More Than 72,000 Ram Trucks Recalled for Blank Instrument Displays—Is Yours Affected?
Ram has recalled 72,509 trucks from model years 2025-2026 because a software glitch can cause their 12-inch instrument panel displays to go completely blank during startup or while driving. This affects Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 models, and the recall was confirmed by NHTSA on December 1 under campaign number 25V826000.
When your digital instrument cluster display goes blank, you lose critical safety information—your speed, gear selection, fuel level, and brake warning lights all disappear. This instrument panel failure puts you and other drivers at serious risk.
Which Ram Trucks Are Recalled?
The recall includes 43,427 Ram 1500 pickups built between October 3, 2023 and November 12, 2025; 19,670 Ram 2500 pickups built between July 18, 2024 and July 19, 2025; 8,967 Ram 3500 pickups built between July 18, 2024 and July 19, 2025; 103 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 101 Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, and 241 Ram 5500 Cab Chassis built in 2025.
Only trucks with the early 12-inch digital instrument cluster are affected. If your Ram has the mixed analog-and-digital setup with a smaller center display screen, it’s not included in this automotive recall.
What’s Wrong With the Instrument Display?
The problem stems from a software error in 12-inch instrument panel clusters supplied by Michigan-based Marelli North America. The digital cluster can intermittently go blank at startup or while driving, taking all key safety indicators down with it.
Some trucks may illuminate a malfunction indicator light before the display cuts out, but in most cases, Ram truck owners will encounter a blank screen with no clear warning. This dashboard display failure happens without any prior notice in most vehicles.
Why This Ram Dashboard Problem Is Dangerous
An instrument panel display that doesn’t show critical information like warning lights or gear selection increases the risk of a crash, according to the NHTSA recall notice. This vehicle safety defect violates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards sections 571.102, 105, and 135.
When the instrument cluster screen goes blank, you can’t see:
- Your current speed on the speedometer
- What gear you’re in (transmission position)
- Brake system warnings and alerts
- Fuel level and range
- Engine warnings and check engine light
- Any safety alerts or dashboard warning lights
Picture hauling equipment down a mountain grade when your instrument panel suddenly resembles a powered-off tablet. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards require brake system warning lights and gear selection information to be displayed to drivers, so trucks with blank displays violate federal safety requirements.
How to Check If Your Ram Truck Is Affected
Visit NHTSA’s recall lookup tool at nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN (vehicle identification number). You can also call Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403 with your VIN to verify if your truck is part of this product recall.
Dealers were notified on December 4, and owner notification letters are scheduled to go out on January 8. Check your Ram truck’s VIN immediately to determine if you’re affected by this safety recall.
What Ram Is Doing to Fix the Instrument Cluster Problem
Once recall repairs begin, technicians will either reprogram the instrument cluster or replace it entirely, depending on the vehicle. All automotive recall repairs are free—federal law requires manufacturers to cover recall repairs at no cost to owners.
Just 1% of the recalled Ram models are estimated to actually have the software defect, but all affected vehicles need inspection. All 12-inch instrument clusters running the defective software were taken out of production as of November 12.
Your Rights as an Affected Ram Truck Owner
Federal motor vehicle safety law gives you specific protections when your vehicle is recalled:
Free recall repairs: Dealers must fix the dashboard display problem at no charge for parts or labor.
Reimbursement for prior repairs: If you already paid for repairs related to this instrument panel defect before the automotive recall was announced, you may be entitled to reimbursement. Contact Chrysler at 800-853-1403 to submit a claim.
No obligation to use original dealer: You can take your truck to any authorized Ram dealer for the recall repair work.
What If You’ve Had Dashboard Problems or Accidents?
If your instrument cluster went blank and caused an accident or injury, you may have legal options beyond the free recall repair. Product liability law allows consumers to seek compensation when a defective product causes harm.
This can include medical bills, vehicle damage, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the instrument panel failure. If you experienced a crash or near-miss due to the blank display, document everything.
Keep records of: when the display failed, what happened, photos of the blank screen if possible, accident reports, police reports, medical records, and all repair records related to the dashboard issue.
Similar Digital Dashboard Recalls in 2025
Ram isn’t alone in facing instrument cluster issues and display problems. Ford, Volkswagen Group, Toyota, and General Motors have each issued vehicle recalls this year for software errors or internal component failures that led to blank instrument clusters.
