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At a glance
This page covers 18 recalls, 1718 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2014 Ram 1500.
15–22 mpg combined
10.7–15.7 L/100km
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 5 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2014 Ram 1500 draws a notably high complaint volume, with steering generating by far the most reports. Owners frequently describe the electric power steering suddenly becoming extremely stiff or locking up while driving, often accompanied by a "Service Steering" warning on the dash, a pattern reported across a wide range of driving conditions including wet weather and highway speeds. Engine complaints are the second-largest named category, with owners reporting issues including stalling and power loss. The fuel and propulsion system rounds out the top three, with reports touching on delivery and performance concerns. A recurring secondary thread involves the ABS control module failing, which owners describe as disabling anti-lock brakes, traction control, and cruise control simultaneously, with some also seeing trailer brake warnings triggered by the same failure. Parts availability for the ABS module comes up repeatedly as a frustration in those reports.
1,718
Total Complaints
96
Crash-Related
24
Fire-Related
56
With Injuries
By System
The 2014 RAM 1500 has 18 recalls, with the most serious being a fire risk on EcoDiesel-equipped trucks where the exhaust gas recirculation cooler can crack and allow coolant vapor to combust inside the intake manifold.
Several other recalls also affect EcoDiesel models specifically: a crankshaft position sensor tone wheel can delaminate and cause the engine to stall without warning, a high-pressure fuel pump can shed debris into the fuel system and cut drive power, and on diesel 4x2 trucks, a battery harness can chafe against an engine mount bracket and cause an electrical short that stalls the vehicle or starts a fire.
On the transmission and rollaway front, certain 4x4 trucks have a park pawl that may not fully engage when shifted into Park, allowing the vehicle to roll away. There is also a separate issue where the column shifter can be moved without pressing the brake pedal or inserting a key, creating another rollaway risk.
Airbag and restraint concerns cover several areas: a steering wheel wiring harness can rub against the driver airbag module and trigger an unexpected deployment, overly sensitive side impact sensors can fire the side curtain airbags and seat airbags without a crash, rough terrain or road debris can trip the roll rate sensor and disable the rollover curtains and seatbelt pretensioners entirely, and on certain Quad Cab trucks the side curtain airbags may not fully cover the rear pillars in a crash. The infotainment system has a software vulnerability that can allow
At a glance
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 6 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
On 3.0L diesel engines, the engine tone wheel can fail, causing the crankshaft position sensor to lose signal. This may cause the engine to stall and prevent restart.
What the fix does
Dealership will update the powertrain control module software to maintain engine power if the crankshaft position signal is lost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may separate into layers, causing the engine to lose synchronization of fuel injector timing and camshaft operation, which can result in engine stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module software to restore proper engine operation at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high pressure fuel pump can fail and release debris into the fuel system, which may block fuel flow and cause the engine to stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump and inspect and replace other fuel system parts if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may separate into layers, causing the engine to lose synchronization between fuel injector timing and camshaft timing, which can result in engine stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine control software to read the camshaft position signal if the crankshaft position signal is lost, maintaining engine operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The exhaust gas recirculation cooler may develop internal cracks and leak coolant. This can cause low coolant levels and reduce heater performance.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the EGR cooler and inspect and replace the intake manifold if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The EGR cooler can crack, allowing hot vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may ignite inside the intake manifold.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it if needed. Both services are free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture, causing the power locking tailgate to unlatch and open while the truck is driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair the tailgate latch at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A wiring short circuit can prevent cruise control from disengaging. When engaged, you may not be able to turn it off by braking or using manual controls, causing the vehicle to maintain speed or accelerate unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine or powertrain control module software at no cost to fix the cruise control disengagement issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Holding the brake pedal down for extended periods while parked may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock pin to stick open, allowing the transmission to shift out of Park without pressing the brake or turning on the ignition.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the software, inspect the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock, and replace it if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Off-road driving or debris impact may cause the roll rate sensor to trigger a fault in the restraint controller, disabling the rollover side curtain airbags and seat belt pretensioners.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the restraint controller software at no cost to restore airbag and pretensioner function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side air bag curtains may not fully cover the C-pillars during a crash, reducing protection from ejection.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the side air bag curtains, install a foil patch on the headliner, and replace the curtains if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The battery harness may rub against the right engine mount bracket, causing an electrical short.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the battery harness routing and replace any harness showing wear.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On certain 4x2 vehicles with a 3.0L diesel engine, the battery harness can rub against the right engine mount bracket, causing a high resistance short that may result in loss of power or fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the harness routing for clearance to the right engine mount bracket and replace any worn wiring harnesses.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The radio software has security weaknesses that could let unauthorized people access some vehicle control systems through a network connection.
What the fix does
A software update will be installed via USB drive (mailed free, downloadable, or installed at a dealer) to close the security vulnerability.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering wheel wiring harness may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring, potentially causing damage.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and secure the wiring harness, add protective caps to the air bag retainer spring ends, at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side impact sensors are overly sensitive, which can cause the side air bag curtains, seat air bags, and seat belt pre-tensioners to deploy unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Control module calibration to correct the sensor sensitivity.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission case may be improperly machined, which can prevent the park pawl from engaging properly. Without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unintentionally.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your transmission and replace it if necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission case may have been improperly machined, preventing the park pawl from properly engaging when the transmission is in Park.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission as necessary at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
