The contact owned a 2022 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, with her husband seated in the front passenger's side seat and her son seated in a rear seat, an electrical burning odor entered the cabin. Upon coming to stop at the stop light, the contact noticed black smoke and flames emanating from under the hood. The fire originated under the driver's side of the hood. The contact and her family quickly exited the vehicle. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The insurance company then towed the vehicle to another tow yard for inspection. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 22V835000 (Power Train) and 23V060000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was 33,000.
Ram 2500 fire or smoke problems
54 of the 5,167 owner complaints about the Ram 2500 describe fire, smoke or burning smell, most of them for the 2019 model year.
- owner complaints
- 54
- worst model year
- 2019
- typical mileage
- 47,000
By model year
Often reported together
Overheating 4Loss of power 3Fuel pump 3Check engine light 2ABS 2Stalling 1Power steering loss 1Fuel smell 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2026 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the rear defroster overheated. The contact stated that the rear glass had fractured. There was melted plastic and smoke coming from the rear glass. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a defroster system malfunction. The contact was informed that the rear glass and the sensor were replaced and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.
I was driving the truck and hauling a trailer. Came home and parked my truck. Within 15 minutes something in the engine bay combusted and caught the entire truck on fire.
The contact owned 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, the vehicle lost automotive power. The ABS, traction control, and several other unknown warning lights were occasionally illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with an ABS module failure, and the failure was associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V896000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had progressed with several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle caught on fire while parked in the driveway. The contact was able to control the fire from spreading with a nearby water hose. The local Fire Department arrived on scene to extinguish the fire. The source of the fire was unknown and possibly was caused by an electrical failure underneath the dashboard. A Fire report was filed; however, it was not available. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed away to a nearby lot and was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.
On April 20, 2026, at approximately 3:30 PM, a 2025 Ram ProMaster operated as part of a commercial delivery fleet experienced a sudden vehicle fire while driving on a rural road near [XXX] [XXX] ). According to the driver, the vehicle drove over a small amount of corn husk debris on a low-maintenance gravel road, which is a normal and expected driving condition in this area. Immediately after, the vehicle became immobilized, and smoke and fire rapidly developed inside the vehicle and spread to the surrounding field. The driver exited the vehicle quickly and sustained second-degree burns and loss of facial hair. Emergency services responded, and approximately ten fire units were required to contain the fire. The driver was taken to the hospital by ambulance. The vehicle was a total loss. Notably, more than 24 hours after the initial incident, the vehicle reignited while being handled by a tow company. This incident does not appear consistent with normal operating risk. Driving over agricultural debris such as corn husks is a routine condition in rural Nebraska and should not result in catastrophic vehicle failure or fire. Additionally, another fleet operator in the same geographic market reported a nearly identical incident involving a 2025 Ram ProMaster less than one month prior. In that case, the vehicle also caught fire while being driven under normal rural road conditions. There is currently a known recall affecting 2025 Ram ProMaster vehicles. Given the similarity of incidents, severity of outcome, and potential pattern, this may indicate a broader safety defect. This event resulted in driver injury, complete vehicle loss, and damage to surrounding agricultural property. Immediate investigation into potential fire risk and defect in 2025 Ram ProMaster vehicles is strongly requested. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My truck was started in the morning and as it sat idle in the driveway I started attaching my trailer. By the time I got the trailer attached(20 seconds) there was smoke pouring out from under the hood. I immediately turned off the truck popped the hood and it was engulfed in flames. I was able to put out the fire with the garden hose. No check engine lights, no warning lights on dash, and I had just got it back from the dealership 2 days earlier and it passed a safety inspection before I picked it up. Im not sure what component failed but whatever did caused a fire
Vehicle caught fire while engine was running, vehicle idling. Vehicle is a total loss. Prior the federal safety agency complaints regarding these vehicles causing fire from electrical components under the hood. Unknown if fire was due to electrical or leaking fuel issues under the hood. Major safety risk to occupants, especially children in car seats. Fire became out of control and burned the interior of the vehicle to bare metal. There were no injuries in this incident. This report being submitted by Law Enforcement on owners behalf. Full report from Law Enforcement included in this complaint.
Vehicle: 2023 Ram 2500 Diesel (6.7L Cummins) – approx. 36,000 miles, under factory warranty Complaint Summary: Our 2023 Ram 2500 diesel is producing visible smoke from the engine bay and a persistent ticking/clicking noise from the engine. This occurs while driving and at idle. We have video evidence of smoke coming from under the hood and recordings of the abnormal engine noise. Safety Concerns: The smoke creates a serious fire hazard and risk of mechanical failure. Engine-bay smoke can indicate an electrical short, fuel or oil leak, overheating component, or exhaust/turbo malfunction. This poses a risk of engine compartment fire, including the possibility of fire after the vehicle is turned off. the federal safety agency Recall 23V‑060 for 2021–2023 Ram HD diesels describes electrical failures that can cause under-hood fires, showing this vehicle line has known fire-related safety issues. The smoke also presents a health and inhalation risk, especially to our children who ride in the vehicle. Diesel/exhaust fumes entering the cabin can cause respiratory irritation and impair driver alertness. A sudden escalation could result in loss of power, breakdown, or fire while driving. Dealer Response: We brought the vehicle to an authorized Ram dealership in February 2026. Despite the truck being fully under warranty, the dealer stated that because there is “no active recall,” they will not repair or further diagnose the problem. No meaningful corrective action was taken. Evidence Available: Videos showing smoke from the engine bay, audio/video of the ticking noise, and dealership service paperwork. We are requesting the federal safety agency investigate this as a potential safety defect due to fire risk, toxic fume exposure, and the manufacturer’s failure to address a dangerous condition in a nearly new, warrantied vehicle. We are paying on this vehicle monthly, are scared to drive with our children in the car. We have to pull over and not drive the vehicle due to how strong the cabin odor is.
