RAM 2500 · model year

2026 RAM 2500

10 NHTSA complaints, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2026RAM2500 carries 10 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2026 2500 is electrical system with 3 filings, followed by engine (2) and power train (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2026 2500. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

10
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

10 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
ENGINE2
POWER TRAIN2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING1
SERVICE BRAKES1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS1

Recalls (3)

25V53000018/08/2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Ram 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 2500, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The instrument panel may display an incorrect brake system warning light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety

26V05900002/02/2026

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Jeep Wagoneer S, 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, Ram 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. Due to an improperly designed trailer tow module, the trailer lights

25V82600001/12/2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Ram Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the instrument panel cluster display to be blank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply

Recent Complaints

20260208POWER TRAIN

I own a Ram 2500 (VIN: [XXX] ) that has experienced a persistent and worsening rough idle. The engine shakes violently at idle, RPMs fluctuate unpredictably, and the vehicle feels as if it may stall. This occurs at stoplights, in traffic, and after warm-up. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership multiple times for this issue. Despite repeated visits, diagnostics, and inspections, the problem has not been resolved. I was told the condition is “normal” or that a future software update may address it, but the issue continues and is getting worse. In addition to the rough idle, the vehicle has experienced intermittent electrical issues, including warning lights, erratic behavior of vehicle systems, and inconsistent performance. Similar complaints are widely reported by other Ram 2500 owners online, including rough idle, engine surging, stalling, and electrical failures. Why This Is a Safety Concern!!!!! This defect creates a serious safety risk. The rough idle causes violent shak

20260208ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I own a Ram 2500 (VIN: [XXX] ) that has experienced a persistent and worsening rough idle. The engine shakes violently at idle, RPMs fluctuate unpredictably, and the vehicle feels as if it may stall. This occurs at stoplights, in traffic, and after warm-up. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership multiple times for this issue. Despite repeated visits, diagnostics, and inspections, the problem has not been resolved. I was told the condition is “normal” or that a future software update may address it, but the issue continues and is getting worse. In addition to the rough idle, the vehicle has experienced intermittent electrical issues, including warning lights, erratic behavior of vehicle systems, and inconsistent performance. Similar complaints are widely reported by other Ram 2500 owners online, including rough idle, engine surging, stalling, and electrical failures. Why This Is a Safety Concern!!!!! This defect creates a serious safety risk. The rough idle causes violent shak

20260208ENGINE

I own a Ram 2500 (VIN: [XXX] ) that has experienced a persistent and worsening rough idle. The engine shakes violently at idle, RPMs fluctuate unpredictably, and the vehicle feels as if it may stall. This occurs at stoplights, in traffic, and after warm-up. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership multiple times for this issue. Despite repeated visits, diagnostics, and inspections, the problem has not been resolved. I was told the condition is “normal” or that a future software update may address it, but the issue continues and is getting worse. In addition to the rough idle, the vehicle has experienced intermittent electrical issues, including warning lights, erratic behavior of vehicle systems, and inconsistent performance. Similar complaints are widely reported by other Ram 2500 owners online, including rough idle, engine surging, stalling, and electrical failures. Why This Is a Safety Concern!!!!! This defect creates a serious safety risk. The rough idle causes violent shak

20260108POWER TRAIN

When my truck is put into Neutral gear position and my foot is taken off the brake the trucks message center shows "Press Brake and TURN shifter to desired gear". Unfortunately, this is impossible to do as these trucks are only equipped with Column shifter handles and not dash mounted rotary knobs. It is literally impossible to follow this direction as given. I have to imagine giving a customer a direction that is physically impossible to carry out is likely a safety violation for the manufacturer.

20260108ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

When my truck is put into Neutral gear position and my foot is taken off the brake the trucks message center shows "Press Brake and TURN shifter to desired gear". Unfortunately, this is impossible to do as these trucks are only equipped with Column shifter handles and not dash mounted rotary knobs. It is literally impossible to follow this direction as given. I have to imagine giving a customer a direction that is physically impossible to carry out is likely a safety violation for the manufacturer.

20251112ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The Stereo Screen went black, unable to turn back on the dealership had to replace the entire stereo. In addition, flashing ODO and other indicators on the dash. The IDLE is out of control which shakes the whole truck. Since the screen does not work the backup camera is also off which makes it very hard to backup. The truck feels very different when the ODO is flashing and the screen is black. It is not dealer / transportation mode just FYI. The Truck was towed back to the dealership after a 16 day service visit for the first visit.

20251112ENGINE

The Stereo Screen went black, unable to turn back on the dealership had to replace the entire stereo. In addition, flashing ODO and other indicators on the dash. The IDLE is out of control which shakes the whole truck. Since the screen does not work the backup camera is also off which makes it very hard to backup. The truck feels very different when the ODO is flashing and the screen is black. It is not dealer / transportation mode just FYI. The Truck was towed back to the dealership after a 16 day service visit for the first visit.

20251028FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

While towing my boat trailer the dash lights up with AEB, ESC, ABS lights as well as messages saying service needed for several other systems like cruise control and adaptive cruise control. This happened on a busy street while in motion causing a loss of all safety subsystems related to braking. The dealer diagnosed as a failed ABS/HCU and required replacement. My truck had 1350 miles at time of incident.

20251028SERVICE BRAKES

While towing my boat trailer the dash lights up with AEB, ESC, ABS lights as well as messages saying service needed for several other systems like cruise control and adaptive cruise control. This happened on a busy street while in motion causing a loss of all safety subsystems related to braking. The dealer diagnosed as a failed ABS/HCU and required replacement. My truck had 1350 miles at time of incident.

20251028FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

While towing my boat trailer the dash lights up with AEB, ESC, ABS lights as well as messages saying service needed for several other systems like cruise control and adaptive cruise control. This happened on a busy street while in motion causing a loss of all safety subsystems related to braking. The dealer diagnosed as a failed ABS/HCU and required replacement. My truck had 1350 miles at time of incident.

Compare 2026RAM2500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2026 RAM 2500 have?
The 2026 RAM 2500 has 10 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2026 RAM 2500?
Yes, the 2026 RAM 2500 has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2026 RAM 2500?
The most-complained component for the 2026 RAM 2500 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2026 RAM 2500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.