Recall 15V661 affects 61,859 2015-2016 Ram 1500 trucks for incorrectly heat-treated rear axle shafts. Repair is free at any franchised Ram dealer.
Ram is recalling 61,859 2015-2016 1500 trucks because rear axle shafts were incorrectly heat treated. If an axle shaft fractures, a wheel can separate and increase crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear axle shaft on a 2015-2016 Ram 1500 is the metal shaft that carries turning force from the differential to the rear wheels. In normal driving, it has to stay straight and strong while the truck accelerates, turns, and carries load. The axle shaft is part of the powertrain, so the truck depends on it to move power to the road.
On affected Ram 1500 trucks, the rear axles were incorrectly heat treated during manufacturing. Heat treatment is the process that hardens metal to the right strength. If that process is wrong, the axle shaft has low surface hardness and is weaker than intended. Under normal use, that weak metal is more vulnerable to damage and failure.
There is no warning sign before failure. Because no warning sign is listed, do not rely on sound, feel, or dashboard messages to rule out the problem.
Who's affected?
The drive axle is the listed component for each included model year.
| 2015 Ram 1500 | drive axle |
|---|---|
| 2016 Ram 1500 | drive axle |
| Units affected | 61,859 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A rear axle shaft that was not properly heat-treated creates fracture risk. If the shaft breaks, the wheel can separate and increase crash risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the inspection and axle replacement as soon as the dealer can take the vehicle. Repair will be free at any franchised Ram dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Ram 1500 is included in this recall.
- Review the owner letter mailed November 23, 2015, for Ram's inspection instructions.
- Contact a franchised Ram dealer to schedule the free rear-axle inspection and axle-assembly replacement that addresses incorrectly heat-treated axle shafts.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 15V661 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the inspection and repair are complete. Stop driving and call the dealer if you feel vibration, hear axle noise, or see a wheel-position change.
What happens at the repair
Ram's filing says the dealer repair is an inspection of the rear axle assemblies. Once the repair is available, a Ram technician will inspect the truck and replace the axle assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Ram says owners who already paid for a repair tied to this issue can request reimbursement through the owner letter process. Send the original receipt or other adequate proof of payment so the company can confirm the expense.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 15, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 16, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| November 23, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 23, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V661?
Recall 15V661 covers 61,859 2015-2016 Ram 1500 trucks with rear axle shafts that were incorrectly heat-treated. A fractured axle shaft can lead to wheel separation and increase crash risk. Ram dealers inspect the vehicle and replace the axle assemblies, as needed, for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2016 Ram 1500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 15V661000. If it is, call a franchised Ram dealer and ask for recall R59. The dealer inspects the rear axle assemblies and replaces them for free when required.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 15V661000, a franchised Ram dealer inspects the truck and replaces the axle assemblies, as needed, free of charge.
What is the safety risk on this Ram 1500 recall?
The safety risk is axle shaft fracture and wheel separation. If the rear axle shaft was not heat-treated correctly, it can break while the truck is in use. That loss of wheel control increases crash risk, so confirm your VIN and schedule the free dealer inspection.
What if I bought my Ram 1500 used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the truck, not the first owner. If you never received the November 23, 2015 owner notice, check your VIN, then call a franchised Ram dealer and reference recall R59.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V661000 |
|---|---|
| Ram customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V661 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V661000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →