Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2015 Ram 1500
The 2015 Ram 1500 presents mixed reliability as a used purchase. It's affected by multiple recalls and numerous complaints, particularly related to engine, steering, and powertrain issues. Prospective buyers should pay special attention to these areas due to potential safety concerns.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2015 Ram 1500 has 18 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,460 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 6 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #23V411000 Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V406000 High Pressure Fuel Pump Failure NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V632000 Side Curtain Air Bag Inflator May Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V475000 Crank Position Sensor Tone Wheel may Delaminate NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V757000 EGR Cooler May Crack and Cause Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V347000 Tailgate May Open Unexpectedly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V486000 Tailgate May Open Unexpectedly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V332000 Cruise Control cannot be Cancelled NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V824000 Fire Extinguisher May Be Clogged or Inoperable NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V821000 Vehicle May Rollaway NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V302000 Side Curtain Air Bags may not Deploy in a Rollover NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16E041000 Seat Cover Affects Air Bag Deployment NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V167000 Loss of Power Steering Assist NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V661000 Incorrectly Heat Treated Rear Axle Shaft NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V534000 Side Air Bag may Deploy Improperly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V517000 Battery Harness may Rub Engine Mount NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V461000 Radio Software Security Vulnerabilities NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V460000 Inadvertent Side Air Bag Deployment NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Steering 342 complaints
- Engine 335 complaints
- Power Train 226 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 166 complaints
- Electrical System 159 complaints
- Service Brakes 140 complaints
Of the 1,460 complaints on file, 79 report a crash and 58 a fire; across all 1,460 complaints, owners report 52 injuries and 4 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Crankshaft sensor failure
How to check: Check for recalls related to crankshaft sensor and engine stalling history.
Electric power steering failure
How to check: Inspect for past steering problems and recall repairs.
High pressure fuel pump failure
How to check: Inquire about repairs regarding the diesel fuel pump.
Curtain airbag inflator issue
How to check: Confirm all airbag recall repairs were completed.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for unusual engine noise or rough idle.
Red flag: Persistent knocking or rough idle.
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Check for warning lights on dashboard.
Red flag: Illuminated engine or airbag warnings.
- 03
City driving
What to check: Notice any steering stiffness or lag.
Red flag: Hard steering or delayed response.
- 04
Braking
What to check: Check for vibration or noise while braking.
Red flag: Brake noise or significant vibration.
- 05
Highway acceleration
What to check: Monitor for hesitation or power loss.
Red flag: Difficulty accelerating or jerking motion.
- 06
Final parking
What to check: Inspect drivetrain for noise during parking maneuvers.
Red flag: Clunking sounds from transmission or axles.
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the crankshaft sensor been replaced?
- Are there any outstanding recalls?
- Have you experienced any steering issues?
- Has the high-pressure fuel pump been serviced?
- Were all airbag recalls resolved?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Vehicle recall repair records
- Full service history
- Title and registration papers
- Warranty documentation, if applicable
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2015 Ram 1500 at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
Looking at a specific 2015 Ram 1500? Check the actual car
This checklist covers the model. From your free try.vin dashboard you can go further — paste the seller's listing for a deal score, or drop their photos for an AI condition report.