⌘K
Find a vehicleRecallsCompareNewsPricing
Look one up
VIN decoderTrouble codesProblems by systemService bulletinsInvestigations
Browse the record
GuidesRankingsAll makesDriver-assist crashesWhat is in the dataWarranty extensions
Tools & data
Recall WatchFleet VIN checkRecall disclosure formCar crosswordCost calculatorsTitle brandsAPI & data
Account
Sign inGarage
Home›Ram›Ram 3500› electrical problems
Owner complaints · Electrical System · every model year

Ram 3500 electrical problems, 2016–2026

309 of the 1,885 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ram 3500 2016–2026 name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). The loudest years: 2018 (137), 2017 (33), 2025 (28). Filed under the same heading across these years: 14 manufacturer bulletins, 8 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.

309 complaints, 11 model years 16% of everything filed about the 3500 typically at 30k miles

Ram 3500 electrical problems by model year

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

One row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.

Model yearComplaints naming the electrical systemShare of the year’sTypically atOn file under the heading
20261763%—138 TSBs · 3 recallsthe year →
20252867%—202 TSBs · 2 recallsthe year →
20241125%—136 TSBsthe year →
2023318%—166 TSBs · 1 recallthe year →
20222312%—222 TSBs · 2 recallsthe year →
20211727%—180 TSBs · 3 recallsthe year →
202098%—239 TSBs · 1 recallthe year →
20192115%—232 TSBs · 1 recallthe year →
2018 in depth13717%42k106 TSBs · 1 recallthe record →
20173311%—72 TSBs · 1 recallthe year →
2016107%—124 TSBs · 1 recallthe year →

Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the electrical system. Nothing here is a rate.

Advertisement

When the electrical complaints were filed, and at what mileage

Source: NHTSA complaint database
309complaints name the electrical system, all years

Filed per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2018: 5 · 2019: 8 · 2020: 2 · 2021: 14 · 2022: 30 · 2023: 89 · 2024: 60 · 2025: 28 · 2026: 67

30kmiles, typically

Across the model years, half of the 51 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 7,000 and 96,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.

In owners’ own words

Source: NHTSA complaint database

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.

The uconnect 8.4 navigation screen is delaminating. This could become a safety issue if the screen continues to melt and drip glue on the traction control, trailer brake control, parking sensors, as well as can be distracting to the driver if the screen changes on its own.
Electrical System Oct 23, 2021 NHTSA owner report
The contact owns a 2018 RAM 3500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced random electrical failures related to the MY TOUCH home screen.
Electrical System at 53,000 miles Sep 20, 2021 NHTSA owner report
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale from Facebook.
Electrical System at 380,000 miles Jan 8, 2026 NHTSA owner report
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact stated while the vehicle was undergoing DOT inspection, the DOT inspector advised the contact to shift in neutral (N), and to activate and squeeze the brake controller manually.
Electrical System at 162,388 miles Apr 15, 2024 NHTSA owner report
The truck had about 7400 miles on it. It gave a warning that the DPF was near full and take it to dealer, about 20 minutes late it said DPF full power reduced. Two days later it cleared that code and began flashing the turn signal intermittently and giving warnings that the trailer brakes were not working, then that the tailgate was…
Electrical System May 10, 2026 NHTSA owner report

What is on file about the electrical system, across the years

Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

Recall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year

14 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year

The 8 newest are listed; each model year’s page lists every one filed on that year. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.

Other systems with a record on the Ram 3500

Source: the same files

Every system, every model year: Ram 3500 problems by year →

From here
Every 2027 model on file, by price Compare two vehicles, trim vs trim See what a VIN was priced at See what owners reported

Common questions

Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communications

Which Ram 3500 years have the most electrical complaints?

2018, 137; 2017, 33; 2025, 28. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2025 (67%).

Is there a recall for the electrical system on the Ram 3500?

Yes — 8 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V225000 (2026), 25V826000 (2026), 25V530000 (2026), 23V060000 (2023). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

When do electrical problems show up on the Ram 3500?

Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 30,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 7,000 and 96,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.

What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?

Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.