2026 Ram 1500 electrical system problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

47 owners have reported electrical system problems with the 2026 Ram 1500, 48% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 82,000 mi.

Electrical System complaints
47
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Related recalls
3
Median mileage
82,000 mi

Specific components reported

Electrical System covers: Battery, wiring, infotainment, instrument cluster, communication and software.

ComponentComplaints
Electrical system46
Electrical system: integrated trailer brake control2

Electrical System complaints across Ram 1500 years

32009104201312820148820151262016842017144201834420191632020197202119420226920232820241862025472026
Electrical System complaints by model year. The 2026 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

1Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k260k–100k100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 26V225000Apr 9, 202665,348 vehicles
    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, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the instrument panel display to fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards numbers 102, "Transmission Shift Position Sequence," 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems," 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment," 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems for Light Vehicles," 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems," 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System," and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as gear selection and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 35D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 16, 2026.

  • Recall 26V059000Feb 2, 2026456,287 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

    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 may fail to illuminate and the trailer brakes may fail.

    Risk: Trailer brake lights and turn signals that do not illuminate reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, trailer brakes that fail increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the trailer tow module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning March 17, 2026. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 03D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 10, 2026.

  • Recall 25V826000Dec 1, 202572,509 vehicles
    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 with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems," 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems," and 102, "Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect."

    Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or gear selection, increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and update the instrument panel software or replace the instrument panel cluster, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are B4C and B8C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 4, 2025.

What owners say

  1. Filed Oct 5, 2026MTDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemSteering
    The primary failures involve the central electrical system, computer module architecture, and the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), specifically the automatic rear backup braking. The 2026 Ram 1500 Laramie is currently parked at Lithia Ram in Helena, MT, and remains available for a complete inspection upon request. My safety, my wife's safety, and the lives of others have been put in extreme jeopardy. The truck suffered a terrifying, complete electrical and…
    NHTSA complaint #11769190 · source
  2. Filed Sep 25, 2026ARElectrical System
    While driving on the Interstate approx. 70 MPH the main digital instrument panel completely blacked out and remained dark for 30 to maybe 60 seconds before attempting to reboot. During this time, I lost all access to all critical safety information including the speedometer, gear selection, gauges and safety warning indicators creating an immediate and hazardous driving condition. this vehicle is a 2026 Ram and a daily driver. the total loss of dashboard visibility while…
    NHTSA complaint #11766846 · source
  3. Filed Sep 14, 2026NYFireElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
    On September 14, 2026, my 2026 Ram 1500 Limited, with approximately 6,000 miles, caught fire while parked and unattended in my workplace parking lot. I had driven the vehicle approximately six minutes to work and parked it at approximately 1:30 PM. I did not notice any warning lights, warning messages, smoke, unusual smells, or other indications of a problem while driving or when I parked the vehicle. At approximately 2:25 PM, a coworker noticed smoke coming from the parked…
    NHTSA complaint #11764237 · source
  4. Filed Sep 13, 2026CAElectrical System
    The charging system does not charge the starting battery at times. On a 2 plus hour drive I got a low voltage warning from my dash camera. the dashcam has the feature to protect not running the battery to low. I was driving at highway speeds and the trucks onboard gauges showed the battery voltage at 12.5 volts. It should show between 13.8 to 14.1 with the engine running. If the battery were to have completely died the truck would have been disabled at speed. Dealer looked…
    NHTSA complaint #11763918 · source
  5. Filed Sep 9, 2026CAElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown
    On XXX, I leased a 2026 Ram 1500 truck from Enterprise Rent-A-Car ([XXX] branch) with a friend, both of us being young women. While traveling, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic electronic system failure. The truck’s central computer completely desynced from the key fob, locking two female occupants out and leaving us stranded and vulnerable in a remote area. It also began alerting about “ checking tire pressure system despite checking all tires. A passerby stopped…
    NHTSA complaint #11763022 · source
  6. Filed Sep 9, 2026GAElectrical SystemLighting
    The contact owns a 2026 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V059000 (Exterior Lighting, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
    NHTSA complaint #11763018 · source
  7. Filed Sep 8, 2026UTBrakesElectrical System
    The vehicle has failed to start and left me stranded multiple times. The concerning thing here is, upon jumping the vehicle, there were no concerning lights just a single check engine light. I was driving directly to the dealer for a repair. All was fine for about 10 minutes. Then, I hit the brakes and all warning lights came up and the brakes STOPPED WORKING. The pedal was soft and going nearly to the floor. I very luckily avoided an accident and pulled over, then had the…
    NHTSA complaint #11762807 · source
  8. Filed Sep 8, 2026OKElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown
    [XXX]. at about [XXX] I put the vehicle on Drive mode after releasing the electronic parking brake. Suddenly the vehicle engine stopped running all power was not available to include power windows and doors. I was trapped inside my vehicle for about 20 minutes. I made a call to the manufacture's roadside assistance at [phone removed] since the vehicle has only 3,000 miles on it. The script reading third world country support team was not very helpful. I managed to exit the…
    NHTSA complaint #11762728 · source
  9. Filed Sep 1, 2026ALDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemSuspension
    My tailgate wont open at all ! I tried the button in the overhead console ,the key fob and manually! Nothing works and I can't get a dealership to get me a loaner to look at it because I can't be with out transportation! It's a little frustrating I have a new truck that was less then 1month old at the time. Not to mention the other electrical issues like (system keep unpairing my phone),my airbag RH rear canister makes a loud bursting noise or the light indicator in the…
    NHTSA complaint #11761422 · source
  10. Filed Aug 28, 2026FLElectrical System
    While actively driving the vehicle on roadways the vehicle began initiating a software update without any approval prompt request to confirm OK to begin the update. The backup camera, radio, SOS and driver assistance features were unavailable during the update, and the update screen stated "Vehicle should not be driven, and should remain in PARK or with parking brake engaged". Problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by dealer as it occurred this morning 8/28/26.
    NHTSA complaint #11760226 · source
  11. Filed Aug 27, 2026TNElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    At a red light, the truck flashed all lights then refused to move. I tried to put the truck in park and turn it off and back on again but it didn't ever turn on again. The truck was towed to the dealer 13 days ago now. They fixed all safety recalls but it didn't resolve the issue and the truck still will not drive. The manufacturer is refusing to repair what the dealer believes to be the issue.
    NHTSA complaint #11760150 · source
  12. Filed Aug 15, 2026NMDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain
    Vehicle auto braking inoperative, lane detection not working, main screen goes completely black. Vehicle went into limp mode while entering the freeway . Main dash flagged yellow, and highlighted check engine, service electric stability control, airbags service, 4 x 4 unavailable, service electronic stability control.
    NHTSA complaint #11757189 · source

Other 2026 Ram 1500 problem areas

  • Other / Unknown (16)
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (11)
  • Engine (11)
  • Visibility & Wipers (10)
  • Transmission & Drivetrain (10)
  • Lighting (9)
  • Brakes (9)
  • Body & Structure (5)
  • Airbags (3)
  • Suspension (3)
  • Seats & Seat Belts (2)
  • Steering (2)
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control (1)

Back to all 2026 Ram 1500 problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology