2026 RAM 1500 Engine Problems

Vehicle returned from warranty repair at MainStreet CDJR of Lansing with severe mechanical negligence and federal compliance breaches. The dealership left critical drivetrain components completely loose, including rear transmission mount bolts and cooler lines, creating an immediate highway safety hazard. A separate, certified Ram dealership has since inspected the truck and generated a formal work order explicitly documenting: "Loose bolts left from prior dealer." Furthermore, the initial dealership assigned an uncertified student trainee (Tech ID 1078) to perform this advanced powertrain warranty work and subsequently signed off on a critical federal occupant safety restraint recall completion. The General Manager verbally admitted to the consumer that the servicing technician was uncertified and currently still attending training classes. The dealership held the repair ticket open locally for 33 days to actively manipulate data and hide the compliance paperwork from corporate

NHTSA ID

11766563

Incident

Aug 13, 2026

This happened twice in 3 weeks. I came to a stop, and suddenly the engine raced to 3,500 rpm’s, and surged forward 20-30 feet before I got it under control with extreme brake application.

NHTSA ID

11765756

Incident

Sep 21, 2026

2026 Ram Acceleration problem. It has happened 3 times as the vehicle only has 4200. Miles on it. I had it towed to dealership and they were able to duplicate failure. They ran a number of diagnostic test and software updates. I haven’t had a failure since , but it’s only been a few days. 1/27/2026

NHTSA ID

11764983

Incident

Sep 10, 2026

On XXX, I leased a 2026 Ram 1500 truck from Enterprise Rent-A-Car ([XXX] branch) with a friend, both of us being young women. While traveling, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic electronic system failure. The truck’s central computer completely desynced from the key fob, locking two female occupants out and leaving us stranded and vulnerable in a remote area. It also began alerting about “ checking tire pressure system despite checking all tires. A passerby stopped (dangerous) and by offered a used AirTag battery, the red light in the fob was working before and after the battery change. It started once, we were forced to sleep in a running vehicle, afraid to turn it off. Eventually the tire pressure alert over rode the key fob alert so we reached a secure location and turned off and locked the truck. After breakfast we were completely locked out and stranded again. We tried a replacement NEW fob battery but still didn’t sync leaving us stranded AND locked out. Because Enterprise corporate actively alters manufacturer safety equipment by stripping the physical, manual emergency backup key blades out of the key fob housings, we had absolutely no physical mechanism to override the locked doors to seek shelter or access the cabin during this system failure.A subsequent VIN search on the official NHTSA database proved that this exact vehicle had an active, unresolved federal safety recall for software defects (NHTSA Recall Campaign #26V-531 / Manufacturer Recall #78D) issued on XXX. Enterprise held this vehicle in its active fleet and rented it to me eleven full days after the federal safety recall went live, violating federal laws governing rental fleet recall compliance. The specific software defect cited in the federal recall matches the exact electrical system crash that disabled our vehicle, locked out our security protocols, and put our physical safety at risk TWICE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11763022

Incident

Sep 7, 2026

[XXX]. at about [XXX] I put the vehicle on Drive mode after releasing the electronic parking brake. Suddenly the vehicle engine stopped running all power was not available to include power windows and doors. I was trapped inside my vehicle for about 20 minutes. I made a call to the manufacture's roadside assistance at 8667264636 since the vehicle has only 3,000 miles on it. The script reading third world country support team was not very helpful. I managed to exit the vehicle through an open window after releasing the hood latch. My first troubleshooting procedure was to reboot the system by disconnecting the negative of the vehicle power pack, my next step was to confirm volage on the power pack. After I got confirmation that sufficient power was available and reconnected the negative side to the power pack, I used my key fob to unlock the vehicle. I got power to the dash and the 12" cluster screen but the push to start was still disabled. I called back the manufacture's roadside assistance once again only to be informed that I had to pay $200 for towing. I decided to disconnect the power pack once again this time for 30 minutes. Upon reconnecting it back again I was able to restart the vehicle and cautiously drove it to my home. I've noticed glitches since the last software update completed through my ISP as the system is designed to do so. Please investigate, this is a safety concern. People could get trapped for hours in inclement weather (heat) specially the ones with no technical/mechanical background. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11762728

Incident

Sep 7, 2026

At a red light, the truck flashed all lights then refused to move. I tried to put the truck in park and turn it off and back on again but it didn't ever turn on again. The truck was towed to the dealer 13 days ago now. They fixed all safety recalls but it didn't resolve the issue and the truck still will not drive. The manufacturer is refusing to repair what the dealer believes to be the issue.

