Ram 2500 overheating problems

Filed Oct 28, 2026 · Visibility · 4,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed Sep 21, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · TX

The DPF system failed prematurely at 68k. My truck as working fine with zero problems until I took it in for the Y43 safety recall July 2025. the dealership performed the software update without verifying if parts were in stock first. They took the part (dpf module) off a used truck from the lot and installed it on mine without asking me first. They told me they would call me when the parts became available. They never called so I took it in for a battery issue were the batteries were overheating and dying. I asked that they replace the used part and look into the fried battery issue. Knowing how this dealership operates I went ahead and marked the old part with nail polish. when I was called to pick up my truck I met with the GM and he assured me everything was taken care of and the new DPF Module was replaced. I got under my truck and the used part as still there. The GMs face went pale and couldn't believe that they had lied. He asked that I leave it so he could make things right. They replaced the DPF module and the batteries. I met with the service manager and he took full responsibility for the lies and theft. ( I have the conversation recorded). I went back a few days later to ask why my truck kept doing Regens like every 3 days and they informed me it was normal. fast forward to July 2006 same issues batteries fried and died then the DPF notification came up saying "DEF Filter Full Power Reduced See Dealer". I take it back to the same dealership and they informed me my DPF filter is full and I must pay $3800 out of pocket because the recall didn't cover it and neither does the extended warranty. I asked them how is it possible for my DPF filter to be full if all the REGENS are performed and the message will NOT clear until the region is complete. my filter never showed it was getting full and it never surpassed the 40 percent full and its impossible for it to be full from one day to the other. I took it to another dodge and stellantis refused to fix it.

Filed Sep 1, 2026 · MD

The contact owns a Rexing R4 MD 4-Channel Dash Camera purchased at Walmart. The camera was designed with a 4-channel dash camera system used to record the front, rear, left, and right sides of the vehicle simultaneously. The contact stated that after installing the camera on a 2022 Ram 2500, the unit failed to turn off as intended and remained continuously powered and overheated. The contact expressed safety concerns that the failure presented a fire hazard. The contact attempted to notify the manufacturer via email and telephone at 877‑740‑8004; however, no response was received, and the telephone number was recently out of service.

Filed Feb 13, 2026 · Brakes · 153,000 miles · NY · crash

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. 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 local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced the failure while driving approximately 40 MPH. The braking system had failed, causing the grandson to drive off the road and crash into a ditch. The vehicle was towed out of the ditch and driven home. No injuries were reported, and no police report was filed. Later, the grandson discovered that the front passenger side braking system had overheated and was concerned that the front tire had melted. No further information was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,000.

Filed Feb 10, 2026 · Engine · FL

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.

Filed Aug 10, 2025 · Electrical · TX

Crankshaft position sensor went out at highway speed pulling a 5th wheel. Truck shut down in traffic and all power was lost. The throttle position engine light came on and the truck overheated and completely shut down nearly causing a high speed crash on I/40 east of amarillo. The 5th wheel was 17000 pounds and the truck had 37000 miles on it. The dealer (Lipscomb Dodge Elk City , OK) advised it was the crankshaft position sensor and that it was on the same circuit as numerous other sensors that are vital to keeping the engine running and the truck operating safely. The truck is available for inspection, and now has a loud ticking noise (possibly an injector, lifter, or exhaust leak due to the over heating caused by the faulty sensor.

Filed Aug 1, 2025 · Engine · 93,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate as intended while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The “Low Coolant” warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the vehicle was experiencing excessive coolant consumption. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the EGR system had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The vehicle remained at the local dealer for further tests. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

Filed Jul 25, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · OK

While driving down highway 65 mph, abs system activated causing right rear brakes to activate causing vehicle to activate steering control making truck head towards on coming traffic before able to control vehicle to shoulder of roadway. Would like to know if, when, and who and where any previous recall work has been performed to this vehicle, bought at a dealership in Oklahoma with check engine light on, told it was gas cap. Turns out it was not a gas cap, there was programming involved to remove the MIL function of brake system. ECM was sent to a 3rd party vendor and unlocked, afterwards the previous program was unlocked showing disabling of MIL functions for several functions. Vehicle is having issues with electrical radiator fan causing excessive heat in compartment, what was the fix for this by MFG? Was it to just program out the electric fan from coming on at high speed ? Now engine within 20 minutes of idling overheats truck( road construction/wrecks)

Filed Apr 23, 2025 · Electrical · 45,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2014 Ram 2500. The contact stated that the area around the radio was overheating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure, but the radio was replaced. The contact stated the area around the radio was still overheating even with the radio turned off. The contact believed that there was a possible electrical failure with the fuse lines inside the vehicle around the console. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.

Filed Sep 11, 2024 · Engine · GA

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH uphill and hauling a loaded trailer, the contact noticed that the radiator fan had engaged, and the vehicle made an abnormally loud shredding sound and the engine started overheating. Additionally, there was smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe and there was an abnormal coolant odor. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. The contact noticed that the rubber part of the radiator fan shroud was stuck inside the radiator fan and was shredded, causing a hole in the rear of the radiator. The contact noticed that there was no coolant inside the reservoir. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the radiator, the fan, and the fan shroud were replaced; however, the failure recurred while hauling a loaded trailer. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer, Cronic Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (2515 N Expy, Griffin, GA 30223), where the same repair was made. Additionally, the dealer installed pins on the radiator fan shroud. The contact stated that the pins were detaching, and the contact was concerned that the failure would reoccur. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.