NHTSA opens recall query into 2013–2018 RAM 1500 and 4 other models: Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
On July 3, 2025, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ25003) into 2013–2018 RAM 1500 and 4 other models, concerning the power train. A Recall Query examines an earlier recall, for example whether its repair works or whether it covers every affected vehicle. As of NHTSA’s latest data it is still open.
- Action
- RQ25003 (Recall Query)
- Status
- Open
- Component
- Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
- Listed
- 30 make/model/year entries in NHTSA’s file
Vehicles under investigation
| Make | RAM |
|---|---|
| Models | 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, 5500 |
| Model years | 2013–2018 |
As listed in NHTSA’s investigation file. Not every vehicle of a listed model is necessarily affected.
What ODI says
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 14 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports and 6 EWR Death & Injury (D&I) reports describing post recall remedy failures of the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) system in certain Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 RAM pickup trucks. The subject vehicle models include 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks equipped with a column mounted shift lever. The failures of the BTSI described in the VOQs occurred on vehicles that had all previously been repaired under recall 17V-821 or 18V-100.Both recalls address a potential condition which can cause the BTSI locking pin to become stuck allowing the transmission to be shifted out of Park without depressing the brake pedal and/or without having a key in the ignition. Shifting the transmission out of Park when not having the brake pedal depressed can result in a vehicle rollaway. ODI is opening this Recall Query (RQ) to review the effectiveness of the 17V-821 and 18V-100 recall remedies, understand the root cause of additional vehicle rollaway incidents, and identify any other possible root cause that may affect the performance of the BTSI system. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Official summary by NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation for RQ25003, quoted in full (U.S. government work, public domain).
What owners have reported
Owners filed 13,720 complaints with NHTSA about the model years in this investigation, reporting 604 crashes, 217 fires, 437 injuries, 14 deaths. These are all complaints on file for those vehicles, about any problem, not only this one; complaints are unverified owner reports.
| Vehicle | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 1500 | 1,277 | 72 | 37 | 0 |
| 2014 1500 | 1,770 | 98 | 88 | 0 |
| 2015 1500 | 1,454 | 79 | 52 | 4 |
| 2016 1500 | 1,547 | 92 | 73 | 5 |
| 2017 1500 | 881 | 80 | 77 | 1 |
| 2018 1500 | 662 | 25 | 25 | 0 |
| 2013 2500 | 178 | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| 2014 2500 | 341 | 13 | 4 | 0 |
| 2015 2500 | 215 | 13 | 12 | 0 |
| 2016 2500 | 258 | 15 | 10 | 1 |
| 2017 2500 | 697 | 12 | 10 | 0 |
| 2018 2500 | 2,600 | 39 | 12 | 1 |
| 2013 3500 | 114 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2014 3500 | 202 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 2015 3500 | 137 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 3500 | 134 | 12 | 6 | 0 |
| 2017 3500 | 312 | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| 2018 3500 | 804 | 15 | 6 | 1 |
| 2013 4500 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 4500 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 4500 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 4500 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 4500 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2018 4500 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 5500 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 5500 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 5500 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 5500 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2017 5500 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 5500 | 38 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Recalls and problems for these vehicles
Timeline
- ODI opens recall query RQ25003
- OpenNo closing date yet
What this means for owners
- An investigation is not a recall. NHTSA has not made a defect finding here, and owners are not asked to do anything yet. If a safety defect is confirmed, the manufacturer recalls the vehicles and the repair is free.
- Check your vehicle for open recalls with a free VIN recall check.
- Had this problem? File a complaint with NHTSA. Owner complaints are the evidence ODI uses to open and expand investigations.
Official record: search RQ25003 or your vehicle at NHTSA.gov/recalls, which lists investigations alongside recalls. Data: NHTSA ODI investigations file, updated daily. All NHTSA investigations.