# Ram 1500 battery warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 17 - **Most complaints:** 2020 (7) - **Related recalls:** 2 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 17 owner complaints about the battery warning light on the Ram 1500 (2015-2026 models), most for the **2020** model year (7). There are **2 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: You can usually drive a short distance, often 30 minutes or less, before the battery runs down and the car stalls. ## Ram 1500 battery warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the battery light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 1 | 1460 | 0% | | 2019 | 5 | 1497 | 0% | | 2020 | 7 | 642 | 1% | | 2021 | 4 | 686 | 1% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Ram 1500 recalls related to the battery warning light **[19V142000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V142000)** (2019 models, reported 2019-02-28): If the auxiliary battery system overheats, there is an increased risk of a fire within the cabin even if the ignition is off. **Remedy:** FCA US has notified owners, and dealers will properly secure the auxiliary battery fasteners, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2019. **[15V517000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=15V517000)** (2015 models, reported 2015-08-14): If the harness shorts, the vehicle may stall and there is an increased risk of a fire. **Remedy:** Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to confirm that the battery harness is correctly routed and secured. Any harness that shows evidence of wear will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 8, 2015. Recall repairs are free at any Ram dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Ram 1500 owners report - "While driving the MIL chimed , check engine light is active along with low battery gauge illumination and low battery warning light , in park vehicle idling is erratic in drive or reverse idle is erratic also with spurts of motion, no active or stored codes are present but MIL is active" -- owner of a 2021 Ram 1500, complaint filed 2021 - "The.n when trying push start the battery light comes on with check engine and battery voltage low on information system." -- owner of a 2020 Ram 1500, complaint filed 2020 - "Prior to the battery completely dying, my check engine light and low battery light came on within 10 seconds of each other. My battery died within 15 to 20 minutes of that happening." -- owner of a 2019 Ram 1500, complaint filed 2023 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the battery warning light means The battery light means the charging system is not keeping the battery charged, and most often the alternator or the belt that drives it has failed. The car is running on stored battery power and may only go another 30 minutes or less before it stalls. If the temperature gauge also rises or steering gets heavy, the drive belt has likely broken and you should stop right away. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Failing alternator** (most common) 2. **Broken or slipping serpentine belt** (common) 3. **Loose or corroded battery cables** (common) 4. **Failing battery** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Battery (charging system) warning light](/warning-lights/battery). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Ram 1500 battery light? Yes. NHTSA lists 2 related recalls (19V142000, 15V517000) covering 2015-2019 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Ram 1500 years have the most battery light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2019, 2020 and 2021 1500 model years have the most complaints mentioning the battery warning light, with 7 for 2020. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Ram 1500 with the battery light on? Drive to a shop this week. You can usually drive a short distance, often 30 minutes or less, before the battery runs down and the car stalls. Stop driving right away if the temperature gauge rises, the steering gets heavy, or you smell burning rubber. ### How do I check if my Ram 1500 has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Ram dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Ram 1500 warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/ram-1500): 280 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/ram-1500): 77 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/ram-1500): 208 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/ram-1500): 521 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/ram-1500): 79 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/ram-1500): 28 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ram-1500): 1061 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/ram-1500): 15 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/ram-1500): 372 complaints ## Battery (charging system) warning light on other models - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/jeep-cherokee): 144 complaints - [Honda Odyssey](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/honda-odyssey): 45 complaints - [Kia Soul](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/kia-soul): 34 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/jeep-wrangler): 33 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/chrysler-pacifica): 32 complaints - [Honda Pilot](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/honda-pilot): 32 complaints - [Hyundai Sonata](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/hyundai-sonata): 31 complaints - [Kia Sorento](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/kia-sorento): 29 complaints - [Ford Escape](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/ford-escape): 27 complaints - [Hyundai Elantra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/hyundai-elantra): 26 complaints ## Ram 1500 - [Ram 1500 specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/ram-1500) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/ram-1500 Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.