Car Yearsto Avoid

2026 Ram 1500 Problems

What owners have reported about the 2026 Ram 1500, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.

From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.

Is the 2026 Ram 1500 a good year?

It's one of the better years for the 1500. Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA, the 13th most of 15 1500 model years. The most reported problems involve the electrical system, engine and transmission.

101 complaints 9 recalls, 1 can stall 13th worst of 15 1500 years

Top 2026 Ram 1500 problems

1

Electrical problems

49 complaints (49%) name the electrical system, most often the integrated trailer brake control.

Complaints 49 · Usually at 23,000–62,000 miles · Recall 26V225000, 26V059000, 25V826000

2

Engine problems

12 complaints (12%) name the engine.

Complaints 12

3

Transmission problems

10 complaints (10%) name the transmission.

Complaints 10 · Usually at 2,000–2,000 miles

4

Wiper and visibility problems

10 complaints (10%) name the wipers and visibility, most often the sun / moon roof assembly and exterior.

Complaints 10 · Usually at 4,000–4,000 miles

Which parts fail most

Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.

Electrical 49%
Unknown or Other 16%
Engine 12%
Transmission 10%
Wipers and Visibility 10%
Brakes 9%
Lights 9%
Emergency Braking 6%
Body 3%
Suspension 3%

When problems were reported

Complaints by the year the problem happened.

2026 Ram 1500 recalls

Side / window

A connector for the driver and front passenger side air bags may not be secured properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 214, "Side Impact Protection." A side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the sensor connections, as necessary, free of charge.

Recall 26V622000 · Sep 2026

Pressure monitoring and regulating systems

The tire pressure monitoring system sensors may fail to detect low tire pressure and/or fail to illuminate the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System." A TPMS warning light that fails to notify the driver of low tire pressure increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the tire pressure sensors, as necessary, free of charge.

Recall 26V623000 · Sep 2026

Software

A radio software error may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility." A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: The radio software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge.

Recall 26V560000 · Sep 2026

Camera

The rearview camera image may fail to display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility." A rearview camera image that fails to display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Radio software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge.

Recall 26V531000 · Aug 2026

Anchorage

Can stall

The second-row center and left-side seat belt buckle anchors may have been improperly installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages." An improperly installed seat belt buckle anchor may fail to properly restrain occupants, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and attach the seat belt buckle anchor to the body structure as necessary, free of charge.

Recall 26V495000 · Jul 2026

Headlights

The headlight wiring may cause the parking lights and daytime running lights to flicker on and off, or fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." Parking lights and daytime running lights that fail to illuminate properly reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the headlight assemblies, as necessary, free of charge.

Recall 26V421000 · Jul 2026

Instrument cluster / panel

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

Fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge.

Recall 26V225000 · Apr 2026

Integrated trailer brake control, Turn signal

Due to an improperly designed trailer tow module, the trailer lights may fail to illuminate and the trailer brakes may fail. 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.

Fix: Dealers will replace the trailer tow module, free of charge.

Recall 26V059000 · Feb 2026

Instrument cluster / panel

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

Fix: Dealers will inspect and update the instrument panel software or replace the instrument panel cluster, as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are B4C and B8C.

Recall 25V826000 · Dec 2025
Check your VIN for open recalls

Get an email when your 2026 Ram 1500 gets a new recall

We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2026 Ram 1500, you'll hear about it the same week.

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1500 years to avoid

Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.

2014 1500 1,773
2016 1500 1,549
2019 1500 1,492
2015 1500 1,457
2013 1500 1,279
2017 1500 882
2021 1500 683
2018 1500 664
2020 1500 639
2022 1500 624
2025 1500 360
2023 1500 203
2026 1500 101

Common questions

Is the 2026 Ram 1500 a reliable year?

It's one of the better years for the 1500. Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA, the 13th most of 15 1500 model years. The most reported problems involve the electrical system, engine and transmission.

What are the most common 2026 Ram 1500 problems?

Owners most often report problems with the electrical system, engine, transmission and wipers and visibility. 49 complaints (49%) name the electrical system, most often the integrated trailer brake control.

At what mileage do 2026 Ram 1500 electrical system problems start?

Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 23,000–62,000 miles, with a middle value near 43,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2026 Ram 1500 have?

9. Side / window (26V622000); Pressure monitoring and regulating systems (26V623000); Software (26V560000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.

Should I buy a used 2026 Ram 1500?

Ask for service records covering the electrical system, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2009, 2024 and 2026 models, which have the fewest complaints.

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.