2026 Ram 2500 Recall: 6,605 Trucks Risk ESC Failure & Crashes

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has issued a safety recall for certain 2026 Ram 2500 pickup trucks due to a serious defect that can cause electronic stability control (ESC) systems to fail. According to NHTSA recall campaign 26V244000, approximately 6,605 trucks are affected by this potentially dangerous malfunction that significantly increases the risk of crashes.

What’s Wrong with the 2026 Ram 2500?

The recalled 2026 Ram 2500 trucks may be equipped with faulty steering column control modules that can cause a complete loss of electronic stability control functionality. This defect causes the vehicles to fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 126, which mandates that all light vehicles must be equipped with functioning electronic stability control systems.

Electronic stability control is a critical safety feature that helps drivers maintain control of their vehicles during challenging driving conditions. The system automatically applies brakes to individual wheels and can reduce engine power when it detects that the vehicle is beginning to skid or lose traction. Without this protection, drivers face a dramatically increased risk of losing control during emergency maneuvers, adverse weather conditions, or when navigating curves at speed.

NHTSA Recall Details and Timeline

Chryster identified this defect and reported it to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on April 16, 2026. The recall affects only 2026 model year Ram 2500 pickup trucks equipped with the problematic steering column control modules.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed beginning May 7, 2026. Vehicle owners can contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403 for more information about this recall, which FCA has designated as recall number 36D. The affected Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 23, 2026, allowing owners to verify whether their specific truck is included in this recall.

The Manufacturer’s Remedy

Chryster will address this safety defect by replacing the faulty steering column control module in affected vehicles. This repair will be performed free of charge at authorized Ram dealerships. The replacement modules should restore proper electronic stability control functionality and bring the vehicles into compliance with federal safety standards.

While the manufacturer has committed to providing this remedy at no cost to owners, the recall raises important questions about the quality control processes that allowed thousands of trucks with safety-critical defects to reach consumers in the first place.

California Ram 2500 Lemon Law Rights Under Song-Beverly

If you own a 2026 Ram 2500 affected by this recall and experience ongoing problems with the electronic stability control system or other defects, you may have significant rights under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. This law provides much stronger protection than federal lemon laws and applies specifically to vehicles purchased or leased in California.

Under the Song-Beverly Act, if your Ram 2500 has a substantial defect that affects its use, value, or safety, and the manufacturer cannot repair the problem after a reasonable number of attempts, you may be entitled to a full refund or replacement vehicle. The law doesn’t require you to prove the defect is related to this specific recall - any covered warranty defect can potentially qualify your truck as a lemon.

Reasonable Repair Attempts Standard

California’s Song-Beverly Act establishes clear standards for what constitutes reasonable repair attempts:

• Four or more repair attempts for the same problem, or
• Two or more repair attempts for a defect that could cause death or serious injury (such as ESC failure), or
• Thirty or more days out of service for repairs during the warranty period

Given that electronic stability control failure poses a serious safety risk, problems with this system may qualify for lemon law protection after just two failed repair attempts.

Manufacturer’s Obligation to Repurchase or Replace

If your 2026 Ram 2500 meets the lemon law criteria, Chrysler must either:

1. Repurchase the vehicle for the full amount you paid, minus a reasonable mileage offset for your use before the first repair attempt
2. Replace the vehicle with a comparable new Ram 2500 or similar truck

The buyback amount includes not just the purchase price, but also taxes, registration fees, extended warranties, and other costs directly related to buying the vehicle.

Attorney Fees Covered by Manufacturer

One of the most important provisions of California’s Song-Beverly Act is that successful consumers can recover their attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer. This means you can hire an experienced lemon law attorney without worrying about paying legal fees out of pocket if you win your case. The manufacturer must pay your attorney’s fees in addition to any refund or replacement vehicle.

Civil Penalties for Willful Violations

If Chrysler willfully violates the Song-Beverly Act by failing to honor a valid lemon law claim, you may be entitled to civil penalties equal to twice your actual damages. This provides additional incentive for manufacturers to comply with California’s consumer protection requirements.

Ram 2500 Known Issues and Lemon Law Implications

The 2026 Ram 2500 recall adds to a pattern of quality concerns that have affected Ram trucks in recent years. Many Ram 2500 owners have reported various problems ranging from transmission issues to electrical system failures. When multiple defects affect the same vehicle, it strengthens a potential lemon law case by demonstrating a pattern of manufacturing problems.

Common issues reported in Ram trucks that may qualify for lemon law protection include:

• Transmission problems affecting shifting or performance
• Engine defects causing power loss or stalling
• Electrical system malfunctions
• Brake system failures
• Air conditioning and heating system defects

If your Ram 2500 experiences the electronic stability control problem covered by this recall along with other warranty defects, the combination of issues may support a stronger lemon law claim.

What to Do If Your Ram 2500 Has Problems

Document Everything

If your 2026 Ram 2500 experiences electronic stability control problems or other defects, start documenting everything immediately:

• Keep all service records and repair orders
• Document dates and details of each problem occurrence
• Save all communication with dealerships and Chrysler
• Take photos or videos of any visible defects
• Keep receipts for any expenses related to the problems

Get the Recall Repair Completed

Even if you’re planning to pursue a lemon law claim, it’s important to have the recall repair completed. This ensures your immediate safety and demonstrates that you’ve given the manufacturer an opportunity to address the known defect.

Consider Legal Representation

Because California’s Song-Beverly Act requires manufacturers to pay successful consumers’ attorney fees, there’s no financial risk in consulting with an experienced lemon law attorney. A qualified attorney can evaluate your case, handle negotiations with Chrysler, and ensure you receive the full compensation you’re entitled to under the law.

California’s Lemon Law vs. Federal Recall Remedies

While this NHTSA recall requires Chrysler to fix the electronic stability control defect at no charge, the recall remedy may not fully compensate you for the inconvenience, safety risks, and loss of value you’ve experienced. California’s lemon law provides much more comprehensive relief, including:

• Full refund of your purchase price
• Recovery of all related expenses
• Compensation for your time and inconvenience
• Protection from having to keep a defective vehicle

The recall and lemon law protections work independently - pursuing the recall repair doesn’t affect your rights under the Song-Beverly Act, and a successful lemon law claim can provide relief even after recall repairs have been completed.

Get Help with Your California Ram Lemon Law Case

If you own a 2026 Ram 2500 affected by this recall or any other Ram truck with ongoing warranty problems, you don’t have to fight the manufacturer alone. California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act provides powerful protections for consumers, but navigating the legal process requires expertise in this specialized area of law.

Our experienced California lemon law attorneys understand the complexities of the Song-Beverly Act and have successfully helped thousands of consumers recover compensation for defective vehicles. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case - and when we do win, the manufacturer pays our fees.

Don’t let Chrysler minimize your rights or pressure you into accepting inadequate repairs. Contact our office today for a free consultation to learn about your options under California’s lemon law. We’ll evaluate your case, explain your rights, and help you get the compensation you deserve for your defective Ram truck.

Time limits apply to lemon law claims, so it’s important to act quickly if you’re experiencing problems with your vehicle. Call us today to protect your rights and get the help you need to resolve your Ram lemon law case.