Buyer Research

2015 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $14,000–$24,000. There are 3 high-severity known issues you need to know before handing over a check.

Kestrel Take

A 3.0L V6 diesel half-ton that gets 28 mpg on the highway and carries a complicated history — an emissions settlement, an EGR cooler recall, and reports of bearing failures. Buy one only with a complete service file and the recall work confirmed.

What we checked

Partly reconciled against public records, 2026-09-11

NHTSA holds 1,442 owner complaints for the 2015 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, across 18 recall campaigns.

A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. The largest single group is the engine at 27%. That is notable without being overwhelming — worth checking, not worth panicking about.

18 recall campaigns cover this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.

Not written up yet: the fuel system (236 complaints). That group is in the public record and is not covered by the issues below. Treat it as something to ask about, not as absent.

Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.

Known Issues for the 2015 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

EGR cooler failure and fire risk (recall)High — wallet impact

FCA recalled EcoDiesel engines for EGR coolers that crack and can cause an engine bay fire. Confirm the recall is closed on the VIN.

Repair cost: $0 recall

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (396), steering (339); 18 NHTSA recall campaigns on this model year.

Main and rod bearing failureHigh — wallet impact

Reported bearing wear leading to knocking and engine replacement, particularly on engines with extended oil intervals.

Repair cost (estimate): $8,000-$14,000

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (396).

Emissions modification aftermathHigh — wallet impact

These engines were part of an emissions settlement and received a software modification. Post-fix cars run more aggressive regenerations and some owners report reduced economy and more DPF work.

Repair cost (estimate): $1,500-$4,000

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (396), electrics and electronics (157).

Turbo actuator and DEF system faultsMedium

DEF heater failures and turbo actuator faults trigger derate countdowns.

Repair cost (estimate): $800-$2,500

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (396).

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗Any knock or tick at idle
✗Open recalls, especially the EGR cooler
✗Oil changes stretched past 10,000 miles
✗No documentation of the emissions modification

Good Signs

✓All recalls closed with dealer paperwork
✓Oil changes every 5,000-7,000 miles with the correct specification
✓Highway towing use with a complete file

Found a specific Ram 1500 EcoDiesel?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2015 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

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Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.

Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.

Other Ram 1500 EcoDiesel years

2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel

$28,000–$40,000