More than 52,000 Ram pickup trucks are being recalled in the United States due to serious safety defects that could disable critical systems including the driver's airbag and traction control.
Details of the Safety Defects
Federal safety regulators from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the recall on Monday. It affects four of Ram's 2025 heavy-duty models: the HD 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500.
The core issue is a software glitch that can cause the vehicle's safety computer to shut down temporarily while driving. This malfunction has two potentially catastrophic consequences. Firstly, it can deactivate the traction control system without warning. This system is vital for preventing wheel slip and maintaining stability, especially during sudden manoeuvres or on slippery roads, and its failure raises the risk of a crash.
Secondly, the same fault can disable the driver's front airbag. In the event of a collision, the airbag may not deploy, significantly increasing the chance of severe injury or death. Owners of affected trucks might see their airbag, anti-lock braking system (ABS), and seatbelt warning lights illuminate if the module fails.
A Troubling Pattern for Stellantis
This marks the 52nd recall for Stellantis, Ram's parent company, in 2025 alone—the second-highest number among all automakers in the US. Federal records show the conglomerate, which also owns Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Maserati, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo, has recalled close to 2.8 million vehicles this year.
Of these 52 safety actions, 12 involved backup cameras, nine addressed airbag problems, and eight concerned electrical issues. The majority of the 2025 recalls have been resolved with software updates, and Ram states this latest fault will also be fixed via an over-the-air update when ready.
The company has begun alerting its dealership network, and official recall notices are scheduled to land in owners' mailboxes by mid-January 2025. A Stellantis representative did not respond to a request for comment from the Daily Mail outside of standard business hours.
Recall Hits Ram at a Critical Time
The safety bulletin arrives at a precarious moment for the Ram brand. The pickup line is Stellantis's most crucial profit driver, a lifeline for a company that saw its profits plummet by 70% last year. Ram trucks were the fourth best-selling vehicles in the US last year, behind only the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Toyota RAV4.
However, the brand has been grappling with customer dissatisfaction and slumping sales, partly attributed to high prices and reliability concerns. Earlier this year, a decision to remove the iconic V8 engine from the lineup in favour of a turbocharged V6—despite its improved performance and economy—sparked a backlash.
By June, under new leadership, Stellantis performed a U-turn and reinstated the V8. Ram brand CEO Tim Kuniskis acknowledged the misstep in an advertisement, stating, 'We own it. We got it wrong. And we're fixing it.'
In the competitive landscape of US automotive recalls, only Ford, with a record 152 recalls this year, has issued more NHTSA bulletins than Stellantis in 2025.
