2025 RAM 1500

The contact owns a 2025 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle several warning messages and lights had illuminated which included a flashing shifter light and on occasions the vehicle would not immediately start. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who performed a software update. After retrieving the vehicle the vehicle experienced additional electrical failures including a back up camera malfunction. The failure mileage was 3,000

NHTSA Safety Complaint Draft Vehicle: 2025 Ram 1500 VIN: [XXX] Mileage at First Incident: 3920 Mileage at Most Recent Incident: 13,000 (approx.) Complaint Summary: My 2025 Ram 1500 has a recurring safety critical defect that causes the truck to suddenly and unpredictably decelerate from highway speeds (around 70 mph to 55 mph) down to approximately 5 mph, even though the engine RPMs remain around 4,000. This creates an immediate risk of being rear ended or causing a multi vehicle crash. Full Description of the Problem: While driving at normal highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly loses propulsion without warning. The truck slows rapidly to about 5 mph, dealership verbally described as “limp mode” to protect itself, despite the engine continuing to rev at high RPMs. During these events, the dashboard and infotainment system display incorrect and erratic information, including: - Transmission indicator switching into 4WD, Park, or 1st gear while the vehicle is moving - Navigation activating on its own - Screen freezing, glitching, or displaying inaccurate data This defect has occurred multiple times and is unpredictable, making the vehicle unsafe to operate. Repair Attempts: I have taken the vehicle to an authorized Ram dealership on multiple occasions for the same issue: - Repair Attempt #1: 03/20/2025 - Repair Attempt #2: 10/02/2025 - Repair Attempt #3: 10/30/2025 - Repair Attempt #4: 11/17/2025 - Repair Attempt #5: 05/12 2026 The dealership has replaced PCM harness, transfer case control module, DTCM, performed software updates and claimed the issue was resolved, but the defect continues to occur. They have also stated they “cannot replicate” the problem, despite multiple documented incidents. Safety Risk: This defect poses a serious risk of collision, especially at highway speeds. The sudden loss of propulsion and incorrect gear display could easily result in a rear end crash INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

While driving on the highway, I first noticed the vehicle becoming difficult to steer. The steering felt unusually heavy and sluggish, as if power steering assistance was reduced or failing. Shortly after this began, multiple warning lights illuminated across the dashboard. At that point, braking performance also became severely compromised. The brake pedal felt soft and traveled nearly to the floor with very limited stopping power. The vehicle required significantly increased distance to slow and stop, creating a serious safety hazard in active highway traffic. The combination of reduced steering assist and severely degraded braking performance made the vehicle difficult to control and presented a significant safety risk. I was able to bring the vehicle to a stop and it was later towed to a dealership. At the time of inspection, the battery was found to be dead. I had recently returned from a 5-day trip and the vehicle required a jump start before this driving event. The dealership replaced the battery and stated the vehicle was operating normally after repair. However, the incident involved progressive loss of steering assist followed by significant loss of braking performance at highway speed. I am reporting this as a serious safety concern because multiple critical vehicle control systems were affected while driving. I am concerned about potential recurrence of this issue and the risk it presents to driver and public safety. The vehicle is available for inspection.

The 14.4" Infotainment Screen will freeze randomly during vehicle start-up, make an audible buzzing sound through the speakers, then hard reset. During this time, the camera system is inoperable until the radio finishes resetting, causing reduced visibility around the vehicle when in reverse. No warning lamps or stored codes were present when this issue first occurred. The concern was shared with Friendship CDJR in Johnson City, TN. After inspection of the vehicle, the technician was unable to determine root cause and manually uploaded a software update to the infotainment system to ensure a corrupt file was not uploaded during over-the-air updates. This did not remedy the issue and the infotainment system continues to randomly show this issue.

