Our 2025 Ram 2500 was purchased new in March 2026 with 41 miles. It had 17,254 miles on October 19. We completed a six week cross country trip towing a trailer without problems until September 25, 2026. September 25: The doors failed to lock automatically while driving above 35 mph. Neither key fob nor the interior electric lock switches worked, and the power windows failed. The engine and 12 inch screen remained on. Turning the truck off and restarting it did not restore these functions. As soon as we got home, we called our regular servicing dealership. They said the key fob batteries were dead. We disagreed because the interior controls and windows also failed. I independently tried the manufacturer's mobile app. Its first lock command failed; after restarting the app and retrying, the doors locked and the other functions resumed. No cause was confirmed. October 17: While slowing for a stop sign, the engine suddenly shut off. The display instructed the driver to shift into Park to restart. A vehicle was behind us, but the hazard warning lights and power windows would not work, so we could not warn its driver. The truck restarted after shifting into Park, pressing the brake and pushing Start. October 19, about 6:40 AM: A different driver was coasting toward a traffic light at approximately 5 mph or less, without hard braking, when the engine shut off again. The display said "Shift to Park to Start." The driver shifted into Park and pressed Start to restart. Both shutdowns happened during deceleration without advance warning. The Ram app recorded the trips but showed no active driving alerts. Unexpected stalling in traffic, especially with failed hazard lights, poses a collision risk. I called Ram Customer Care as soon as they opened on October 19. A dealership inspection is scheduled for October 21. The cause remains unknown, no repair has been completed, and the truck is available for inspection.
Ram 2500 key fob problems
20 of the 5,171 owner complaints about the Ram 2500 describe key fob or push-button start problems, most of them for the 2013 model year.
- owner complaints
- 20
- worst model year
- 2013
- typical mileage
- 40,000
By model year
- 20251
- 20231
- 20221
- 20191
- 20183
- 20171
- 20153
- 20144
- 20135
Often reported together
Door locks 5Won't start 4Adaptive cruise 2ABS 2Won't shift 1Stalling 1Loss of power 1Backup camera 1
Trouble codes mentioned
B1A7B 1
What owners say
This complaint notes two separate safety problems for the 2023 Ram 2500 Tradesman. 1) Transmission leak. "Heavy transmission leak" noted by dealer during normal service. Apparently so common that the seals are on back order. Was caught at 35453 miles so covered by warranty, but any issues related to the leak I am told will not be covered once they fix the leak. I have read this common leak has been known to cause pressure issues and fires. 2) Electrical issue related to key fob. Since the truck was brand new, an error message would light up the dash indicating "Key Fob not detected" This would happen when trying to start the truck and while driving. This has left me stranded several times from not starting the truck and having to wait an hour to get truck to recognize key fob. While driving, truck will go into limp mode until you park, turn off the truck, and restart with the same key fob. Have brought to the dealer many times. they state low battery. I pay for them to put in new battery. before I leave the dealership the problem still shows up. They have replaced the key fob twice now. The last time at 35453 miles. Dealer says Problem out of their control after 500 more miles at 36000 when warranty is up. If the truck stops working while driving because of key fob I am out of a truck? Both issues are safety concerns.
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 2500. The contact stated while attempting to set the radio stations, the contact experienced failures with radio and other safety features which were controlled by the computer that controlled the radio. Additionally, the contact stated that the defroster, the back-up camera, and the hazard warning lights were inoperable. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the computer needed a software update. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the software update failed to fix the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the key fob failed to lock or unlock the doors. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,200.
ABS control unit has gone out for 2nd time. Replaced at 15000 miles and at 59000 miles same issue and no resolve from Ram due to parts not available. ABS, ESP, Brake lights continue to show on dash. Cruise control and push button start effected and not working..
Front passenger door and both rear door locks operate intermittently. . Doors will unlock with key fob or either front door buttons or front door handles; but they will intermittently lock with key fob or front door buttons or while in drive. Doors not locking keep child safety locks from engaging and children being able to exit vehicle without being in park. Also, prevents vehicle from being securely locked and protecting from theft of items. Truck been to dealership and told of problem they checked but could only get it to replicate issue 2 times and found nothing causing the problem. I have also found multiple Ram forums with a lot of people with same issue. There haven't been any warning lamps or messages before or during issues. The problem is intermittently and has last anywhere from a couple of days to several months at a time.
The navigation does not track my vehicle properly. The key fobs fail over 50% of the time. The uconnect application on my phone fails to work over 50% of the time and truck will not start, lock or unlock. The truck says the key fob left the vehicle when it is still in the vehicle causing a safety concern when driving. Even with new batteries in the fobs. The updates have failed different times due to something called the sierra bolo wireless card. The more and more I have explored what could be the issue, the more cases like this I see and wondering why there is no recall on it. This started taking place as soon as I purchased it in the fall of 2017.
Door locks not operating properly with key fob, door panel control or keyless touch entry mechanisms. Started as intermittent issue but is now hard failure...problem manifests with following symptom: using any lock/unlock mode only the drivers door and tailgate lock/unlock, whereas the front passenger door and two rear doors do not lock or unlock with any available mechanism...additionally, the front passenger door and two rear doors do not lock with the speed actuated locking mechanism either. This is a significant safety issue and has been brought up in several owners forums.
Vehicle has push button start. I start the vehicle and leave running in the morning to defrost. When I went back to the vehicle I unlocked it with the fob while I was walking thru the garage. Stopped in the garage to pick something up and accidentally dropped the fob. Got in the vehicle and drove off. Why does the vehicle allow me to put it in gear without the fob. If I had had remote start and had started it with remote start the vehicle would have stopped running and would not have gone into drive without having the key fob in the vehicle. I expected it to work this way when I manually started it. Why does it not. This is a safety issue and could be fixed with a software upgrade before someone gets hurt. The technology should be made as safe as possible and in this case could easily be made safer. (the vehicle was running in my driveway and I was on the highway at 70 MPH when I realized I did not have the fob).
Loss of communications between several modules. Errors are TPMS loss of commo at all 4 sensors, not able to lock doors loss of key fob communications causeing engine to turn off. Stationary or moving on any road or speed. These began when the vehicle was first purchased oct 2018.
Body mount control (bcm) . Which controls the door locks has a high rate of failure including my truck. Drivers door locks when you hit the lock on the key fob. But the passenger, and both back doors do not due to a faulty body mount control (bcm). Have seen lots of people reporting same symptoms and failures on 2013 ram trucks. Vehicle was stationary
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 2026 Ram 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 2500, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The instrument panel may display an incorrect brake system warning light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
- Risk
- An incorrect warning light can fail to alert the driver to critical safety information, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 9, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 79C.
Recall number 25V530000 · 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
Questions about the Ram 2500 key fob
Which Ram 2500 years have key fob or push-button start problems problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2013 (5 complaints), 2014 (4 complaints) and 2015 (3 complaints).
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