2013–2018 Ram 1500: what to inspect before you bid at auction

Before you bid: what to have checked

Issues documented for this generation. They are patterns for the model, not findings about any specific car, and many depend on the engine, mileage and service history. Confirm on the unit you are bidding on.

• Recall 16V167000 (2015-2016 Ram 1500 built Jan 22 - Sep 13, 2015): "Contamination on the Electric Power Steering (EPS) control circuit board may cause a short and result in the loss of power steering assist." verified source
  System: Suspension/steering · Documented around: any
  Source: NHTSA recall 16V167000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=16V167000), report received 23/03/2016, 440 units potentially affected per NHTSA; NHTSA recall 16V167000 consequence: "If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash."
• Brake Transmission Shift Interlock pin sticking on column-shifter models verified source
  System: Brakes · Documented around: any
  Source: NHTSA recall 17V821000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=17V821000), report received 20/12/2017, 1482874 units potentially affected per NHTSA; NHTSA recall 17V821000 consequence: "Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash."
• Recall 18V332000 (2014-2019 Ram 1500 among many FCA models): NHTSA says the recall addresses "a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging" if there is a short circuit in the vehicle's wiring verified source
  System: Electrical/charging · Documented around: any
  Source: NHTSA recall 18V332000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=18V332000), report received 17/05/2018, 4815661 units potentially affected per NHTSA; NHTSA recall 18V332000 consequence: "If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash."
• ABS module (part #68228991AD) faults with code C2200-49 reported by owners; owners describe ABS, traction control, cruise, ESC, 4WD and trailer-brake functions dropping out together, and some report long waits for replacement parts commonly reported
  System: Brakes · Documented around: 45,000-230,000+
  Source: NHTSA complaints API (pulled 2026-10-23): 146 of 1459 complaints for the Ram 1500 MY2015 have complaint text matching 'ABS' (whole word), 'anti-lock' or 'C2200' (case-insensitive keyword search; a keyword match is not a confirmed failure); NHTSA complaints API (pulled 2026-10-23): 61 of 7620 complaints for the Ram 1500 MY2013-2018 have complaint text matching 'C2200' (case-insensitive keyword search; a keyword match is not a confirmed failure). We found no recall covering the ABS module on the 2013-2018 Ram 1500 in NHTSA's recall database (checked 2026-10-23). The standard factory warranty, the standard new-vehicle warranty (bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage; terms by model year are in the warranty booklet), applies within its time/mileage limits.
• Owner reports of intermittent electric power steering assist loss / sudden stiffness on trucks outside the 16V167000 build window commonly reported
  System: Suspension/steering · Documented around: any
  Source: NHTSA complaint database pattern, reviewed 2026-09-03

Recon cost reference

Estimates from the sources shown, priced as of 2026-09-03. Your shop rate, parts sourcing and the car's actual condition decide the real number. These are not quotes.

NHTSA recalls: verify this VIN

A recall that applies to a model is not proof that a specific car has an open recall. Whether this VIN is affected, and whether the repair was done, is shown by NHTSA's VIN lookup. Check it before you bid.

No campaign list is stored for this generation. Look the VIN up with NHTSA.

Sources and when this was researched

Last researched: 2026-09-03. VehicleIQ research for this generation; each item above names its own source and whether it is a verified source or commonly reported. Details change, so treat this as a starting point for your inspection.