1. The vehicle suffers from a recurring parasitic battery drain that results in a completely dead 12V battery after the vehicle sits for short periods. This appears to be a software or hardware failure in the Body Control Module (BCM) or Radio Frequency (RF) Hub that prevents the vehicle from entering 'sleep mode.' The vehicle is currently at the dealership getting looked at. But I can have it available for inspection upon request. 2. I regularly commute between Orange County, CA, and Las Vegas, NV. This route involves long stretches of remote desert (I-15) with extreme temperatures often exceeding 100°F and limited cell service. A recurring, unpredictable battery failure in these conditions creates a life-safety risk, as it can leave a driver stranded without climate control or the ability to call for help in a high-heat environment. As a medical professional, the lack of vehicle reliability also impacts my ability to reach clinical assignments safely. 3. Yes. The issue has been documented during three separate service visits to an authorized Ram dealership. On each occasion, the battery was found to be depleted below functional levels. Despite these visits and attempted 're-flashes' of the software, the parasitic drain persists. 4. The vehicle has been inspected and 'serviced' three times by authorized manufacturer representatives (certified Ram dealership technicians). 5. Symptoms first appeared the day after I purchased the vehicle. There were no dashboard warning lights until the battery was too low to crank the engine, at which point 'Electrical System Service Required' and multiple sensors failure errors appeared. I am aware of TSB 08-380-25 (which specifically addresses the BCM re-flash for battery drain) but that it has failed to resolve the issue after three attempts.

FCA - USA has a safety recall for Ram trucks manufactured between 2024 -2026. The towing/trailer module is defective and the trailer lights, turn signals and trailer braking may not function while towing a vehicle. The recall has been effective since Feb. 2, 2026. I have tried to schedule my 2026 Ram truck at two different dealerships and they complain that the cannot get the parts from FCA. My scheduled appointments have been cancelled at least 2 times due to part unavailability. I was told today by a Ram dealer that FCA has advised them FCA is only releasing 1 module per dealership per month. T This is a serious safety issue for those customers that tow trailers as the malfunction could result in accidents and deaths. I find it unacceptable that an automaker can have a serious safety issue and is unable or unwilling to supply the new trailer towing parts/modules that correct the defect. Please discuss this issue with FCA.

The contact owns a 2025 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the instrument panel became inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated that upon shifting from reverse(R) to drive(D), the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was restarted and shifted to drive(D), and the vehicle responded as intended. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The failure mileage was 5,000.

My vehicle has experience repeated electrical system failures resulting in no-start condition and a loss of reliability. The first incident was in Nov 2025. The vehicle would not start after being parked at work from 0630-1530. The batteries had been drained due to what the dealer identified as a radio frequency module issue. The technician explained it to having gotten "stuck" in update mode. The vehicle was under warranty at the time and required a replacement of the module and two new batteries. I asked what I should look for in case this happens again in hopes of getting it to the dealer before it drains the batteries and I was told there are no real indicators. Early in April, the auto started not working consistently and the FOB would not open the doors. I replaced the battery in the FOB but the issue continued. Since that time I have monitored the voltage gauge. The vehicle was taken to the dealer again mid-April. The tech said he could not get the auto start issue to duplicate, stated there were two software updates that they updated and that it should be good to go. Monday, April 27, 2026 I parked the truck after work with the voltage reading 14.3. Tuesday, April 28, when I attempted to get in the truck to go to work at 0615, the failed to start or respond to the key FOB in any way. Once again, the truck was towed to the dealer where it is currently. The tech has stated they are having to replace the batteries again. This pattern indicates an electrical system failure due to battery drain and repeated no-start conditions. The failures occur without warning and have resulted in the vehicle being inoperable on more than one occasion. This repeated issue presents a safety concern if the vehicle can become stranded unexpectedly due to this failure. The issue does not appear to be resolved. The tech informed me that the company is still trying to figure it out.

The contact owns a 2025 Ram 1500. 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 made aware of the recall and informed the contact that parts were limited. The contact was informed that new vehicles were the priority before the vehicles that were already sold. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while idling at an intersection, the vehicle shut off without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the battery was replaced. Soon after the repair, while driving 75 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance system activated erroneously, and the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. The contact attempted to take the vehicle for service, but was unable to contact a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

I was pulling out of driveway, it is a steep driveway, I have kept vehicle in 4WD, I then backed up to turn around, the truck “lurched” and “jerked” forward abruptly. I thought I had hit the home in front of me or ran over something. It was not the AEB. The vehicle had changed from 4WD auto to 2WD on its own, creating a large “jump” in the gears. I took the vehicle to service and they could not replicate. This has now happened 3 other times and “jerked” me forward at lower speeds. I have slow had the vehicle “jerk” or roughly change gears while driving from 20mph to 40mpg or when lowering gears and different speeds. I have taken it to the dealership to present and was advised to take it to another dealership and test drive with myself to attempt to replicate. I have had the main center display console turn black, both on CarPlay, and using regularly. The front parking impact sensors not display on camera which could be a safety hazard of you had something or someone that was close to proximity to the vehicle and the camera not display. I have taken the vehicle in for this and was told they could not replicate.