12K Ram 2500 Recalled: Speed Control Defect & CA Lemon Rights
Ram 2500 owners across California face a serious safety concern as Chrysler (FCA US LLC) has issued recall campaign 26V288000 affecting 12,736 pickup trucks from model years 2023-2026. The recall addresses a critical software defect in the powertrain control module that can allow vehicles to exceed their tire speed ratings, creating a dangerous risk of losing vehicle control.
What’s Wrong with the 2023-2026 Ram 2500?
According to NHTSA recall documentation, a software error in the powertrain control module may improperly allow the vehicle speed to exceed the tire speed rating. This defect fundamentally compromises the vehicle’s safety systems designed to protect drivers and passengers.
The consequence is severe: loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash. When a vehicle operates beyond its tire speed rating, the tires can fail catastrophically, leading to sudden loss of control that can result in serious accidents, injuries, or fatalities.
Affected Ram 2500 Model Years and Timeline
This recall affects Ram 2500 pickup trucks manufactured between 2023 and 2026:
- 2023 Ram 2500
- 2024 Ram 2500
- 2025 Ram 2500
- 2026 Ram 2500
Chrysler has assigned this recall the internal number 43D. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 4, 2026, and affected Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 14, 2026.
The Manufacturer’s Remedy
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software free of charge. While this may seem like a straightforward fix, the fact that such a critical safety system was released with defective software raises serious questions about the vehicle’s overall reliability and quality control.
Owners experiencing this defect should contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403 for more information about the recall process.
California Ram 2500 Lemon Law Rights Under Song-Beverly
If your Ram 2500 experiences repeated problems related to this speed control defect or other substantial issues, you may have significant rights under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. This recall could be particularly relevant to lemon law claims if:
- The software defect caused your vehicle to be out of service for repairs
- You experienced the dangerous speed control problem before the recall was announced
- The recall repair fails to permanently fix the problem
- Your truck has other unrelated defects that remain unfixed after reasonable repair attempts
Song-Beverly Act Warranty Coverage for Ram Vehicles
Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, manufacturers must honor their written warranties and provide effective repairs for covered defects. For Ram 2500 trucks, this includes:
Express Warranty Protection: Your Ram 2500 is covered by Chrysler’s new vehicle limited warranty, typically 3 years/36,000 miles for basic coverage and 5 years/60,000 miles for powertrain components.
Reasonable Repair Attempts Standard: If your Ram 2500 requires multiple repair attempts for the same substantial defect, or is out of service for more than 30 days total due to warranty repairs, you may qualify for lemon law protection.
Manufacturer Obligations: Chrysler must either repurchase your defective Ram 2500 or replace it with a comparable new vehicle if they cannot repair the defects after a reasonable number of attempts.
When Ram 2500 Problems Trigger Lemon Law Presumption
California’s Song-Beverly Act includes specific “presumption” triggers that can strengthen your lemon law case:
Four or More Repair Attempts: If the same substantial defect affecting safety, use, or value requires four or more repair attempts during the warranty period.
30 Days Out of Service: If your Ram 2500 is out of service for warranty repairs for more than 30 days total (not necessarily consecutive) during the warranty period.
Two or More Repair Attempts for Safety Defects: For problems that could cause death or serious bodily injury (like the speed control defect in this recall), just two failed repair attempts may trigger presumption.
Speed Control Defect as Safety Issue
The powertrain control module software error allowing dangerous speeds clearly qualifies as a safety defect under Song-Beverly. If this problem occurred in your Ram 2500 and required multiple repair attempts before the recall was announced, or if the recall repair fails to resolve the issue, you may have a strong lemon law claim.
California Lemon Law Benefits for Ram 2500 Owners
Successful Song-Beverly claims provide substantial relief:
Full Refund: You can receive a refund of the purchase price, minus a reasonable mileage offset for your use of the vehicle before problems began.
Vehicle Replacement: Alternatively, you can choose a replacement with a comparable new Ram 2500 or similar vehicle.
Civil Penalty: If Chrysler willfully violated the warranty act, you may receive up to two times your actual damages as a civil penalty.
Attorney Fees: The manufacturer must pay your attorney fees and costs when you prevail, making quality legal representation accessible at no cost to you.
Documenting Your Ram 2500 Defect Claims
To protect your lemon law rights, maintain detailed records:
- All repair orders and invoices showing the speed control problem or other defects
- Documentation of days your Ram 2500 was unavailable due to repairs
- Written communications with Chrysler or dealerships about ongoing problems
- Any safety incidents related to the speed control defect
- Records of the recall repair and whether it successfully resolved the problem
Beyond the Recall: Other Ram 2500 Quality Concerns
This speed control recall may indicate broader quality control issues with Ram 2500 trucks. If your vehicle experiences additional problems beyond this software defect—such as transmission issues, electrical problems, engine defects, or other safety concerns—these could strengthen a potential lemon law case.
The fact that Chrysler released vehicles with such a fundamental safety flaw in the powertrain control module raises questions about their quality assurance processes and may support claims of willful warranty act violations.
Taking Action on Your California Ram 2500 Lemon Law Rights
If you own a 2023-2026 Ram 2500 affected by this recall, or if your truck has experienced repeated warranty problems, you shouldn’t handle the situation alone. California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act provides powerful protection, but navigating manufacturer responses and legal requirements requires experienced guidance.
The recall repair may resolve the immediate safety concern, but it doesn’t address your rights regarding past problems or guarantee against future defects. If your Ram 2500 has required multiple repair attempts or extended time out of service, you may be entitled to a full refund or replacement vehicle under California lemon law.
Get a Free California Lemon Law Consultation
Don’t let Chrysler minimize your rights or delay proper resolution of your Ram 2500 problems. Our experienced California lemon law attorneys understand the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act and have successfully helped countless truck owners recover full compensation for their defective vehicles.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your specific situation and learn how we can help you get the relief you deserve under California’s strong consumer protection laws. Remember, if we take your case and win, the manufacturer pays our attorney fees—you pay nothing out of pocket for quality legal representation.