FalconLocksmith · GTA Open 7 days (365) 361-5553

Commercial

All commercialDoor ClosersPanic Bars & Exit DevicesCommercial Door RepairMaster Key SystemsHigh-Security LocksStorefront DoorsMortise LocksElectric StrikesMagnetic LocksFire-Rated DoorsLock RekeyingDoor Frame RepairAutomatic Operators

Access Control

All access controlAccess Control SystemsCard & Fob ReadersKeypad EntryIntercom SystemsCloud Access Control

Break-In Repair

All break-in repairBreak-In RepairEmergency Board-UpKicked-In DoorsLocks After a Break-InStorefront Break-In RepairPost-Burglary UpgradesAfter a Break-In (Guide)

Car Keys

All car keysCar Key ReplacementKey Fob ProgrammingTransponder KeysSmart KeysAll Keys LostCar LockoutLocked Out of Car — What To DoIgnition RepairBroken Key ExtractionSpare Car KeysMotorcycle KeysFleet Keys

Residential

All residentialHouse LockoutHome RekeyingSmart LocksDeadboltsPatio Door LocksMailbox LocksEmergency LocksmithSafes

More

Service areasBrands we service Keys by vehicle make FAQAboutContact

Open 7 days a week

Ram 1500: lost key, dead fob or locked out?

  • 30 yearsin the trade
  • Price toldbefore work
  • Localall of the GTA
Get help now — what’s your number?

We call from (365) 361-5553 · never shared

Anything else? (optional)

Which key your Ram 1500 takes, what to do when the fob dies or the alarm goes off, and the tailgate and ignition recalls worth checking.

Call (365) 361-5553 Text us

The Ram 1500

Ram 1500 trucks from 2005 to 2026 use three key systems: a metal key, with a Sentry Key transponder if equipped, on the 2005–2008 Dodge Ram (DR); a fob that turns in the dash on the 2009–2018 DS and the DS-based 1500 Classic, with push-button start optional from 2013; and push-button start only on the DT from 2019.[1][2][3][5][7][8][10][11]

The 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2018 DS owner's manuals carry a "Vehicles sold in Canada" notice, and the 2023 DT manual is labelled Canada/USA.[3][4][5][6][10]

Which key does your Ram 1500 use?

Model yearsKeyStartWorth knowing
2005–2008 (DR)Metal key; transponder and 3-button transmitter if equippedTurn keyTransmitter takes two 2016 cells. Owner can add keys with 2 valid keys (2006–2007 manuals).[1][2]
2009–2012 (DS)Turning fob with an emergency key inside; standard blade key if equippedTurns in the dashCR2032. No START/STOP button in the 2012 manual.[3][4]
2013–2018 (DS)Turning fob; proximity fob or standard blade key if equippedTurn, or START/STOP if equippedCR2032.[5][6]
1500 Classic (2019, 2023, 2024 manuals)Turning fob, or keyless fob if equippedTwist, or push-button if equippedCR2032.[7][11][12]
2019–2026 (DT)Proximity fob with emergency key; phone Digital Key (if equipped) in the 2025–2026 manualsPush-button onlyCR2450. No key lock on the tailgate.[8][10][13][14]

Not sure which generation you have? The model year is on your ownership (vehicle permit).

Dead fob, locked out or trunk stuck: what the owner's manual says

Emergency key in the fob (2009–2026)

DT (2019–2026): push the release button on the side of the fob and pull the key out of the back; with a dead fob, Passive Entry "will not operate". DS (2009–2018): push the latch at the top of the fob sideways and slide the key out; it unlocks the driver's door.[3][5][8][9][10][13][14]

Door key sets off the alarm (2019–2026 DT)

The driver's door key cylinder cannot disarm the alarm, so if the alarm is armed it sounds when the door opens. The fob unlock button, a Passive Entry handle, or turning the ignition out of OFF disarms it. While armed, the inside lock switches and tailgate release do not work.[8][9][10][13]

Starting with a dead fob (push-button trucks, 2013–2026)

Hold the nose of the fob (on the DT, the end opposite the emergency key) against START/STOP and push; the 2019 DT manual adds your foot on the brake. The 2013 DS and 2023 Classic manuals give the same method.[5][8][10][11][13][14]

Fob stuck in the dash, and fob batteries

On a turning-fob DS, the 2013 manual says a dead truck battery leaves the fob "locked in the ignition": do not force it; use the emergency key for the doors, then jump-start or charge the battery. Batteries: CR2032 in DS and Classic fobs, CR2450 in the DT fob.[3][5][10][11]

Tailgate and RamBox

DT (2019–2026): no tailgate key lock; it opens with the release pad or, if equipped, a double press of the fob button, and locks with the fob. The emergency key opens the RamBox, which has a glow-in-the-dark release lever inside. DS: key lock beside the handle on the 2009 locking tailgate (if equipped); key or fob from 2013 to 2019.[3][5][6][7][8][10][13][14]

Keys locked inside (DT)

