Ram 2500 Recall, 8,329 2026 Trucks Could Lose Electronic Stability Control (NHTSA 26V651)

If you own a 2026 Ram 2500, check your VIN now. Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and look for NHTSA campaign 26V651 (FCA US recall 90D). Owner letters are not expected until November 24, 2026, and you do not have to wait for one. The repair is free.

FCA US, the Stellantis company that builds Ram trucks, is recalling 8,329 model year 2026 Ram 2500 pickups because a steering column control module can develop an internal fault and switch off electronic stability control (ESC). Stability control is the system that brakes individual wheels and trims engine power when a truck starts to slide. NHTSA says losing it increases the risk of a crash.

The recall expands an earlier April 2026 campaign over the same part. Dealers will replace the module at no cost.

Quick Facts: 2026 Ram 2500 Stability Control Recall

Detail	Information
Automaker	Chrysler (FCA US, LLC), a Stellantis company
Vehicles	Certain 2026 Ram 2500 pickup trucks
Potential units affected	8,329
Defect	Steering column control module can fail and cause a loss of ESC
Federal standard	FMVSS No. 126, Electronic Stability Control Systems
NHTSA campaign number	26V651 (expands earlier recall 26V244)
FCA US recall number	90D (earlier recall: 36D)
NHTSA received the report	October 6, 2026
VINs searchable on NHTSA.gov	October 13, 2026
Owner letters expected	November 24, 2026
Remedy	Dealers replace the steering column control module, free of charge
FCA US customer service	1-800-853-1403
NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline	1-888-327-4236
Lawsuit or settlement	None identified in the materials reviewed as of October 24, 2026

What Is the Ram 2500 Steering Column Control Module Defect?

The steering column control module (SCCM) sits in the steering column. In FCA US’s filing for the earlier recall, the company said a module with an internal fault can disable ESC when the system is expected to step in, and that this may cause a crash “without prior warning.”

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 126 requires ESC to be active while a vehicle is being driven. A truck whose module can switch it off does not meet that standard, which is why this is a noncompliance recall and not a voluntary service campaign.

Will you get a warning before stability control fails?

According to FCA US’s filing for the earlier campaign, there is no warning before the failure. After the module resets, the ESC light comes on in the instrument cluster. So by the time you see the light, the system may already be off. If the ESC warning light comes on in a 2026 Ram 2500, take it seriously, check the owner’s manual and call a Ram dealer.

Ram 2500 Recall Timeline: From the January 2026 Investigation to the October Expansion

Date	What happened
January 27, 2026	FCA US’s technical safety and regulatory compliance group opens an investigation into some 2026 Ram 2500 trucks possibly built with a suspect module
March 18, 2026	FCA US recognizes a build issue that could cause noncompliance with FMVSS No. 126
April 10, 2026	FCA US’s Vehicle Regulations Committee determines a noncompliance exists
April 16, 2026	FCA US files the original recall (NHTSA 26V244, FCA 36D) covering 6,605 trucks
October 6, 2026	NHTSA receives the expanded recall report (NHTSA 26V651, FCA 90D) covering 8,329 trucks
October 13, 2026	VINs in the expanded recall become searchable on NHTSA.gov
November 24, 2026	Owner notification letters expected to be mailed

In the April filing, FCA US said the suspect modules were used in trucks built from September 13, 2025 to November 15, 2025, which is why a “2026” truck can fall in the recall even though it was built in 2025. It also said the suspect period was set using warranty and plant quality records. I could not confirm the build window for the October campaign, so use a VIN check instead of guessing from build dates.

How Many Ram 2500 Trucks Are in Recall 26V651?

NHTSA lists 8,329 potentially affected trucks for campaign 26V651. The earlier campaign, 26V244, covered 6,605. NHTSA’s record says the October recall “expands” the earlier one, but it does not say whether the 8,329 includes the 6,605 or sits on top of them. Do not add the two numbers together, and do not assume your truck is covered or already fixed. Only a VIN check tells you.

Campaign 26V651 lists only the 2026 Ram 2500. Other Ram models can be covered by separate recalls.

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What to Do if You Own a 2026 Ram 2500

1. Run your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Look for 26V651 (90D) and the earlier 26V244 (36D). VINs for the October recall have been searchable since October 13, 2026. If your first search comes up empty, check again later.
2. Call a Ram dealer and ask about the recall by NHTSA number or FCA US number. Ask whether the replacement module is in stock before you book.
3. Call FCA US at 1-800-853-1403 if you want the company’s guidance for your truck.
4. Drive with extra care until it is fixed. NHTSA’s record for 26V651 does not carry a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory, but a truck that can lose ESC without warning calls for longer following distances and extra caution on wet or icy roads and when towing. If the truck handles strangely or cannot be controlled safely, pull over when it is safe and get help.
5. Keep your paperwork, including the recall notice and the repair order showing the module was replaced.

