NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data
The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.
As of June 2026, the NHTSA has logged 12 complaints against the 2026 Ram 3500. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2026 Ram 3500 complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.
The 2026 Ram 3500 has generated 12 NHTSA complaints and has 3 active recalls. If your 2026 Ram 3500 has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Ram pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.
Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2026 Ram 3500 include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 3 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “While driving the 2026 Dodge Ram 3500 truck the instrument panel; cluster went completely blank. The screen reappeared again in less than a minute. No other functions were affected.” (NHTSA Complaint #11724031)
The 2026 Ram 3500 has generated 2 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “LT235/80R17, well was on ranch , which I told them I use on ranch so I was charged 995. Bucks extra for AT tires , At 625 miles it popped, well I took to dealer as usual they said my fault ? Well I left . New truck 100k an 2 tire dealers told me they are Juck !!!!” (NHTSA Complaint #11723092)
Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2026 Ram 3500 include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 1 NHTSA complaint have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “Shortly after purchasing a new 2026 Ram 3500 in January 2026, the vehicle began displaying multiple safety warnings simultaneously while driving. Warning indicators included Check Engine, ABS, Brake, Traction Control, Electronic Stability Control, Forward Collision Warning, and Automatic Emergency Braking, along with a “Service Electronic Stability Control” message. The vehicle had very low mileage when the issue first occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for diagnosis and repair. The dealership indicated the concern involved rear wheel speed sensor(s) and the vehicle’s electronic control systems (including a Body Control Module software update). Multiple repair attempts were required, including sensor replacement(s) and software updates, with manufacturer engineering involvement. The dealership and engineering instructed extended test driving (hundreds of miles total) to verify the repair. A particularly concerning element is that a replacement sensor reportedly failed without producing a diagnostic code, meaning the driver may have no warning that a critical component failed until safety systems disable or the vehicle behaves erratically. When the issue occurs, multiple safety systems are impacted at the same time, including ABS braking, stability control, traction control, and AEB/forward collision systems. Multiple safety systems disabled simultaneously. Dealership personnel also indicated that these wheel speed sensors are experiencing widespread failures and that replacement sensors can fail again shortly after installation as they have a 67% failure rate, which raises concern that this may represent a broader manufacturing or component defect affecting multiple vehicles. This complaint is submitted to document a potential safety defect affecting braking, stability control, and driver assistance systems.” (NHTSA Complaint #11722335)
Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2026 Ram 3500 include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 1 NHTSA complaint have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “While driving, the instrument cluster/odometer intermittently flashed and became difficult to read for 15 minutes. After parking, the odometer continued flashing for 10 additional minutes. After the flashing stopped, the vehicle displayed “ParkSense Unavailable – Service Required.” On a separate date, with no trailer connected and without pressing steering wheel buttons, the cluster displayed a “Blind Spot Alert – Trailer Type (Conventional/Goose/5th) – Press OK to Select” prompt. These events were captured on video. Safety risk: driver information/warnings become unreliable while the vehicle is in motion, which is distracting and may reduce awareness of speed/vehicle status. No crash, injury, or fire occurred. A dealer inspected the vehicle and reviewed the customer video. The dealer documented stored electrical/communication/configuration faults consistent with the concern, including ECU configuration mismatch, lost communication with the trailer interface module, and communication bus off faults. The dealer performed software updates to related modules and road tested 34 miles; the concern did not reproduce during the test drive. The vehicle also has an open safety recall (NHTSA 26V-059 / FCA 03D) for the trailer tow module with remedy/parts pending. Incidents occurred on 02/16/2026 and 02/18/2026 at 3,000 miles, including after cold/rain conditions. One restart sequence did not immediately stop the flashing. Dealer scan recorded the following (stored) DTCs: TIPM B2204-87 (ECU configuration mismatch), TIPM U116B-00 (lost communication with trailer interface module), and ITCM U0077-00 (communication bus off). Dealer performed module software updates including CADM update per TSB 08-020-26 and PCM update per RRT-26-036. Recall remedy for 26V-059 / FCA 03D remains pending parts.” (NHTSA Complaint #11720480)
Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2026 Ram 3500 include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 1 NHTSA complaint have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2026 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The message “DANGER” warning light flashed repeatedly and extremely fast on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that an unknown software update was needed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. An engineer inspected the vehicle; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced a recall with a similar failure; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was unknown.” (NHTSA Complaint #11717658)
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2026 Ram 3500 by the NHTSA or Ram. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: An incorrect warning light can fail to alert the driver to critical safety information, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 9, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is 79C.
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
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
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
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
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2026 Ram 3500:
Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Ram to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Ram must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.
If your 2026 Ram 3500 qualifies as a lemon under California law, Ram may be legally required to:
Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.
Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Ram a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Ram dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.
Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Ram pays your fees if you win.
Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Ram a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.
Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Ram is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.
Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.
California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.
If your 2026 RAM 3500 has a recurring defect, California’s Lemon Law may entitle you to a full refund, replacement vehicle, or cash settlement — at no cost to you.
Our attorneys answer the questions we hear most from California vehicle owners — fully updated for 2026.
Get a free case evaluation. Ram pays our fees if you win — you pay nothing upfront.
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