CSR

Ram · NHTSA safety record

2026 Ram 1500

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 96 safety complaints about the 2026 Ram 1500 with the US government. Of those, 3 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 2 people were injured and no death is recorded. 7 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 46 complaints, 48% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 3,450 miles, the median across the 6 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers September 2025 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

96 complaints on file

96

Complaints

3

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

2

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 46 · 48%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16 · 17%
ENGINE 10 · 10%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 9 · 9%
POWER TRAIN 9 · 9%
SERVICE BRAKES 9 · 9%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 6 · 6%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 5 · 5%
VISIBILITY 4 · 4%
AIR BAGS 3 · 3%
LANE DEPARTURE 3 · 3%
STRUCTURE 3 · 3%
0 19 38

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 96.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2026 at 86.

92 69 46 23
25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2025 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2026 Ram 1500. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

7 on file

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

26V560000 · September 1, 2026

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 vehicles. A radio software error may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk
A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
The radio software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 24, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 83D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 9, 2026.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 239,131 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

26V531000 · August 13, 2026

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Gladiator, Jeep Compass, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Jeep Grand Wagoneer L, Ram Promaster, Ram Promaster EV, Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid, Chrysler Voyager, and 2026-2027 Chrysler Pacifica and Dodge Charger vehicles. The rearview camera image may fail to display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk
A rearview camera image that fails to display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Radio software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed beginning September 1, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 78D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 20, 2026.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 844,027 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:ANCHORAGE

26V495000 · July 30, 2026

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2026 Ram 1500 vehicles. The second-row seat belt buckle anchors may have been improperly installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
The risk
An improperly installed seat belt buckle anchor may fail to properly restrain occupants, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and attach the seat belt buckle anchor to the body structure as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 18, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 67D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 6, 2026.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 1,271,294 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

26V421000 · July 1, 2026

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Ram 1500 vehicles. The headlight wiring may cause the parking lights and daytime running lights to flicker on and off, or fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk
Parking lights and daytime running lights that fail to illuminate properly reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the headlight assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed July, 30, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 62D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 9, 2026.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 12,592 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

26V225000 · April 9, 2026

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the instrument panel display to fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards numbers 102, "Transmission Shift Position Sequence," 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems," 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment," 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems for Light Vehicles," 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems," 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System," and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk
An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as gear selection and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 35D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 16, 2026.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 65,348 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

26V059000 · February 2, 2026

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Jeep Wagoneer S, 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, Ram 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. Due to an improperly designed trailer tow module, the trailer lights may fail to illuminate and the trailer brakes may fail.
The risk
Trailer brake lights and turn signals that do not illuminate reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, trailer brakes that fail increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the trailer tow module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning March 17, 2026. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 03D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 10, 2026.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 456,287 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

25V826000 · December 1, 2025

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Ram Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the instrument panel cluster display to be blank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems," 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems," and 102, "Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect."
The risk
An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or gear selection, increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and update the instrument panel software or replace the instrument panel cluster, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are B4C and B8C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 4, 2025.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 72,509 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash

side air bag is at body shop waiting on estimate. side impact wife driving 30 mph hit in left side started at A post ripped through drivers door crushed outer and inside rocker panels. has dent into cab area. Wife was taken to hospital in a neck brace with large Hematoma above left eye from head bouncing off side window. Vechicle has not been inspectied by anybody other than body shop. Truck is new 3000 miles with no warning lamps on. The truck was pushed over 1 lane do to impact.