The DT manuals describe a guard against locking the fob inside ("Preventing Inadvertent Locking" in 2019, "FOBIK-Safe" from 2021). In the 2023 manual, with the ignition OFF, it unlocks the doors if a Passive Entry fob is detected inside after a lock request made with a door open, but not if the lock knobs were used or after three lock attempts with the door switch. That manual describes no exterior keypad and suggests SiriusXM Guardian "in case of an accidental lock-out".[8][9][10]

New keys by generation

DR (2006–2007 manuals): with 2 valid keys the owner can add more, up to 8. DS (2009 and 2013 manuals): the dealer needs the original owner's 4-digit PIN to replace keys; the 2009 manual adds that after a lost key, the dealer erases all keys and reprograms the rest. DT (2023 manual): a programmed fob "cannot be repurposed" to another vehicle.[1][2][3][5][10]

Recalls involving locks, latches or keys

RecallModel yearsWhat it covers
Canada 2010-151 / U.S. 10V2000002010A binding Wireless Ignition Node latch can let the key out before the shifter is in PARK.[15][16]
Canada 2014-583 / U.S. 14V7950002006 (Canada); 2006–2007 (U.S.), manual transmissionThe clutch ignition interlock switch can let the starter engage without the clutch pressed.[17][18]
Canada 2017-659, 2018-081 / U.S. 17V821000, 18V1000002009–2017, column shifter; follow-up 2017–2018The shifter can leave PARK without the brake pressed or the key in the ignition.[19][20][21][22]
Canada 2018-398 / U.S. 18V4860002015–2017 with power locking tailgateThe tailgate may open while driving; NHTSA says an actuator limiter tab can fracture.[23][24]
Canada 2019-441 / U.S. 19V3470002013–2018 with power locking tailgateThe same tailgate failure; NHTSA expanded the recall on August 29, 2019.[25][26]
Canada 2022-699 / U.S. 22V9040002019–2020 (Canada); 2019–2022 (U.S.)Misaligned tailgate strikers can let the tailgate open while driving.[27][28]
No other lock or key recall2005–2026Transport Canada and NHTSA list no other door lock, door latch, key, fob, ignition or hood latch recall for the Ram 1500, as of September 29, 2026.[29][30]

To check whether your own vehicle has an open recall, enter its VIN on the manufacturer's recall page — Transport Canada lists them here. To browse recalls by make, model and year, use the Transport Canada recalls database.

Known problems and what owners report

DT key bulletins (U.S. data)

TSB 08-055-21 (2019–2021 DT): from April 12, 2021, trucks shipped with one fob. TSB 08-180-23 (July 21, 2023) updates the 2023 DT's RF hub "to prevent hackers from programming their own key fob"; dealers do it when the customer asks. In NHTSA's data for model years 2005–2026, it is listed for the 2023 Ram 1500 only.[33][31][32]

RF hub and "Key Not Detected" bulletins (U.S. data)

2019–2024 (STAR S2308000155): water from the rear window seal, third brake light or antenna can reach the RF hub behind the rear seat and make the Start/Stop button act erratically. 2025–2026 DT: one bulletin covers no fob response, "Key Not Detected" and no crank; another says the fob may not be detected near the wireless charger and should be kept at least 203 mm (8 in.) away.[34][35][36]

DS Passive Entry and turning fob (U.S. data)

RF hub software fixes: the door not unlocking on the first Passive Entry touch (2013), and slow or no Passive Entry or remote response (2014). Trucks without Keyless Go built on May 18, 2016 that do not start when the fob is turned get a new ignition node module.[37][38][39]

What owners report to NHTSA (U.S. data)

Owner complaints are reports, not confirmed failures. 147 mention "tailgate" near "open", "popped", "fell" or "drop", and 110 mention the ignition switch, node or module, the wireless ignition or "WIN" (73 from model years 2009–2012; one owner describes the fob falling out of the ignition while driving).[40]

Theft and key security

Équité Association, by number of thefts: the Ram 1500 was second in Canada in 2022 (2,600), 2023 (3,078) and 2024 (2,018). In Ontario it was third in 2022 (1,405) and 2023 (1,977) and second in 2024 (1,159), with the 2022 model year the most often stolen on all three Ontario lists. It was not in Ontario's top 10 by theft frequency for 2022–2024.[41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49]

Waterloo Regional Police (via CBC, December 17, 2022): thieves pick up the fob signal from inside the home, unlock the truck, then use its diagnostics to reprogram a blank fob. After four 2021–2022 Ram 1500s were stolen in Fergus, Wellington County OPP (via Global News, August 29, 2022) advised protective pouches for proximity keys.[50][51]

Ram 1500 keys — questions

Where is the emergency key in a Ram 1500 fob?

On a 2019–2026 DT, press the release button on the side of the fob and pull the key out of the back. On a 2009–2018 DS, push the latch at the top of the fob sideways and slide the key out. On the DT, the door key cylinder cannot disarm the alarm: if you unlock with it while the alarm is armed, the alarm sounds when the door opens.

