Stellantis has formally issued a safety recall for approximately 6,605 units of the 2026 Ram 2500 pickup truck due to a noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 126. The recall centers on a defective Steering Column Control Module (SCCM), supplied by Kostal of America, which can suffer an internal fault. This mechanical failure leads to a sudden and complete loss of the vehicle’s Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a critical system designed to prevent slides or spins during emergency maneuvers. This recall adds to a growing list of software-based recalls.
Stellantis
The defect is notably dangerous because it frequently occurs as a silent failure without any prior warning to the driver. Federal safety reports indicate that the primary symptom of the fault is the ESC warning light illuminating only after the module has already failed and subsequently reset. This loss of active stability control significantly increases the risk of a crash, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles operating on slippery surfaces or carrying heavy loads.
Recall Review
The investigation into the faulty steering modules began in January 2026 after Stellantis technical teams identified a pattern of malfunctions. Engineers confirmed the manufacturing build issue in mid-March, leading to a formal noncompliance determination on April 10, 2026. The affected vehicles were all manufactured at the Saltillo Assembly Plant in Mexico during a specific production window between September 13, 2025, and November 15, 2025.
Stellantis
This action adds to a mounting list of technical challenges for the Ram brand. The steering recall coincides with a separate, much larger "Blackout" recall affecting 65,348 Ram trucks from the 2025 and 2026 model years. In that campaign, a software glitch causes the 3.5-inch instrument panel to go entirely dark while the truck is in motion, potentially obscuring gear selection and other critical safety indicators. The overlapping issues represent a significant reliability hurdle for commercial fleet buyers who rely on the 2500's 20,000-pound towing capacity and require functional safety systems for legal and safe operation.
What to Note
To remedy the defect, authorized dealers will replace the faulty Steering Column Control Module with a redesigned unit free of charge. Stellantis expects to begin mailing official owner notification letters by May 7, 2026. Owners are advised to check their Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) on the NHTSA website, as searchable database entries for this specific recall (No. 26V244) were scheduled to go live on April 23, 2026. Customers seeking immediate assistance can contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403 and reference recall number 36D.
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