CSR

Ram · NHTSA safety record

2026 Ram 3500

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

Owners have filed 27 safety complaints about the 2026 Ram 3500 with the US government. Of those, 1 describes a crash and no death is recorded. 4 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the electrical system and the exterior lighting.

The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 17 complaints, 63% of the total.

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

What is on file

27 complaints on file

27

Complaints

1

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

0

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 17 · 63%
SERVICE BRAKES 9 · 33%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 4 · 15%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 4 · 15%
POWER TRAIN 4 · 15%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 4 · 15%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4 · 15%
ENGINE 3 · 11%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2 · 7%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 2 · 7%
TIRES 2 · 7%
LANE DEPARTURE 1 · 4%
0 8 15

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 27.

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 26.

28 21 14 7
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 3500. 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

4 on file

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

25V530000 · August 18, 2025

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Ram 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 2500, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The instrument panel may display an incorrect brake system warning light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
The risk
An incorrect warning light can fail to alert the driver to critical safety information, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 9, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 79C.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 2,885 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.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · towed

Hello, I am formally documenting a serious safety incident involving my recently purchased 2026 Dodge Ram 3500 Tradesman 6.7L dually, purchased from Towbin Dodge in [XXX] , on May 9, 2026. On May 13, 2026—only five days after purchase—we were operating the truck for our dumpster business while towing a GN trailer loaded with approximately 5 tons. We were traveling down Mount Charleston after a pickup when a critical brake failure occurred. While descending the mountain grade, the truck’s braking system failed to respond. A warning light appeared on the dashboard indicating an issue with the electric brake system. We had tow/haul mode and exhaust braking engaged, but neither system

NHTSA complaint 11737840, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

towed · 458 miles

The contact owns a 2026 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine, 4WD, ABS, park sensors, and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the speed sensor for the rear wheels; however, the failure persisted, and the transmission failed to recognize that the gear selector was in park(P). Roadside Assistance arrived and unplugged the battery cables to turn off the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was waiting for engineers to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 458.

NHTSA complaint 11709697. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
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 complaint 11766831. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 complaint 11764706. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
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

NHTSA complaint 11759518, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

11,000 miles

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 complaint 11758321. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
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

NHTSA complaint 11758110, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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

NHTSA complaint 11754877, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ram 3500

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 42 5 —
2024 44 2 —
2023 17 5 —
2022 190 12 —
2021 62 9 —
2020 116 11 —
2019 136 14 —
2018 803 10 1
2017 312 12 —
2016 134 14 —
2015 136 14 —
2014 202 15 —
2013 114 16 1

Other 2026 Ram models

1500 96 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