
156 of the 5,167 owner complaints about the Ram 2500 describe check engine light, most of them for the 2018 model year.
- owner complaints
- 156
- worst model year
- 2018
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,862
- typical mileage
- 57,325
By model year
Often reported together
ABS 38Adaptive cruise 18Won't shift 14Loss of power 14Transmission failure 8Fuel pump 8Misfire 6Jerking 5
Trouble codes mentioned
C0020 3P2609 2P2459 2P0870 2P242F 1P226C 1P219A 1P2121 1P1451 1P0871 1
What owners say
I am reporting a transmission safety problem with my 2016 Ram 2500 Cummins that began shortly after FCA campaign U29 was performed. Before the recall work, the transmission and original solenoid were functioning normally. I had no transmission symptoms, warning lights, or transmission codes. The dealership performed U29 and replaced the transmission solenoid May 4-6, 2026. I picked the truck up May 6 at 149,091 miles. About 79 miles later, the check-engine light came on and transmission problems began. While driving, including on the interstate, the truck would suddenly jerk, the RPMs would rise quickly, and the truck would lose speed. On several occasions, traffic behind me had to react quickly to avoid hitting me. The dealership told me the solenoid installed during the U29 repair was defective and replaced it with another solenoid. The same problems continued. The truck later developed code P0871, became undriveable, and was towed back June 1. The original transmission ultimately failed. The dealership then installed a Mopar remanufactured transmission. I picked it up June 13. Within roughly 600 miles, it developed substantially identical symptoms and failure patterns, including P0870 and P0871, limp mode, and another major transmission failure. It was towed back June 24. The dealership later found the overdrive clutch had disintegrated and metal was present in the transmission fluid. The failed remanufactured transmission is now being handled under its Mopar warranty, and the dealership is looking to install a third transmission without identifying a clear reason for the repeated failures. I am concerned the same problem could happen again and believe the U29 repair, replacement parts, or another related transmission problem should be investigated.
While attempting to pass traffic the truck did not want to shift above or down from 4th gear. This has happened twice now and both times I had to pull over and restart the truck. My safety was put at risk due to lack of propulsion, high rpm of the truck to maintain speed before pulling over. Check engine light came on both times. Although there appears to be a lack of the federal safety agency reports, I have been sharing this story with others and looking at Facebook groups and it seems the 68RFE transmission is rife with issues and commonly fails while driving, regardless of towing or not.
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the traction control, ABS, and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the electronic brake module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After retrieving the vehicle, the failure worsened, and the vehicle would not stop properly when depressing the brake pedal. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 MPH and depressing the brake, the vehicle slid in the rain. The ABS, traction control, and engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The local dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the hydraulic control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case The contact was unable to reach a supervisor to escalate the issue. The phone call was disconnected before the connection with the supervisor. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
The electronic throttle control light and check engine light are on. I took it to a mechanic and had the accelerator pedal replaced. The lights remained on and the truck remains in "limp mode" and will not go over 59mph. The mechanic stated that this is due to the unresolved recall problems with the traction control and anti lock braking system, and the HCU needing replaced. These components and labor are over 2-3 thousand dollars! I have called the federal safety agency and the manufacturer with questions and asked for a timeframe for a fix and have received nothing.
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the steering wheel jerked to the right and the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the electronic stability control, Forward Collision Avoidance, check engine, and power steering warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was water intrusion in the rack and pinion, causing corrosion of the electronic power steering system and several other unknown components that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed in the rain, the brake pedal position sensor signal failure warning light illuminated. The check engine and ABS warning light were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 169,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the cruise control feature was deactivated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with ABS failure. The contact was informed that the ABS needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with ABS failure. The contact was informed that the ABS needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that parts were unavailable. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 15,337.
My 2018 dodge ram has an open recall since December 2024. There are no parts/no fix. My truck has been dinging and pinging with the break light/traction light/engine light/ABS light since 6 months after I got it. ALL of these things are related to the open recall. VIN [XXX]. Manufacturer Recall Number C4B, the federal safety agency Recall Number24V-896. "The loss of ABS/ESC/Traction control may cause a vehicle crash without prior warning." On Sunday the 19th it stalled along with the warning lights. I took my truck to the dealer and paid $198 in Feb 2023 and they told me nothing was wrong with it. This issues would happen every so often now it's happening frequently almost daily. Customer care refuses to help. They told me to take my truck to a dealer to get it diagnosed and then send the paperwork to them and maybe they'd cover the rental until the part comes in. So now I am paying another $255 for Another diagnostics. It's sitting at Dodge in Glendora, CA right now for 2 days waiting for a call back. I was also told if it's approved, I have to pay for the rental out of pocket. For an eternity? I am not sure why I am jumping through hoops for a safety recall. It' the only car I have to commute and drive my kids in. Once again, a safety recall. This is really absurd. I begged for a manager or someone higher to call me and Ram care refused. Said they'd send my case to rentals. What if my breaks go out, what if I get in a car accident. It feels really unreasonable they won't take responsibility for this ongoing open recall that is a safety issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ecu/ECM)
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Ram 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 2500, and 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L turbo diesel engines. The engine control module (ECM) may have been built with a misaligned capacitor that can short-circuit, resulting in an internal loss of communication.
- Risk
- An internal loss of communication can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the ECM, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 20, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z87.
Recall number 22V642000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2017 RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines that have Concentric-brand water pumps without a vent hole. These water pumps may leak coolant.
- Risk
- The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pumps, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T51.
Recall number 17V562000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis and 4500/5500 Cab Chassis trucks manufactured July 31, 2015, to August 13, 2015 and equipped with a 6.7L Cummins Diesel engine. In the affected vehicles, the Engine Control Module (ECM) may short circuit, causing the engine to stall without warning.
- Risk
- An engine that stalls without warning increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECM, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R52.
Recall number 15V592000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks manufactured January 7, 2013, through March 6, 2013. The engine cover may trap an excessive amount of heat under the cover.
- Risk
- The excessive heat under the engine cover may result in an under hood fire.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing engine cover with one that is a different design, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed on May 31, 2013. A second letter was mailed to owners with instructions on how to obtain the free remedy on August 15, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N19.
Recall number 13V122000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ram 2500 check engine light
Why does the check engine light come on in the Ram 2500?
Owners who report it most often also describe abs light or abs activating, adaptive cruise control problems and stuck in gear or won't shift, and the codes they mention most are C0020, P2609 and P2459.
Which Ram 2500 years have check engine light problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2018 (44 complaints), 2014 (18 complaints) and 2017 (17 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the Ram 2500?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,862 (median of 15 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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