In August, Ram recalled nearly 3,000 Ram 2500 trucks for their 3.5-inch clusters that needed entirely new displays. Earlier in the year, Ford recalled 355,656 F-150 pickups for IPC screen failure that required a software update to fix blank digital screens.
The increasing complexity of digital instrument panel displays in vehicles has created new automotive safety challenges that manufacturers are still working to address through recall campaigns.
What Ram Owners Should Do Right Now
Check your VIN immediately at nhtsa.gov/recalls or by calling 800-853-1403 to see if your truck is included in this safety recall.
Watch for warning lights: The malfunction indicator light may illuminate before the display goes blank. If you see this dashboard warning, schedule service immediately.
Don’t ignore the notification letter: When you receive your recall notice letter around January 8, schedule the recall repair as soon as possible with your authorized Ram dealer.
Drive carefully: If your instrument cluster display goes blank while driving, pull over safely when you can. You won’t be able to see your speed, gear selection, or brake warnings.
Keep records: Save all documentation related to the product recall and any display issues you’ve experienced with your instrument panel.
Understanding the Ram Recall Timeline
September 10, 2025: FCA’s Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance group identified potential failures in instrument panel displays.
November 12, 2025: All 12-inch instrument clusters with defective software were removed from production.
December 1, 2025: NHTSA officially confirmed the automotive recall under campaign 25V826000.
December 4, 2025: Ram notified dealerships about the recall repair procedures.
January 8, 2026: Owner notification letters will be mailed to affected Ram truck owners.
Ram Truck Instrument Cluster Problems: Common Owner Complaints
Many Ram owners have reported digital cluster problems over the years, including intermittent blank screens, flickering displays, and complete instrument panel failures. Online forums show Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 owners reporting dashboard display issues even in trucks from 2013-2019 model years.
Common complaints include the instrument cluster screen going blank during startup, displays that won’t turn on after software updates, and digital dashboards that intermittently lose power while driving. Some owners report paying $1,300-$1,400 for cluster replacement when the defect occurred outside warranty coverage.
FAQs About the Ram Instrument Display Recall
How long will the Ram recall repair take?
The repair involves either reprogramming the existing instrument cluster or replacing it. Software reprogramming may take a few hours, while replacement could take longer depending on parts availability at the dealership.
Can I still drive my Ram truck with this defect?
NHTSA hasn’t issued a “Do Not Drive” warning for this vehicle recall, but exercise caution. If your instrument panel display goes blank, you won’t have critical safety information like speed, gear position, or brake warnings.
What if the recall repair doesn’t fix my dashboard problem?
Return to the authorized dealer immediately. If problems with your instrument cluster persist after multiple repair attempts, you may have rights under your state’s lemon law for defective vehicles.
Will this automotive recall affect my truck’s resale value?
Properly completed automotive recalls typically don’t affect resale value. Unrepaired safety recalls can make selling more difficult and may reduce what buyers are willing to pay.
What if I leased my Ram truck?
The vehicle recall still applies to leased trucks. Contact your authorized Ram dealer to schedule the free instrument panel repair work.
My display already failed and I paid for repairs. Can I get reimbursed?
Yes. Contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403 with your repair receipts, VIN, and documentation of the dashboard issue to request reimbursement for the instrument cluster repair.
Are there any reported injuries from this Ram defect?
Stellantis says it has not received any reports of injuries related to this instrument panel recall so far. However, the company is not currently facing legal action over the recall.
What specific Ram models are affected by the blank display recall?
The recall affects 2025-2026 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500 pickup trucks, plus Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 Cab Chassis models built with the 12-inch digital instrument cluster between October 2023 and November 2025.
Can I fix the instrument cluster problem myself?
No. This requires either specialized software reprogramming or a replacement instrument panel cluster that must be programmed with your vehicle’s correct mileage. The recall repair must be performed by an authorized Ram dealer at no cost to you.
How do I know if my Ram has the affected 12-inch display?
Check your dashboard. If you have a large, fully digital 12-inch screen showing all your gauges and information, you may be affected. Mixed analog-digital setups with physical needles and a smaller center screen are not included in this recall.
Understanding Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) establish minimum safety requirements for vehicles sold in the United States. This Ram truck recall addresses violations of three specific standards:
FMVSS 571.102: Requires proper display of transmission shift position and controls.
