2025 RAM 2500

Driving by myself with no load at 12:15 in the afternoon with outside temperature at 80 degrees. Vehicle started to make a large screeching sound coming from engine bay. I pulled over into a parking lot and shut off engine. Vehicle continued to make screeching sound from engine bay; I opened hood to a billowing smoke that smelled like an electrical fire. Noise and significant smoke continued for several minutes with engine off and ignition in off position.

While operating my truck under normal driving conditions, the check engine warning light suddenly illuminated without warning. Due to concerns about potential vehicle reliability and safety, I immediately brought the vehicle to the dealership for diagnosis and inspection. After evaluating the vehicle, the dealership stated that diagnostic trouble codes were present and that additional analysis of the system would be required. The vehicle remained at the dealership for approximately one week before being returned to me. Upon release of the vehicle, the dealership advised that the issue was related to multiple erroneous codes and that a software update had been performed. However, the dealership did not provide a clear explanation as to why the codes were generated, what systems were affected, or whether the condition could reoccur. I was also not provided with a complete accounting of all diagnostic trouble codes identified during the inspection. I am concerned that the dealership failed to provide full transparency regarding the diagnosis and repairs performed on this vehicle. The repair order documentation was limited in detail and appeared to omit important information regarding the discovered fault codes and the full scope of work completed. Because modern vehicle systems rely heavily on electronic control modules and software for engine operation and safety-related functions, I am requesting that NHTSA document and review this issue for potential underlying electronic or software-related defects that may affect vehicle reliability and safety.

Subject: Safety Concern – Vehicle Shuts Down While Driving / Request for Replacement Despite multiple warranty repair attempts, my 2025 Ram 2500 continues to experience unresolved electrical failures. In addition to the previously documented issues, the vehicle shuts down while driving, forcing me to immediately pull over, place the vehicle in park, and restart the engine in order to continue driving. This condition has occurred unexpectedly and without warning. Losing power while the vehicle is in motion presents a serious safety risk, especially during highway or interstate driving. Given that I rely on this truck for work and frequently travel long distances between New Jersey and Texas, this behavior makes the vehicle unsafe and unreliable for its intended use. The truck has already undergone repeated diagnostics, module replacements, software updates, wiring repairs, and battery replacement at authorized Ram dealerships. Despite these efforts, the issue persists. At this point, I have lost confidence in the safety and reliability of this vehicle and do not feel comfortable continuing to drive or own it. I have acted in good faith and allowed multiple opportunities to repair the vehicle. The ongoing shutdowns while driving demonstrate that the defect has not been corrected within a reasonable number of attempts. Requested Resolution: • Immediate escalation of this case due to a safety-related defect • Replacement of the vehicle or trade-assist into another Ram truck • Reimbursement for loss-of-use expenses incurred due to repeated service visits I am requesting a definitive resolution rather than additional repair attempts.

Check engine light consistently comes on with codes p0263, p0272, p0266 for contribution balance codes for cylinders 1, 2, 4 & 5. Truck runs rough. Dealership says it’s a 5-8 week process to test and get injectors into replace if that’s the issue. Multiple sources have stated it can be a software update issue and some states still waiting after weeks for fix to be made and paying for a rental car out pocket to have reliable transportation for work and taking care of kids.

While driving in 4x4 on a snow covered road, the truck simultaneously got a check engine light as well as several other error messages to include service required to the emergency braking and the trailer brake controller. At the same time, the full exhaust brake engaged without any driver input and caused a sudden slowing of the truck's tires on a slippery surface. The owners manual specifically warns "Do not use the exhaust brake feature when driving in icy or slippery conditions as the increased engine braking can cause the rear wheels to slide and the vehicle to swing around with the possible loss of vehicle control, which may cause a collision possibly resulting in personal injury or death." Fortunately I had a lot of weight in the truck when this happened and I was able to control it, but a malfunction that turns on the full exhaust brake, especially while 4x4 is engaged, is dangerous enough that there is a warning in the manual. This happened twice. I had a solid check engine light on, and the following day while waiting for a service appointment, a slew of new warnings were flashing across the screen, locking the transmission in 6th gear, advising the 4x4 was no longer available, and may others. I attempted to shift from drive to reverse, the gear shifter locked itself in park. I shut the truck off to try restarting it and moving it, but there was no power getting to the truck to use the sos button to call for help in a poor cell reception area, no lighting worked while obstructing half of a travel lane on the roadway. The truck had good voltage prior to this. The truck was towed to the dealer with 5100 miles on it.

On Sunday, 9/14/25 driving on a 70 MPH interstate highway, pulling a trailer behind the Newly-purchased 2025 truck (only 700 miles on it), the road narrowed down to one lane because of a traffic obstruction and cones. As I slowed down to about 35 mph and then went to speed up again as the traffic eased, the vehicle provided a ping notification sound and the Electronic Vehicular Instrument Cluster (EVIC) display stated something to the effect of "Shift into 'P' to start vehicle". I realized that the vehicle was not responsive as expected, indicating power steering had failed, likely because the engine was off. I'm uncertain whether the steering wheel was locked, which is likely, because at that speed, only a very slight turn of the wheel was needed to move into the closed lane on the straight road. I continued to coast to get the vehicle and trailer over to the right, hugging the cones which were mid-lane in the closed lane, allowing other cars to go around me while I came to a complete stop on the interstate to shift into Park. Once I could get the gearshift into Park, I started the vehicle again, at which point it drove normally. The trailer had been weighed just that morning and both tongue and overall weight were well within the capacity of the vehicle. It was hooked up to the electrical systems of the tow vehicle via the 7-pin connector. I had the EVIC set to show vehicular information - oil pressure, oil temperature, etc. I similarly had information like battery voltage displayed on a widget on the uconnect screen. Everything looked nominal. No error code was logged to my knowledge. I have since seen similar reports from other 2025 RAM owners in NHTSA complaints and on social media. My dealership is unaware of these issues having been reported elsewhere, so they are starting from scratch in finding a diagnosis on a seemingly intermittent issue. That process is ongoing at this time.

When letting off the gas and coasting to turn on a road around 10 mph, vehicle motor shut off and lost power steering control. Vehicle alerted to place vehicle in park, press break and push start button. Vehicle started back with no issues. Reported to dealer, dealer picked up and stated they could not find any issues and returned to me. Following day while going to work vehicle again shut off when pulling up to a gate entry and then again approaching my return to home at stop sign. All three times vehicle was under 15 mph and approaching turn/stop. New Truck, only 30 miles on it when first incident occurred and only 160 miles now. Dealer still not able to duplicate or locate the problem. System is showing no codes.