2025 Ram 3500 Intergrated Brake Controller caught on fire

[LuckyRosco]

I recently bought a 2025 Ram 3500 and the first time I hook up my travel trailer, my truck almost burns down. Has anyone had any issues and know why the brake controller would burn up? I've already taken it to the dealership and they diagnostic it as the controller. I know it's not my travel trailer because I've towed it with my 1500 at least 4 times, my friend's Ford once and the HotShot pulled it without issue. I've also bought a trailer tester and it all checked out.

 

[BossHogg]

I recently bought a 2025 Ram 3500 and the first time I hook up my travel trailer, my truck almost burns down. Has anyone had any issues and know why the brake controller would burn up? I've already taken it to the dealership and they diagnostic it as the controller. I know it's not my travel trailer because I've towed it with my 1500 at least 4 times, my friend's Ford once and the HotShot pulled it without issue. I've also bought a trailer tester and it all checked out.

Which one was it, the truck almost burned down, or the brake controller burned up?

The truck you bought, did you buy it brand new? Did you make any changes to the truck's wiring?

If the brake controller had visible flames, that would require a lot of heat from current flow. Check why the fuse that provides power to the trailer brakes did not blow.

If you experienced smoke from the brake controller, then a fuse that provides power to the logic circuits did not function properly.

 

[nlambert182]

I'm with Boss... if it literally started smoking or had visible flames then a fuse somewhere didn't do it's job. Can you define what you mean by "almost burns down"? Is that a bit of an exaggeration or is that literally what you meant?

 

[LuckyRosco]

It turned out to be the module that burnt up. The plastic cover was melted and once opened the tech said the board was burnt. It was very close to catching the truck on fire. It blew 2 fuses eventually.

After changing the IBCM everything is fine. I just pulled my travel trailer 1100 miles yesterday and had no problems. I’m just wondering how the module passed QC. I would think the module would have been tested at least twice. Once by the manufacturer and again by Stellantis.

Yes the truck was brand new. It had 10 miles on it when I picked it up.