FMVSS 105: Establishes brake system standards including warning light requirements.
FMVSS 135: Covers light vehicle brake system performance and warning indicators.
When a vehicle’s instrument panel display goes blank, it can’t show required brake system warnings or gear selection, putting it out of compliance with federal safety standards and creating serious crash risks.
Ram’s History with Instrument Cluster Recalls
This isn’t Ram’s first instrument panel recall in 2025. In August, nearly 3,000 Ram 2500 trucks from model year 2025 were recalled for their 3.5-inch traditional clusters that needed entirely new displays.
Ram also recalled some 2500 and 3500 HD trucks built between January and February 2025 because of a potential issue with the 3.5-inch display screen. Those trucks could see an overly long time to display gear selection changes or even show the wrong gear altogether—creating a rollaway risk and crash hazard.
How This Recall Affects Ram Truck Reputation
Quality concerns around Ram trucks have grown as multiple safety recalls have affected recent model years. From instrument panel failures to airbag defects, Ram’s heavy reliance on complex digital systems has created recurring issues that undermine consumer confidence.
The automotive industry’s shift toward fully digital dashboards and instrument clusters has introduced new reliability challenges. What was once a simple mechanical speedometer and gauge cluster is now a complex computer system prone to software glitches and hardware failures.
What Automotive Experts Say About Digital Dashboard Reliability
Automotive safety experts point out that digital instrument clusters create a single point of failure—if the display goes blank, drivers lose access to all critical information at once. Traditional analog gauges with separate systems meant that even if one gauge failed, others continued working.
Consumer advocates recommend that manufacturers implement redundant systems and fail-safes for digital displays, ensuring drivers always have access to critical safety information like speed and brake warnings even if the main display fails.
Legal Options for Affected Ram Truck Owners
If your Ram’s instrument panel defect caused an accident, injury, or significant damage, you may be able to pursue product liability claims beyond the free recall repair. Product liability law holds manufacturers responsible when defective products cause harm to consumers.
Types of compensation available may include:
- Medical expenses from injuries sustained due to the defect
- Vehicle repair costs from crashes caused by the blank display
- Lost wages if you missed work due to injuries
- Pain and suffering from accidents resulting from the dashboard failure
- Diminished vehicle value due to the instrument cluster defect
Consult with a product liability attorney if you believe the instrument panel defect caused you harm. Many consumer protection lawyers offer free consultations and work on contingency, meaning you only pay if they recover compensation for you.
Steps to Take If Your Instrument Display Fails
If your Ram truck’s instrument cluster goes blank while driving:
- Stay calm and maintain control of your vehicle
- Pull over safely when you can do so without creating additional hazards
- Turn off and restart your truck to see if the display returns
- Document the issue with photos or video if possible
- Contact your dealer immediately to report the problem and schedule service
- File a complaint with NHTSA at safercar.gov if the problem recurs
Do not continue driving extensively with a blank instrument panel. Without visibility into your speed, gear selection, and brake warnings, you’re putting yourself and others at serious risk on the road.
Ram Recall Resources and Contact Information
Check if your VIN is affected: Visit nhtsa.gov/recalls
Chrysler Customer Service: 800-853-1403
NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V826000
File a safety complaint: nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem
Ram Recall Information: mopar.com/recall
The Bottom Line on the Ram Instrument Display Recall
This Ram truck recall affects more than 72,000 vehicles across multiple models and represents a serious automotive safety concern. A blank instrument panel display doesn’t just create inconvenience—it creates real crash risks by hiding critical information drivers need to operate their vehicles safely.
If you own a 2025-2026 Ram truck, check your VIN immediately. Don’t wait for the notification letter to arrive in January. The sooner you verify whether your truck is affected and schedule the recall repair, the safer you’ll be on the road.
Remember that federal law requires Ram to fix this instrument cluster defect at no cost to you. Take advantage of the free recall repair, keep all documentation, and if you’ve experienced problems or damages due to this dashboard failure, consider speaking with a consumer protection attorney about your legal options.
The automotive industry’s move toward fully digital instrument panels has created new challenges. As consumers, we must hold manufacturers accountable for ensuring these complex electronic systems work reliably—especially when they display the critical safety information we depend on every time we drive.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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