Will FCA US charge you for the repair?

No. Dealers will replace the module free of charge, and federal law requires it. Under 49 U.S.C. § 30120, when a defect or noncompliance notice is required, the manufacturer must remedy it without charge. If a dealer quotes you a price for the recall work, ask them to confirm the campaign number and what is covered.

What if you already paid to fix this problem?

Keep your invoices, repair orders and proof of payment, and ask FCA US at 1-800-853-1403 whether the work qualifies for reimbursement. FCA US’s earlier filing says it will use its general reimbursement plan. Reimbursement is not automatic, and eligibility depends on that plan’s terms and on what repair you paid for.

Is There a Lawsuit Over the Ram 2500 Stability Control Recall?

None turned up in the materials reviewed as of October 24, 2026, and the filings reviewed do not mention crashes or injuries tied to the defect. This is a safety recall, not a class action settlement. It does not create an automatic cash payment, so do not pay anyone to “file a claim” over it.

A recall is not a legal claim by itself, but two paths are worth knowing about:

• State lemon law. Each state sets its own rules for how many failed repair attempts or days out of service make a vehicle a lemon. A recall can support a claim if your truck still has the problem after the repair, but it does not make a lemon on its own.
• Product liability. If you or a passenger was hurt and you suspect stability control cut out, talk to a product liability attorney before the truck is repaired or sold. The module and your records may matter. Keep the recall letter, repair records, photos, insurance paperwork and any police report. A recall does not prove that the defect caused a specific crash, and it does not guarantee compensation.

You can also report a safety concern to NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

How Does This Ram Recall Compare With Other Recent Stellantis Recalls?

This is one of several Ram and Stellantis recalls this year, each with its own trucks, defect and fix. The Ram ProMaster Steering Recall, Chrysler Recalls 265,512 Vans Over Power Steering Failure Risk (NHTSA 26V621) involves a different defect affecting steering assistance. The More Than 72,000 Ram Trucks Recalled for Blank Instrument Displays—Is Yours Affected? concerns instrument cluster software. And Stellantis Recalls 1.27 Million Ram 1500 Trucks Over a Seat Belt Buckle That Might Not Be Bolted Down is a separate seat belt anchor problem on a different model. Check your VIN for every open recall on your truck, not just this one.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Ram 2500 Recall

Is my 2026 Ram 2500 part of the stability control recall?

Only a VIN check can confirm it. The campaign covers certain 2026 Ram 2500 pickups, not every truck of that model year.

How many trucks are in recall 26V651?

NHTSA lists 8,329 potentially affected trucks. It expands the earlier recall 26V244, which covered 6,605.

Will the Ram 2500 recall repair cost me anything?

No. Dealers replace the steering column control module free of charge.

When will I get a recall letter?

Owner letters are expected to be mailed November 24, 2026. You can check your VIN now.

Can I keep driving my Ram 2500 before the repair?

NHTSA’s record for 26V651 does not include a do-not-drive instruction. Because stability control may switch off without warning, schedule the repair quickly and use extra caution, especially on slippery roads and when towing.

Does the recall cover the Ram 1500 or Ram 3500?

Campaign 26V651 lists only the 2026 Ram 2500. Check your VIN for open recalls on any other Ram.

Does the recall mean I can file a lemon law claim?

Not automatically. Lemon law rights depend on your state’s statute and on whether the problem continued after repair attempts. A lemon law or product liability attorney can review your facts.

Sources

1. NHTSA recall lookup
2. NHTSA campaign record, 26V651000
3. NHTSA Part 573 Safety Recall Report, campaign 26V244
4. FCA US dealer communication, recall 36D / 26V244
5. 49 CFR § 571.126, Electronic Stability Control Systems
6. 49 U.S.C. § 30120, Remedies for defects and noncompliance

Disclaimer: This article is general legal information, not legal advice. AllAboutLawyer.com is not a law firm, and I am not an attorney. Recall details can change, so confirm coverage for your truck through the NHTSA VIN lookup or a Ram dealer.

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, legal content researcher and founder of AllAboutLawyer.com. All facts verified against NHTSA’s campaign record for 26V651000 and NHTSA’s Part 573 Safety Recall Report for campaign 26V244, as of October 24, 2026. Last Updated: October 24, 2026.