How do you start a Ram 1500 when the fob battery is dead?

On push-button trucks, hold the nose of the fob against START/STOP and push (the 2019 DT manual adds foot on the brake). On a turning-fob DS, a dead truck battery can lock the fob in the ignition; do not force it. DT fobs take a CR2450, DS and Classic fobs a CR2032.

Is there a Ram 1500 recall for the tailgate or the ignition?

Yes. Tailgate: 2013–2018 trucks with a power locking tailgate (2018-398, 2019-441) and, in Canada, 2019–2020 trucks with misaligned tailgate strikers (2022-699), as the tailgate may open while driving. Ignition: 2010 trucks whose ignition node can release the key before PARK (2010-151), and 2006 manual-transmission trucks whose clutch ignition interlock switch can let the starter engage without the clutch pressed (2014-583). Transport Canada and NHTSA list no other door lock, door latch, key, fob or hood latch recall for 2005–2026 models, as of September 29, 2026.

Falcon Locksmith is an independent locksmith, not affiliated with or authorised by Ram. Vehicle and product names belong to their respective owners and are used only to identify the vehicle.

Related help

Car LockoutKey Fob ProgrammingSmart KeysAll Keys LostSpare Car KeysIgnition Repair All Ram keys →

Sources

  1. Mopar — Dodge Ram Owner's Manual (2006)
  2. Mopar — Dodge Ram Owner's Manual (2007)
  3. Mopar — Dodge Ram Owner's Manual (2009)
  4. Mopar — Ram Truck 1500/2500/3500 Owner's Manual (2012)
  5. Mopar — Ram Truck 1500/2500/3500 Owner's Manual (2013)
  6. Mopar — Ram Truck 1500/2500/3500 Owner's Manual (2018)
  7. Mopar — Ram 1500 (DS) Owner's Manual, served for the 1500 Classic (2019)
  8. Mopar — Ram 1500 (DT) Owner's Manual (2019)
  9. Mopar — Ram 1500 (DT) Owner's Manual (2021)
  10. Mopar — Ram 1500 (DT) Owner's Manual, Canada/USA (2023)
  11. Mopar — Ram 1500 Classic Owner's Manual (2023)
  12. Mopar — Ram 1500 Classic Owner's Manual (2024)
  13. Mopar — Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (2025)
  14. Mopar — Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (2026)
  15. Transport Canada — Recall 2010-151 (2010)
  16. NHTSA — Recall 10V200000 (2010)
  17. Transport Canada — Recall 2014-583 (2014)
  18. NHTSA — Recall 14V795000 (2014)
  19. Transport Canada — Recall 2017-659 (2017)
  20. NHTSA — Recall 17V821000 (2017)
  21. Transport Canada — Recall 2018-081 (2018)
  22. NHTSA — Recall 18V100000 (2018)
  23. Transport Canada — Recall 2018-398 (2018)
  24. NHTSA — Recall 18V486000 (2018)
  25. Transport Canada — Recall 2019-441 (2019)
  26. NHTSA — Recall 19V347000 (2019)
  27. Transport Canada — Recall 2022-699 (2022)
  28. NHTSA — Recall 22V904000 (2022)
  29. Transport Canada — Vehicle recall database API, Ram 1500 by year (checked 2026)
  30. NHTSA — Recalls API, Ram 1500 by model year (checked 2026)
  31. FCA via NHTSA — TSB 08-180-23, RF hub anti-programming update (2023)
  32. NHTSA — Vehicle index with manufacturer communications, Ram 1500 (checked 2026)
  33. FCA via NHTSA — TSB 08-055-21, FOBIK supply (2021)
  34. FCA via NHTSA — STAR S2308000155, water in RF hub (2024)
  35. FCA via NHTSA — STAR S2408000070 Rev E, key not detected (2026)
  36. FCA via NHTSA — TSB 08-016-25 Rev C, fob near wireless charger (2025)
  37. FCA via NHTSA — TSB 08-037-13, RF hub door unlock (2013)
  38. NHTSA — CSN-P-15 record, RF hub Passive Entry (2014)
  39. FCA via NHTSA — TSB 08-067-16, ignition node module (2016)
  40. NHTSA — Complaints API, Ram 1500 by model year (checked 2026)
  41. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Canada, number of thefts (2022)
  42. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Canada, number of thefts (2023)
  43. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Canada, number of thefts (2024)
  44. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Ontario, number of thefts (2022)
  45. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Ontario, number of thefts (2023)
  46. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Ontario, number of thefts (2024)
  47. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Ontario, theft frequency (2022)
  48. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Ontario, theft frequency (2023)
  49. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Ontario, theft frequency (2024)
  50. CBC Kitchener-Waterloo — Dodge Ram pickup thefts in Waterloo Region and Guelph (2022)
  51. Global News — Four Ram 1500s stolen in Fergus (2022)

Need a locksmith now?

Call, text or leave your number — we’ll give you a price estimate on the phone.

Call (365) 361-5553 Text us
Leave your number — we’ll call you
Call now Text