NHTSA complaint 11763123. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

1 injured · 3,900 miles

The contact owns a 2026 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the rear panoramic sunroof exploded and shattered, causing shards and pieces of glass to fall inside the vehicle, onto the driver's side headrest, armrest, and on the center console. The contact closed the shade cover and continued driving to the residence, where the vehicle was parked. While the contact’s wife was searching through the vehicle, she sustained a cut on the right forearm but did not seek medical assistance. The contact had not sustained any injuries. The contact stated that while driving to the dealer later, the shattered sunroof glass flew off and fell onto the tonneau cover. The vehicle was

NHTSA complaint 11733573, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire

On September 14, 2026, my 2026 Ram 1500 Limited, with approximately 6,000 miles, caught fire while parked and unattended in my workplace parking lot. I had driven the vehicle approximately six minutes to work and parked it at approximately 1:30 PM. I did not notice any warning lights, warning messages, smoke, unusual smells, or other indications of a problem while driving or when I parked the vehicle. At approximately 2:25 PM, a coworker noticed smoke coming from the parked vehicle. He approached the vehicle and then ran inside to alert others. Workplace surveillance cameras captured the incident. Management reviewed the footage, which shows the truck sitting parked and unattended before

NHTSA complaint 11764237, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

crash

I purchased a new Ram RHO Dec 31 2025, on Saturday, January 17th 2026 1:03 AM, I received an email, a triggered alert 1) Driver Assistance Blind Spot Monitoring System Triggered Allert, Schedule your Service Appointment. I made an appointment for a shake in wheels and blind spot monitoring I brought it to Joey Accardi Ram Pompano Beach Fl, I picked up the truck with the same issue. I called Rick the service advisor and explained to him, still not right, and expressed a concern that the mechanic must have driven my truck hard, because everything was all over the place in bed of pick up. Rick assured me they don't let those specialty vehicles out for test drive; they don’t go out on the road.

NHTSA complaint 11734331, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving on the Interstate approx. 70 MPH the main digital instrument panel completely blacked out and remained dark for 30 to maybe 60 seconds before attempting to reboot. During this time, I lost all access to all critical safety information including the speedometer, gear selection, gauges and safety warning indicators creating an immediate and hazardous driving condition. this vehicle is a 2026 Ram and a daily driver. the total loss of dashboard visibility while traveling at interstate speeds during rush hour traffic poses severe safety risk to me and others on the road. Date of incident: 09/22/2026 Time of incident: Approx 3:10 p.m. CST Mileage at time of incident: Approx. 3309

NHTSA complaint 11766846. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
My 2026 RAM 1500 has the optional trailer tow mirrors. I have had similar trailer tow mirrors on my previous vehicle, a 2023 RAM 2500 HD and they did not seem to be as bad as they are here on my 1500 RAM truck. These trailer tow mirrors obscure too much visibility, particularly and specifically at an intersection. People in crosswalks, as well as other motorists at either the left or right of me, at an intersection, are almost completely impeded by these larger mirrors. I'm 6'1" and I still have to completely get out of my seat to see around these mirrors, to ensure I see other motorists and that don't hit someone. I have had multiple close calls with both vehicles to the left and right at

NHTSA complaint 11766327, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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

NHTSA complaint 11766563, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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 complaint 11765756. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
while operating my brand-new 2026 Ram 1500 at approximately 35mph, the panoramic sunroof suddenly and violently imploded with a loud explosion resembling a gunshot. There was absolutely no vehicle ahead of me, no overhead structures, and zero external impact from a rock or debris before the failure occurred.The glass shattered violently outward, showering the interior cabin and the roadway behind me with sharp, tempered glass shards. This structural failure caused an immediate, severe distraction while driving at highway speeds, creating an extreme safety hazard for myself, my passengers, and surrounding traffic.Upon taking the vehicle to three separate authorized Ram dealerships—including

NHTSA complaint 11765929, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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 complaint 11764983. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ram 1500

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 356 8 —
2024 74 6 —
2023 201 11 —
2022 616 16 2
2021 679 15 —
2020 631 14 1
2019 1,481 29 1
2018 662 15 —
2017 880 13 1
2016 1,545 16 5
2015 1,450 17 4
2014 1,766 16 —
2013 1,277 11 —

Other 2026 Ram models

3500 27 2500 26

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Ram on this site — 68 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst