2026 RAM 3500

Trucks ignition system does not work properly; manufacturer has no way to diagnose the problem. possible fire hazard? drive system, was not built to factory standards, dealer advised to not to drive out of fear of blowing up while driving down the road.

NHTSA ID

11766831

Incident

Aug 27, 2026

Brand new 2026 Ram 3500 Limited Truck. Front parking sensors goes off when something is 15-25 feet away. Very frustrating as I have to turn off the front parking sensors. Had the same issue on my 2025 Ram 2500. Also, the tailgate is misaligned from the factory. Currently my truck is at the dealership, and they don't know how to realign the tailgate. No fixed. Again very frustrating on a brand-new truck from Ram.

NHTSA ID

11764706

Incident

Aug 15, 2026

On multiple occasions the U-Connect system in the listed 2026 RAM 3500 has gone completely black and was inoperable until a reset was performed. The trailer brake gain control and exhaust brake are accessed and controlled via the touch screen U-Connect system. This failure poses a significant safety issue when the screen goes black and the controls cannot be accessed when pulling a trailer. This can lead to failure to slow/stop the vehicle while in motion, tire failure on the trailer etc. The only method to regain access to the brake controls is to perform a reset of the U-Connect system which can take 2-3 minutes to complete. Stelantis is and has been aware of this issue for some time and has no resolution at this time.

NHTSA ID

11759518

Incident

Jul 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The message that the trailer was not connected was displayed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V059000 (Exterior Lighting, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 11,000.

NHTSA ID

11758321

Incident

Feb 2, 2026

Mileage

11,000 mi

2026 Ram 3500 with <2700 miles. The trailer brakes are not applied appropriately when using the brake pedal, even though it will brake appropriately (with 1 of 3 trailers) while squeezing the manual override. This includes all brake levels (1-10 gain). When the trailer is disconnected, the truck will brake and show the appropriate level of pressure on the dash, though when the trailers are connected, one might press their foot 50% of the way down on the pedal while only 5% of the pressure is displayed on the dash and applied to the trailer brakes. This has nearly caused 3 separate accidents while towing (16,600 pounds total) when people merged and braked hard in traffic. Ram dealership initially refused to investigate until persisting and becoming very angry. At that point, the issue was confirmed. Brake module parts are pending replacement at this time. Their current "test methods" don't include an actual trailer and are insufficient to diagnose and identify the issue. There is no doubt that this will kill someone at some point. There was eventually a service trailer brake system message that popped up, though this wasn't persistent and went away automatically, not stored permanently, when the trailer disconnected. This message appeared previously approx 3 times, though there was no trailer connected to the truck at the time. Proximity sensors in the front and rear are also faulty, delaying notification of item in proximity, not displaying at all, or randomly being accurate. It also detects traffic that is a significant distance away. The same Ram dealership repeated the issue and called this "normal or expected behavior". It is, most definitely, not, and may present a danger to small children walking around the vehicle, pets, or potentially property due to the lack of notification of objects present.

NHTSA ID

11758110

Incident

Aug 19, 2026

Started with only 320 miles just days after purchasing this new 2026 RAM 3500 on XXX. I have taken the truck to three differ RAM dealerships as this issue continues to occur. [XXX]; [XXX]; and [XXX] Westside all had attempted to fix the issue. I had to return the truck a number of times to [XXX] and [XXX] for the same reasons. The following warmings messages are displayed: FCW/Cruise Control Unavailable Service Required - occurs when using cruise control, Service Electronic Stability Control, Auto Emergency Braking (AEB) Unavailable Service Required, Park Sense Temporarily Unavailable, Service Antilock Brake System, 4WD System Temporarily Unavailable, and Service engine light comes on. Two RAM dealers are saying the issue is the speed sensor, which has been replaced over three times. The RAM dealership had to open an engineer ticket with the manufacture, but the issue is not fixed. The Jacksonville service manger told me I can keep bringing the truck in, but until a different manufacture makes a new speed sensor, the truck will continue to have the same issue. I use the RAM 3500 to pull my RV. Brake system failure put myself and family and others safety at risk while on the road, therefore, I do not drive the truck in fear the brake system will fail and I won't be able to stop 20,000 pounds of truck and RV. The truck is available for inspection, but I am currently in the process of returning the truck under Flordia's Lemon Law. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11754877

Incident

Oct 28, 2025

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Rear Axle Failure - Dealership has the truck currently How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - It was not Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - Yes Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - yes, by the dealer Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No warning of any kind. Just loud grinding noise

NHTSA ID

11754685

Incident

Jul 23, 2026

Just driving down the road and abs service, traction control service, 4wd service, automatic emergency brake disabled front and rear sensor service lights come on then go off and come back on later with a check engine light vehicle has less than. 500 miles

NHTSA ID

11745440

Incident

Jun 20, 2026

SENSOR Exhaust Temperature If this sensor is being replaced due to an early-life P242B pending fault code, clear the fault code and perform the Powertrain Verification Test. Only replace the sensor if P242B returns as an active fault code.

Flash: Vehicle System Interface Module (VSIM) Updates Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle may SYMPTOM: exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): ● B2204-87 - Ecu Configuration Mismatch-Missing Message. Customers may comment on the following: ● Odometer is blinking while ignition is on. This bulletin involves inspecting and possibly reprogramming the VSIM with the latest available software.

Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) Sensor Water Intrusion CUSTOMER Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle may SYMPTOM: exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): ● P2482-00 - Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit High - Bank 1 Sensor 5. Customers may also comment on the following: ● Soot load is too high and power derate occurs due to regen being disabled. This bulletin involves replacing the EGT sensors.

Radio Over The Air Update to U43.17 R1H Software Version (FOTA) Customers may experience one or more of the following:- Navigation Stability - Android Auto & Carplay stability & connectivity- Trailer Tow pages- Distorted/glitchy display prior to start‑up animation- Text appearance display- Widget incorrect display- Turn signal blind spot response timing- Audio cut out - Drive Modes selection- Park assist Guidelines selctio

Passive Entry O/S Dr Handle Prior to replacing an inoperative passive entry door handle, perform Star Online S2623000040.

Switch - Tailgate Handle Prior to replacing the Tailgate Handle Switch, please review MasterTech Article - Tailgate Handle Inoperative.