On 4/28/25 our 2024 Dodge Ram 2500 truck caught fire, It had 25,880 miles on it. we bought it brand new in 9/24. Flames were coming from the engine. The fire had to be extinguished with a fire extinguisher. The truck was towed to the local Dodge dealership. Miracle Chrysler After they looked at the truck we were told that fired was caused by a faulty heater grid. The truck has been sitting at the Dodge dealership since 4/28/25 to current. Originally we were told Stellantis would buy it back then they changed their minds and said no we will repair it. As of today they still have not started the repairs. I have invoice dated 1/8/26 that sates it will cost $55,277.23 just in parts to repair the damage that does not include the labor fees and they are not sure that is all the parts they will actually need. We have been making the payment on this truck the entire time is has been sitting there $1369.87 plus renting another truck for $641 a week from Enterprise. They are going to spend more money to repair the truck than the payoff. Current pay is $62,235.41. Makes no sense. Then this week I saw on the news that RAM just issued a recall for the same truck but years 2019-2023 with 6 fires recorded for same issue faulty heater grid. I think my truck is one of the first of 2024 to catch fire from the same issue.
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, there was blue and white smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The contact saw a cloud of smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact waited to see where the smoke was coming from and attempted to start however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and filed a complaint. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Related recalls
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the instrument panel display to fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards numbers 102, "Transmission Shift Position Sequence," 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems," 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment," 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems for Light Vehicles," 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems," 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System," and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as gear selection and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA's number for this recall is 35D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on beginning April 16, 2026.
Recall number 26V225000 · Recall details
Electrical system: integrated trailer brake control
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Jeep Wagoneer S, 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, Ram 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. Due to an improperly designed trailer tow module, the trailer lights may fail to illuminate and the trailer brakes may fail.
- Risk
- Trailer brake lights and turn signals that do not illuminate reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, trailer brakes that fail increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the trailer tow module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning March 17, 2026. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 03D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on February 10, 2026.
Recall number 26V059000 · Recall details
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Ram Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the instrument panel cluster display to be blank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems," 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems," and 102, "Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect."
- Risk
- An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or gear selection, increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and update the instrument panel software or replace the instrument panel cluster, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are B4C and B8C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on beginning December 4, 2025.
Recall number 25V826000 · Recall details
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 vehicles equipped with a 3.5" cluster and column shifter. A software error may cause the gear selection display to be inaccurate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
- Risk
- An inaccurate gear selection display may mislead the driver as to what gear is actually selected, leading to unexpected vehicle movement and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 36C.
Recall number 25V297000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: relays/solenoids
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, and 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine. An electrical short may occur in the heater grid relay with the ignition on or off.
- Risk
- An electrical short in the relay can result in an engine compartment fire with the ignition on or off, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the relay, free of charge. This will be a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2023 model year vehicles. FCA US will notify dealers on or about 3/23/2023 and begin notifying owners on or about 4/5/2023. Phase 2 will include 2022 model year vehicles and Phase 3 will include 2021 model year vehicles. FCA US will notify dealers and owners on or about 4/27/2023 for Phase 2 and 5/11/2023 for Phase 3. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed March 28, 2023. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 13A. This recall is an expansion of and supersedes recall number 21V‑798.
Recall number 23V060000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: relays/solenoids
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 3500, 2500 pickup trucks, and Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines. An electrical short in the relay may cause a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off.
- Risk
- A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park these vehicles outside of buildings or structures, and not near other vehicles, until the vehicle has been remedied. Dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay ("Relay"); if FCA US Recall ID Y08 (the federal safety agency Recall ID 21V‑163) is open, then insulating material will be applied to the Relay after inspection. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y76. This recall has been superseded by 23V060.
Recall number 21V798000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Ram 2500, 3500, and 3500, 4500, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine. An electrical short may occur in the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay, which could result in a vehicle fire.
- Risk
- A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay ("Relay"); if FCA US Recall ID Y08 (the federal safety agency Recall ID 21V‑163) is open, then insulating material will be applied to the Relay after inspection. Customers are advised to not park these vehicles inside of buildings or structures, or near other vehicles until the vehicle has the final repair completed. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y76. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y08. This recall has been superseded by recall number 21V‑798.
Recall number 21V163000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
- Risk
- If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Recall number 18V332000 · Recall details
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Police vehicles, 2007-2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2013 RAM 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.
- Risk
- If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator with a revised alternator, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S68.
Recall number 16V739000 · Recall details
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014 RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured July 1, 2013, through August 22, 2013. Randomly, the warning lights in the instrument cluster may fail to illuminate as designed.
- Risk
- Inoperative warning lights may not properly warn the driver of vehicle problems, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N59.
Recall number 13V486000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ram 2500 fire or smoke
Which Ram 2500 years have fire, smoke or burning smell problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2019 (9 complaints), 2013 (6 complaints) and 2021 (6 complaints).
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