2026 RAM 1500 Powertrain (other) 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

While driving at highway speeds, a severe transmission defect caused an electronic and mechanical failure chain on my 745-mile vehicle. The transmission experienced an immediate loss of hydraulic control, causing the engine to surge to 4,000 RPM and violently slam three separate times under load, attempting to force a gear engagement (DTC P076F-00). This severe physical trauma caused the Transmission Control Module (TCM) to completely drop communication with the Engine Control Unit (ECU), throwing error codes U0080-00 (Ethernet Bus 1) and C2226-00 (TCM Disabled ECU).The vehicle's safety software responded to this network crash by entirely cutting transmission line pressure. This architecture resulted in an instantaneous and catastrophic Loss of Motive Power (LMP). The vehicle entered a dead-freewheel state, causing it to roll backward on an active, inclined freeway off-ramp into oncoming traffic. A severe collision was avoided solely due to immediate driver reaction time. The driver and a [XXX] passenger were left stranded in a live traffic zone. Dealership Repair Order #XXX explicitly documents this loss of motive power and unintended directional movement. However, the manufacturer's current remediation plan completely ignores the severe electrical and structural trauma. The dealership is attempting a superficial valve body replacement based on a stationary shop air test. This low-pressure test cannot inspect for warped clutch steel plates, glazed friction linings, micro-fractured planetary gear teeth, or torque converter clutch fatigue caused by consecutive 4,000 RPM shock-loads. Furthermore, a mechanical valve body fails to address the high-speed Ethernet bus crash that disabled the TCM. This vehicle suffers from an unpredictable, systemic electronic and mechanical safety defect that creates an immediate hazard to public safety. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11764262

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

Vehicle experiences a severe, unpredictable 1 to 2-second acceleration delay/dead spot when pulling away from stop signs or turning from low-speed near-stops. This vehicle nearly caused an accident due to entering an intersection and losing all throttle response before cross-traffic. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle

NHTSA ID

11759465

Incident

Aug 21, 2026

The contact leased a 2026 Ram 1500. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting into reverse(R), the vehicle suddenly lost power and shut off. The contact made several attempts to restart the vehicle and the vehicle restarted on the 10th attempt. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost power and shut off another time. After approximately 10 minutes and several attempts the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was restarted, and the vehicle was able to accelerate, but lost power and shut off again. The vehicle was restarted and the contact continued driving. The following day, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the failure reoccurred. The contact became aware that the failure had occurred after reversing out of a parking space and then shifting to drive. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 1,600.

NHTSA ID

11758168

Incident

Aug 17, 2026

Mileage

1,600 mi

Vehicle auto braking inoperative, lane detection not working, main screen goes completely black. Vehicle went into limp mode while entering the freeway . Main dash flagged yellow, and highlighted check engine, service electric stability control, airbags service, 4 x 4 unavailable, service electronic stability control.

NHTSA ID

11757189

Incident

Aug 15, 2026

My 2026 Ram 1500 Bighorn Crew Cab After vehicle startup, approximately five seconds, after initiating forward,, the vehicle experience and abrupt engine shut down while in motion. Concurrently the vehicles, electronic parking brake forcefully self engages without driver command due to an automated safety conflict. This severe powertrain, and electrical failure completely strands the vehicle and active traffic, presenting an immediate life-threatening risk of a rear-end collision. This exact failure mode has occurred a total of five separate times, and the authorized dealership is currently attempting a software remedy under an escalated Corporate stare case.

NHTSA ID

11753691

Incident

Jul 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tow module independently switched from automatic drive to tow. The contact stated that the trailer tow module switched as if a trailer was being towed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11721975

Incident

Feb 26, 2026

One day into ownership of the vehicle, A warning popped up on the digital dash cluster saying that the "Warning Light Illumination Unavailable Service Required". I was able to acknowledge the error and then two days later it came back with the same message. I dont even have 200 miles on this car.

NHTSA ID

11694599

Incident

Oct 18, 2025