NHTSA ID

11760150

Incident

Aug 14, 2026

1ST INCIDENT: APPROX: 4/1/26. BOUGHT BRAND NEW , HAD FOR 2 DAYS . APPROX HAD 40 MILES ON IT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES, HAD TO BRING TO DEALER. 2ND INCIDENT : APPROX: 6/15/26 DRIVING VEHICLE DOING APPR 50 MPH, VEHICLE SUDDENLY DID NOT GIVE GAS WOULD NOT MOVE. RPM WENT TO 6000 RPM , HAD TO PULL OVER.WITH NO CONTROL 3RD INCIDENT: SAME ISSUE: BROUGHT TO DEALER ; DON'T KNOW WHATS WRONG? MAYBE SENSOR OR INSTRUMENTATION CLUSTER REPLACEMENT TRUCK ONLY HAS 6,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID

11748328

Incident

Jun 10, 2026

Shortly after a "low oil pressure" message appeared the vehicle shutdown and coasted to a stop before a suitable place to investigate the issue could be found. Vehicle would not restart. An "low oil add two quarts message" appeared. Engine temp was ordinary. No issues observed under the hood. Oil was found to be dripping from the engine bay to the rear passenger area under the passenger side of the truck. Dealer mechanics diagnosed a catastrophic loss of oil and engine seizure. My wife and I were stranded approximately 800 miles from home and had to arrange for travel home. The vehicle is currently sitting at the dealership in Lincoln, Illinois awaiting my approval for an engine replacement, while I work out the details of a resolution with Ram Care/Stellantis.

NHTSA ID

11747059

Incident

Jun 15, 2026

CYLINDER 1 MISFIRE ON ACCLERATION THAT RAM CAN NOT FIGURE OUT AND REPAIR. CAUSED CATALYTIC CONVERTOR FAILURE PREMATURELY DUE TO OVERHEATING FROM UNBURNT GASOLINE, RISK OF FIRE. ONGOING MISFIRE, PROBLEM CONTINUES. PROBLEM STARTED OCT 2025, VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW SEPT 2ND, 2025.

NHTSA ID

11745237

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

Vehicle: 2026 Ram 1500 Limited I am filing a safety complaint regarding a brand new vehicle that experienced a dangerous failure in live traffic and continues to have unresolved issues. The vehicle was purchased on March 31, 2026. On April 3, 2026, just three days after purchase, the truck broke down in active traffic. The situation was serious enough that local police had to respond to direct traffic while the vehicle was towed. This created a clear safety hazard for both the occupants and other drivers on the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealership on April 4, 2026 for repair. At that time, the dealership replaced the battery and reset a radio frequency module. We were notified the vehicle was repaired and ready for pickup on April 7, 2026. However, immediately after leaving the dealership, the vehicle began experiencing additional failures. The key fob would not function, the doors would not lock or unlock electronically, and the vehicle struggled to start. Within minutes, the check engine light illuminated. Due to safety concerns, the vehicle was returned to the dealership the same day. After returning the vehicle, we were informed that there is a short in the main PDC (power distribution center / fuse box). This critical issue was not identified or addressed during the initial service visit. A fault in the main fuse box presents a serious safety concern, including the potential risk of an electrical fire. Additionally, the dealership failed to properly verify the repair before releasing the vehicle. The truck was not adequately tested or driven after the initial repair, resulting in us being sent to pick up a vehicle that was still unsafe and malfunctioning. This vehicle has been in our possession for approximately one week and has already experienced multiple serious failures, including a breakdown in live traffic, repeat electrical failures, and now a confirmed issue within the main power distribution system. The vehicle is unreliable and poses

NHTSA ID

11730035

Incident

Apr 3, 2026